Thursday, May 26, 2011

Feature: John Scott

This Month’s Feature: John Scott
By: Scott Bucholtz -
Are You Experienced?
Members of the music community and more specifically, the Lowcountry Blues Club clearly understand the meaning of that question. We have felt it. You could call it enchantment. An extraordinary magic. John Scott is driven by this spirit as well as The Spirit.
John Scott was born in Cambridge, MA on May 29th – a few years back. As a Navy kid, he and his family moved to Charleston in 1965. Within a year, boredom drove him and his younger brother to start a band. John went to Garrett High (his brother was still in middle school), the band was called The Spectros as they all wore glasses (he says they were the school nerds) and played mostly surf, beach and some of the early British music. Today, John is married to Carolyn, his wife of 18 years and they have three children (John John, Sophie & Iris).
After the Spectros, he played bass in a jazz band, The Elegant Truetones fronted by Juin Allen Dequire from New Orleans with Carleen Butler on drums. This lasted maybe a year. He switched back to guitar and hasn’t had a desire to set it down again!
John’s musical inspirations run from Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Les Paul and Chet Atkins to Australian Guitar Wizard Tommy Emmanuel, country acoustic guitarist Doyle Dykes, Walter Carlos, E. Power Biggs and soul singer William Bell. While those first few names are on every guitar enthusiast's list whether they are 16 or 60, you would do yourself a favor by investigating the others. The sources for inspiration are truly limitless.

Harmonica player Gary Wright (who plays with Highway 17) works for one of his company's customers and happened to tell him about the Lowcountry Blues Club about a year and a half ago. Like the rest of us, John couldn’t resist, he went down to A Dough Re Mi and has barely missed a week ever since. Now at Home Team BBQ, he has taken on the responsibility of running sound and ensuring that the ear candy is sweet.
On jam nights, John loves to stick close to the Blues. His favorites are All Along The Watchtower, Black Magic Woman, Little Wing and anything by Stevie Ray Vaughan. But, John is no one trick pony. There have been countless times that John’s playing has garnered worthy attention. His catalog of knowledge is quite impressive. Just when you think we’re launching into something obscure that’s bound to be a train wreck, John will step forward and nail a lead that will bring it all together. When referring to his favorite fellow jammers, he launches into a list of first names just like we were all a big family. Dan, JP, Charlie, English Charlie, Jack, Jerry, Brooks, Al, Greg, Cindy, Skye, myself… he says “everyone who gets up to jam or just listen”. The sentiment is spot-on. It is a big musical family!
After the Spectros and the Elegant Truetones, his list of bands includes Invictas, Carleen and the Groovers, Johnny King and the Electric Icebox, Phoenix and Gunz. Gunz featured Linda Johnson and our very own Captain Kirk on drums. Captain says John “knows every song there is”. The Groovers were the road band for William Bell who co-wrote “Born Under A Bad Sign”. Carleen Butler was the drummer, her brother Clary played trumpet. Clary had played with Wilson Pickett and Etta James! Note: William Bell’s “Every Day Will Be A Holiday” is the only cover song on Warren Haynes’ incredible new solo CD (Man In Motion). The Groovers cut four records in Columbia at Music World Studios around 1969-70. "Hot Pants”, “Right On”, “The Thing”, “Can We Rap”. Not too long ago John discovered that these songs are still in circulation around the world (buy the vinyl). He had been told that the masters had been destroyed. Thanks to the Web, you can look up reviews of these hits. John’s favorite refers to him as a “Hendrix influenced guitarist who drove a hearse to gigs”. His legacy lives!

Certainly, being William Bell's band director and guitarist was a career highlight. Another was the fact that he had the opportunity to play with the original Memphis Horns. If you get a chance, ask him about that. It’s a classic tale from the road! Also, I was fascinated to find that he actually worked as the director for the Grammy Awards Orchestra back around 1980. That’s not something most of us would be able to include on a resume!

