Shawn Pittman Gruene Hall, 27/07/2008 It’s just another Sunday afternoon in Gruene, TX.

From The River Grill come some inspiring sounds but it’s the sound from Texas oldest dancehall, Gruene Hall that attracts me the most. Austin guitar slinger Shawn Pitman is already warming up when I park my car and by the time Ill get my first Bud lite the man is gone into his second song. Blues from the heart is one of the better ways to describe his sound! Together with a backup band this man goes through a typical set of almost 4 hours only taking a small break to sign some cd’s and shaking hands with some fans from the audience.

The man is well-known here and you can see that but that doesn’t change the fact that he is a great performer, bringing his music as it is intended to be. Ranging from old time blues like “the sun Is shining’ (Elmore James) over electric blues from the hand of Albert King going to straight forward Rock and Roll (“Oh Carol”; Chuck Berry) and crowd pleasers like James Brown’s “Sex Machine” the Shawn creates an atmosphere that is unseen at any Belgian Sunday evening gig. A mix of well chosen covers and self penned tunes combined with some fun words in between. Shawn is not only a great musician but also a fine entertainer.

During the break I go talking to the man and soon I learn that he played in Europe a couple of times and has played in Belgium and the Netherlands quite often. Unfortunately he has no plans to get come back real soon, but he is looking forward to do so. First however will come a new album (late 2008) and maybe later one we catch him in Belgium once more. I shake hands with the man who just gave me a great evening and pray that he’ll come to Europe real soon.

Mr. Blue Boogie.

Mickey and the Motorcars 28/7/2008, Live at Lonestar Music shop, Gruene, TX.

To promote their new album Naive, southern Rockers Mickey and the Motorcars will do some CD release parties in Texas in the coming days. However to show their gratitude to the Lonestar Music company and the people of Gruene and surroundings, the band played an acoustic gig in the shop the day prior to the official release of the album.

To top it, the album was available already in store. After the gig Mickey and his band was so friendly to hang around a little to sign the album and to pose for some publicity shots. As with every release party the band get through some new songs including opener Naive and a bunch of other tunes. Each of them where convincing enough to let me buy the new album, of wich a full review will follow soon.

Mr. Blue Boogie

Two Tons Of Steel, 29/07/2008 Greune Hall, TX

For the past 13 years it has become a regular act in Greune Hall. Every Tuesday evening during summer time Two Tons of Steel, a San Antonio based Country Billy band, plays here in front of bunch of wild eyed country and rockabilly fans. Before the show starts Dennis Fallon, the guitarist of the band introduces me to most members of the band and I have the opportunity to talk to some people of the audience as well. For them this band I simply said the best there is. Soon I’ll get hooked up with a guy who’s claim of fame is he played with one of the band members in previous band and a bit later my attention is shifted to a cowgirl who claims to be the real deal. Wearing her boots with pride she starts to talk about her farm and the band. Can you dance, she asks with some flickering lights in her eyes. I promptly explain her that I’m a writer, an observer; not the dancing kind, but the lady promises me that I’ll hit the dance floor before the end of the night; little did I know how right she was.

Immediately when the band hits the stage, the crowd flows in and starts to dance! Two step, Jive, swing or whatever it is Texas’ oldest dance hall is bursting with energy for the next 2 hours. The good thing about two tons of steel is the fact that all their songs are virtually number one hits. From “Red Headed Woman” on over “Unglued”, “Vegas”, “Sedated” towards “Havana Moon” or “Maybe I’ the dance floor is never empty. The band is a well oiled jukebox that burst out tune after tune, this to the great enjoyment of the audience that dances the night away. Old and young enjoys the show and by the time their weekly gig is over, I indeed hit the dance floor and learned the two-step. Quite easy indeed, but you have to start somewhere! Before we leave I’ll go back to Dennis and talks a little bit about the gig with him. Meanwhile I inform about a new album, but according to him that is not on the order right now. However Dennis has a great announcement to make! Early October the band will play in Belgium at the Spirit of 66 in Verviers. For more info check out the band website or go directly to www.spiritof66.be. Before leaving Gruene Hall my wife and son makes me promise that we come back in two weeks time to see another two tons Tuesday.

Mr. Blue Boogie

Zack Walther and The Cronkites, Gruene Hall, TX 30/07/2008.

It seems that every time it is the last time we are going to attend a gig here in Gruene, but for Zack Walter and his Cronkites it really is.  Simply because the next day we are leaving Texas and returning to that miserable place we call home!

