Milton Hopkins - Blues at the Shiloh... Thinkin Man's Music.

Texas is home to many of the all time Blues Music greats. When I noticed that Milton Hopkins was due to play at place just a 10 minute walk from where I live I knew I'd have to check it out.

The Shiloh Club is good old local neighborhood ice house. The place has been around awhile. It's laid out in a rectangular fashion with a with a funky poorly lit stage off to one side. The walls are full of beer signs and neon gives off a peaceful glow. The bar is worn and the mirrored back glass reflects a foggy image. The woman serving customers is on her game but would obviously rather be doing something else. Crusty characters tip back cheap beer and yell their approval for the band just getting started. I look off towards the stage as Milton Hopkins and Texas Johnny Boy get the show going.. The Shiloh is nothing fancy but its the kind of place well suited for the Blues. I pay $2.25 for a Lone Star beer, tip the bartender, and settle in for some of the best Blues Music I've heard in a long time......

Milton Hopkins was born a raised in Houston, Texas. He got his start at a very early age but his career really took form in 1950 while playing in Little Richard's band. After a couple of years he joined up with Johnny Ace and Willie May “Big Mama” Thornton. He worked for Don Robey, the founder of Peacock records, and recorded on Peacock and Duke labels in Houston. He also played with Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. After Johnny Ace died from a self inflicted gunshot in 1954 he searched for a new situation but was drafted into the Army. Post military he joined the Upsetters. The Upsetters were a top notch R&B/Rock n Roll band that played for many of the great entertainers of the time. When Barry Gordy was putting together a band for his would be legendary Motown sound Milton was invited to join. He turned down Barry's offer and to this day I'm sure Milton regrets it. Throughout the 60's he played with many greats and when the 70's rolled around he was asked to join B.B. Kings band. For eight years he toured with B.B as his rhythm guitarist. As he got older allot of his musician friends starting dying off. The price of living a hard life often practiced by Bluesmen. Milton put down the guitar for 7 years and quit touring until one day he decided it was time to get back into the game. Now, at 75, he's enjoying it more than ever. Milton's heart has always been with the Blue's. If the name Hopkins rings a bell that's because his cousin was the late great Lightning Hopkins.

The first thing that really struck me about the Shiloh was the thin crowd. Given the quality sound of Milton Hopkins, Texas Johnny Boy, a seasoned bass player and a kickin drummer, I would have expected the place to be packed ! No cover, cheap beer, and a tip jar for the band. No doubt one of the best bargains in live music. Johnny Boy belted out some good vocals between harmonica and sax licks. Milton ran all up and down the fret board of his rare vintage 70's Gibson semi acoustic like the pro he is. Everything in rhythm with the bass and drums. Not to mention, a nice mix on the PA. Each song revealed a different variety of the blues. A Hispanic gentleman in a panama hat nodded his approval as he sipped on his mixed drink. A smart looking middle aged couple sat down their Shiner Bocks and scooted around the dance floor. A 50's something Vietnam vet coaxed a woman to put down her beer and cigarettes for dance. A rowdy bunch in the back expressed their enjoyment not by clapping but by yelling between songs. I ordered another Lone Star.

With the relatively small crowd I got the opportunity to shake hands and talk to Milton personally during their first break. Milton is very friendly and it was a real privilege to hear his stories. He told me about his days with Little Richard and Johnny Ace. He also told me about one time in Birmingham when he played with this new guy called Elvis. He toured extensively throughout the south back in the day and laughed when I asked him about chicken wire. Yes, he replied, “I ran into allot of that in Louisiana”. I had heard stories about stages set behind chicken wire. He said sometimes it was really necessary to protect the band. Fights would break out and bottles would fly across the room in some of the joints he played. He also told me about seeing the Beatles in Germany. Etc. Etc . He's got allot of great stories and is a real pleasure to visit with...