Since 1994, John has been playing in the praise and worship band at Antioch Christian Fellowship in Summerville. He hopes to continue as he says that “The Lord called me”. He also enjoys the “fellowship and experience gained from playing with other Professional and youthful musicians both secular as well as spirit filled players”. He adds, “I thoroughly enjoy and support the Lowcountry Blues Club jams and shows”. There may come a time when he’ll put some thought into getting into another band but he’ll see where the spirit leads him. That’s a journey to Enlightenment!

“Trumpets and violins I can hear in the distance
I think they're calling our names
Maybe now you can't hear them, but you will
If you just take hold of my hand”

Are YOU Experienced?

As always, this weekend looks to be a buffet of sweet treats. It opens Thursday night with J.R. Getches & Allyson Taylor @ Bambu. Friday you can see Skye Paige & The Original Recipe @ Home Team BBQ (West Ashley) or Gaslight Street @ the Brick House Kitchen. Starling (w/ Captain Kirk) will be at Skynyrd’s in St. George on Friday and Saturday @ Geno’s in Goose Creek. Once again, hit the Vendue Rooftop @ 6 to kick off your weekend downtown. Look for YoungMi and Old You Friday @ 6 and The Louie D Project on the Vendue Rooftop Saturday @ 6. Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk can be experienced Saturday & Sunday at the Pour House and the Rev. Dr. Johnny Mac & The Booty Ranch hits Home Team BBQ (Sullivan’s Island) Saturday. I am thrilled to be playing Friday night with The Jonathan Robinson Trio on the patio at Outback Steakhouse in West Ashley and then I’ll be with The Mason Dixon Band Saturday night at Mueller’s Pub in West Ashley.

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Thanks to everyone who came out to last night's jam! We missed Dan Wright, who was in Chicago, but Billy Gadol did a fabulous job filling in, and it was a stellar night with some great, great sets...

And thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put on the show at Awendaw Sound last Saturday -- those who came had a really good time. And thanks to all the volunteers, the sound guys, and the artists who played it: The Jonathan Robinson Trio (w/ special guest Austin Bucholtz), The Wyatt Garey Band, Johnny Mac & the BootyRanch, Port City Prophets, The Big Guy Blues Review, Billy G and the Lowcountry Blues Club AllStars, including Miss Skye Paige... What a show!

Don't forget that Piccolo Spoleto has LOTS of blues events (some were detailed in last week's blog), so check out all the news at www.piccolospoleto.com, for May 27-June 10. There's the Early Bird Blues Series at Mad River, the Blues Cruises, and Blues on the Dock. Get out there and have some fun!

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Reminders:

Check your favorite local paper for all the shows happening this weekend, and join the facebook site "Charleston Live Music" for highlights...

Don't miss our next jam: Wednesday night at Home Team BBQ/ West Ashley -- sooo much fun!!

June's featured artists are Howlin' Wolf (1910), and Scott Holt (1966), both born in June.

Join us on facebook (Lowcountry Blues Club) and twitter, and check out some of our recordings from the Wednesday jams at http://www.reverbnation.com/lowcountrybluesclub

It's time to pay your dues for 2011 if you haven't already done so. Just come out to a jam, and give us $10 for an individual, $25 for a band or family, or $100 for a corporate membership. Or you can mail dues to The Lowcountry Blues Club, P.O. Box 814, Isle of Palms, SC 29451.

LMW, May 26, 2011

Monday, May 23, 2011

Lowcountry Blues Club Board Meeting This Week

The Lowcountry Blues Club will be having a Board Meeting this Wednesday (May 25th) starting at 6:30PM at Hometeam BBQ West Ashley. In addition to the Board Members and Officers, this meeting will be open to all club members. If you are interested in the future direction of the club and upcoming leadership opportunities, you should attend this meeting.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

First Annual Lowcountry Blues Club Festival this Saturday!

This weekend don't miss the First Annual Lowcountry Blues Club Festival at Awendaw Sound: 5105 Hwy 17 North, Awendaw, SC (The Old Kick’n Horse) Saturday, May 21, 2011, 1pm until 8 or maybe later...

