Shakers and Smither

After a long Christmas break from going out to see music, we went out to see music again! On Friday, February 4 we went to Johnny D's to see the Sacred Shakers. Eilen Jewell had a touch of laryngitis but was as stellar as ever. Daniel Fram really impressed us with his musicality ... but the really significant thing about this 8-piece, off the cuff bar band was Jason Beek on drums and Johnny Sciascia on bass holding it all together. Great musicianship and lots of fun. The guitarist from the rock band that was to follow them came in and was so taken he was out on the floor dancing as soon as he put his stuff away.

The next night (Feb. 5) we went out the the Bull Run to see Chris Smither. We sat at a table with friends (one of whom was having a birthday) but he sat on a chair by himself. Too bad for us it wasn't a high stool because we could barely see anything but his face from the back of the room. Anyway, he's just a force of nature with a guitar in his hand and boots on his stomping feet. His rhythm is so infectious, and we realized part of it was him syncopating what notes he would bend. Always good to hear the original Love Me Like a Man too!