JOHN MAYALL & THE BLUESBREAKERS (Saturday, May 30, 2009)

We had to drive all the way to Purmerend for it: John Mayall and his re-newed Bluesbreakers. Now featuring Rocky Athas on lead guitar, Tom Cunning on keyboards, Greg Rzap plaid bass guitar, and Jay Davenport on drums. John Mayall vocals, harmonica, keyboards, and guitars.

John came on stage alone, with his harmonica: “Let’s see if I can blow the dust off this old Sonny Boy Williams number….” Later in the show, a longer version of ‘Room to Move’ was a must.

***

Immediately after an impressive performance, I headed to the merchandise corner. John was already there, ready to do business. My choice fell almost immediately on a trio of ‘Historic Live Shows’. John pulled a white felt-tip pen from the inside pocket of his jacket (he wasn’t wearing it on stage) to sign my purchases. After each autograph, he looked up. I think it was so he could intervene if potential buyers walked away from the line because it was taking too long. Somewhat hurriedly, he added: “Thank you! Good choice! Enjoy them!” Then he looked past me: “Whose next, please?”

BARRELHOUSE (Iduna, Drachten, March 24, 2017)

I’ve always had a soft spot for ‘Barrelhouse’: Since 1974, they’ve been playing blues covers and lots of their own songs in the same lineup: Tineke Schoemaker on vocals, brothers Johnny & Guus LaPorte on guitar, Jan Willem Sligting on bass guitar, double bass, accordion, and harmonica, and Bob Dros on drums. Finally, the band’s founder (and an amazing boogie-woogie pianist!), Han van Dam, on piano.

Since the band has a reputation for playing just as well (if not better) live than on LP or CD, I’m putting that to the test once again (the enthusiasm on stage is still palpable, even after 43(!) years). There are plenty of CDs!

After the show, I find myself standing in front of Tineke Schoemaker, complimenting her on another such “heartfelt” concert, and ask if she’d sign my CD. “Oh,” said Tineke, surprised, “I haven’t had to do that in ages!” She cheerfully agreed: “But, um… I don’t have a pen!” I didn’t have one either, and for a moment we looked around with a “what now?” expression. “There!” said Tineke, “they’re sure to have one at the bar!” She strode decisively toward it, me in her wake. We had to cut diagonally across the hall. The music lovers politely parted to let us through. They had a pen:

And lo and behold: Voilà!

FRANK MUSCHALLE (Ermelo, March 16, 2013)

The 10th edition of the Int. Heineken Boogie & Blues Festival Holland at the chic Hotel Royal Tulip De Heerlickheijd in Ermelo was celebrated over a long weekend with 15 acts. (Pre- and after-parties, overnight stays, breakfast and dinners, and even a boogie-woogie masterclass by Stefan Ulbricht (from Germany). I was there on Saturday evening.

On stage and filmed in detail on a large screen, I saw and heard Don Washington (USA), Chris Conz (Switzerland), Martin Smitt, and Frank Muschalle from Germany. Fabrice Eulry had come over from France for the occasion. And, of course, Martijn Schok, both solo and with his Boogie and Blues Band, featuring Greta Holtrop on vocals and hosting. A unique event!

***

In the spacious foyer, there were several long tables where this weekend’s boogie-woogie pianists had displayed their merchandise. This way, you could stroll by at your leisure, make your selection, and pay the ladies behind the tables. During the second (and final) intermission, I went looking. That wasn’t easy. I was hearing the pianists (with the exception of Martijn Schok) for the first time, and… who do you choose as a keepsake?

Up to that point, Frank Muschalle had been my favorite pianist of the evening. So one (I decided) of his CDs certainly deserved a place in my collection and in my CD player. There was no one behind his merchandise section of the table, but there was someone in front of it: Relaxed, hands in his pockets: Frank himself. He seemed honored that I liked his music. But didn’t give any clues. Which one should I buy? I counted six!

Wait a minute! That was quite a surprise! Document Records! Frank Muschalle was on the Document Records label! ‘Battin’ the Boogie!’ 16 tracks, 11 of which were solo! It surprised Frank, who had been watching my frantic search through his discography with interest. “Those are recordings from a long time ago! From 1997!” he knew. I explained: “I have a lot of CDs from Document Records (*)!”

“Well,” said Frank, pulling out another Document CD, “this one’s even older. 1995!”

He showed me the CD, keeping it up in one hand and, with the other rubbing his (almost) bold head, he joked: “Back then I still had my hair!”

I bought both of them.