- Rev Dr Johnny Mac and the Booty Ranch

- Port City Prophets

- Wyatt Garey Band

- The Big Guy’s Blues Revue

- Jonathan Robinson Trio

- The Lowcountry Blues Club Allstars
With more surprises and special guests

Tickets $10 ETIX or $15 day of show
Bring a can of food for the Lowcountry Food Bank, a benefit for the Lowcountry Food Bank and the Lowcountry Blues Club

We are also in need of volunteers in the following areas:

Ticket sales, Concessions, Stage crew, Sound guy, Set up and tear down, Selling memberships

If you are interested in volunteering, please email lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com and let us know.

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More weekend fun: The Sertoma Pig Pickin’ will be held this weekend on Daniel Island in the field adjacent to the Publix. The ‘AnyButt Contest’ will kick things off on Friday night, with gates opening at 6 p.m. and sampling beginning at 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Mason Dixon Band (with our own Scott Bucholtz). Cooking teams will prepare appetizers, entrees and desserts. The public will be able to get samples of each for $1 and cast their vote for their favorite in each category. All proceeds go to charity including Camp Sertoma, Charleston Animal Society and the Charleston Miracle League.

Also on Friday night, catch Skye Paige playing some hot slide blues at the Village Tavern at 9, with Whiskey n Ramblin. Or check out Downwright Scoundrels who will play at 9pm at the Palmetto Grill of Ladson.


And coming soon: PICCOLO SPOLETO BLUES SERIES
Charleston, South Carolina
May 27-June 10
www.piccolospoleto.com (has everything on it!)

FIRST COURSE: Bodacious "Early Bird Blues" happy hour shows at Mad River Bar & Grille (an old brick church, now a bar/restaurant) featuring (day by day):

JUKE JOINT JOHNNY & DREW BALDWIN
HITMAN
JEFF BEASLEY ONE-MAN BAND
HECTOR QIRKO BLUES DUO
COTTON BLUE
ANDY COATS
THE KING BEES
MATT WALSH BLUES DUO
DRINK SMALL, THE BLUES DOCTOR
CHUCK THE CAT MORRIS & SILENT EDDIE PHILLIPS
ACOUSTICA
MY BUDDY TODD
MARSHALL BALLEW

All for the ridiculous low price of $11 each show.

Tickets now on sale on-line at www.piccolospoleto.com
or at the Piccolo box office, 180 Meeting St., 2nd floor,
corner of South Market St, 9 am -5 pm
Venue website www.madrivercharleston.com
(Check out their new menu features more more more seafood!)
(corner of N. Market and East Bay Streets, SO convenient!)
NOTE: cash only at door; credit card/check OK in advance.

and SECOND COURSE

FOUR AWESOME BLUES CRUISES ON CHARLESTON HARBOR
aboard "Carolina Belle"
Leaves from the Charleston Maritime Center.

This one WILL ROCK YOUR BOAT!
May 29: HITMAN
May 30: JEFF BEASLEY AND CHUCK THE CAT
June 5: KING BEES
June 6: MATT WALSH DUO

Tickets (same place as above) or Charleston Harbor Tours
843 722 1112
www.charlestonharbortours.com

www.piccolospoleto.com gives you all the info on blues and so much more on this citywide arts festival.

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Reminders:

Check your favorite local paper for lots more live music happening this weekend, and join the facebook site "Charleston Live Music" for highlights...

Don't miss our next jam: Wednesday night at Home Team BBQ/ West Ashley -- sooo much fun!!

May's featured artists are Blind Willie McTell (1901), Robert Johnson (1911), Little Walter (1930), and Taj Mahal (1942) - all born in May.

Join us on facebook (Lowcountry Blues Club) and twitter, and check out some of our recordings from the Wednesday jams at http://www.reverbnation.com/lowcountrybluesclub

It's time to pay your dues for 2011 if you haven't already done so. Just come out to a jam, and give us $10 for an individual, $25 for a band or family, or $100 for a corporate membership. Or you can mail dues to The Lowcountry Blues Club, P.O. Box 814, Isle of Palms, SC 29451.

LMW, May 19, 2011

Friday, May 13, 2011

Please disregard any random blog posts

Hi all -

Google was doing some maintenance on their blogger website, and they by mistake sent out some old blog posts. We think that Google has fixed the problem, and won't send any more. So, although it wasn't the Blues Club that messed up, we still apologize for the confusion!

