Blues on Grand Gets New Life

Street view of the newly renovated front of
 the former Blues on Grand location in Des Moines.

Hey everybody thanks again for reading my blog here at Music Reviews by a Musician. If anybody has a topic they would like me to blog about please send me a request at jesseastewartmusic@gmail.com.

So recently I was informed that someone in Des Moines is reopening the former Blues on Grand location. The location downtown is being renovated and is set to open sometime in April. For the full article from KCCI in Des Moines click here.

Arguably the former home to blues in the midwest; Blues on Grand was a staple to the Des Moines music scene until it closed in October of 2010. Now new owner Frank Farrell is set to reopen the spot as the Gas Light; not Blues on Grand.

What is my take on this you may ask? Well as much as I loved Blues on Grand and the fact that it was a home to blues in Des Moines; I am all for the reopening of the location under a new name and with a new style. Des Moines is in need of quality music venues and the room at the old Blues on Grand location was one of the best in my opinion. Granted it was not a very big place but the aura that it put off and the sound that came out of that room was tremendous.

It will definitely be different to step foot in the old Blues on Grand once it reopens as the Gas Light. Judging by the changes to the outside of the building I can only guess the inside will be changed as well. Nothing in my opinion will ever replace the history and vibe of Blues on Grand. However when one tradition dies it allows for a new one to rise. Hopefully the Gas Light can start its own tradition in that location and help further the music scene in Des Moines.

Live music is where it is at and the more venues there are for it in Des Moines the better it is for all of us eager musicians out there just chomping at the bit to play as much as possible. Kudos to Mr. Farrell for trying to add to the Des Moines music scene; hopefully this works out for the best.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,

JAS

Photo credit goes to  fellow friend and musician Josh Tilton

My Experience at Ryan Bingham and The Dead Horses

Ok so last night I had the pleasure of attending the Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses concert in Des Moines with my fellow classmate/blogger/musician/good friend Grant Rodgers. The concert was moved from the original location of the Vaudeville Mews to People's Court due to a high volume of ticket sales.

Well let me just that I understand why. After last night's show all I can say is WOW!!! I have been a Bingham fan for a little while now but his concert in Des Moines last night was phenomenal. It was the first time in a long time that I have been in the audience at a live performance and have simply been blown away from start to finish.

For those who don't know who Ryan Bingham is shame on you because you should. He and his band The Dead Horses are very talented and their brand of alternative country/blues/rock is simply a joy to listen to. There are no frills and over produced garbage here; this is straight forward, in your face, rocking music.

There are definitely a lot of people who know Ryan Bingham. People's Court was jam packed last night and for some there enthusiasm got the best of them. Grant and I had the fortunate to be right at the front of the stage to watch Bingham and Co. but I had a few times where some drunk, over zealous hippie super fan literally tried forcing me out of my spot. However since I realized that a) the dude was drunk and or high and b) he was probably in his 60's and it wouldn't take much for my 275 frame to knock his block off; I put up with him and he eventually left so I could reclaim my spot. I figured if it was that important to him then he could stand there for a little bit.

However not to get too of topic I must once again say how great the concert was. Even the opening act Liam Gerner from Australia was phenomenal. He provided a great opening to the show and he even jammed on a couple songs with The Dead Horses to end his set.

This was definitely a great experience with my great friend Grant and if anyone reading this ever hears that Ryan Bingham is coming to town in the future; GET TICKETS!!!! His show is one that you do not want to miss if you can help it.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS

Another YouTube Discovery!!!

Well as I was messing around on YouTube last night and not doing homework I came across a very good young blues/rock band out of all places Texas. Although there are not many videos up on YouTube, the videos that are up showcase a very tight, soulful band from San Antonio. This band is Forty Six.

Here is an excerpt from the band's official website:

Born out of a high-school music theory class in San Antonio, Texas, Forty-Six has created a genre of music sure to capture the soul of anyone who listens to them. Comprised of Steven Marcus (Lead vocals and Guitar), Matt Franke (Bass and backing vocals), Chuck Costello (Guitar), and Jonathan Carter (Drums, Programming, and backing vocals), Forty-Six is on the verge of creating music history. Drawing on Marcus' passionate, soulful vocals, guitar and fresh song writing, Franke's smooth bass styling, the powerful guitar riffs of Costello, and Carter's precise rock style beats, Forty-Six's commercial style of blues/rock/pop music and lyrics provides something for fans of all ages.

