Darwin's Burgers in Marietta is always a great place to go and hear great blues, but whenever they have one of their $10 holiday parties, you really, really owe it to yourself to go. Where else can you get more than one band, great food, extra goodies, and the friendliest staff and regulars in metro Atlanta? It is always obvious that the owner, Ernie Ledato, and all of the staff at Darwin's love their customers and love the blues.
Last night, my husband and I went to the Valentine's "I Want Candy" party. The music was provided by blues music veterans Bill Sheffield, Frankie's Blues Mission and Uncle Sugar. The food, included in the cover, consisted of the best barbecue ribs I ever tasted, plus delicious potato salad, bread, and baked beans. And there was candy everywhere, at the door and on the tables: mini Milky Ways, Snickers, candy hearts, Razzles, Fun Dip, Pixi Stix, and other fun treats.
Bill Sheffield, who confided that he once shared a house with Tinsley Ellis in Decatur back in the 1970's, started the evening off in fine style. Last time we heard Bill was outside this past summer at Underground Atlanta and it started storming in the middle of "Eleanor Rigby." This time, we got to hear the whole song, and a lot of other fine tunes, too, including Blind Willie McTell's "Georgia Rag" and Bob Dylan's "I Want You."
Then, Frankie's Blues Mission took the stage. They made great music, singing both covers and original songs like the title track from their new CD, "Sleeping Dogs." They did a great variation on Archie Bell and the Drells' "Tighten Up," which they call "Loosen Up," because "everybody's tight enough already."
FInally, Uncle Sugar came on. Featuring veteran performer Ross Pead on guitar and vocals and the legendary, inimitable Eddie Tignor on keyboards and also on vocals, the band had the packed audience engaged and enthralled. We had to leave after Mr. Tignor sang a couple of songs, including his trademark "Route 66," because it was 11:30 and I had to go take my insulin shot (darn diabetes!) but the crowd was still rockin' when we left.
All three bands delighted us and everyone else in there, and proved once again why, of all the great clubs in metro Atlanta, Darwin's is my favorite. Go anytime, and next time there's a party (and I will be sure I let you know), don't miss it!
We took a lot of pictures with my new camera, and as soon as I figure out how to download them, I will add them tas a slideshow!
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