More Blue Plate Special: Snowy Day Edition

I have to say I absolutely adore being downtown when life is just a little off-kilter. Sunday mornings are a bit like that with the whole "Sunday Morning Coming Down" feel. Holidays are even more that way. On Christmas all the businesses are closed, workers stay home and downtown settles into the neighborhood and only the neighborhood. It's a quiet, laid-back, friendly vibe.

Adrian Krygowski, WDVX Blue Plate, Knoxville, December 2010

I recently got to experience that vibe with the snowfall that placed most of Knoxville on pause. It was great to sleep late and ease out in time for the Blue Plate Special at noon, followed by a hot bowl of corn chowder at Cafe Four. There were people around and lots of smiles as we walked very slowly across the sidewalks or in the street where the footing was better.

Adrian Krygowski, WDVX Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, December 2010

The Blue Plate Special was also different as a result of the snow. Adrian Krygowski of (or AKA?) Adrian Hardkor was able to make it, so that part stayed the same. Adrian currently lives in D.C. and he and his band tour from that home base. This is his second swing through Tennessee and he sported his western shirt and boots from his first trip. He is staying with new friend and local musician Roman Reese and supporting the CD Road on the Left. The music is a folk/alt country blend. His voice reminds me of a young Jimmy Lafave. He plays a lovely Martin guitar (I'm biased) and his songwriting is exceptional. I bought his CD and I think you should, too. He says he'll be coming back through in the early spring.

Cruise Contreras, Matt Morelock, Glen Fields, WDVX Blue Plate, Knoxville

The other artist scheduled to appear today cancelled because of the weather. What's a WDVX to do? Call on some of the many fine musicians who live downtown and could walk to the gig! Recently that group has included Cruz Contreras who was joined today by long-time WDVXer and downtowner Matt Morelock, most recently of The Bearded and Morelock Music. Sitting in on drums was Glen Fields from Lafayette, Louisiana.

Cruise Contreras, Matt Morelock and Glen Fields, WDVX Blueplate Special

The set consisted mostly of traditional songs with a sprinkling of Black Lillies material - acoustic, of course. Cruz continues to get better and the release of the next Black Lillies album promises to be a major event on the Knoxville music scene. A CD release party is slated for the Bijou in January. You can get tickets here. (And you should. I'm being a little bossy, today. Trust me, my father's nickname was "Doctor.")

Cruise Contreras, Matt Morelock, Glen Fields, WDVX Blue Plate Special

It was a perfect winter day antidote. Only about twenty hardy souls made it into the studio, so everything was laid back and comfortable and the music was excellent. What a neighborhood.

First Friday Was More than a Christmas Parade



Gay Street, Knoxville, December 2010

I usually try to talk a bit about each First Friday downtown and I really kind of blew past it this time because it also happened to be the night of the Christmas Parade. While Gay Street was packed for that event, it is also true that other events were held all around.



Krutch Park, Knoxville, December 2010

Krutch Park was beautifully illuminated, art exhibits filled the 100 block and ice skaters crowded into the rink on Market Square.



Ice Skating on Market Square, Knoxville, December 2010

There is an interesting recent blog post on Blue Streak about the ice rink. It appears not everyone is delighted with having it in the middle of Market Square and that some sentiment is building to have it in Krutch Park Extension. It makes sense to me, though it would mean replanting the grass in that part of Krutch Park each year. But for this year, it is where it is and most evenings it is busy. Tonight when I walked by, it wasn't so busy, but then, I can't say it looked very appealing to me on a twenty degree Knoxville evening.

Outdoor Dining, Cafe Four, Knoxville 2010

There were also outdoor diners, which might seem surprising since it was a pretty cold night. A number of downtown restaurants actually have heaters installed in their awnings, providing enough warmth to enjoy the outdoors even in the winter without freezing to death. We do like to eat outside. Yes we do.

Free Music, A Little More Pricey Music and Great Food

Friday, July 30 (I know I'm going back a couple of weeks, but so much has been happening!), offered yet another great day for music downtown. Mary Gauthier was in town for a joint show with Robinella at the Square Room. Tickets, with all the little charges, were around $40 or $50 per person, but that included a delicious four-course meal prepared by Cafe Four. Not a bad deal at all and in the intimate confines of the accoustically superior Square Room, really a remarkable evening. Still, at that price, not everyone would be able to attend.

That's where Knoxville, Tony Lawson, WDVX and the whole musical community here reveal their true beauty: Introduced by Tony, Mary did a sample of the songs at the Blue Plate special broadcast from the Square Room at noon, and it was entirely free.

The pictures included here are from that show, though I attended both. Mary's slightly ragged, dry and southern delivery of some of the most poignant lines being written effortlessly moves audiences. It is stunning to realize this enormously talented woman did not write a song until she was thirty-five years old. One of the absolutely best songs ever written - and I don't say that lightly, I've loved and studied music for many years - is her tender homage to the woundedness in us all, Mercy Now. Follow that link and you can hear a clip, but don't stop there, buy it or buy the entire CD. I've worn the song out and it can still bring me to tears. It has to be on your ipod. I mean it. Have you clicked, yet? Promise to get it from itunes, later? OK.

She was in excellent form at both shows and accompanist, Tania Elizabeth, formerly of the Duhks was fantastic in support. The always lovable Robinella finished the evening with her amazing vocal stylings and ever charming stories. A great night (or lunchtime) to be in Knoxville.