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Carvin
Jones and the Carvin Jones Band
In
Concert at the “Bistro Hotel Tiefgang", Hannover,
Germany - February
25, 2009
The
Trip There:
A
nice easy one hour ride to the northeast to Hannover.
The weather wasn’t bad for a February evening, a
little damp and cold but nothing extraordinary to
contend with.
The
driving was good, just a lot of traffic for a Wednesday
night.
With
our new GPS system in good working order we expected to
make good time.
Except,
when we got close to the venue the lady speaking on the
GPS system got very confused. She was telling us to zig
when we should have zagged. She led us right into a
shipyard, where huge boats we all sitting in dry dock
(on land and waiting for yet another summer to arrive).
Monster boats, cabin cruisers with huge propellers
staring at us. We were looking for a boat club hotel,
but at the moment we both thought that we came across
Bates Motel instead!
Come
to find out, we were in the back of the hotel. The GPS
lady led us right into a dead end road, and she kept
insisting that we drive on another one hundred meters to
our destination.
We
turned around, took a quick right and then another
right, back on to the main road – where we saw two men
standing there, directing traffic (us, as we were the
only ones on that dark deserted road). The one man asked
“are you here to see Carvin Jones”? Yes we are,
“right down that short road he instructed. The little
parking lot had a dozen or so cars sitting there.
The
Venue:
We
stepped inside the venue, it was fresh and clean and
looked newly remodelled. We bought our tickets, got our
hand stamped and entered. There was a nice little bar
there on the left, a good size stage, professional
looking lights hung from the relatively low ceiling and the place was warm and comfortable.
As
for the location, I still have no idea where the hell we
were, but we were there and on time.
This
gig was scheduled to he held at another venue, at
another location. The trouble soon became very apparent
– 1. no one else was either aware that Carvin was
playing tonight, or
2.
could find this location, or 3.wanted to come out on a
Wednesday evening. For whatever reason, the audience
consisted of Brigitte and I – the bar maid – and
nine other people. This was the total count for tonight.
With
all due respect to the two promoters, this was the first
gig at this new location and apparently the word
didn’t get out to the blues fans and music lovers in
time.
We
felt sorry for everybody involved here. Their hopes were
high and they were prepared for many more to show up. It
didn’t materialize!
From
Sadness to Gladness:
Let
it be properly noted that almost 200 people attended the
concert in Wetzlar, 250 people were in Mechernich, Eifel
and Carvin Jones Band also played two sold out shows in
Celle!!!
There’s
nothing worse than a live hot band playing to a vacant
room, but no one here was about to let Carvin or the
band feel any disappointment. In point of fact, I got
the impression from the drummer and the bass player that
they relished the relief of having to perform and
entertain another large crowd of spectators. They just
shifted down, made themselves comfortable and felt at
home with this gathering. I’m sure that Carvin may
have felt differently, but none the less he put on a
great show, for this now private party.
Amazing,
that a bunch of strangers can all be thinking the same
thing. Thinking, it’s such a shame for the band, but
we’ll make the best of an adverse situation.
Hanging
Out Backstage:
We
came here to be with our good friend Tony Tilotta and to
see Carvin Jones again.
We
last saw Carvin back in 2002 when his rhythm section
consisted of Leo Lyons, Ric Lee and Chick Churchill from
the band “Ten Years After”. This was the beginning
of Ten Years After’s famous return. They filled in for
Stevie Ray Vaughn’s
rhythm section called “Double Trouble” who
were suppose to back
Carvin in Europe, but after the 9/11 tragedy in
America, no one wanted to fly any where.
Carvin
was walking around aimlessly, playing with his cell
phone – text messaging and just being generally
distracted. He did manage to catch a little nap before
the show. As this is the last leg of their tour,
they’re all in need of some much deserved and needed
rest.
I
approached Carvin, and asked him if he remembered
Brigitte and I (damn stupid question I know) I should
have done it differently somehow. How would anyone
remember something like that after seven years? Carvin
said no, and I then reminded him about Ten Years After
backing him in 2002 – ahhhh ya I remember that…..where’s
Mr. Tilotta Carvin?
