thursday! hallelujah!

I unexpectedly spent my Thursday at a gospel concert! There I was, minding my own business in Perigueux when my phone rang ... an excited JY informed me there was a concert in one hour and did I want to go? 'qui?" I inquired ... 'Liz McComb' he replied, 'tu connais?' ... um, no. 'est elle la francaise?' 'non, je pense est elle une Americaine!' 'Impossible' I replied, 'je sais tous les artistes Americaine and je ne sais pas Liz McComb' "le sigh, tu veut aller ?" "d'accord, je recontre toi"... (hopefully I haven't butchered that too badly).

Well, embarrassingly enough for haughty ol' me, Liz McComb IS American. Of course, wouldn't you know she is a diva in the one genre of music I know little to nothing about ... Gospel.

But this wasn't your run-of-the-mill Christian Choir. This was good old AME-floor stomping-wall shaking-ear shattering-arms uplifting hip-shaking bluesy gospel that you might find at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Sister had an Afro that would have put baby Michael Jackson to shame. She had some pipes that would give Aretha a run for her money (blasphemy, I know!).

She had 2 guitarists, an organ player, an electric piano player a drummer and an african bongo player and she played at a grand piano. She sang, she stomped, she preached, she put it ON. She couldn't remain in her seat (I was told that must be an American thing!), and much of the time stood at the piano, dancing as she played and sang. Oftentimes she unhinged the mike, and danced around the stage.

Just as enjoyable as the concert was watching the concert hall full of French folks, sat politely in their seats, occasionally clapping along (slightly off beat). Just as enjoyable for JY was watching me trying to restrain myself as I danced in my seat, wiggling and shaking and dying to leap up and DANCE MY ASS off. As was he. but just not quite so obviously.

She covered a few non-church numbers too. Etta James' "At Last". The Staple Singers "I'll Take You There" (oh wait, maybe that does originate from church. When she sang Edith Piaf's "Mon Dieu", the entire crowd sang along.

It was SUCH a treat.

am I blue?

last night's festivities included live performance by Rag Mama Rag, a blues duo playing 20s and 30s country blues since 1991.

The venue was La Rhue, a Dutch gites site/camping ground that apparently has delved into the live music arena this year. They are located (as some of you might remember) on a difficult to find country road with little signage or fanfare. After my first unsuccessful attempt, I rang them up for directions (I really wasn't far last time) and drove over during the day to make sure I'd have my bearings. There was a small sandwich-board sign on the side of the road, alerting passers-by to upcoming music. After going there, I think they may be on to something with their formula. At 6 euros per head, plus drinks ... and all they do is fling open the doors and let the band and audience in ... seems like a lower-than-some-others effort business affair.

At the last minute (luckily) I called again to confirm they served food. Which. other than some quiche ... they didn't. I first decided to have dinner in Jumilhac (the closest village) but as I headed out I changed my mind and stopped by The Fiddler's Rest, just outside of Thiviers.

The Fiddler's Rest is hosted by an amiable Irish couple, Ronan and Jo. They bill themselves as serving 'pub grub', but I will give them points for being a cut above that. The food is fresh, hearty and the portions are actually too large. Ronan fronts the house and Jo is the cook. She is great with child right now, and it is entertaining to eavesdrop on her predicaments surrounding sleep and such. The pub is done up nicely, with warm wood stoves, bright red walls and all else you'd expect from an Irish cubbyhole. The downside is, as I'm finding with these expatriate-run venues ... is that it seems rather cliquish ... I've been 4 or 5 times and, with the exception of the one night when live music was on offer, the clientele is predominantly english speaking, mostly Irish or Brit. If you want a spot to go and listen to people bitch about the French, these are the types of places to frequent.