But while we've got your attention, we'll let you know about a special Saturday blues club jam, tomorrow (on Saturday May 14) at Home Team/West Ashley with Dan Wright and friends, from 3-7 - be there if you can...

Thursday, May 12, 2011

This weekend: Tea Fest and more!

Hi All -

Last night's blues club jam had a record turnout and some awesome music -- I hope you were there! We are so honored and grateful to the wonderful musicians who come out and share their talents with us each week!!

This weekend there's fine music all over town. The Pour House has a streak of great shows: Friday night is Eric Lindell, Saturday night is Sarah Cole and the Hawkes with Guilt Ridden Troubadour, and Sunday night (after the Tea Fest) is a show with Those Darlins and The Explorers Club. Also on Sat night, Momma and Redemption play some hot blues at Home Team/SI. Check out the Home Team website for some more blues events in the coming week, including a visit by Charlie Sayles at both Home Team locations...

What is the Tea Fest, you may ask? The official title is The 5th Annual First Flush FesTEAval, and it's at the Charleston Tea Plantation, 6617 Maybank Highway, Wadmalaw Island, SC, on Sunday, May 15, doors at 11am, music starts at noon. Lots of LBC friends will be there, and Sarah Cole will perform, along with Leslie, A Fragile Tomorrow, Gaslight Street, and lots more. The headliner is Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - check them out on youtube if you don't already know how awesome they are...

And next weekend don't miss the First Annual Lowcountry Blues Club Festival at Awendaw Sound: 5105 Hwy 17 North, Awendaw, SC (The Old Kick’n Horse) Saturday, May 21, 2011, 1pm until...

- Rev Dr Johnny Mac and the Booty Ranch

- Port City Prophets

- Wyatt Garey Band

- The Big Guy’s Blues Revue

- Jonathan Robinson Trio

- The Lowcountry Blues Club Allstars
With more surprises and special guests

Tickets $10 ETIX or day of show
Bring a can of food for the Lowcountry Food Bank, a benefit for the Lowcountry Food Bank and the Lowcountry Blues Club

We are also in need of volunteers in the following areas:

Ticket sales, Concessions, Stage crew, Sound guy, Set up and tear down, Selling memberships

If you are interested in volunteering, please email lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com and let us know.

-----------------

Reminders:

Check your favorite local paper for lots more live music happening this weekend, and join the facebook site "Charleston Live Music" for highlights...

Don't miss our next jam: Wednesday night at Home Team BBQ/ West Ashley -- sooo much fun!!

May's featured artists are Blind Willie McTell (1901), Robert Johnson (1911), Little Walter (1930), and Taj Mahal (1942) - all born in May.

Join us on facebook (Lowcountry Blues Club) and twitter, and check out some of our recordings from the Wednesday jams at http://www.reverbnation.com/lowcountrybluesclub

It's time to pay your dues for 2011 if you haven't already done so. Just come out to a jam, and give us $10 for an individual, $25 for a band or family, or $100 for a corporate membership. Or you can mail dues to The Lowcountry Blues Club, P.O. Box 814, Isle of Palms, SC 29451.

LMW, May 12, 2011

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Original version? Maybe not!

BLUES YOU CAN USE: Original version? Maybe not! (Submitted by Jack Downey)

Whenever we come up to jam at Lowcountry Blues Club, there is a short meeting of the musicians on stage to determine which song to play next. During these gatherings, I am sometimes amused at what some players call the 'original' version of a song. Here's an idea of how the meetings go (expletives and colorful metaphors deleted):

J.D.: "Ok what next?"

T.S.: " Do you know Statesboro Blues?"

J.H.: "Which version?"

T.S.: "The original"

T.S.: "Where's my beer?"

J.K.: "What key?"

J.D.: "You're a drummer."

J.K.: "Right."

J.D.: "Oh ok…Allman Brothers, got it"

T.S.: "Key of B-Minus"

…yadda yadda

What some people may or may not realize, is that although the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band member Allman Brothers' version of Statesboro Blues is certainly the modern definitive version, it is NOT the original. Statesboro Blues was recorded by Blues Foundation Hall of Fame member Blind Willie McTell in 1928.

