Dan Smalls Presents Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears at Emerson Suites, Ithaca College on Sunday, March 1
Welcome to The Listening Post. Each week, we will ask a group of local musicians to listen to a song, or watch a video and then discuss the song over email. Think of it as a virtual conversation; think of it as a listening party without the six-pack. Think of it as a sonic experiment. This week’s installment is “Bobby Booshay,” a track by the Austin-based band Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears.
The Band: Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
The Song: Bobby Booshay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFcTrMV8dSE
Some of the participants have played with each other before (Johnny Dowd fronts a band backed by Matthew Saccuccimorano and Brian Wilson, Eric Trichon has played in the MoFos with both Matt and Brian), and some have not (Keir Neuringer). Jennie Lowe Stearns, Kim Sherwood-Caso and Mary Lorson were invited, but unavailable to participate in this round.
Listen and then read; read and then listen; or listen while you read.
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears play Ithaca College this Sunday, February 28, 2010. For more information on the band, please see blackjoelewis.com.
Johnny Dowd, Mon Feb 22, 2010 at 10:23 PM
Great track—lots of energy—retro but not reverent—great Chuck Berry licks—killer keyboard break—horns—what’s not to like!
Matthew Saccuccimorano, Tue Feb 23, 2010 at 1:21 PM
Listening to this, I get the uncanny sense that I’ve ignored this band one hundred times already.
Keir Neuringer, Tue, Feb 23, 2010 at 6:59 PM
I didn’t dig so I googled the band. I had to know why this was relevant. I listened to several tracks, watched some videos, read a little. Now I know this isn’t a college band. That’s too bad.
I like this kind of music just fine. Here, it’s played with an awareness that, back in the day, the original practitioners played it with lots of energy. “We should try that” I can imagine someone saying in the practice space one day.
I suppose Joe Lewis has an above-average voice and vocal delivery. For the sake of argument, we’ll call George Thorogood “average”.
The Honeybears confidently travel that familiar range between “adequate” and “not quite up to snuff”.
Johnny Dowd, Tue, Feb 23, 2010 at 7:58 PM
I guess I like this kind of music so even an average example of it sounds good to me—at least its not mopey
Matthew Saccuccimorano, Tue, Feb 23, 2010 at 11:34 PM
No bass solos, you mean.
Eric Trichon, Wed, Feb. 24, 2010 at 10:09 AM
I expected more considering Bill Bruford is playing with them
Brian Wilson, Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Ah Black Joe!
I remember seeing him/them in Austin last year, he was on the same bill as us. I have the same feeling now as I did then….young band with potential coolness, but the band delivery is a bit thin and light. You can’t half step, this kind of thing is hard to pull off without sounding like a mediocre soul review band, They should let go and lean more towards the wild garage thing that sometimes comes out instead of trying to fit the mold. The music is there, just go play it. If they go out and play 300 shows things will fix itself.
Go Black Joe!
Willie
p.s I’m a sucker for this chord progression
Matthew Saccuccimorano, Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Holy Shit! I totally missed that. Now I love them. BRUFORD!!
Matthew Saccuccimorano, Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Willie B is awesome!
Keir Neuringer, Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 11:05 AM
Yes. I would like to edit my previous comments. They should now read: “What Willie B said.”
(And now I need to go out and play 300 shows and fix my own shit.)
Johnny Dowd, Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 11:07 AM
a whammy bar would be a nice touch on the chuck berry licks—put a little ike turner into it—johnny
Eric Trichon, Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Matt, you are such a dichotomizer!