Fortunately, I've never heard Ronan or Jo partake in the grousing ... as proprietors I imagine they are required to listen and nod affably. Thus far, I've never come across someone I'd want to engage in a conversation beyond exchanging hellos (other than the owners). But, the menu presents something outside of the french norm and the hospitality of the owners is genial ... so I'll venture back now and again. Maybe more so in the summer, when they are bound to have more consistent music nights.

On to La Rhue. La Rhue's music venue is in a large converted stone barn, and when I first entered it was empty and appeared promising. Until I was roughly elbowed aside by the first of what were hordes of Dutch groups ... descending en masse for the music. I mean they really were loud, pushy and ungracious. It was a family style occasion ... from 6 to 66 were in attendance. The proprietors were, again, quite friendly. With high ceilings, beautiful exposed stone walls, new wood floor and large music posters festooning the walls ... the spot was visually appealing. Many of the tables were marked 'Reservé', so I had to ask if there was a spot for a single. I was told to choose any seat I'd like. More and more folks clattered in, I was overdressed. They all looked as if they were fresh from a day of milking (except one tall slim beauty with legs up to here clad in tight denim jeans and a pewter-toned belt who ended up sat right next to me).

It was interesting to hear the Dutch accent surrounding me ... loud and boisterous. I soon realized that whatever approach was used with the wood floor could use some rethinking. There might have been too much space or the wood was too thin ... every footstep echoed and pounded.

I made my way up to the bar and Monsieur explained their system. They gave you your own little order form, throughout the night the tally was taken and when you left, you turned it in and paid up. He noted my American accent and asked where I lived. When I replied Brantome, he immediately recognized me as the woman who had called and got his wife. She greeted me warmly with bises, asked if I was hungry, etc etc. Very kind.

I returned to my seat and watched the room fill and morph, as tables and chairs were dragged hither and fro. It was like they all knew each other and were comfortable enough to rearrange the floorplan.

FINALLY, (nearly an hour late) the music began. The acoustics were not perfect, but the music was grand. Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, mississipi blues to east coast rag ... it was great. I believe they were a husband/wife pair ... with him on the guitar and she on a variety ... washboard, harmonica, etc.

Unfortunately, the large group of Dutch (including the glamour girl) talked loudly throughout the entire evening. That, combined with their incessant foot stomping that echoed loudly over the music drove me from my seat and out the door after the first set. Well actually, I grabbed my drink and relocated to standing at the bar for the last song and as I tallied up. Madame made sure to notice me and check on my evening. At break, I bought a c.d. and headed home. I was 50 minutes away so I was still home past midnight.

It may not sound like it, but on reflection I had a fun night. There was one silly frenchman at Fiddler's Rest who decided to hit on me ... drunk as a skunk and half the time I couldn't tell if he was talking to himself or me. And at La Rhue, mercifully to my left was the only french couple in the house. We had fun exchanging eye rolls as we observed the other members of the audience gab and trip over each other!

blues night redux.

Well my last attempt at a Samedi soir was poxed, but tonight I'm trying again. And this time, I've scouted out the locale at la Rhue in advance, filled up my tank and called the auberge to confirm I know what the hell is going on.

Now I have to decide if my ensemble will be the same. I've been freezing all the day, huddled in my room with the radiator turned up AND a fire in the fireplace.

So not sure if the dress, even IF it is worn with warm winter tights and boots, will suffice.

guess I'm not a very good stalker.

I lost track of my madcap Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby publicity hijinx somewhere in the middle of that big North America landmass.

The good news is they haven't hit Cleveland yet, so I can still warn Randal way in advance to get his frenchified derriére in gear and get on down there. (Can't miss it, RG!)

In an attempt to retrieve my reputation as a class A stalkerphile, I'm just going to post the rest of their tour dates now and bump it up when necessary. Lame, I know but I'm busy. and distracted. and other stuffs. But I have seen your footprints from cities below and I can assure you, you will not regret checking them out. Dammit, I want one reader to tell me they went ~ and I'll have questions ready, so no fibbing!


