On Saturday I went out to listen to music all dressed up like a grim reaper of sorts. A lot of my musical friends didn't figure out it was me for a long time or until someone let them in on it. My first stop was The Triple Crown Pub in Normal Heights. I went to go see Podunk Nowhere whom I wrote about in my last MyWeek. I got there a few minutes late and so missed Inigo but I got to see Scott Wilson playing and my buddy Doktor Dave was playing with him. So that was a really great set. Next came Aura who were really good and then Sven-Eric Seaholm. One of my favorites!!! He really put on a good show! But my ride was leaving and I didn't get to see Podunk Nowhere or Nisha who was coming after them because we were headed for O'Connell's to see SweetTooth. We were late for that show too so I didn't get to see all of SweetTooth's set but they were really rockin' the house when we got there. This party was billed as a costume party so I fit right in with my costume and only a couple of people couldn't figure out who I was? But most of the people there were at the Triple Crown so that makes sense. Since we were late hear due to going to the Triple Crown I missed the first band New Day Mile. I hope I have an opportunity to hear them sometime in the future. But I did get to see Compass Rose and they were a really fun band to listen to as well. They did some rock and dance tunes with a little bit of some Irish or Scottish in them. And of course all the bands were dressed up in costumes as well. So all in all it was a great night for music and fun!
Sunday I went to go see my friends Chelsea play at Tower Two but it was a great day for music as well. But it was a little chilly for my tastes. But it wouldn't have been so bad if I had brought a jacket. But when I left to go there the sun was out and it was hot do go figure. The line-up was another Listen Local San Diego presentation put on by the incomparable Cathryn Beeks. The first artist up was Billy Raphael @ 2:00, Andy Elwell @ 2:30, Chelsea Flor @ 3:00, JT Moring @ 3:30, Brooklyn @ 4:00, Hargo @ 4:30. Now I am going to say a little about each but I will do a focus on Brooklyn Mack. I really enjoyed Billy Raphael set because it just got me in the mood to listen to music (not that that's hard). He sang a few of his own tunes and a few covers but the covers were really good. Next came a new person to our music scene by the name of Andy Elwell. He has a great voice and great songs and he comes to us from Minnesota I think but it might have been Michigan. I can't remember. But even though some of us were freezing he reminded us of how beautiful the water and the sunset was and that it is much colder where he comes from! Then came Chelsea and the Dreamstalkers whom I have talked a lot of about in these pages. They keep getting better. Today everything was working well for them. So don't hesitate to go out and see them if you have a chance. Next up was a JT Moring who came with his kids, his biggest fans and he cranked out several original songs in a folk/country style. He was great. Next came Brooklyn w/Doktor Dave Sawyer playing backup (he is a new addition to her little group and he is a great guitarist and maybe a little inspiration to Brooklyn as well), whom I will talk about more later. Then came Hargo who did a song he wrote in Bob Dylan's Style about Bob Dylan. He had several great tunes under his belt and he even sang one for his Grandma who was visiting and had come with him to his gig. After the song she got up and gave him a hug. It was great stuff!
So now I would like to talk a little about Brooklyn. I have spoken about her before in my blogs but never in depth. She was introduced as Brooklyn Mack but I believe she just goes by the name of Brooklyn. The first most obvious thing you notice about Brooklyn is she is young and drop dead gorgeous. But there is so much more to this very talented lady. I don't know if her talent in singing is natural or if she was classically trained but she has a beautiful voice. It quavers like no one else I have seen in quite a while. She sings softly and then with quiet fire. But there is power and soulfullness there too! Her songs are well written and insightful usually about love or things a young women feels in this day and age and they make you want to think about the things she may have been through in her young life. I especially liked the song Changed my Mind. It just made me feel sad but wonderful at the same time. Clipped Wing is another great song she sings. She sang several songs during her set. Gray skies, Scared of Love, Carnal Love and Believe. All of Brooklyn..s songs are originals that she writes the words and music herself. Like many of my friends she is extremely talented. She plays Piano beautifully and is a great guitarist as well. In fact I have been told that she sometimes writes great songs within a few minutes of being inspired to do so. Sometimes they just pop into her head. If you get a chance to see this wonderful singer/songwriter you won..t be disappointed. I only expect to hear more and better things from this young lady in the future and she announced that Sven-Eric Seaholm may be soon producing her CD. I think it may have been something they were talking about? Sven laughed but looked surprised. But I am sure we will see her with a CD within the year hopefully. I hope these little reviews will get some of you, whom read them, to start coming out and listening to this great music. Catherine Beeks Listen Local San Diego usually has her shows with no cover. So it's free to come out and listen. So you really have no excuse to not come out and listen to any of theses shows or musicians. Even when they are places where they have been booked under a different promoter, it..s usually a very small cover and well worth spending for a night of good music. With family or friends or just to come out and listen to by yourself. Well I'm out, see you out there!
Ciao
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