Rock Prophecies Screening at Las Vegas Hilton, Saturday, December 11, 2010

Not only is the Hilton showing the movie, but Tyler Bryant is scheduled to play.




Las Vegas Hilton, 7pm, 12/11/10
Free admission
3000 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Human Nature at Imperial Palace

Photos from the October 10, 2010 Human Nature Motown show here in Las Vegas.

All images taken by Joan Hunt

Two-Fer Tuesday: Human Nature Celebrate Motown

I refuse to go cold turkey (despite it being Thanksgiving week and all) for an entire month when it comes to Human Nature. I've seen their show eight times thus far and, honestly? It's damn good stuff. I was hoping to get in a couple more shows before the group heads off on their Australian tour, but that didn't happen. So, for now, I'll have to make due with their YouTube videos.

Hey, I hear you mumbling over there. Don't question why I'd need to see the show so many times! I said it was good and I meant it. Let me put it this way: when everything else in this crazy town of Las Vegas relies on huge spectacular acrobatics and contortions and makeup and illusion and sex and explosions, it's really refreshing to be able to go see a show where music matters to the extent that it does with Human Nature. This isn't just some tribute show. It's a celebration of all the great Motown hits. Four guys singing their hearts out, dancing up a storm, and enticing you to remember a time when music was king and we were all prom queens. You walk out of the show feeling young and alive and energized! You've spent 90 minutes singing and dancing along with those sweet harmonies and you don't care who saw. How many times has that happened to you? That's what I thought. So don't question me on my tiny addiction. It's the disease AND the cure.

Music? You wanted music? Okay, here we go!







And lest you think that's all there is, let's have a couple bonus songs, shall we?







There. That'll get me through a couple hours. Only 670 hours or so to go until I get another live fix.

The Insomniacs at the Sand Dollar, Las Vegas TONIGHT!

I'm stoked that the Insomniacs will be performing at the Sand Dollar tonight at 11pm. Yep, late start, but it's Las Vegas!

Two-fer Tuesday: B.B. King

What could one possibly say about B.B. King that hasn’t already been said before?




I have always loved him and, yet, I’ve never seen him live. I had the chance a couple times, but something always happened to prevent me from actually getting to the show. Well, not last night.



Yes, after years and years and years of waiting, I finally saw B.B. King live and in person. Not only that, but I got to meet him. I’ve been home for a few hours and I’m still trying to come down from the high of that experience. While B.B. doesn’t play guitar nearly as much as he used to, he still sings beautifully and his stories…those have to be heard to understand just how special they are. When he did play, it was as if the years fell away and he was a young man again. A young man with a passion for the blues.



I was quite surprised after the show that he invited people up to “come say hello”. Everyone was patient as they waited to have their chance to shake his hand, thank him, and/or have him sign something. Sadly, my B.B. King Treasures book is sitting in storage in San Diego or I’d have had that autographed. (Yep, I’m a fan girl through and through!) However, I did manage to get him to sign my ticket voucher. It was either that or offer up a body part and that hardly seemed appropriate for the King of the Blues.



One of the most magical moments of the entire night, though, came when Stoney Curtis (Stoney Curtis Band) told B.B. that seeing him perform at the Chicago Blues Festival back in 1980 or 81 changed his life and his musical aspirations. Right before my eyes, I saw them go from fan and idol to kindred spirits having this amazing moment together. Sadly, the one photo I got of that moment didn’t turn out so well, but the experience of watching it happen will stick with me forever.



I will not soon forget last night.



What time is it? Time for “3 O’Clock Blues”.



(jemf999 – B.B. King, “3 O’Clock Blues”)










(jemf999 – B.B. King, “Key to the Highway”)






I joke with my son that this next tune is his. My own little Blues Boy knows the blues and he likes this one.



(MuddyBoy61 – B.B. King, “Nobody Loves Me But My Mother”)






And here is a video I’ve loved for years. “Thrill is Gone” was my daughter’s favorite song for several years when she was a little girl. I called her last night as I was on my way to the concert and we talked about the tune. It brought back many memories of a time that seems all too far away these days.



(BBKingVevo – B.B. King ft. Tracy Chapman, “Thrill is Gone”)






The few photos we took after the show are posted on Flickr.

Blues, Brews & BBQ at The Cannery, Las Vegas

The Cannery has planned a night of blues entertainment like you wouldn’t believe for Saturday, June 19, 2010. Featuring Janiva Magness, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, Curtis Salgado, and Ironing Board Sam, the event begins at 5pm and tickets are $5. Yes, just five bucks for an evening of incredible entertainment.




