What a great idea, that looks like a fantastic time, I wish I lived in the States, the nearest thing we have in Newcastle Upon Tyne is a windsweapt boat trip down the River Tyne were the entertainment consists of a "Sink the floating used Condom with a beer glass" competition.
I don't think I'd have a good time after about three days of that. Too much music! Too much booze, most likely. A long weekend of that would be enough for me. But I'm clearly in a minority!
Actually, it's not as bad as it may seem. There are plenty of opportunities to see many bands at different times. Yes, there is some drinking, but people don't get falling down drunk too often. When they make island stops, you pretty much have the days to yourselves without music, unless there is an on-shore show. The best parts are the late night pro-jams and impromptu jam sessions late into the night. The musicians are up when many people are down for the count. Some of the best jamming goes on at 3 in the morning, as you can guess. And many pros will go wander the boat at night which makes for some interesting band combinations. I have a better quality video camera in HD this time, so I will post some of the video when I get back.
att1chgo, the Blues Cruize has GOT to be the ultimate dream come true for harp players...and even a guitarist, or two. I've often wondered...sigh. Rub it in..., rub it in... It's the 3 am part that intrigues me. Not being a late nighter person...this would clearly have to change, for the duration of the cruize. ----------
The pro harp players on this cruise are Magic Dick, James Harman, Bobby Rush, John Nemeth, and Marc Wenner from the Nighthawks.
Last Edited by on Oct 11, 2012 1:07 PM
hey cool I.m going as well---u go once and your hooked==all the different venues]]piano bar with people sittin in-mellow blues-- rockin blues everything--are u going to the pro am jams--the pro jams at night are unreal--u get to see all the full pro guys jam with each other--very few, if any primadonas--i don't play well with primadonnas--lets hook up have dinner with me and my girlfriend-can't believe she stays with a knucklehead like myself--anyway can't wait
Last Edited by on Oct 11, 2012 6:50 PM
@mojokane-'It's the 3 am part that intrigues me...'
It wouldn't be 'Honolulu time' but EST, so it's like 6 hours(?) earlier for your inner timer...if you'd just fly in for the cruise!
Last Edited by on Oct 11, 2012 9:15 PM
First time I went last year, I still had some fearsome stage fright, which was accentuated by the fact that there is so much talent on the boat. So I went to one of the Pro-Am jams mid-afternoon, and I was called up, and who was on the stage with me? Ed Earley - trombone (Elvin Bishop, Albert King), Tom Poole - trumpet (original Boz Scaggs Band, Etta James (for 10 years), Santa Esmerelda, Tommy Castro), Randy Oxford - trombone, L.A. Smith - percussion, among others. I was like, what did I get myself in to? But everyone was so cool, it was actually easier to play on stage with them than it was with all of the other duffers like me, and I didn't do too badly either. Now with another year of playing under my belt, it's time to have some fun up there.
Last Edited by on Oct 12, 2012 6:10 AM