Oh, come with me he says, where we are taken backstage.
Great to see Tony again, it’s been so long, the last
time was in Hamburg at a TYA gig, but we stay in close
contact by email.
Tony
looks great, having lost about twenty pounds, he’s
happy to see us, but very disappointed about the
turn-out - or lack there of…..I said Tony, don’t
worry about it, it’ll be alright, we’re glad to see
you and spend some time together. ( it just came back to
my memory, that we first met Tony at that Carvin Jones
gig back in 2002 with TYA).
We
spent about forty minutes with Tony and the band, then
we all headed out front to the stage area.
Warming
Up:
The
drummer started his warm up practice, as he played right
along with the blues music playing through the monitors.
The bass player soon joined in and started his procedure
as well.
Carvin
was waiting till the last minute.
– When he did come out, he was ready to play.
He
reached into his black bag and pulled out about ten
cd’s and five dvd’s for sale. He then put on his
black hat, that matched his black shirt and the pitch black curtain behind
the stage, grabbed his guitar and blasted out a few
chords to get everyone’s attention.
Friendly
Fire 9:00:
Some
of us sat down, others stood in awe, and the rest took
photos and moved around for position. Carvin blasted
through the opening number, and before the applause, he
flew right into the next one, and then another before
pausing to for the wave of applause. At that point we
all were standing at attention and giving him and the
band our solid support.
Track
Listing:
- Cold
Shot
- La
Grange
- Foxy
Lady
- Crossroad
Blues
- Going
Down Slow
- Red
House
- Slow
Blues
- Funky
Stuff
- Drowning
On Dry Land
- Hoochie
Coochie Man
The
concert was in two sets lasting about 45 minutes apiece.
During
the second set, Carvin handed his guitar to a member of
the audience, who proceeded to join the band for a
little jam session, while he became part of the audience
and watched The house promoter also joined in with some
excellent blues harp playing with the band…with Carvin
back on guitar.
Towards
the end of the show it was Carvin and the audience
saying to each other – one more – one more – just
one more time.
We
were all lined up in front of Carvin, he in turn stood
right in front of each of us, and individually played
for us, as if it were just a one on one concert. He
shook our hands, and thanked us personally for coming
out to see him. He made damn sure that we felt respected
by him and the band, just as we tried to make him feel
our respect and love as well.
After
Event Activities:
With
the concert over, everyone divided into groups, some sat
with the drummer, some went to the bar, Brigitte talked
with the man taking photos and I joined the bass player
to have a little chat.
The
bass player is a little guy who resides in Naples, Italy
the home of Mount Vesuvius, where Brigitte has been and
even brought home a piece of lava. Between his heavy
Italian accent, and my mumbling / slurring north
American accent, and the loud music playing in the
background – we still managed to communicate, exchange
ideas and compare notes.
We
soon realized how much we’re alike, our taste in music
and our different countries.
Politics,
money and people. He and I talked backstage before the
concert and now afterwards, it was a wonderful
experience for both of us. Don’t ever let anyone tell
you that language is a barrier – that’s total
bullshit – people that are open and friendly will
always find a way to get along and exchange ideas. All
you have to be is honest, then overcome your differences
and insecurities.
Tony,
Brigitte and I spent a great evening together. We thank
him and the entire band for such a wonderful time – in
the dead of winter here in Germany.
Carvin
Jones, Kay (www.bluesjoint.de), Tony Tilotta (booking
agent / musician / photographer)
Carvin
and Dave
In
Conclusion:
Quality
over quantity – strangers become friends and music is
the catalyst. Conversation overcomes ignorance. A feast
of friends as opposed to the giant family.
We’d
be more than happy to return there again! Where ever it
was that we were!
Thanks
to the band, the staff and the owners…and thirteen new
friends!!!
Much
respect from,
Brigitte
and Dave
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