Hey Folks!
The Mermaid was rockin' last night as the Dukes of Destiny gathered to throw down some smokin' hot blues. The place was packed and there were added subplots all through the night. So, just in case you missed it ...
Upon arrival to load in, we ran into a rather large party of rugby enthusiasts. Beer was flowing and I'm sure there were darts being tossed somewhere. Alas, they were transitioning out while our crowd began to stream in. In fact, it seemed that in a blink of an eye the social group had entirely turned over and it was yet again standing room only. Not bad!
At last, we began the first set. Tonight we were dipping into the catalogue a bit pulling out of mothballs "Can't Quit You, No" and "Think". Also, a newish tune, "Don't Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock & Roll" has become a fan favorite. By the time the first set came to an end, you could just feel the electricity.
During the second set we had several friends join us on stage. Harmonica player Markie B was celebrating his birthday and joined us on a few tunes. The stark contrast between Markie's & John's stylistic approach made tunes such as Little By Little & Messin' With the Kid so much more dynamic. Really incredible listening to them work together. My keyboard playin' pal Andy McMaster was in the house and layed the boogie woogie down for "RC Cola" & just wailed on "Mustang Sally". Of course, well anticipated during the week, Ed Feldman did a guest vocal on "Temptation" that was supremely sublime ... if not peppered with a bit of ad libbed political satire. C'mon, it's Ed!
Thanks to Jack, Joanne, Joan & Scarlet of the Mermaid ... my favorite place to cool my heels.
Thanks to the way kool folks who came out, Marilyn & Milt, all of the Adlers, Susana, Andy & Beth, Lorraine & Dawn & Donna, & Roller.
Thanks to a couple of musicians who swung by but didn't play, Chuck Lindsey & Marc Johnson.
Of course, thanks to John, Arlyn, Bobby, CC, Chicago Carl & Ray for the way kool tunes.
NEXT UP: Dukes of Destiny @ Chestnut Hill Garden Fest May 1, 2011 11AM
PEACE
Rich
Dukes of Destiny @ The Mermaid Inn April 23, 2011
Dukes of Destiny Honored by AIDS Fund Philadelphia
The Dukes of Destiny are being honored April 1st by AIDS Fund Philadelphia as they will be presented with the Founders' Award. The band has performed at every AIDS Walk Philly since the beginning 24 years ago.
Dukes of Destiny @ World Cafe Live March 12, 2011
Wow, what a cool night and I'm not talkin' about the temperature 'cause it was Way Hot! Lots of folks in the house, people dancing all night, food & drink passing this way & that .... Mass pandemonium and I was there ... but just in case you missed it ...
World Cafe Live is a regular haunt for the Dukes of Destiny. The feel, the sound, the staff ... its all very comfortable. Ian Axel and friends had set up shop as we arrived to get gear going and run a soundcheck. Not bad! You know the act has adventure when there's a ukulele on stage. Who plays these things?
So ..... Dukes take the stage with Rick opening the show with "I'm Ready". Rick is playing in his last gig with the dukes for a little while as he is going on tour with April Chimes later this month. But tonight, he was Johnny on the spot laying down some serious electric guitar lines! Through two hours of rockin' blues, the Dukes kept a crowd of folks dancing into the night. A nice added enticement, April joined us onstage to perform a tune and it was a blast. There are a lot of people who are going to enjoy her over the next few months.
Thanks to World Cafe Live for another great pairing of artist & venue.
Thanks to all the folks from the Blues Meetup who came, danced and had a great time.
Thanks to April Chimes. The pleasure was mine.
Of course, thanks to Rick, CC, Chicago Carl, Bobby. Arlyn & John for some tone in the tunes.
NEXT UP: Wanamaker Lewis Band @ Hotel Fiesole March 19, 2011
PEACE
Rich
World Cafe Live is a regular haunt for the Dukes of Destiny. The feel, the sound, the staff ... its all very comfortable. Ian Axel and friends had set up shop as we arrived to get gear going and run a soundcheck. Not bad! You know the act has adventure when there's a ukulele on stage. Who plays these things?