Zack Walther is another Household name here in Gruene Hall. This Summer he’s the main attraction on Wednesday evening giving away the best of him. And you’ll never know who comes to visit Gruene Hall during his gigs! Each Wednesday Zack surprises the audience with a special guest, who gives away a mini concert when Zack and his band leave for a brake.

The first set is a completely acoustic set. To emphasize on the acoustic atmosphere the percussionist set his drums aside and put his hands on the Cajon. Originally this is wooden box that comes out of Latin America but somehow I suspect some fool play here cause I have the idea that the sounds from the Cajon are enriched somehow.  Anyway the tunes are great and Zack brings each and every song with a clear and brilliant voice. Special Guest for today is Wes Nickson who brings us a couple of ballads and low tempo country tunes. Although the man is not bad, his voice isn’t comparable with the one from Zack.  But the real party starts only with the second part of the Zack Walther gig.

Through the PA comes some classical music, quickly followed by some music by Muse. Both are totally bewildered in Gruene hall and it does remind me of the old days where many punk and new wave gigs started in the same manner. This is nothing more then a simple call for the band and from the moment the Cronkites starts to play their instruments the audience turns wild. The band exactly knows what the audience wants and be sure the audience appreciates it. If it ‘s a drinking song like ‘Middle of July’, a very funny version of “Wrapped to me” or the epic “When You in Rome” the people of Gruene sing along loud as if they never done anything else. The music is appreciated very much and seeing this band playing I fully get along with it.

In a little chat afterwards with Zack Walther, I learn that the band is working on a new album and that they are looking for some possible gigs around Europe.  With a sound that is reminiscent to Pearl Jam (Listen to his live version of Get Up) at times and combines the best of Alt. Country and Americana this can’t be a though job.

Mr. Blue Boogie.

Bleu Edmondson, Riverroad Ice House, Gruene TX., 30/07/2008

New Braunfels seems a little spot on the map of Texas. But that little spot is full of sacred ground! Especially in Gruene, a tiny town nears the banks of the Guadalupe River. Next to Gruene Hall the oldest dancehall in Texas, you’ll find the Tavern in the Gruene, Bubba’s Big Deck and The River road Ice House.  The latter I found out by listening to 92.1 FM Radio New Braunfels. (For each of you who do have an interest about the Americana Music of Texas you can check them out on the Internet.). The radio organizes a weekly show over there hosted by Wayne and Tiffany.  Besides having Miller Lite for 1.5$ each and free Jalapeno and cheese sausages I was also able to see Bleu Edmondson performing

The man brings a solo gig before a well-packed crowd in the not so small River Road Ice House. As a matter of fact we have to take a seat outside (in the sun, where it’s easily 40° C) but thanks to Miller we get cooled in many ways.  Leo the manager of the Icehouse is even so kind to check me out and give me a baseball cap from the place. (Most likely he couldn’t stand mine from Gruene Hall). Bleu brings his Americana music in a very intimate way only armed with his acoustic guitar and a great voice. The only downside of the complete gig was that some people around me didn’t pay much attention to the man and many of the beautiful songs got lost in there chatter, but there is always a spot a little closer to the podium, isn’t there?   A mix of self-penned tunes and covers where given away on this free gig and I left the show as a happy camper and a new discovered artist that I have to follow up for sure.

Mr. Blue Boogie.

Two Tons of Steel, 13th Annual Tuesdays, Gruene Hall, TX

Due some various reasons I missed out concerts like The Derailers and Walt Wilkins, but missing out on another Two Tons Tuesday, hell no…I couldn’t live with that. It might be one of the last, maybe the last gig in Texas for me, but I moved heaven and earth to be on time in Gruene Hall.

Dancehall days are back and Gruene Hall is completely filled and when the band sets in with “Lena” the floor is filled with dancing couples. However Two tons of Steel has little surprise for us. This evening Ruben a friend of Kevin the lead singer of the Band joins them on stage for yet another exciting evening.  The tunes are somewhat different today. More blues related with an occasionally country and western song, but nevertheless the hall is full of dancing people.  Long almost endless guitar solos are the main theme tonight but that doesn’t seem to bother the packed dancehall at all. Countrybilly or countrified blues, it doesn’t really matter to them as long as it is danceable, they dance the night away. Even Nadine and myself are often on the dance floor, working on our two-step and swing moves.  “Maybe Baby” by Buddy Holly gets a nice rendition here and Kevin goes even through some pure country requests. About three hours later it’s time to be “Sedated” and check out the “Stinking Drunks” a tune about he old days at the crazy horse saloon in Austin.

Totally wasted we leave the premises and although changes are big we are going to catch Two Tons of Steel in Belgium, it will not be the same as regular Tuesday night gig in Gruene Hall!

Mr Blue Boogie.