Art & Photography by Huzone: Siegel Schwall Band at Long Grove

To start at the end, here's Da Man himself when he came out into the audience to sign autographs.

First read a little history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siegel%E2%80%93Schwall_Band

The current incarnation of the band consists of Corky Siegel on harmonica and vocals, Sam Lay, drums and vocals, Jim Schwall on guitar and vocals, Rollo Radford on bass and vocals, and Sambo on percussion and vocals.

Bob Dylan called Sam Lay the " greatest living blues drummer" and having been anointed, Sam treats himself like royalty although he is really a pussycat. The band was great, very swinging, entertaining, funny, original and generally inspiring and uplifting, both getting up and getting down:)

The venue at Long Grove is just sweet and ideal in so many ways. Fountain Square park is a grassy area that will hold several hundred people. The stage is just a gazebo raised a few inches off the ground. It is a very intimate setting.

The concert was free but the Long Grove Arts Council did ask for donations. Who can begrudge them that for such a great evening of music? They want to bring in originals and this they are doing. Sunday August 10 is Bonnie Koloc and the following week is the Klezmer band.

This is the guy from the Long Grove Arts council introducing the band and making his pitch for donations. I was glad to contribute. This concert was just ideal in so many respect: Great band, intimate venue, and the weather was co-operative too, partly cloudy and in the 70s. And it was free...

The crowd was mixed ages, but needless to say there was a lot of gray hair in evidence.

They were a very appreciative audience. Corky said we were an "elegant audience". I saw no signs of drunkenness or excessive rowdiness.

This is the stage. Made for real intimacy with the audience. Joe, the guy in the foreground with the grey hat was a photographer who encouraged me to come to the open mic the following Friday night at Beans and Leaves coffee house right next door. I went and it was great!

Some more shots of the band playing. The gazebo shaded the players so it was not ideal light for photography. But I'm not complainin'. Look how close I was sitting. And the price was right...

Rollo told some droll and funny stories. Of course what is missing from this blog post is the sound track. I won't be offended if you sneak over to You Tube and listen to some tracks of the band at other venues:)

Corky came out into the audience toward the end and excited and pleased everyone with his amazing harp playing.

Nowadays everyone has cameras in their phones so there were lots of photographers. Dig the guy at Corky's feet getting that creative angle.

The Cork uncorked. He be Jammin'!

There was a little old lady that Corky showered with affection. His mom? I dunno, I didn't ask, but he obviously loved her.

This was after the concert when he just came out to schmooze with the audience.

Flanked here by two red guards :)

The crowd got up and danced. The music demanded some movement!

This sweet dog was my next door neighbor. That's my blanket and pillow behind him. Next time I bring a folding chair!

After the concert I chatted with Jim Schwall. He is an awesome guitarist and a good guy.

Sam Lay in his blue satin shirt, revolver bling, and combo cape/blanket. He freaked out the audience when he sang a song that repeated the line:'I'm gonna shoot you.". It took a few choruses until they realized it was a double entendre. Of course one of the things that makes the blues so juicy is how it gets at the truth.

Sambo did most of the heavy labor in the drumming dept. He was a strong player, laying down an authoritative beat. His hat fascinated me and after the concert I went up for a closer look.

He said it was custom made for him by an artist whose name escapes me. Pretty cool/ hot, eh?

I love handmade stuff like this.. And doesn't it suit a drummer to a fare-the-well?

Here are some more shots taken during the concert.

This is the fountain of fountain square. The whole area is charming and fun, full of restaurants, boutiques, galleries, etc. It is often jammed with tourists especially in the warm weather but what is cool is there are no corporate franchises at all. Its all homemade by people.