Less is more, and you’ve got a lot of styles, venues and influences there:
— The bass player for Les IzMoore is from Hudson, and online describes being formed by “the mean streets of Houlton.” The band moves south of there and plays Thursday night, Aug. 23, at the Lakefront Park band shell, as part of the ongoing summer concert series held each week on that night. Mike Brueske, who also plays in area churches, puts it this way: “Our goal as musicians is to remind people that good music is good for you, and the deeper the groove the better. Lately we’ve been hitting the 1970s for the richest and deepest grooves. The benefits have proven to be enormous, and the people dig it!” Fans of Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Crowded House, Steely Dan and the Beatles will appreciate music that is familiar, but fresh, they say, as is interpreted through band’s perspective.
The person who told me about the above referenced group, a church liturgist, also gave a shoutout about another group that has played the area clubs, and again local churches, in the form of Mike Akan the drummer for Bigly. For a third Hudson person who completes the Holy Trinity of this genre, and also blends the secular and religious about where he plays, and has done so since a youngster, check out Chris Ashwood. He also gives music lessons where he says you can taste the best of both worlds, and specializes in playing with a fusion jazz trio consisting of family members. Check out his web site for more information.
— A great moment, perhaps worthy of some cash, at Dick’s Bar and Grill on a recent open mic night merits a plug for that entertainment found there every Thursday. The house band wrapped up the night’s gig with Folson Prison Blues by Johnnie Cash, delving into a spirited minute-long, guitar-led jam to conclude the song. See more of the same tonight.
— Maybe a matter of hearts and heads? Its called Two Hearted Ale — and does the fish image make the IPA ale tastier, as part of a sign on the wall by the Dick’s Bar door? It’s also got on display therean amber alt, and that sign goes on for about 100 words to describe the tie-in to Native American spirituality and a turtle that saves, as the beer is titled the “Headless Man,” despite German origins. Have the people at Turtle Lake Casino caught wind of this?