Many artists in the 1960s and beyond recorded their own renditions of older songs that grew to become what most of us think of as the definitive, or even orginal version. Some say that it was to honor the original, others say it was a rip off. The Rolling Stones named their band in tribute to a Muddy Waters song. Led Zeppelin was sued for plagiarism for the song "Whole Lotta Love", which contained some direct lyrical and melodic parts of the Willie Dixon-penned "You Need Love".

When my band adds a song to the set list, I like to dig into what's behind the music. Find out who wrote it, who originally recorded it, what time frame, which versions exist, which is the definitive version, and then interpret the song to play it in our own way. It helps me to gain an appreciation of the music and I think that it comes out in the performance.

Cream's version of "Crossroads" sounds very little like the original Robert Johnson version from 1928. In fact, Cream even added a verse from a completely different song. The verse that begins "Going down to Rosedale, with my rider by my side…" is from another Robert Johnson song, "Traveling Riverside Blues."

It's pretty common knowledge that "Crossroads" was originally performed by Robert Johnson, and that "I Just Want To Make Love To You" by Foghat is a remake of a Muddy Waters' performed song, and that "Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Creedence Clearwater Revival was done before by Marvin Gaye.

What follows is a short list of songs that you may NOT know are cover songs:

One Way Out - Allman Brothers 1972 (Sonny Boy Williamson 1961)

The Sky Is Crying - Stevie Ray Vaughan 1991 (Elmore James 1960)

Big Boss Man - Elvis Presley 1967 (Jimmy Reeed 1960)

Hard To Handle - Black Crowes 1990 (Otis Redding 1968)

Baby Please Don't Go - Muddy Waters 1953 (Big Joe Williams 1935)

Train Kept A Rollin - Aerosmith 1974 (Tiny Bradshaw 1951)

Susie Q - CCR 1968 (Dale Hawkins 1957, Chet Atkins 1963, Rolling Stones 1964, Johnny Rivers 1965)

Texas Flood - Stevie Ray Vaughan 1983 (Larry Davis 1958)

Black Magic Woman - Santana 1970 (Fleetwood Mac 1968)

Crawlin' King Snake - Howlin Wolf 1966 (Big Joe Williams 1941)

So, when you get up to the stage on jam night, be careful when you call out an 'original' version of a song. If you are expecting the band to play the 'original' version of Texas Flood by Stevie Ray Vaughan (1983), you might be surprised to learn that Larry Davis recorded it in 1958.

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Coming soon:

The First Annual Lowcountry Blues Club Show
at Awendaw Sound - 5105 Hwy 17 North, Awendaw, SC
(The Old Kick’n Horse)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
1pm until...

Rev Dr Johnny Mac and the Booty Ranch

Port City Prophets

Wyatt Garey Band

The Big Guy’s Blues Revue

Jonathan Robinson Trio

The Lowcountry Blues Club Allstars
With more surprises and special guests

Tickets $10 ETIX or day of show

Bring a can of food for the Lowcountry Food Bank

Benefit for the Lowcountry Food Bank and the Lowcountry Blues Club

Timothy D. Shaw
Postmaster

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Reminders:

Check your favorite local paper for live music happening this weekend, and join the facebook site "Charleston Live Music" for all the latest music news.

Don't miss our next jam: Wednesday night at Home Team BBQ/ West Ashley -- sooo much fun!!

May's featured artists are Blind Willie McTell (1901), Robert Johnson (1911), Little Walter (1930), and Taj Mahal (1942) - all born in May.

Join us on facebook (Lowcountry Blues Club) and twitter, and check out some of our recordings from the Wednesday jams at http://www.reverbnation.com/lowcountrybluesclub

It's time to pay your dues for 2011 if you haven't already done so. Just come out to a jam, and give us $10 for an individual, $25 for a band or family, or $100 for a corporate membership. Or you can mail dues to The Lowcountry Blues Club, P.O. Box 814, Isle of Palms, SC 29451.

LMW, May 5, 2011