INTRO
‘Second Best’: After an euphoric performance by a favorite blues band or -performer, I’m usually-sometimes even during the break between sets- on my way to the merchandise table almost immediately after the last notes have faded away. No, not for a T-shirt or an LP, but a CD -or better yet: CDs. The most intimate way to re-live the musical highlights at home is through headphones.
That doesn’t always happen in synchrony…
THAT BLUESBAND
That American band was exactly the one I really wanted to see live, and especially to hear them play the blues. I was able to do just that that evening, even sitting in the middle of row 6. The first set started with new songs. During the third song-just after a brilliant guitar solo- a large man in the middle of the front row struggled to his feet, turned halfway toward the audience-he was standing right in my line of sight to the stage- and waved listlessly at us with a CD in his hand. At first, I thought it was a curious incident, but barely three songs and twelve minutes later, he stood up again, this time waving two (different) CDs at us. So, unfortunately, it was deliberate, because it kept repeating itself, not only in the first set, but also in the second. With this, he effortlessly crossed my irritation threshold. On top of that, I realized that the man wasn’t just being commercially pushy during this concert, but likely throughout the European tour. That explained his disinterested weariness. (20 concerts, roughly 8 times per show) I blame the band, who undoubtedly approved of their accomplice’s performance while watching the audience from the stage. To avoid (further) stigmatizing these excellent musicians, I’ll omit the band’s name.
I didn’t buy any CDs.
ALLY VENABLE (Iduna, Drachten, February 4, 2024)
Right after an excellent show, I was one of the first in line at the merchandise table, where Ally Venable had just stepped behind. When it was my turn, she gave me time to look over her CDs. I couldn’t decide between the two, so I said, “I’ll take them both.” Completely relaxed, she peeled off the plastic sleeves after I replied, “Yes, please!” to her question, “Do you want me to sign them?” She found a pen and wrote “to Johan” with a little heart. She even had time for a ‘selfie’ and a lovely smile, while the line of people waiting behind me grew from three to four.
MARTIN HARLEY (Speelplaats Baars, March 7, 2026)
The Speelplaats Baars newsletter announced a solo performance by Marin Harley from England; it included a link to his YouTube videos. He sings and plays Roots-Americana-Blues on a more than 100-year-old “Weissenborn” and a National Tricone Steel guitar. A virtuoso “guitar picker” and “slide” player!
More than enough reasons to go. And I wasn’t the only one: De Speelplaats was sold out once again!
His rendition of Muddy Waters’* “Can’t Be Satisfied” sounded beautiful. And Leadbelly’s** “Good Night, Irene,” too. Beyond that, mostly personal songs with beautiful lyrics. Although not with the characteristic blues chords, I found it typically “Martin Harley Blues.” A few examples:
About his visit to a bar in Hamburg:
“A perfect place to drink too much. And that’s what I did. There was a box full of postcards on the bar. Cards you could send to your friends. Then I realized, ‘but to whom?’ I couldn’t think of anyone…” He struck a chord: “I wrote a song about it: ‘Postcard from Hamburg’.”
About a rather sad house purchase:
“I felt my daughters shouldn’t grow up in a big city; so I bought a house on the slope of a hill in the middle of nowhere: a village with twelve inhabitants, five of whom were family members. One early morning, I looked out the kitchen window with bleary eyes. I saw a horse standing in the meadow. That horse looked at me, also with that worn-out, lonely gaze. So, a new song: ‘One Horse Town’.”
On his drinking problem:
“I had a drinking problem, but thankfully, I’ve been sober for a few years now. The title track of my latest CD is ‘Morning Sun’***; it’s about a morning walk in a world that looks very different nowadays. Instead of songs about booze, I could now write one about ‘Lemonade’.”
Not “on your knees in church on Sunday morning, but to the candy store next door”: There they sold Jesus in chocolate: ‘Chocolate Jesus’.”
*
He presented his merchandise in a very original way:
“Well!” said Martin with a sigh, “that was a sad song!” He looked at us, his audience: “And here comes another one: just as sad.” He paused for a moment to check his guitar. “After that, there’ll be a short break, and then you can (he gestured to the right) order a beer or a few beers at the bar to drown that sadness, or (he now pointed to the left), and I’d really appreciate it if you’d make a purchase there. I have T-shirts, LPs, and CDs.”* “ He raised a finger: ”And if you buy an LP or a CD, I want to make a deal with you.“ We listened, and he explained: ”If you flip the LP or CD cover over“ (he made a gesture to illustrate) ”you’ll see my address on the back. And here’s the deal: If, for example, you play the CD in your car or an LP on the turntable at home and you find it just so-so or, in hindsight, not so good at all, then you can send that LP or CD back!” He paused for effect. “Don’t forget to include your home address on the package… After a few weeks, I’ll send you some music that I don’t like!”
*******
*Muddy Waters real name was McKinley Morganfield;
**Leadbelly’s name was Huddie Ledbelly;
*** Morning Sun’ uit 2024 is the 11th!