So ..... Dukes take the stage with Rick opening the show with "I'm Ready". Rick is playing in his last gig with the dukes for a little while as he is going on tour with April Chimes later this month. But tonight, he was Johnny on the spot laying down some serious electric guitar lines! Through two hours of rockin' blues, the Dukes kept a crowd of folks dancing into the night. A nice added enticement, April joined us onstage to perform a tune and it was a blast. There are a lot of people who are going to enjoy her over the next few months.
Thanks to World Cafe Live for another great pairing of artist & venue.
Thanks to all the folks from the Blues Meetup who came, danced and had a great time.
Thanks to April Chimes. The pleasure was mine.
Of course, thanks to Rick, CC, Chicago Carl, Bobby. Arlyn & John for some tone in the tunes.
NEXT UP: Wanamaker Lewis Band @ Hotel Fiesole March 19, 2011
PEACE
Rich
Medea @ Kennett Flash February 18, 2011
Hey Folks …
Unseasonably warm weather greeted Medea at the Kennett Flash, Friday night. So far into a winter that yielded nearly weekly snowfalls, the sunshine was so very welcome. Yes, it was a bit of a hike. The destination was well worth it. So, just in case you missed it...
For the first time in a while I drove with the windows down and music blaring as I travelled to Kennett Square, PA. A regular haunt with the Dukes of Destiny, this would be Medea’s debut at this intimate, all ages live performance venue. Although slightly smaller than the Tin Angel seating wise, the stage is wider, if not quite as deep.
After enjoying dinner at the local Half Moon Restaurant, the band took the opportunity to enjoy opener, singer/songwriter Chris Bathgate from Michigan. Wry and dry wit in his music as well as some technical magic with electronic looping effects made for a well received aperitif before the Medea entrée.
We opened the show with several of the new songs including One Word and In the News. However it wasn’t long before we delved into the catalogue to pull out a few things for those who haven’t been following the group. All of it went over very well and we’re all playing the tunes with so much confidence. It’s really a blast. Ending with Walking on Coals, we felt that this brief yet exhilarating performance was a resounding success!
Thanks to Jim, Mike on sound and the rest of the Kennett Flash staff. Once again, it was a pleasure. Great sound, great stage, great vibe.
Thanks to Ginny & Tom for coming up from DE. Thanks to all the folks who bought tickets online before the show. It’s quite humbling that people will pay money to hear you live, sight-unseen.
Thanks to Francine for finding Pat a parking spot!
Of course, thanks to Pat, Irene, Pat & Tony for some way kool playin’! What a gas!
NEXT UP: DUKES OF DESTINY @ WORLD CAFÉ LIVE – UPSTAIRS MAR 12 @ 9PM
Unseasonably warm weather greeted Medea at the Kennett Flash, Friday night. So far into a winter that yielded nearly weekly snowfalls, the sunshine was so very welcome. Yes, it was a bit of a hike. The destination was well worth it. So, just in case you missed it...
For the first time in a while I drove with the windows down and music blaring as I travelled to Kennett Square, PA. A regular haunt with the Dukes of Destiny, this would be Medea’s debut at this intimate, all ages live performance venue. Although slightly smaller than the Tin Angel seating wise, the stage is wider, if not quite as deep.
After enjoying dinner at the local Half Moon Restaurant, the band took the opportunity to enjoy opener, singer/songwriter Chris Bathgate from Michigan. Wry and dry wit in his music as well as some technical magic with electronic looping effects made for a well received aperitif before the Medea entrée.
We opened the show with several of the new songs including One Word and In the News. However it wasn’t long before we delved into the catalogue to pull out a few things for those who haven’t been following the group. All of it went over very well and we’re all playing the tunes with so much confidence. It’s really a blast. Ending with Walking on Coals, we felt that this brief yet exhilarating performance was a resounding success!
Thanks to Jim, Mike on sound and the rest of the Kennett Flash staff. Once again, it was a pleasure. Great sound, great stage, great vibe.
Thanks to Ginny & Tom for coming up from DE. Thanks to all the folks who bought tickets online before the show. It’s quite humbling that people will pay money to hear you live, sight-unseen.
Thanks to Francine for finding Pat a parking spot!
Of course, thanks to Pat, Irene, Pat & Tony for some way kool playin’! What a gas!
NEXT UP: DUKES OF DESTINY @ WORLD CAFÉ LIVE – UPSTAIRS MAR 12 @ 9PM
Medea sells out Tin Angel Jan 7, 2011
Hey Folks ...