After watching every video on the band's YouTube channel I can say that I am now a fan. As if it took much however. Blues/rock is my favorite type of music and these guys can definitely play it. The sheer power and soulfulness that are in these songs, it is no wonder why the band won a summer long battle of the bands competition at Sunset Station in San Antonio.

Of their original material songs like "Free Again"and "Mexico Blues" are just a taste of the immense musical talent and songwriting ability these four guys have. Also on there YouTube channel are a few covers that are very good as well. Most notably their take on the ever popular Los Lonely Boys song "Heaven" is one of the best I have heard.

Hopefully these guys can branch out of Texas and make it big soon. They definitely have the talent to do so. Make sure to check these guys out if you are reading this, I think you may just like them.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS

Stevie Ray Vaughan: Never Another Like Him

Hey everybody I'm back for my third week of blogging on Music Reviews by a Musician and I've decided to start off the week with something special to me.



Stevie Ray Vaughan

Last Friday I talked about what makes a guitarist special and I mentioned one in particular; Stevie Ray Vaughan. The reason I focused on SRV for Friday's blog is because he is my first and truly number one inspiration for my guitar playing. Stevie Ray Vaughan is a very special guitarist in many, many ways. His tone, phrasing, stage presence, soul, and heart poured through every song he played and made him the soul reason in my opinion that blues music became popular again in the 1980's.

From his debut album "Texas Flood" until his untimely death in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990 in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin; SRV completely turned the world of guitar and blues music on its ear and made people stop and listen to his music when they heard it.

His fiery Texas style guitar playing combined with elements of R&B, jazz, early blues pioneers, and influence from other artists like T-Bone Walker, Otis Rush, Lightning Hopkins, and most notably Jimi Hendrix on top of countless others became a centerpiece for a remarkable career.

From early hits on songs like Pride and Joy, Texas Flood, Voodoo Chile, and Love Struck Baby to later hits such as Couldn't Stand the Weather, Crossfire, Tightrope, and The House is Rockin, SRV turned on a whole new generation of guitar players to the blues. And his effect is still being felt today some 20 years after his death.

Countless young artists are doing their best to pick up where SRV left off after his passing and keep the blues alive. Guys like Joe Bonamassa, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tyler Bryant, Jonny Lang, and even John Mayer all have elements of SRV's playing infused into their playing styles and they are all doing their part to keep alive a type of music that is slowly dying away amidst the mainstream music today.

But even then no matter how hard these guys try there is no way to duplicate or match what SRV did and still does today. He was a phenomenal talent that will never, ever be matched in my opinion. He is simply an amazing talent and the odds of someone like him coming along in the future are very small. If I were a betting man I would not put money on that. That is why I feel that there will never be another like him.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,

JAS

Image coutesy of Joe Bielawa, Creative Commons/Flickr

The Thursday Night Jam

So last night I attended the new open jam session at the Copa Cavana in Des Moines. Housed in the old Ingersoll Dinner Theatre, this building is definitely an interesting entertainment venue to say the least.

Now this jam is hosted by Rob Ankum, the long time host of the jam at Blues on Grand, which closed its doors in November of last year due to reasons that many people are not quite sure of. For a blues/rock/funk fan such as myself this was a huge blow to the Des Moines music scene and arguably the music scene in the Midwest.

Blues on Grand was a great place to hear and or play live music. It attracted some of the finest musicians around on a weekly basis and it always had this vibe of a down home, true blues bar. I will always miss Blues on Grand and it can't be replaced in my opinion.

However when Blues on Grand closed down I also lost my jam spot on Thursday nights. I was not sure where I would go to get my jam fix on in Des Moines anymore until I heard that Rob was starting up a jam at the Copa Cavana.

Well to all those who miss the jam at Blues on Grand I must say this. Come on out to the Copa Cavana and enjoy the new jam. Yes it may not have the vibe and the feel of Blues on Grand but in my opinion it has its own vibe and feel that is kind of curious. Its a big place with a big stage and dance floor for people to dance on if they hear some music that they like.

And that should be no problem as Rob and the boys are playing the same great blues/rock/funk tunes that they did at Blues on Grand. It is definitely going to take some getting used to but I think in the end it is good for the music scene in Des Moines. It provides aspiring musicians like myself a chance to get out there and strut their stuff on stage for a few songs once a week. I will most definitely be going back and I hope that it can become a new tradition for music in Des Moines.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS