Pssst. Hey, you: Looking for a good time? Walk this way and discover what Springfield has to offer this week in the glittering world of musical entertainment.
First off, let’s congratulate the wise and wonderful Raoul for another successful year on earth, as he celebrates his birthday on Friday. On a personal note: He has been my friend, guitarist, and all around pal for 15 years. He’s already achieved one of his goals in life–to play music for a living. So buy him a drink, give him a pat on the back, and thank him for all the years of music he has given to us. He has arranged his Friday schedule to accommodate well-wishers, by booking Black Magic Johnson on Fifth Street all night–first, at the Alamo beer garden from 5 to 8; then, at Floyd’s Thirst Parlor from 9:30 to 1. You can also have lots of fun seeing him at 10 the next morning, as the band rises early to perform at Saturday’s Old Capitol Farmers’ Market, in a program sponsored by Starbucks, Downtown Springfield Inc., and the not-for-profit Music in Communities & Education. The fun won’t stop there: Raoul celebrates his birthweek, rather than a mere birthday, to better honor the long labor suffered by his mother. So happy birthweek, Raoul!
After a few drinks and several songs early Friday night at the Alamo, why not amble down the block to Robbie’s on the Old Capitol Plaza to catch a set by the Sam Crain Quartet? The bubbly Mr. Crain is an entertaining jazz guitarist with several CDs to his credit, and he always seems to have great musicians sitting in with him. This is not only good for the audience–it says a lot about the caliber and character of the bandleader.
Also on Friday night: Viele’s Planet on Jefferson and Second features two St. Louis bands, both constant winners in the annual Riverfront Times music awards. The Phonocaptors rock hard with cool originals, featuring the newly betrothed Keith Voegele on bass and vocals. Trip Daddies reinvent rockabilly by doing it their own way. The two groups have played Springfield several times, but have yet to reach the larger audience they so richly deserve. You could help remedy this awful situation by merely showing up and having a good time. Is that too much to ask?
The Illinois Central Blues Club Blue Monday Jam at the Alamo brings in Tyrin Benoit and the Shuckers from Louisiana, for a taste of bayou blues. Tyrin is the brother of Tab Benoit, another traveling blues musician and frequent performer at Blue Monday, but he’s his own man when it comes to music. I wonder what their mama fed these blues brothers for breakfast.
The Underground City Tavern brings us a special treat this week: Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys. If you haven’t seen this charismatic crooner yet, make an effort to come on down to the Hilton Springfield this Wednesday for the 9 p.m. show. His bands are truly world-class, his songs are sweet and soulful, and his new CD, It’s Time, is a modern masterpiece. You have no excuse unless you just plain enjoy missing out on the good things life has to offer.
Now get walking. Good times are right around the corner.
This article appears in Jul 17-23, 2003.
