SEIZE THE MUSIC

July 16, 2011

SEIZE THE MUSIC

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Max Valldeneu

I nearly cried last night … the music was THAT beautiful.

I consider myself an old hippie most of the time when it comes to my musical tastes. After all, I was listening to classic rock before it was classic.

But when it comes to the blues, I'm a fairly recent convert. I love it, but I'm just a novice when it comes to knowing who's who and what's what. Whether it's Delta, Chicago or Memphis … Robert Johnson, R.L. Burnside or Keb' Mo' … all I know is, I love it.

Max and Clay

So that brings me to last night with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith at Sam's Burger Joint.

Amazing. Simply amazing.

Willie takes the Chicago Blues to a new level. He's 75 years young. If the camera adds 10 pounds to a person, then performing on stage takes 30 years away from Willie. The energy flowing from him fills up the room.

Willie with Bob Stroger

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

The evening, presented by the San Antonio Blues Society, was a celebration honoring Pinetop Perkins. Pinetop, who died in March, would have been 98 on July 7. He and Willie toured together the last several years. Their collaboration, "Joined at the Hip," won a Grammy in 2010 for Best Traditional Blues CD.

Amazing. Simply amazing.

So I just have to know … why wasn't the place packed? There shouldn't have been an empty seat in the house.

Some will say it was because Pinetop wasn't there. Or that legendary blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin, who was originally scheduled to appear with Willie, canceled because of illness.

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

Folks, the opportunity to see music like this performed live will only be around for so long. I am still kicking myself for not seeing Pinetop. The last time he performed at Sam's, I stayed for the first set and left before he ever got on stage. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Yes, I was disappointed Hubert wasn't there, but that didn't stop me from going. I got to see people dancing in the aisles when Willie played the harmonica. (I came pretty close to doing that myself.)

Bob Stroger

I got to see Bob Stroger on bass sing a song his daddy used to sing to him when he was just a little boy on a farm in Missouri.

I got to see Argentina-born Max Valldeneu play guitar so well even his fellow bandmates watched in amazement.

I got to see the ever dapper Jimmy Mayes in his hot purple suit play some mean drums.

And while I didn't catch his last name, new guy Clay on keys most certainly had Pinetop smiling from above.

Jimmy Mayes

Max Valldeneu

The Blues Brothers watch over Bob Stroger

No doubt you've heard the expression Carpe Diem, popularly translated as "Seize the day." I say Carpe Music.

Too often I've said "I wish I would have…" Too many times I sat at home on the couch and watched mindless TV. No more! The last couple of years have been a rebirth for me of sorts, and it has done wonders for my frame of mind.

Live music rules. Get out of the house. Go to Sam's. Luna on San Pedro. Tycoon Flats. Tucker's Kozy Korner. Taco Garage. The Cove. Rebar. Wherever. Just go.

I'll see you there.