The Cannery is located at 2121 East Craig Road, North Las Vegas, (702) 507-5700, (866) 999-4899. All ages are welcome.



Be sure to check the Cannery’s website for information on other upcoming shows.

Two-fer Tuesdays: The Skooners

As I am wont to do, I’ve changed things up a bit for Two-fer Tuesdays. I’ll get back to movies with great music next week. This week needed something more awesome. And awesome it shall be.




I caught this great indie band, the Skooners, during First Friday about ten days ago and I’ve not been able to shake the feeling that these guys are on the brink of something very big. They’re part The Cure and part The 88; a mix of the old, the new, the known, and the unknown. They’re melodic and energetic and their music is infectious.



My first encounter with the band was when I complimented bassist Max Supera on his dynamite feather boa (the band, dressed in vintage clothes from the Gypsy Den, were appearing as the Ladyboys, if that makes any sense). Then Adam Yarbro (keyboard) came by with his very sparkly Dynasty dress and knit hat. I was enjoying this. Maybe a little too much. Drummer Jake Farmer had been wandering around in what looked like an old striped two piece mens swimsuit. While cooling off in the gallery behind the stage, my friend and I talked with lead singer Blair Dewane. I mentioned his super short shorts were reminiscent of northern East Coast 70s/80s cutoffs and suggested he tuck the boxer briefs up so as to give the fans a cheap thrill at the possibility of catching a glimpse of the boys. I laughed as he did just that, remembering all too well this fashion disaster and how many times I saw things I’d rather not have seen. Later, I spoke briefly with Ian Dewane (guitarist) and gave him pointers on how to crouch down in his lovely green frock in a more ladylike manner. Hey, I’m not an expert on etiquette or anything, but I at least know that much! I’m happy to annouce that Ian was very proper while the band finished setting up.



Watching the Blair spin and dance as he sang up a storm, I realized I was experiencing something special. In my first seven months here in Las Vegas, I’ve mostly seen blues, rock, country, acoustic folk, and acts performing standards. Never did I imagine that I’d find myself standing in front of a stage on a very warm night (still over half a million degrees at 8pm), dancing along with an alt indie pop band, feeling 15 years old again. I was having more fun than I’d had in a very long time. If I’d known the Skooners had a CD release party later at the Bunkhouse later that evening, I’d have insisted we go. I wouldn’t have cared if I was amongst the oldest people in the crowd either. The band is fun! And they know quite well what they’re doing as songwriters and performers. Their act is as tight as Blair’s shorts and they bring unbridled energy to the stage.



After listening to anything and everything I could find online, I’m declaring my undying love for “Ha Ha Ya Lie” and “All I Want”. I’ve ordered my copy of their CD Grow a Mustache, Change Your Name and you can bet your ass I’m going to keep an eye on their schedule so I can catch them again. I haven’t yet decided if I’ll take them the friendship bracelets I’ve been making for them over the last ten days, into each I’ve woven “BFF!” Maybe. Not so much.



(Jazoof – The Skooners, “Just Right”)






(Mojorepublik – The Skooners, “Sweet Marie”)






Check ‘em out on their website and Myspace.



Photos of the Ladyboys, aka the Skooners, from First Friday:

Las Vegas Knight of the Guitar

Las Vegas gets a dose of the best medicine around — great music from some of America’s hottest young guns.

Four of the country’s hottest young guitar players will show you where the world of rock is headed in Knight of the Guitar on Friday, May 28 at 8 p.m. Josh Gooch, Ryan McGarvey, Graham Whitford and Yayo Sanchez will be accompanied by Tony “The Fretless Monster” Franklin on bass and Chris Fraiser on drums in this celebration of the grand opening of the Knight Gallery inside the Las Vegas Hilton.



The Knight Gallery offers the works of celebrated rock photographer Robert M. Knight, as well as those of his talented wife, photographer Maryanne Bilham. Knight has captured iconic images of music legends including Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Carlos Santana, Van Halen and many, many more. His images are quintessential pieces of pop-culture mythology. Knight has also been a discoverer of young talent and has been called a “Rock Prophet,” giving way to the Knight of the Guitar event, featuring these up-and-coming performers.



Date: Friday, May 28

Time: 8 PM

Price: $15 (tax and service charge included)

Location: Hilton Theater

Call the Las Vegas Hilton Box Office (24 hours a day) at 800-222-5361 for tickets or purchase online