Terry Lee and The Moose

Terry Lee and the Rockaboogie Band play at Moose Clubs and American Legion establishments in other parts of the state. Last Friday night they played on our turf, the Indy Eastside Moose. We know that venue well, as the Indy Dancers hold their dances there often.

We love the Moose. It has that old fashioned vibe we love, and everyone is friendly. We’ve never danced in the bar area before, but the floor was more than adequate. Terry Lee, of course, was fab. New lineup, which added a new sparkle. Not that the old sparkle was bad; we enjoy both configurations. And, according to Terry and the new guitarist’s father, they hadn’t been playing that long together. Couldn’t tell it by me.

So anyway, we are very glad they are playing more in Indy. Gary and I would join the Moose in a minute and attend bar events more often were it not for one thing: the smoke. When we dance with Indy Dancers there is no smoking, but Moose events have no such policy.

As I’ve said before I don’t want to make this blog a soapbox, but I have to say, especially when you are doing something that requires a lot of breath, smoke is bad. Gary and I both left with sore throats and itchy eyes, not to mention my hair reeked. It’s our choice to be there so I’d never say anything, and we will be back to see Terry. We figure we can do smoky once in awhile. Who I feel sorry for are the folks who don’t have a choice, like the wait staff and of course, the band.

Maybe smoking in public places is one of those old fashioned things that isn't so good.

Rockaboogie!

I’ve said this before, so I hope you’ll indulge me. I’m always amazed when I see Terry Lee in concert. Terry and his band never seem to have an off night. I’ve had the good fortune to see a number of long-touring big bands and in some great venues and many of them have come across flat. That doesn’t happen with Terry Lee. The band is fantastic, driven; they move you from your seats and onto the dance floor. If you love the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, rockabilly music, our just going out for a good time, go see Terry Lee and his Rockaboogie Band

The Other Brother

As A kid I remember a story about the biblical Prodigal Son. Essentially, there were two brothers. One was “good” and did what the parents said, the other was “bad” and ran off. When the Prodigal Son returns the family rejoices and they have a big dinner. The good son is like hey, you never did that for me and I was always good, and the dad says you are being selfish so shut up and be happy over your brother’s return.

I always felt sorry for the good brother.

You may think I'm veering off in another direction but wait for it...I love the Grateful Dead. But seeing them in concert was a roll of the dice. You always wondered if a concert would be good; Jerry Garcia was known for forgetting lyrics, and sometimes the band was just not as stellar as they could be.

So what do you say when a band is always, consistently, good every time you see them? A band that thinks about their crowd and adjusts for who is there and what sort of venue it is? Whose selections of songs is vast and varied? Whose members are all talented and skilled? Who are friendly and talks to everyone?

What you say is wow. These days when gas is expensive and ten bucks a pop to get in hurts more than it used to, it’s wonderful to know that your experience is always going to be good. Like the rest of us, sometimes band members may not feel it some nights and I’m sure they have problems just like the rest of us. But dang, Terry Lee and the Rockaboogie Band delivers every time.

Thanks guys, for a fabulous evening. Just like last time. And next time.

Scratchin' Circles

Ah, February and March wear on a fellow here in the gray Midwest. The first quarter of the year is all about the cold wind, snow, and skies that might as well be made of concrete. Couple that with doing seven days worth of work in the span of five and you got a recipe for misery. By the time the weekend arrives a fellow needs a little time - time to blow of some steam, time to shake the blues, time to pick himself up.

Tonight we're heading south to Mike's Dance Barn again. We're going to spend some time with Terry Lee and his Rockaboogie Band. It's a much needed pick-me-up. There are too few things in the world that can make you forget your troubles and listening to Terry happens to be one for me. There's something about Rockabilly music, some kind of magic booze for the soul. Like a good stiff drink, a good rockabilly band can make your troubles fuzzy and forgettable. All the woes of the workplace still exist, they'll be there in the morning (along with a few extra aches and pains), but for the moment they sink to the bottom of your priority list.

Music can do a lot of things but one of the most important seems to be to act as a salve, to ease the weariness the soul. We're not talking Land of the Lotus Eaters here - trouble informs good music so listening to good music means taking in the troubles of the world. The thing is good music transforms the trouble of the world, metamorphoses it into rhythm and harmony which the dancer turns into motion. Like a voodoo ceremony, the music inhabits your body and you're moved to a transcendent state. So when JD McPherson sings about Scratching Circles, he might just be talking about magic circles.

Terry Lee and the Rockaboogie Band

Yep, another post about this fabulous band. Gary and I will probably post every time we see them, because of two things: one, we think they are THE best local band around. If you have a chance to see them do so…you won’t be disappointed.

Two, they mix it up. The show is never the same, and they aim to please. When they play at a dancing venue they always make sure they include varying tempos and rhythms. This is fabulous for those of us who want to dance different styles. If also great for older people who may not be able to keep up with blistering numbers. Of course, Terry also does play a few rocketing songs…Gary and I felt the after effects the next morning. But that’s cool. No guts no glory.

Last Friday Gary and I danced the rockabilly swing of course, but also ECS, WCS, and…a couple of rumbas! Very cool. We took my parents, who also loved them. My dad is a very picky musician himself, so that’s saying something.

In short, Terry Lee and his band are awesome to listen to, watch, and to dance to. Hats off. We hope you play forever. My favorite this time: White Lightning.

Well the "G" men, "T" men, revenuers, too
Searchin' for the place where he made his brew
They were looking, tryin to book him,
but my pappy kept a-cookin'
Whshhhoooh . . . white lightnin'...