Saturday Evening Latin Jazz at the Pink Adobe Dragon Room

We've been going to the Dragon Room since shortly after it opened in the early 80's.  It has undergone a few changes since Rosalee, the original owner passed away a few years ago.  In '84 we would come over to the Pink after work on Friday and find Rosalea in her corner with Rhett Butler, her big black dog sitting next to her.

(Click any picture to enlarge, click music links to listen.)

Last night we spoke with the new manager at the Dragon Room, Natasha.  We were pleased that she was sensitive to the history of the Pink and the Dragon Room and wanted to preserve the character of the place which has made it such a popular watering hole for so many Santa Feans over the years.  

And yes!  She's getting a replacement popcorn machine!  Also, if you go during the week you should try out the $5 BBQ beef sliders, or any of the other bar food -- it all looked good.

We went there last Saturday evening because I had bumped into Eduardo, a musician friend of my earlier in the week, and he invited me to come over and sit in with his Latin jazz group.  Edwardo is an absolutely amazing flute player -- pan flute, wooden, silver.  I jumped at the opportunity to play music with him again -- I hadn't seen him in about three years.

So, last night there was Eduardo,

James:

Diego:

and Stan:

Here's a bit of James singing Ain't No Sunshine, with Mud Pony Stan on harp.

It was nice to see my favorite old bar in Santa Fe begin to fill up with people. The place was packed by the end of the evening.

It was even nicer that they were enjoying the band.  Check out this bit -- wait for Eduardo's flute about 2  minutes into it.

It was good to be at the Dragon Room again.

Sunday Gospel Brunch At the Cowgirl

Wow, what a perfect day to enjoy the last Cowgirl Sunday Gospel Brunch of the season!  We showed up at noon and the patio at the Cowgirl was already packed, but Bill and Bonnie Hearne were gracious enough to share their table with us.

Click a picture to enlarge, click a music link to play.

The "Joe's Not Here Band" was in fine form.

Margaret kicked things off with John The Revelator.  This young guy liked it so much he almost forgot about his bacon.

We had a special treat:  Guitar Shorty showed up and played a few.  Guitar Shorty!  Check him out on this number.

It was time to dance.

But wait!  There's more...

Terry Diers and Don Rubenstein dropped in as well.

I even got a chance to do a Lucinda Williams number with the band.  Thanks guys, it was a perfect Sunday!

--Doug

Saturday Night with Felix y Los Gatos at the Cowgirl, 8-21-2010

 There was some serious fun going on last Saturday night at the Cowgirl.

(Click pictures to enlarge)

The Cowgirl Hall of Fame is always fun when the Gatos play there, and last Saturday was no exception.  As usual, Felix welcomed a number of musician friends who dropped by to sit in with the band.  Saturday's guests included Joe Daddy and Jeff Sipe, Terry on bass, birthday boy Freddy Lopez, and me. Here's one of the Gatos' opening numbers.

Check out this one led by Joe Daddy a bit later.

There's that patented Jeff Sipe smile.

The Gatos were celebrating several birthdays, including Felix's, Freddy's and mine.

I sat in for a polka -- people were still whooping it up around 1:00am.

Near the end of the evening Felix led off this jazz number featuring a nice drum solo by Mikey Chavez.

Good to see you again, Gatos!  Catch you next time.

--Doug

Sunday Brunch w/Felix e Los Gatos at the Cowgirl

The Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Santa Fe has this nice Sunday brunch thing going on these days. Good food, drinks, and good music. Felix Peralta & Los Gatos played there the last couple of Sundays, and it was a great way to spend a few hours.

Felix had David Barclay on squeeze box:

(Click any image to enlarge, click a music link to play)

Mike Chavez on drums:


Susan Hyde Holmes on bass:


Check out this one. About half-way through Susan and Mike went to town... They let me sit in for a bit, here we are doing a number by request.

The next time Felix e Los Gatos are in your neighborhood drop on by for a listen, you won't be sorry.

--Doug

The Canyon Road Blues Band

Recorded live at El Farol, Fat Tuesday 2/16/2010.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

• Never Make Your Move Too Soon
• Kind Hearted Woman
• Don't Let My Baby Ride
• Whole Lot Of Shakin'

Dylan Sunday Brunch at the Cowgirl, Again

We had so much fun last week at the Cowgirl Dylan brunch last week that we paid another visit last Sunday. The brunch music is put on by Joe West, Josh Martin, Margaret Burke, and Arnie Bey (aka Cozy Ralston).

It was even more fun this week.

Joe & crew sounded great, and they invited several guests up who also sounded great. The relaxed, friendly environment is the ideal way to spend a few Sunday afternoon hours, IMO.

Click any image to enlarge, click a sound link to listen

Check 'em out -- here's Joe leading off Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts.

There were a number of guests invited to sit in: singer/songwriter Donald Rubinstein doing Just Like Tom Thumb Blues. Cool harmonica duet about half way through...

A bit later Joe & crew invited the young man above to come up and play. His name is Will Risbourg, and he looks to be about 12 (ok, I'm exagerating), but he's good. Take a listen to him leading She Belongs To Me. Don't worry Will, I edited out the first 2 seconds...

It was a pretty laid-back crowd.




There were even a couple more guests: Here's Jimmy Russel!









We'll close out this post with Josh doing Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again.


See you next Sunday.


--Doug

Cowgirl Dylan Sunday Brunch

Hey, folks:

It was great fun yesterday at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. A Sunday Dylan brunch fest was put on by Joe West, Josh Martin, Margaret Burk, and Arnie Bey. They'll be playing every Sunday this December.

Click on a picture to enlarge, click on a music link to listen.

Check out Josh doing one of my favorite Dylan tunes, Tangled Up In Blue.




How about little Romance in Durango?



There were lots of familiar faces.


Happy birthday, Suzy!


Joe & crew had a few invited musicians sit in with them.

Bill Hearne.


Mike Handler.



More familiar faces:


The lady on the right knows every word of every Dylan song that was ever written!



Come on out next Sunday!

--Doug