Boyd's Jig and Reel - Plus: Blue Mother Tupelo

Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville, January 2012

I've been hanging onto the shots I took of Blue Mother Tupelo last month, but hadn't found the right moment to work them in. In the meantime, I took a second visit to Boyd's Jig and Reel and I have to say the place is really growing on me.

Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville, January 2012

I'd stepped in once before just to take the couple of interior shots you see here. I posted them before. I was impressed with the look of the place and the comfortable seating, with couches and soft chairs arranged to form cozy little areas of their own and small tables in their vicinity for food or  drinks. Of course, there is bar seating on both sides, with a bar just large enough to hold a plate along one wall on one side and the full bar on the other. Booth seating is also available on the bar side.

Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville, January 2012

A very nice, slightly raised stage sits at one end of the room with the small bar. It was there that Blue Mother Tupelo played the second time I visited Boyd's. I had an excellent meal, as well. I had the Smoked Salmon ($13), which is described as "Fresh salmon cured with a light smoke. Served with cream cheese, red onions, and capers on fresh baked artisan bread." It was even better than it sounded and it filled me up without feeling as if I'd over-eaten.

Ricky Davis of Blue Mother Tupelo

Micol Davis of Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd's Jig and Reel

The third time was for drinks on a Friday night, but I decided to also try the seafood chowder which I really enjoyed. On that occasion I was there on a Friday around 6:00. It was late enough that a festive crowd had gathered, but early enough that it wasn't extremely loud. Shaft and I enjoyed talking to JC behind the bar and generally hanging out on a Friday after a long week at work.

Ricky Davis of Blue Mother Tupelo

Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville

It's a great place and I highly encourage you to try it with and without music. Both are fun experiences, but also they are very different. They feature local music and Irish music each week, so they are excellent patrons of the local musical establishment and you know how I feel about our local musicians. Hope to see you there, soon.

Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville

Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville

Oh, and that band? Blue Mother Tupelo rocked the house. A massive number of people, including more than a few family members came to hear them and packed the house. We got there an hour early and were fortunate to be able to sit. That is more than some people could say, as there was a large crowd standing for most of the show. It wasn't as if any seats opened up, because no one left.

Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville

Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville

Ricky and Micol Davis (who are married) actually got their start playing nearby at Sassy Ann's. Ricky grew up in the area and still seems to consider it his musical home. The duo moved to Nashville in 1998 and they continue to be based there. Their most recent album, "Heaven and Earth" is the one that grabbed me. I'd encourage you to look it up. It continues to garner airplay on Americana radio stations.

Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville

Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville

The Fire Marshall allegedly made some people leave the room before the night ended, which was after midnight. With the crowd and the heat generated on stage, I can completely believe it. The two played and danced and sang their hearts out and then hung out with whomever wanted to talk after the show. It was a great night in a very great new venue in our city.

Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville

Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville

Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville

Blue Mother Tupelo at Boyd's Jig and Reel, Old City, Knoxville

Streamliners, RB Morris, Jenna and her Cool Friends, Blue Mother Tupelo and Fred Eaglesmith

Jazzman RB Morris with the Streamliners, Knoxville Museum of Art

KMA swinging to the Streamliners

I'll start with a few pictures of the KMA from a couple of weeks ago and then I'll launch into what promises to be an amazing weekend for music in the city. Today's post begins with Alive After Five two weeks ago. The show is hosted at KMA by Michael Gill and features superb music, beverages for purchase and a reasonably priced catered meal, admission to the museum and free popcorn for a very modest price. It's a very cheap, but classy date. What could be better than that?

Streamliners at Alive After Five, Knoxville 2012

The music generally veers toward jazz and blues with a healthy sprinkling of other genres. Two weeks ago the featured artists were the Streamliners who play big band style jazz music. Most, if not all, of the members also play in the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra which, if you haven't figured it out from this blog, provide our city with all sorts of excellent musicians playing every shade of jazz in the known world.

Streamliners at KMA, January 2012

RB swings with the Streamliners at the KMA

The kicker this particular night was a promised guest slot for R.B. Morris which, on the face of it, seems like an odd mix, but for the two songs they performed, it was really excellent. One was a standard and the other was "Copper Penny," the classic, clever RB song. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to hear RB sing Marty Robbins songs know what RB can do with his voice when he's of a mind to. And he was definitely of a mind to that night.

RB Morris with the Streamliners

RB Morris sings at the KMA

He rocked, moved about the stage like a slick jazz man, bopping to the rhythms of the band and simply looked like this was his main gig. It was as if this swing man had simply idled away the years as this singer-songwriter while holding this secret passion for the big band world. In any case, he seemed to have a blast and so did, always present, crowd of dancers and diners.

It was a stop on our First Friday tour, but it happens most Friday nights and this one is no exception. Jenna and  Her Cool Friends will rock the house with their mix of blues and more blues. I've written about Jenna playing Alive After Five before. This is a band to see if you have any interest at all in that genre. Jenna Jefferson can belt and croon, make you dance and make you swoon. Watch out - her husband is in the band!

Seriously, Jenna has an encyclopedic memory for the details that make the music come alive. She can spin stories about the artists and the songs all night long. And they can play. Seriously play. They are headed for Memphis soon for a blues version of the Battle of the Bands where they have done very well in the past. The band is popping and I would not lead you wrong on that front. They practice just outside my home, so I can testify. You can't hear them on Sunday afternoons like I can, so Friday night is your chance: 6:00 - 8:30 at the KMA.

She's got some great competition across town. The lovely Bijou Theater will be the site of an outbreak of all things Donna the Buffalo. This excellent touring band from parts to the north is always great fun and the uplifting lyrics, groovy organ and general hipness will not leave you frowning.

But wait, there's more! This weekend, if you aren't in bed dying from an exotic disease, you have no excuse for not hearing great music. Saturday at noon WDVX hosts Fred Eaglesmith for the Blue Plate Special. I wrote about it the last time he appeared. It was amazingly good. I immediately bought his album "Cha Cha Cha" and have enjoyed it every since. He's back and he'll also perform at the Shed this weekend, touring in support of his latest album, "Six Volts," to be released in download form next week and physically in about three weeks. Be there early if you want to see the stage.

Saturday night Boyd's Jig and Reel has outdone themselves by booking Blue Mother Tupelo. This power duo with their intricate harmonies and country-rock, southern twang are just the ticket for a great evening of music. Pick up dinner at the Jig and Reel and have music for desert. It's an amazing deal. These people should be playing to thousands of people at a time and you get them in an intimate setting for this free show. What's not to love?

So, there you go: a great weekend of music and much of it free. It's about as good as a musical weekend in the city could be for my tastes. I hope to see you at the shows!