Mudslide Charley charges into September

Where, When...

The moon struggles out of the clouds, as the Boone and Crocket bear looks on.

A little later, the moon would shine down on Mudslide Charley, as they brought the annual Hip Strip Block Party to an end, on Sunday, September 11, 2011. That's a street lamp above Tahj; the moon is above Marco.

Charley was hot as the weather to begin September. First Thursday was also the first day of this month, and Mudslide Charley played Blues and Bread at Bernice's Bakery.  A week later, on the 8th, they were at the Blues Alley, followed by the Pig Roast at the Old Post on Saturday, and then the Hip Strip shindig.

 Roger howls.

Charley, who missed the earlier events, while mushroom hunting in Colorado, reappeared in ghostly fashion under the stage lights.

Mudslide Charley at the Pig Roast

In August, Mudslide released their CD, RamShackle Soul, on the other side of the Old Post parking lot. It all adds up to a hot summer run for Mudslide Charley.

Mudslide Charley at the Blues Alley Block Party

Blues Alley produced a lot of fun and an abundance of photographers.

Blues Alley started an end of summer hurrah, which carried through the Hip Strip Party, with Hempfest, the Pig Roast and Sundays Streets among other events in the sandwich. I'm hoping Blues Alley will become a regular event like the others. Maybe it could be monthly next summer, instead of just an annual event. Put in your two cents with the sponsors: The Rhino, Redbird, Top Hat, Catalyst and Two Sisters.


Hempfest and More...

 Dodgy Mountain Men @Hempfest

Chele Bandulu @Hempfest

Beyond the Pale @Hempfest

Last Internationale @Hempfest

The Last Internationale (NY) played at Hempfest, and later at the Top Hat to end their latest western tour.  

Last Internationale @the Hat

 

Time flies, when you're having fun. It's been three weeks since I posted here. I must have been having a hell of a time. That's easy to do, living in paradise. With a truckload to catch up on, I hardly knew where to start. Please note, the image above of me wasn't captured by me, but my friend, Teri Llovet, who does a good job with my camera. Also note: I don't let most people touch my camera.

Teri Llovet

How can there only be three days left in September? Am I in a time warp? I take it as proof that I am even slower than I was when I was complaining about being old and slow. Not a bad thing, possibly, as I want to slow even more, becoming so slow no one can see me move. That would be a coup.

Zootown has seen a burst of events, activities and performances as everyone senses the last gasp of summer somewhere in the near future. Here come the holidays, and no one wants to face them.

More images from all of the events covered here can be seen on my flickr archive.

More Top Notch Zootown Music

Where did all the musical talent in Zootown come from? For a small burg like this, it's a large, diverse and deep pool. The previous two posts high lighted a couple of upper echelon local bands. There are so many quality groups performing around Missoula, it would be impossible to name them all. You can read back through this blog to find others I praise. Here are some others I want to mention again.

Secret Powers

Downtown Tonight's weekly event on Thursday, July 7, 2011, featured the Independent's Best Of winners. Secret Powers and Reverend Slanky played, after being announced as finalists in the Best Band category. 

I must insert a photographer's note here: the light really sucks at most of these daytime events in Caras Park. I am not good at shooting sky, and my camera weighs me down in the hot weather. I'm going to quit carrying my camera and just dig the music, the crowd and the smell of food. Indoor events are more my cup of tea, anyway.  

Here are a few shots taken in the Top Hat on Friday, February 11, 2011. 

Secret Powers rates bonus points with me for producing so much original material. Shmed simply cannot rest on his laurels and charges into the next project almost immediately after the last one is done. 

Fans know these guys can handle covers, too, as their amazingly textured Beatles' work has shown. Let them practice a bit, and they can do most anything. 

$4J = Cash for Junkers 

$4J the ads say, as this group appears all over the map, including a monthly gig at the Union Club. These practiced musicians know their stuff and quickly fill any dance floor. Their crowd-pleasing allure has to place them among Missoula's best bands.

Cash for Junkers is intertwined with Broken Valley Roadshow, as Nate Biehl is in both bands, and other members trade off and fill in.

Nate Biehl with Caroline Keys, BVR at the Top Hat, Thursday, July 14, 2011

Nate Biehl and John Rosett/$4J @Union Club 

Tom Catmull and the Clerics

 When top bands are discussed, Tom Catmull and the Clerics have to be mentioned. They appeared in Caras Park at the Downtown Tonight event a week after winning Best Band for the fifth consecutive year. Tom was again a double winner as Best Musician.

Mudslide Charley

Mudslide Charley @Bernice's Bakery July 7, 2011

This being the first Thursday of August, Mudslide Charley will be playing their monthly "Blues and Bread" event at Bernice's.  It's a benefit for the Missoula Food Bank with fresh hot rolls on sale inside, and hot blues outside. This is smack you in the face authentic style blues with classics any blues fan will recognize, and a growing number of original tunes. 

 Mudslide Charley @Old Post July 15, 2011

Mudslide recently had a CD release party at the Old Post, and for that event back-up singers were added.

As usual, there are sets of images on flickr of all the bands mentioned here.

Pig Roast 2009

This fellow doesn't look like he had nearly as good a time as I did at the Old Post's annual Pig Roast. I had a great time. There was a lot to like, starting with the low $3 entry fee, a bargain for hours of some of the best music in zootown. Two whole pigs were cooked and a plate with all the trimmings was $7.50, a very decent price.

My plan was to shoot everything happening in zootown on Saturday, but I made it to the pig roast and no further.

Commander Cody was up front on the big drums, as usual, when Reverend Slanky opened the music at 4, on Saturday afternoon. They funked it up, romped and stomped for about three hours.

One of zootown's favorite street vendors, gave the event a top rating.

And the dancing began, first with the children, later with everyone.

The light was problematic in many ways, but it allowed for some interesting looks. I like the mix of silhouettes and lighted areas.

I've photographed Zeppo many times, and praised their musical chops. They were up second at the pig roast. Although I've included their images here and on flickr, I've never introduced two recent additions to the combo. Noby is on the tenor sax, and Norman is playing bass, behind Ruthie and Chuck.