Live Review
Inside Straight Blues Band
Minnesota Music Cafe
February 27, 2000
by Dick Houff
Photography copyright © 2000 by Tom Asp, all rights reserved
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1999 KBA Award Winner Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by the Blues Foundation
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The Minnesota Music Cafe is located on Payne Ave., in St. Paul. As you all know, Sunday nights can be either a hit or miss situation on off-nights. Of course, I come from another time zone. I like to break the rules of scheduling; Fridays and Saturdays are no different than lets say, a sleepy Monday—it’s all a matter of Rockin’ to me. Putting all that behind, it’s time to move forward. The Cafe is very hip with a fine dance floor, and believe me, when the band kicked things off with "Born In Chicago" the place came unglued and started dancing (which never stopped until the final song in the final set!). The Inside Straight Blues Band has been around for quite some time, but with the new changes in personnel; they’ve become a powerhouse. This band is hot and ready for the recording studio. Kurt Koehler’s vocals and killer lead guitar work are a deadly combination, followed by a well-seasoned band starting with Ted Neirowicz on bass. Ted knows the stage and has been around the block--he’s the dude you’re always looking for in a bass player, with a nice set of pipes for background. Bill Swanson’s keyboard playing is a step ahead of the pack, and his vocals carry a heavyweight contender’s punch. Next up, Hans Skott-mhyre’s sax playing is very reminiscent of the late Joe Farrell’s—totally raw gut-splitting energy beyond what I normally hear these days. And now for the backbone; Curly Martin on drums. Curly’s resume reads like a history book in jazz and blues. He has played with Cannonball Adderly, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, B.B. King, Etta James, Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton, Wilson Pickett, and one of my biggest heroes; Elmore James. The band has opened for (another textbook to say the least): the late Jimmy Rogers, truly an icon and immortal amongst bluesmen, Long John Hunter, W.C. Clark, James Cotton, Tad Benoit, and Ronnie Earl. Like I said earlier, it really doesn’t matter what night you choose to go out, but to hit a band of this caliber is a real deal treat. Especially when they nail you with songs like the Big Joe Turner Classic, "Let The Good Times Roll." And man did it roll on Payne Ave.! On the way home, I was planning my next outing: a Tuesday night jam at Brew Baker’s with the Inside Straight Blues Band—how sweet it is!
This review is copyright © 2000 by Dick Houff, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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