Very exciting night! Very cold night as a matter of fact but as the snow had mostly melted, who's gonna complain? Tunes were in the air and the re-birth of a Philly band was on the agenda. So, just in case you missed it .....
Tonight was my debut with the re-formed progressive/folk/pop/yada/yada band, Medea. But you already know that becuase it's pretty much all that I've been talking about since November. So after a couple of months of studying music and rehearsals, voila ... time to make the doughnuts!
It has been a little while since I've played the Tin Angel but its the same as it ever was. Long & narrow with a tiny stage. You load in through the back from a narrow cobblestone alley up a steep flight of stairs. This is a chore in good weather. Remnants of the morning's snow showers make it a challenge.
After setup, a brief sound check and some easy chat in the green room, the doors have opened and the venue is filling rather quickly. There are many reserved seating tables. So many extending back towards the bar. The anxiety that I've been feeling for the past two months gives way to the rush of playing live in front of a packed house. You really appreciate this feeling having played in front of empty venues populated only by the bartender and a soundman.
There are many in the audience who have seen the previous incarnations of Medea and have been listening to the recordings from 1999 and 2002, waiting for something more. We begin with some new tunes from the Robinson/Lambrou writing team that perk the ears of long time fans. This is something more. Of course, there's a library of established material to mine as well. Mad applause begin and the faces of recognition alight as favorite songs are heard live for the first time in years. Throughout the nearly hour and a half adventure the music rocks and in the end, a triumphant return of Medea.
Thanks to Tin Angel for having us. Thanks to Barbara for a great mix.
Thanks to Karen & her crew; Alisha for puttin' the word out for me; Laura, Sharon, Nicole, Debby, Allie & Sam. Thank you all for coming out on this really exciting night.
Thanks to Keith, Meg & crew for trying to make it only to find the show sold out. Get yo' tickets online next time, yo!
Of course, thanks to Irene, Pat, Tony, Pat and Linda for welcoming me into the fold for some pretty intense tunes. The pleasure is mine.
NEXT UP: DUKES OF DESTINY @ WORLD CAFE LIVE - UPSTAIRS JAN 8 @ 8PM.
PEACE!
Rich
Very exciting night! Very cold night as a matter of fact but as the snow had mostly melted, who's gonna complain? Tunes were in the air and the re-birth of a Philly band was on the agenda. So, just in case you missed it .....
Tonight was my debut with the re-formed progressive/folk/pop/yada/yada band, Medea. But you already know that becuase it's pretty much all that I've been talking about since November. So after a couple of months of studying music and rehearsals, voila ... time to make the doughnuts!
It has been a little while since I've played the Tin Angel but its the same as it ever was. Long & narrow with a tiny stage. You load in through the back from a narrow cobblestone alley up a steep flight of stairs. This is a chore in good weather. Remnants of the morning's snow showers make it a challenge.
After setup, a brief sound check and some easy chat in the green room, the doors have opened and the venue is filling rather quickly. There are many reserved seating tables. So many extending back towards the bar. The anxiety that I've been feeling for the past two months gives way to the rush of playing live in front of a packed house. You really appreciate this feeling having played in front of empty venues populated only by the bartender and a soundman.
There are many in the audience who have seen the previous incarnations of Medea and have been listening to the recordings from 1999 and 2002, waiting for something more. We begin with some new tunes from the Robinson/Lambrou writing team that perk the ears of long time fans. This is something more. Of course, there's a library of established material to mine as well. Mad applause begin and the faces of recognition alight as favorite songs are heard live for the first time in years. Throughout the nearly hour and a half adventure the music rocks and in the end, a triumphant return of Medea.
Thanks to Tin Angel for having us. Thanks to Barbara for a great mix.
Thanks to Karen & her crew; Alisha for puttin' the word out for me; Laura, Sharon, Nicole, Debby, Allie & Sam. Thank you all for coming out on this really exciting night.
Thanks to Keith, Meg & crew for trying to make it only to find the show sold out. Get yo' tickets online next time, yo!
Of course, thanks to Irene, Pat, Tony, Pat and Linda for welcoming me into the fold for some pretty intense tunes. The pleasure is mine.
NEXT UP: DUKES OF DESTINY @ WORLD CAFE LIVE - UPSTAIRS JAN 8 @ 8PM.
PEACE!
Rich