After the first break the music continued as Johnny Boy and Milton's repertoire honored all of the different Blues Genres. The crowd was mostly middle aged and a little rough around the edges. Everyone seemed to fit right into the songs being sung. The Shiloh is not a yuppie bar. A small group of younger people arrived and were wise enough to realize something special was going on. They ordered pink drinks for their girlfriends and soon hit the dance floor. A couple of other musicians showed up and broke out with a Sax and Trumpet. They blended in with Johnny Boy and a full horn section took hold as Milton played some smooth sounding Blues.... I was lovin it... Some of the best Blues I've heard in awhile. The real deal...

During their Second break I had the opportunity to talk with Johnny Boy and the bass player. The bass player ( whose name I didn't quite catch but I think its Dion) had some great stories of playing the clubs along Telephone road that were home to the music scene of Houston back in the day. More great stories...

By time the band finished their encore, a little past 1 am, I had had plenty to drink but didn't mind the walk home. Earlier in the evening I debated whether or not to go but I would have been a fool to miss it. Sometimes you walk into a situation and everything seems to fall into place. The sights, sounds, people, state of mind and timing all play a role in influencing ones experience. For me it was a great night where I really connected with the music. Blues is about life. It's about feelin and living through the feelings. It's light, dark, and soul moving rhythm blended with the wisdom that comes through life experience. Blues puts it all out there in a medium for everyone to listen, relate, enjoy, and heal. The blues is a Thinkin Man's Music....

The Travel Log.... Drama or Humor ?... The absurdity of it all...

As I look into travel writing as a viable option for some kind of income it appears as though the Travel Log format isn’t particularly popular these days…It seems like readers are more interested in quick fired bullet points as they hit the road with an espresso. The internet offers thousands of informative travel articles thrown together in spiffy little 600 word pieces. How to, when to, where to, Etc. Etc. Issues and solutions adapted for quick consumption by an ADD society. Well suited for someone like myself. Actually, 300 words would be better. Anyway, the net is host to an amoebic flood of mediocrity as writers fight to stake their claim in the realm of Add Sense, pays per click etc..etc… I’ve even got a smart E book on how to do it. Laptop and internet connection combined with a little creativity and you can make a living just about anywhere at any time….. But what about the Travel Log? Today, in this world, I think it needs to be something uniquely dramatic or funny… The days of a simple mountaineering tragedy or a tale of being lost at sea seems a little passé. A basic story of some guy hopping trains through Europe over a summer just isn’t going to cut it. In order for a story like that to get any popular interest he might have to meet up with a cross dressing climber dude that leads him to a variety of eccentric characters. In the end he would have to meet the love of his life and return home changed forever…..

I quite fancy the travel log approach sprinkled with reflective thoughts along the way. Hence the persona, “World Traveler and Thinker”. While walking the Camino de Santiago last fall I estimate there were probably 30 or 40 readers following my progress. Not bad. Once I returned home I’m certain the numbers quickly dropped. Aside of a limited audience of a few friends and acquaintances I’m afraid readership numbers on this blog are quite low when I’m not on the move….

Since I’m not much one for drama it appears as though my only hope is humor. I once participated in a performance workshop for singer/songwriters. The instructor was very good. Her key advice for me was to invest more in the absurd. I kind of got it at the time but now I think I understand her point a little more. The whole dance of life is really kind of nutty when you get right down to it. At times I find myself bogged down within the heaviness of trying to make sense of it all when its impossible to do so. All of us more or less have a choice as to how we want to interpret and react to whatever life throws at us. So, Drama or Humor? Drama is very taxing and exhausting. Humor requires less energy and generally results in feeling better, fun, etc.. .. Tough choice huh?…..

By deductive reasoning my best chance for success as a creative travel log writer is to embrace a humorous perspective, tweek my persona, and hit the road… Stay tuned for, “The Absurdity of the World Traveler and Thinker”.. Coming this Spring !

