Regular readers know that Darwin's in Marietta is our neighborhood club, near to home and therefore the place that we go most often to listen to live blues. Lately, many other people have discovered what a great place Darwin's is, and it gets crowded very fast on Fridays and Saturdays.
This Saturday was no exception. We got there over an hour before showtime, and there were no seats left. There was one at the bar, though, so I took it and Ken stood and leaned on the bar. We ordered food and though it took a while to get it (everything is made fresh and even the amazing Darwin's staff can only cook and move so fast,) it was worth every minute. Chef Aiken makes the best chicken salad I have ever tasted!
When the Little G Weevil Band started setting up, I get a chance to speak to Lex Luther, our friend who was playing bass, and the awesome Little G Weevil himself, shortly to be representing the Atlanta area at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis January 29-February 2. He will be performing in the Solo category there, and he will be a formidable challenger in that category. I also got to greet John McKnight, who was drumming. Adam Holliday arrived a bit later to play keyboards. All of these musicians are very active in the local blues scene, playing with a variety of other bands or backing musicians as well as in this formation. They love to play and perform and share the blues, and it shows in everything they do.
When the show began, it took off right away. There was no slow buildup for this band. It was high energy, great music and great fun from the first notes. Lex, John and Adam kept things hopping while Little G serenaded various ladies, wandered with his guitar around and through the crowd, and just generally sang and played with every fiber of his being. As usual, the specific songs escape my memory for the most part. Darwin's is just not a place where you take notes! But I do know he did " Big City Life" from The Teaser. a CD you should have in your collection. Click on the link to read my review and get it if you haven't already!
It was a great night. People were up and dancing, with more females in that mix than males. The blues is that sort of music: it inspires ladies to dance! Everybody was having a great time. Lex was strutting on the bass, John was pummeling the drums, Adam was tickling the keys, Little G Weevil was flailing on guitar.. pick your own adjectives as long as you're getting the picture that it was awesome and it was fun!!
You should definitely come out and see the Little G Weevil Band whenever you have a chance. And check out Darwin's too, if you haven't. Just know you better get there early if you plan to sit. But you may not want to do too much of that anyway.
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