There's a great club caleld the Malo Meloe (think I got that name right). Its slighly out of town but walkable- they get soem great acts in and the atmosphere's really good... highly recommended
Maloe Melo is a nice place indeed. Not just blues, but anything that rocks.
There are good (blues)bands and jams sometimes in a bar called 'Bourbon Street'.
I buy my harps at 'Berkel Muziek' (address, Spui 11) it’s in the old centre. Great store, very diverse. Though harmonica is not their expertise they got lots of ‘m. If you ask kindly you may try one or two as well…is that gross? Perhaps I shouldn’t have told.. anyway good pricing too.
Funny, what makes you think that? Technically you’re right actually, wasn’t born here.
Don’t get me wrong on the teachers. If you just begin, got deep pockets and are not to spoiled by Gussow and Ricci’s teachings (to name a few) you probably won’t complain, see for yourself.
In fact, if you're in to Jazz, I can recommend a great guy. Tinus Kroon from overblow.com. He’s a killer overblower, schooled in Jazz. He’s from Delft, 50 min by train from Amsterdam
Last Edited by on Aug 12, 2011 9:40 AM
Close on the spelling it's Malo Melo. No "e" on the end. And it's not out of town. It's not smack in the center but nonetheless within easy tram ride from the center, near the Jordaan. Another blues club is Bourbon Street. Just do a Google for location. Neither is particularly brilliant IMHO but they're okay.
The two best music venues in A'dam are the Paradiso and the Melkweg. The have a variety of different styles including blues. The Paradiso is an old former church and has been a historic live music venues for 30 or 40 years. Great room.
Arguably the best blues bar in Holland is Cafe de Noot,www.cafedenoot.nl, in Hoogland near Apeldoorn, about a half hour drive from A'dam but easily accessible by train. They get many of the best 1st division UK and 2nd division US blues bands. The decor of the club is unbelievable and worth the trip in itself. The front bar is a huge Stratocaster perfect in every detail. The back bar is a Rodgers drum kit. If you do go, ask for the owner, Henk, and tell him Steve Power says hello.
There's also the Blues Cafe in Apeldoorn. They have bands pretty much 7 nights a week including open jams.
A bit further away is Cafe Wilhelmina in Eindoven. Keep an eye on their calendar. They've cut back the quality of their bands in a misguided cost cutting exercise but do get some good acts from time to time. The atmosphere in the place is great. Super enthusiastic crowd. They also do a pretty good free blues festival on the square in July. The managers name is Koos, again say Hello for me.
Artist to look out for: Arthur Ebling - Usually plays solo, occasionally with a band. This guy has trouble sitting after a gig because he plays his ass off.
Oberg: Ted Oberg's band. Ted is a legendary blues guitarist who has been retired from gigging for a number of years but has come back on the scene a couple of years ago. Ted is a fantastic blues guitar player and a really nice guy. He's a little skittish when approached, too many imposing idiots over the years, but again mention me and say Hi. Ted was a good friend when I lived over there.
Cuby & The Blizzards / Harry Muskee: Not sure if they're still active but most excellent if you can catch them.
Ana Popovic - Yugoslav female slide guitar player out of Holland, go figure. Despite my personal issue with her, the girl can rip it up. Had a great backing band last I heard.
Hoochie Mamma: Young band on the blues rock side of things. Pretty good harp player. Pim Dolle', the guitarist, is a great guy and is really dedicated. This is a guy who has been through some heavy crap and still keeps truckin' some how. Again, say hello and wish him all the best from me.
Anyway, you're going to really like Holland. Have a great time. ---------- LSC