Think Piece Z

My time back in Houston has been quite ordinary and routine. Though some may find ordinary and routine to be comfortable and secure I sometimes find it to be quite unsettling. It's always nice to come back to a home base from time to time but to stay too long is to stay to long. Perhaps when one becomes too settled they take things for granted and forget about the good things that surround them. I know I do. When I travel and roam everything takes on a new perspective. For the most part I feel like it brings out the best in me. When I return to the stolid regularity of home life, attributes of myself surface, that aren't the best in my opinion. We all see ourselves differently than other people see us but as a thinker I feel like I'm more or less aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I've pondered the option of an ordinary life within the realm of normalcy but to partake in such a path would likely leave me feeling as though I was missing out on something. The predictability of 9-5 can tick by like an old Grandfather clock within the echoey stone halls of a 15th century Castle…. Days to weeks to months to years…. Looking back I can see segments of my life fully lived but I also see plenty of it squandered away…. Some say the Vagabond Travel lifestyle is an escape. Nothing more than running away… I guess the question is: What is one running From, or, To?…..

On a lighter note I've discussed this issue of thought with a couple of friends. A few years ago I told a friend that I just wanted live a regular normal life. He immediately burst out laughing and commented, "You're a Greener!", in reference to my choice of College/University. I come from the Alma Mater that boasts such greats as Matt Groening (the creator of the Simpsons) Etc.. Etc.. While attending the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington I camped in a forest on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound. I'd awake to the sound of seagulls in the morning, shower at the rec center, and study in the library. I much preferred that over the suitable apartment I had lived in before leaving it by choice to live in a tent, in the rain, with the birds and banana slugs. It was very peaceful… I would later go one to living out of a van but that's a different story…. Those were good years…

I think everyone has their own unique wiring and circuitry when it comes to the human psyche. We all have our riddles and rhymes. Often times I think it's easy to confuse our own unique callings with the opinions of others (good and bad) along with social programming that cannot be avoided. To top it all off we interpret, react, and respond to it all differently. Confusion can be an obstacle and often we're our own worst critic… Usually the best solution is the simplest.. That is to simply leave ourself alone, suspend self judgment, and allow things to happen naturally. Essentially I try to do my best to stay out of my own way unless I'm about to do something Stupid...……

One Man's Crap Is Another Man's Discovery

Well, the long shot did not pan out. I will not be the caretaker of Hamilton Island. They only got 37,000 applicants and the finalist chosen were obviously seasoned media professionals.... Enough of that far fetched distraction..

The fall of the American economy is offering some tremendous opportunities. Most notably in the realm of Travel. The dollar has been picking up steam against foreign currencies and air fares are cheap. My responsibly flaky whimsical approach to long term financial planning has served me well. Had I devoted my life to hard continuous work and invested in the stock market I would probably have as much as I do now.... Not much.... Funny how things work out.....

Some may be wondering how the comedy writing workshop is going... Well, it aint... The class was first postponed then canceled due to some problem with the instructor... I don't think they had enough people signed up.

I made an interesting discovery last week. As I was browsing the isles of a local Target store I began to think about exotic destinations like Asia, India, and a taco stand on N. Main I've always wanted to try. It was at that point that I spied authentic Indian food sitting on a shelf. Several different flavors. Prepared and sealed in microwavable plastic then packaged into a smart looking box. I read the ingredients. Exotic spices, basmati rice, mango chutney etc... Product of India... Wow, concocted in Mumbai, shipped across the pacific, trucked across the American West, and placed on the shelf of a Target store in Houston, Texas.... I decided to give it a try... When I got home I pulled the packets out of the box and decided to forgo the microwave and cooked it on the stove. The basmati got my place smelling like popcorn and the spicey aroma of curry conjured up images of Krishna, Shiva and Vishnu.... I let things simmer a bit.... Once everything was done I piled it upon and plate and began to sweat like a monsoon. Yes, traditional indian food can be VERY spicey and the box did say, "Product Of India". The food was excellent. A couple of bites and I'd wipe my brow. A couple of bites and I'd wipe my brow. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was pleased with my discovery.... A few days later I was happy to tell my friend Neeraj, who's Indian, about the great indian food you can buy at target... His response ? "Oh yes, I've tried it all... It's all crap!"........