Sep 23 2008 8:00P, Thunderbird Cafe, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Sep 25 2008 8:00P, Jammin Java, Vienna, Virginia

Sep 26 2008 8:00P, North Star Bar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sep 27 2008 8:00P, Southpaw Brooklyn, New York

Sep 30 2008 8:00P, Beachland Tavern, Cleveland, Ohio

Oct 2 2008 9:00P, Schuba’s Chicago, Illinois

Oct 3 2008 8:00P, 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Oct 4 2008 8:00P, Sam’s Saloon, Indianapolis, Indiana

Oct 7 2008 7:00P, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario

Oct 8 2008 8:00P, The Bop Shop, Rochester, New York
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Oct 9 2008 8:00P, Cafe Nine, New Haven, Connecticut

Oct 12 2008 8:00P, TT the Bears, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Also check out Amy's blog to read all about their Grand Tour! Check out their myspace.com page to hear a clip of their cool music!

california, here they come.

Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby are performing live in California September 3rd through the 5th (Wednesday through Friday).

September 3rd 8:00 p.m. Cinema Bar, Culver City, CA

September 4th 8:00 p.m. Multicultural Arts Center, Merced, CA

September 5th 8:00 p.m. Thee Parkside, San Francisco, CA

Kids, I know you're reading in San Francisco ... especially my hometown friends and family ... Ian, Johnelle, Paul, Justin, Ariel, Laura & Mike, Marcus & Linda, Neil DC, Maggie ... Mignonne friends ... Yeah, I'm talking ta YOU!

Throw caution to the wind and treat yourself to a cool evening ... I've vetted the act, its terrific!

Be a part of the 'blogging community' and go enjoy some fabulous music. And I'm adding that I expect YOU, my fellow bloggers and/or readers, to either return here with a comment or post on your blog with a backlink here, if you attend.

Did I mention they are my new neighbors up the road in Chalus! (Um ... that's in FRANCE!!! neener neener! lmao)

Also check out Amy's blog to read all about their Grand Tour! Check out their myspace.com page to hear a clip of their cool music!

SEATTLE-ITES Support Your Fellow Blogger!

Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby are performing live in SEATTLE, WASHINGTON tonight, Saturday, August 30 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on the Wells Fargo State at the annual arts & music festival,  Bumbershoot.  Bumbershoot takes place at the Seattle Center, the 74-acre park located in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Bumbershoot, as the name implies ( it does? I pulled this from their website ... and frankly, Bumbershoot is greek to me), umbrellas a number of artists from different genres representing the best in music, film, comedy, theater, spoken word, dance, visual, performance and literary arts.

Be a part of the 'blogging community' and go treat yourself to some fabulous music. And I'm adding that I expect YOU, my fellow blogger and/or reader, to either return here with a comment or post on your blog with a backlink here, if you attend.

Did I mention they are my new neighbors up the road in Chalus! (Um ... that's in FRANCE!!! neener neener! lmao)

Also check out Amy's blog to read all about their Grand Tour! Check out their myspace.com page to hear a clip of their cool music!


(Um yes, in particular I'm talking to YOU, Miss Thing Function of Time. Come up for air, woman, and grab that new hunk of molten love, get thee there, and dance off thy collective asses.)

((look at me, miss marketer and virtual roadie ... !))

PORTLANDERS! Support your fellow blogger!

Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby are performing live in Portland, Oregon tonight, Thursday, August 28 at 8:00 p.m. at the East End.

Be a part of the 'community' and go treat yourself to some fabulous music. Plus, they are my new neighbors up the road in Chalus! Um ... that's in FRANCE!!!

Also check out Amy's blog to read all about their Grand Tour!

(Um yes, in particular I'm talking to YOU Tom, Kathleen, Mike, Stacey, Kelly, Zac,  Christian, Lanette, and all of my other friends in Portland ... not to mention my virtual friends who read my ramblings ... put the remotes down and get to it - you'll be glad you did!)

(photo from www.amyrigby.com)