March 18, 2010

Not Too Busy For The Blues

If someone were to walk up to me right now and say, "Hey, I haven't seen you in awhile". My immediate response would be, "Neither have I". It's amazing how the demon of busyness can consume ones time. It's been exactly 37 days since I've lounged amidst the environs of Antidote coffee house and I myself wonder where I've been. Well, I've been all over Houston. Driving and digging through the pasts of individuals whose estates have cleared the hurdles of probate and odd balls like myself relish in the sifting through of this and that. One mans trash is another's treasure and/or fuel for freedom in my case. Freedom comes in the form of a rare Rockabilly record on the Hurricane label out of Galveston. A scarce Rolex booklet. An old Pepsi Cola clock. Etc. Etc... I guess when You get down to the characteristics of my core being, I'm a dreamer and treasure hunter at heart. Sometimes dreams come true and sometimes treasures appear.

The downside as of late is that all I've been doing is working. Except for the limited time I've allowed myself to enjoy some Blues, I've been unnaturally busy.

One of the best things a woman has ever given me is the Blues and in doing so I've gained a deeper appreciation of Blues music. My last girlfriend set off on a separate path about 2 1/2 years ago. Around that time I began to relate to and understanding the Blues better than ever. The Lord works in mysterious ways and I'm blessed to be living in a good blues town. When you hear good quality real deal blues, by people who have been instrumental in the development of blues music, it really is a religious experience. It beats any Sunday at church, or, Wednesday night bible study. There is wisdom in the Blues if one listens carefully. It's all plain, simple, and profound. Plus, it sounds so good...

I've included a few photos from some of my latest Blues outings. Top to bottom. 1-Don Lee, An old time bluesman, who dresses really sharp, works the stage at the Continental Club in Houston. 2-Myself with "Little Joe Washington" on his 70th Birthday. He's a lifelong Houstonian and 3rd ward bluesman who plays the guitar in ways I've never seen before with the agility of a teenager. 3-Myself with "Guitar Shorty", One heck of a rocking bluesman! He was very close to Jimmi Hendrix and was married to his sister! Guitar Shorty is an amazing guitar player who loves everyone. To hear him play is truly a transcendental experience!

Fortunately, I haven't been too busy for the Blues.