Chip Taylor's words about Sportsmen's Tavern
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Dec 12, 2010 – Buffalo, The Sportsmen's Tavern
Advertised as "Buffalo's best music venue". I guess that's true - I can't imagine a better one. At least for the kind of music that rings true to me.
SOUND CHECK
MUSICIANS – ME & JOHN
From the minute John & I walked into this unpretentious place – one fairly large stage – a bar - & open bar seating facing the stage, that might hold 100 plus - we felt something special was going on here. The place reminds me of a soulful/ country place you might find in the 50's in Mt. Vernon… or, well… YONKERS.
Ken. Our booker, sat at the end of the bar. He didn't move a muscle. Then said.. "where's the fiddler". I wasn't sure how to take that. I wondered if he thought we were coming with Kendel// or even Carrie. Then he showed me the poster - it advertised "THE CHIP TAYLOR BAND" .. and the picture was John & me flanking the LOVELY, KENDEL CARSON. Then he smiled & I realized it was a joke. He knew just John & I were coming .. but THIS WAS A BETTER LOOKING POSTER TO HANG ON THE WALL!! How's that for a sense of humor!!
So this is it – the humble place that ALL THE GREAT AMERICANA ARTISTS want to play in Buffalo. Eilen Jewell, Jim Lauderdale, Gurf Morlix to HEYBALE & even ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. They all play this stage and they all can't wait to come back. In a couple of hours we would feel the same thing!
NOTE: AND AMAZING NEWS .. THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A THREE STORY / 2 BUILDING AMAZING NEW COMPLEX – The second building houses Duane's warm & amazing recording studio that aspiring locals use for little or no money & that touring artists use as their green room or to record or whatever . This whole complex is so unpretentious in it's understated storefront look in this sort of run-down part of town – that is now totally on the upswing, due to the efforts of Duane & the gang here at SPORTSMEN's.
The upper floor of the new place will look down onto this stage!! From what I saw in design .. already partly built .. I am quite sure this will be one of the MOST TALKED ABOUT & REVERED NEW AMERICANA VENUES IN THE US
Big thanks to DUANE for making us so welcome & getting us great sound so fast!! – about 2 minutes, actually .. a record!!
THE SHOW
One of my all time favorite shows.. this was such a kind, warm bunch of folks to play for .. there could never be a better audience – just nice folks who get the heart of stories & song very quickly.
We began with the YONKERS NY songs & stories .. & since there was such a total connection, I told more stories than usual including some first ever ones..
In set #1, aside from BASTARD BROTHERS & HEY JONNY, I particularly loved DANCE WITH A HOLE IN MY SHOE & I felt the true passion of Black & Blue America as we played it .. & ANGEL OF THE MORNING was warm & chilling & special tonight.
By the way, JOHN PLATANIA was awesome all night & the crowd let him know it at every turn..
SET II
After a fun, "YONKERS GIRLS" came one of the most fun "JOE FRAZIER" interactions in memory. There was such a strong connection here .. & because of the connection, I told more of the SINATRA & POPE JOHN PAUL II story than usual. It was truly like a bunch of friends sitting in a living room…
Then came SAW MILL RIVER ROAD .. & BIG RIVER.. these felt so good.. then CHARCOAL SKY .. with this warm bunch sharing a Monday with dad & mom & my bastard brothers - this was total magic.. then, after a totally rocked-out WILD THING .. which left the spirit of Jimi on these walls, we ended with TENNESSEE, an awesome HOLY SHIT.. & requested SAME OLD STORY & JOHN TUCKER'S ON THE WAGON AGAIN..
This was a show & a venue that John Platania & I will not forget! Hope to be back here VERY soon!!! Big thanks to all!!
SAID HI TO SEVERAL, INCLUDING:
Again.. Hi & BIG THANKS to Duane, Ken, Paul (GREAT TICKETS!!!.. big thanks for that, the poster.. the stickers etc), PAT (at the bar), JIMMY & Andrea.. can't wait to come back!!
HI BOB & DOREEN (from Toronto) .. so good to see you both tonight.. say hi to Bill tomorrow!! BIG HI TO ELMER, NICK, STEVE & DANA.. great seeing you all .. Steve .. thanks for the great requests.. Dana .. best with your own music!!
HI LARRY & JERRY .. so good to see you both .. thanks for the kind words & the BIG RIVER request.. BIG HI MICHAEL .. thanks for the nice words .. so good talking to you!! .. BIG HI JIMMY .. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE WORDS .. they meant a lot to me!!..
Hi to BILLY & THE BEATERS keyboardist, JIM ANGER.. great talking to you Jim.. hi Chuck .. thanks for being here!!
Hi Peter Johnson (YO YO Champ in the '50's!!! .. thanks for the note .. regards to GAVIN & Leslie… hope to see you all soon!.. Hi to Tim & Ron.. saw you at John Prine concert .. what happened to you later??
Hi JOHN from Manchester .. so good to see you, John.. good luck with your Buffalo "SCROOGE" performance.. hope Martha & Jean enjoy the CD .. see you in the UK SPECIAL HI TO GEORGE & late wife, SANDRA .. both big ANGEL OF THE MORNING fans.. & shared a love for casino's & the ponies.. best George.. thanks for the kind words!!..
Hi John .. Joe Renda friend from back in the day.. best of luck with your own music with your friend…
AGAIN .. thanks to all our new friends at this great place – we will DEFINITELY be back – VERY SOON!!
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