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Hubert
Gathers No Stones, But Fans!
This little story is not so much of a
musical journey, as it is a personal insight on a Nite In The
Blues!
With all the "buzz" surrounding the "rumours"
that Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, who are in Toronto
rehearsing for their upcoming tour, might guest at the Hubert
Sumlin's show at the Silver Dollar Room last nite. I headed
out early. As I stated it was an 8PM time slot, so I wanted to
get there around 7PM. As I usually do when I get near the
Buck, I check the number of parked cars in the vicinity to
judge if it might be busy there on a given nite. Parked cars
were everywhere, drivers lookin' for spots, I shoulda guessed
this was gonna be the scenario! Comin' around the corner the
line-up was like I've never seen it like before in all my
years of hittin' the Dollar. Tons of unfamiliar faces, but a
lot of familiar ones that I normally see at Blues
performances. Were some there just to see a Stone or Hubert, I
wasn't quite sure yet!
Using my Blues cloaking device, I was lucky to find myself at
my regular viewin' and hearin' spot in the backroom of the
semi-packed club and met some friends who were already there.
Met the band members, including guitarist Tom Holland who I
saw with James Cotton the last time he was in town. Travellin'
though the slowly building crowd I also ran into friends I
haven't seen in years.
It was also great to see a number of local Blues musicians
there to see Hubert, like Brian Cober (The Nationals), Julian
Fauth, Brian Blain, David Rotundo and Doc MacLean. Doc busked
out in front to the waiting line-up and gain a few dollars to
buy a few beers.
Now the house is jammin' up and I'm gettin' hot and stuffy as
the Buck has no AC. The band is preparin' to head to the stage
to do a few tunes, so I wanna search out Hubert as I have a
little gift for him. Figure I'll head to the 'greenroom', and
sure enough he's there. Hubert is kinda givin' me the side
tilted, I think I know you, look. Though I haven't seen him in
twenty years, I explained that I had givin' him back in 1973 a
picture of him and the Wolf I took in '72. He now remembered,
and up he jumped, and gave me a hug. I told him I had
something for him and I got another stare. I gave him two
photos I shot of him, one from the Elmo in '73 and the other
from '83 at Albert's Hall. He was one happy Bluesman, cause he
hugged me again. I got Hubert to sign copies of these for me
as well. This time alone with Hubert was very precious. But it
was time for him to do what he had come to the Dollar for,
play his Blues!
Outta the room, up the stairs and by the kitchen, all the time
he talkin' and laughin'. I could hear the band playin' as he
went through the door of the kitchen into the Buck's backroom.
Once he entered this smaller room, practically everyone stood
up and started to applaud Hubert and shout his name. It was
then, I finally realized that most of these people were there
for Hubert! They showin' their appreciation of this livin'
legend of the Blues by gathering around him shaking' his hand
askin' for his autograph. He loved it, they loved it, and with
a smile on my face, I loved it.
With Hubert still on the sidelines, I grabbed my camera as I
could hear Tom Holland singin' up a storm and slidin' away
with this tight combo. Out I went into what I can only
describe as, a sardine can in an oven. After four songs, Tom
announced the star of the show as "the guitarist,
guitarist!", a few words, but oh so true! Hubert made his
way to the stage and while still strappin' on his guitar he
continually shook outstretched hands directed towards him. But
finally the count came and Hubert struck his first Blue notes
and the crowd let out a roar! He was in his element and
immediately pulled everyone into it. Hubert is not the most
powerful singer I've ever heard, but he sure can carry a tune
with his genuinely felt moves on stage. Playin' a number of
standard and Wolf Blues songs he kept the audience cheering,
but it was his famous stingin' guitar licks that really kept
them mesmerized. This was a Blues crowd!
Between sets there was still a little bit of that Keith
"buzz" goin' around, and although he is a well known
and great guitar man, I believe that now most really weren't
concerned about the "rumours". They had heard
Hubert! I headed downstairs again to check on Hubert and there
he was with some friends and fans, and I felt very humbled, as
he showin' them the photos I had given him. Obviously he is
very proud of his history in the Blues, as he should be.
The second set was very much like the first as it kept the
packed room drinkin', yellin' and groovin' to Hubert's Blues.
Hubert and the band finished off this incredible nite of Blues
with a rockin' version of "Got My Mojo Workin'".
What more could you ask for and from Hubert this nite? Well,
he showed another side of who he is by stayin' around for an
other hour, after he gave his music on stage, in the backroom
of the Dollar signin' anything people put in front of him,
scraps of paper, LPs, photos and copies of his newest
recording on Tone-Cool Records,that were being sold this nite,
"about them shoes".
Hubert Sumlin, a guitarist, a Blues legend, but in reality,
just an everyday man that loves the Blues!
The moral of my story: Hubert gathered no Stones, but gathered
many new fans! Eddy B
(photo by Eddy B
- Tuesday July 26, 2005
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