Underrated Treasures Blogfest

Today I am joining in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Underrated Treasures Blogfest which I stumbled upon this morning.

Here is how this fest works:

Everyone has a favorite movie or band that no one else has ever heard about. For whatever reason, they remain undiscovered and underrated. Now is your chance to tell the world about this obscure treasure! 

Today, September 22, post about your favorite unknown –

MOVIE – BAND/ARTIST – TV SHOW – BOOK

Post about one or all four – dealer’s choice! 

Here is a link to Alex's blog if you would like to sign up and blog along.

I will do two of the four categories Band/Artist and Book.


BOOK



More than likely I have blogged about this book before in the archives of this blog. This is the book which hooked me on the whole series, it is book one of five adventure filled mystery books. I am drawn to these tropical adventure style books from Hemingway, Peter Benchley, Jimmy Buffett and now Bob Morris. The adventure starts after the main character is released from prison in Florida and as one could guess it travels to the Bahamas. Murder, revenge, adventure,mystery and tropical locations it is all in this novel Bahamarama by Bob Morris.

BAND/ARTIST

So many and artists I could choose for this one. However, I will go with Billy Thompson who was a local artist living close to where I used to live. He had moved from California. The first time I heard him at a jam. My friend told me to check him out. I am blessed to have so many friends who can tell me who to check out musically. He didn't really grab me at the jam. However, he grabbed me the second time I heard him.

Here he is on stage with Billy Payne of Little Feat...




 I didn't know how good he was until I found out he played with Bill Payne a co-fonder of Little Feat and some of the finest side musicians in the business like Mike Finnegan. When I discovered how much talent was when I saw him playing solo in this bookstore/bar.




Don't take my word for it listen to the music...

Here is a song called "Better Man"

Here he is doing some solo music...

If you like his music find out more at his website  order his music, see if he is coming to your town, and share it with your friends. I'm looking forward to discovering some music that is new to me, so TV shows to watch for, movies I need to catch and books I should read through this blogfest.

The Review of Bill Payne's show

Bill Payne's Tracing Footsteps Tour is an experience, an intimate look into an artist's world. You can read my review here. Besides being one of the founders and piano/keyboard player for Little Feat, he is a reknowned session player as well. I didn't even know he played on this songm till he played the riff and told the story..

I'm not a fan of giving stars. After interviewing him, seeing his show, and meeting him I would give him 5-stars as a person. Laid back, friendly, talented and he gave a thrree hour show! But I was honest, it was good, a better experience than a concert. I liked the second set a lot more than the dirst set. I also thought some casual fans might not like his song selection for Little Feat tunes. Though it appeared the audience was long time, familiar fans.

Here is a bit from the current tour at a different stop...

Another cool thing was the special guest. It was a local guitarist Billy Thompson who I have seen play a few times. He is local in that he lives fiarly close to me and plays in my neck of the woods often. He didn't always live close to me and he has played some big time festivals and with some big names. However, it is a cool experience to see someone you know playing with a legend at a legendary venue. Yes, he played great and held his own on stage with Gabe Ford and Bill Payne. I chatted with Bill Payne after the show and he gave Billy a lot of praise.

Here is Billy Thompson performing...

There are more clips on my review of both artists. Anyway, I shared my thought process on this review and gave some more insight. Hope you enjoyed and I will be back with another post soon! 

A to Z: Charles Town

Let's not confuse Charles Town with Charleston. Charles Town is the largest city in Jefferson County in West Virginia. It is also very close to where I live thus I frequent it very often. If you are a regular reader of my blog it is the town that I volunteer at the cold weather shelter.

The biggest thing in Charles Town is the horse racing track and casino. The casino features slots and table games. They also have free concerts from time to time...

Aston “Family Man” Barrett of The Wailers performing at the Charles Town Races and Slots



It isn't the only place to hear live music in Charles Town. One of my favoriute places to listen to music is Beasley's Books and Eccentrics. It is a book store, with a bar in the middle of it, and when you hear someone play there it is like listening to them in the comfort of your living room..

Above is a picture of Billy Thompson, whoi is one of the area's best blues guitar players. He is really a regional if not national talent who just happens to make his home near me. He is played all over in festivals, clubs like the famous Blues Alley in Washington.

Okay the town isn't all about music and gambling though that does sound kind of fun. Of course it would be better if you were winning at the gambling and the music was great. 

There are other fun things that go on in Charles Town like the farmer's market, parades and the festival..

Below my daughter enjoys a ride..(trust me she enjoyed it depite the unsure look on her face)



Jsut sharing a bit about a nearby town..

Is Local Live Music Dying?

Is local live music dying out? Granted Charles Town is not the biggest city in the world but two of the best regional blues guitarists were playing in town. On one street Duffy Kane was playing a set and his set ended around ten I went to another venue and watched Billy Thompson. These shows had no covers associated with them, in other words they were free shows. Even better the shows were at non smoking venues. However, the crowds were sparse. I know maybe it is the holiday weekend, perhaps it is an off night, but then again could it be local music is dying off?

The first musician I saw tonight was Duffy Kane performing with just a bass player, though a local drummer joined in later. Here he is with a full band...

Then I walked over to see Billy Thompson for a bit. Here is  a taste..

Thankfully I live in an area that is rich with local talent. I just wish they had more support.

An Off Day

How did I spend a day with no shows to review?  Well my wife took over the Netflix in the living room and my daughter took over my computer. So, I went over to the Opera House and watched a free screening of The Last Mountain. Really touched home since I went to school in southern West Virginia near the coal mines. I am against Mountain Top removal, but I also want the minors to be able to make a living. The mountains need to be preserved after all tourism is the number 2 industry in the state behind coal. No mountains, no tourist.

Here is the movie trailer:

Well after I watched the movie I went to see a great blues guitarist play in a club for free. The club is a book store with a bar in the middle. It was really cool. I was sitting in a nice comfy share and it was like he was playing in my living room. The artist was Billy Thompson. Not only is he a good guitar player he is a cool guy as well! Take a listen..

Well tonight I am covering John Tesh,,,