MuleMomma

I knew I should've been writing...not that I knew every song, but it could've jogged my memory.

On Saturday night, I remember the 2nd song (missing from the setlist) was "Baby, I Love You" (if that's the correct title) - an Aretha Franklin cover maybe. And wow, I didn't remember Amy Helm's voice being that wonderful and soulful when I saw them play together at the Silver Dollar, back about maybe 7-8 years ago.

And I remember there was a "Mardi Gras Day" in there (if that's the correct title, and I'm thinking it could be a Dr. John song, or perhaps just an old standard)?

The entire show had a real New Orleans kind of cajun feel IMHO - I was very pleasantly surprised!

Gotta love those horns too!! And Levon seemed to be in fine form, and in a really happy mood, grinnin' ear to ear!

My kitty was going bald around the ears and head, and the vet prescribed her Prednisone (a kitty dosage of a steroid-based antibiotic) and some olive/fish oil combination to sooth the irritation, and her hair magically grew back. Not sure if it was a result of these things or that whatever it was had just run it's course, but I'm happy to report that she got better

It was through Eric from Caution Jam that I first met my friend Julia. He was my roomie at the time, and knew that I often crossed the border to see little known jambands. He told me that I oughta meet his friend Julia, who also liked to roadtrip to shows. We met several times, and hit it off immediately. Our first (and possibly only for some unknown reason) roadtrip together was to the Gathering of the Vibes 1999, the first year it was in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It was during the course of the many hours we spent together in her SUV that I grew to know the beauty and compassion and generosity and wit that was Julia. She's been a very special friend ever since, and it will be a challenge to learn to live without her in this world. I miss her dearly already! RIP Julia, and I hope you know how much you were loved!

To Brian and family and everyone who shared Julia's life in one way or another, thank you for bringing joy into Julia's life...the girl always had a bright sunny smile to warm your heart!

BNB...please?!?! It's my birthday weekend, so please make it someone real funky

Pretty sure I saw them at the London Bluesfest quite a number of years ago. As I recall, Michael Falzarano, who plays with Jorma Kaukonen, is in the band...or was.

No freaking way!!! This is HUGE!! I'm so happy for you both - congratulations and much love

Back in June of 2000, booking bands at The Comfort Zone with New Rider, the Cozone website was always about 6-months outdated and we had no idea how to do website crap, so I remember posting a frenzied promotional invitation on the phishsanctuary (but I thought it was blue back then) to let folks know about our pre- and post-Molson Amphitheatre Phish shows with Soulive. I seem to recall being under a whole bunch of pressure to justify the 2-night stand but, not being the greatest negotiator, that was the only way we could get Soulive to come to Toronto (apparently). I think it worked to a degree, 'cause the day of the first Soulive show, a guy from Vancouver showed up around 1 in the afternoon, with invitation in hand. It was pretty exciting, and we got to have a lot of fun over the next 2-days with all that great music and all those newfound friends.

Anyway, I remember meeting Mark Tonin sometime soon after, as well as zero, both of whom proposed somehow bringing the scene together online. "Kev-O's Upcoming Shows" site was a great help too. Without all the folks so passionately helping to grow this community, the raves at The Zone might have taken over a lot sooner than they did. But I digress...I only wish that we had've somehow been able to use jambands.ca more actively back then (or at all).

So, I remember when I did sign up to jambands.ca, there were a lot of familiar friends, but I remember meeting Del, Willy, Alexis, Ms. Huxtable, PassedOutGuy, QuesQueCest, Sari, Palace Princess (too many to mention) and, of course, the fabulous Bouchards, and always being introduced as "Mulemomma." It felt like the weirdest thing, to have this alias, and a sense of comraderie with complete strangers, being welcomed into their homes, when I'd never actually met them before.

It's a beautiful thing you guys have created. Thank you for everything you've done and all of your tireless efforts. This community has been life-changing, and I hope you never waiver in your dedication. Love and hugs - Karen aka Mulemomma

in Toronto on June 12th (part of Luminato)?

I went, it was very cool and a nice chill environment, and I enjoyed the post-show hanging out with Mike and Katie and the other kind folks who run the space too (a lot of the folks who used to hang with the Comatoast guys). Was kind of like a very low key party, and yes it was BYOB too. Probably a bit of a challenge to get to by transit (pretty close to the intersection of Rogers and Weston Road). Thanks for the reminder Kev - might be a possibility for Saturday night

Ah, the memories...I remember getting tickets for the George Thorogood show for the sole purpose of seeing Little Feat again. So, we drove up to the Kingswood in time to catch LF, paid the $6 to park, paid the $20 (or whatever it was) to get into the park to catch the $10 (+ service charges) show. Turns out, the start time of the show had been pushed an hour earlier and we'd never been notified, so when we arrived LF were almost done. We were so pissed off, to miss LF when that was why we went in the first place, that we turned around and left. Then, we got back to the car and it was dead, so I had to get a tow from Wonderland back to Toronto. Man, what a crap night! After all that, I did manage to get back the cost of the $10 ticket, but that was it...so much for taking a stand

