Jammin'
One of the best things about the musical side of this cruise is that
though performers have their scheduled sets, there is an amazing about
of jamming going on. Whether it's in the Mermaid Lounge at two in the
morning, during Nick Connolly's solo piano shows at dinner time, or during
virtually any performance (since they tended to be rather freewheeling)
the genuine joy and creativity of musicians just having a great time playing
together was evident. Being together for a week seems to foster a lot
of creative collaborations . . . . everyone is having a genuinely wonderful
time. And it may be the only time during the year that they really get
to do this with each other . . . and by the end of the week, it gets pretty
wild.
A great example was Nick Connolly's sets every evening in the Mermaid
Lounge . . . playing solo from five to seven each day . . . it was a relatively
calm, relaxed atmosphere for people headed to or from their dinner seating.
Well, folks must have thought Nick was kinda lonely up on the stage by
himself, 'cause by Thursday, if you dropped by around six, it wasn't just
Nick . . . it was the nine piece "Nick Connolly Orchestra", complete with
horn section, pedal steel, and an R 'n R icon - Bruce Channel
- just rockin' the house . . . But this is the musical magic that happens
. . . one never knows just what might come together and leave you with a
big old grin 'cause you just saw/heard something that was spontaneous and
won't happen quite that same way again.
Most musicians didn't just kick back on the cruise content to do their
sets and soak up the sun for the rest of the time. In fact, some seemed
to be everywhere, just havin' a ball playing with the other acts. And there
are a number of "unbilled" musicians that Delbert invites (like Lloyd
Jones last year) . . . folks like drummer/vocalist Big Joe Mahar (of
Big Joe and the Dynaflows), singer/songwriters Kasey Jones and Jesse Alexander,
guitarist James Pennebaker, or the amazing piano player Red Young (who came
to play with Stephen Bruton) , that add so much to the mix.
Wayne, Marcia, T. Graham Brown helping out Jimmy Hall . . .
Jammin' in the Mermaid Lounge with Gary Nicholson and Red Young .
. .
(. . . and Michael)
Todd Sharp and Randy McDonald in the Mermaid Lounge . . .
Jesse Alexander and Bekka Bramlett . . .
I think the hardest working musicians of this cruise were Tommy Castro
and the members of Teresa James' band. Tommy and Bekka Bramlett get my
award for the musicians who seemed to be having the best time (musically
speaking) . . . and managing to appear with almost everyone (though Stephen
Bruton).
. . . but Teresa (vocals), Jerry Peterson (sax), and Debra Dobkin
(percussion) were the utility players extrordinaire! What they were able
to contribute to so many of the other performances was incredible. I think
everyone wanted Debra to play percussion with them (I think she did!).
And what can I say about
Bekka Bramlett
? . . .the voice . . . the stage presence
. . .
. . . up there with almost everyone . . . Delbert, the
Derailers, Marcia Ball, Gary Nicholson, Tommy Castro, Stephen Bruton, Jimmy
Hall, etc, etc, . . .
. . . duet and background vocals that added so much . . . and
I have rarely seen anyone radiate so much joy on stage.
Here's a couple of shots of Bekka lending her voice to the Derailers'
set (along with Al Anderson) . . .
Ship scenes
Performance photos and story
Islands
Cruise story home