Wish I had've seen a show with the late Lowell George but, alas, my first LF show was summer 1990 at the Kingswood (LF headlining, low attendance) and it was a freaking funkfest - so amazing!! Saw them every time they came after that, until Shaun joined the band. I thought she seemed okay at the beginning, singing maybe one song and backup vocals, but then with each show, she seemed to be taking over more and more of the lead vocals, and it almost completely ruined the LF experience for me. I think both the Pepper Jacks show and that previous Hamilton (Uncle Funguy) show (sorry, venue name escapes me) were exceptions 'cause I think the band were so stoned and were having so much fun that the tunes took on lives of their own. The jams at those shows were amazing (or was that just me?). Anyway, my point being (after that ramble) is what a treat it would be to see LF without Shaun, unless of course she's been replaced with someone as equally annoying. Just hope I can make the show now.

I was waiting for one of these sweet summer Buffalo dates (and tix only $10 :) )

You know I can't be beat when it comes to being the last to the party, so now I'd like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Hope you had a stellar birthday weekend girl!

Yay!! Thanks Todd...not that I have much to say these days...and I don't know half the bands you guys talk about anymore

Was a very cool show (Tuesday night)!! Kept thinking I oughta go back to the bar and get another beer, but every song seems to end with a climax, and I kept thinking, okay, that's gotta be the end, and then they'd go into another one, which would also climax. I keep forgetting this about DBT, how, when they get going, they just rock SO HARD! It seems they're one band who really do like playing, and totally give the audience their money's worth...and then some!!

And it's always a blast to see some old buddies - Aaron, Greg, Amber, Brad, Craig and Sari...can't believe I missed you Timmy.

On a side note, I can't believe I've been under the impression that I had somehow locked myself out of jambands.ca for the past 3?-years, and I just now figured out how to get back in (and it was so easy)...DOH!!!

No wonder you're smiling all the time...having your birthday on a long weekend, you lucky #&%$! Hope you're having a great birthday weekend, and are still standing (or some semblance thereof) tomorrow when I see you at High Life

Oops, almost missed another important birthday - hope you had a great day Timmy and found yourself a show to enjoy that day (unless of course you were on a plane for mega-amounts of shows)!! It's wonderful knowing you and I hope to see more of you next year - Happy Belated Birthday and Bon Voyage!! - Peace and hugs - Karen

Hey Jay - Are you expecting Antibalas to be at the Antibalas afterparty as well? Or are they just at the Opera House on the 29th? Thx - K

AARON...BUDDY!!...I can't believe it's yer birthday again...and I remember having to smuggle you beers underage in the States!! You've definitely enhanced my adventures over the years, and I hope there's many many more to come!! Have yourself one hell of a birthday...you've got the day off right?!? And let's do it up again in style real soon!!! Love ya and miss ya!! Peace and hugs - Karen xxx

Does anyone have any information? Says on Pollstar that Ten Years After are playing the Escarpment Blues Festival in Milton on Sunday, July 15th. What is that? And it was Grateful Dave at Quigley's tonight that told me it was all the original members? Could this be true? Confirm or deny...anyone???

As far as I can see, The Derek Trucks Band plays SATURDAY night (June 30th) on the Main Stage at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. Sunday they appear to be in Iowa.

And The Derek Trucks Band - omg, they're one of my absolute favourite bands - I love these guys so much! But don't go expecting Derek to rip through Allman Brothers tunes or even standard blues numbers. DTB are more schooled and influenced by the great jazz artists, like Coltrane, and Indian classical artists, say like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (but don't quote me on that one), with of course a nod to the great blues artists, like Paul Pena (writer of "Gonna Move" and "Jet Airliner". They fuse styles with a brilliant display of artistry and soul, and each member of the band is a virtuoso in their own right. I wouldn't miss DTB if I could help it!!

Just my 0.2 cents

Hey Greg - Where's the party?!? Hopefully (like Willy suggested) it's still raging, and you managed to find the folks that can keep up with you for the fun!! Miss you buddy, and happy belated birthday! Peace and hugs - Karen

Wow, popular guy - just thought I'd get in there and wish you a happy belated birthday too! Hope to share a drink or two(?) with you sometime over the summer - Peace - Karen

for Bradstock Port-o-potties w/ Two Stones Throw

Just thought I'd post this for anyone looking for something to do in TO tonight. I think I'd heard long ago that the hosts of Bradstock (Terry and Andrea) always end up paying for the POPs out of their own pockets, in addition to providing the property to host the gathering, and I guess some folks decided they wanted to try to cough up the cash instead, so maybe it's already been posted, but I didn't see it, so here it is again...sorry for any duplications

Brian, you're a man after my own heart! How do you always know what I want to see?!? I'm thinking this might have to warrant a "sick" night (and I'm not even doing that for the ABB this year). Thanks again for bringing all the great music to town, and if there's ever anything you want me to do, you know where to reach me