err...
Where was I? If you can't remember go here and read part 4...
Okay, So there we were leaving Kansas City, saying our goodbyes to L&L&R, departing for the last 3 gigs of the tour. Had it gone by so fast? (yes, simply the time dilation effects and jetlag). Even now, the great Emerald City beckoned,
it was time to head for Chicago.
....except for maybe just one teency weency little side venture when nobody was looking.
Whilst the boys packed, I headed into Kansas city to go check out the vintage harp microphones put together by Kansas City's own Mr. Microphone, Dennis Oellig. Check him out at www.mrmicrophone.com
Dennis was kind enough to let me come in, flugle around with a few of his mikes and listen to their sound.
Custom hot rod paint? No problem. Vintage inserts? No problem. if none of this makes any sense to you then sadly, you are not a harmoniac.
If some drooling has occurred, come to my arms! Sweet sweet tonal devices..
Dennis works with each harp player to find the right sound for them. Taking into account that I play mostly through the PA, not an amp, DJ suggested one of these, whatever it is. I tried it, it sounds great...
Only problem is, DJ doesn't make to order - he puts together vintage setups for original gear whenever he can find them. Old school indeed. You want? You better get your order in so you can get'em when they emerge. Of course, a trip to Kansas City might be in order too.
Anyhoo...returning to Casa Del Roscoe, we bade our goodbyes (so sad) and ventured forth to the highway. We had to say goodbye to our tactical Support Officer for the tour. We missed everyone as soon as we'd departed :-(
As dusk fell, we stopped for yet another edition of What Road Food Is That?
Mr Wizard has no fear. Doomsday Preppers, delight! Twinkies have returned! Or maybe they never went away......
There's also hand made kettle corn to be had in your Illinois Truckstop.
Rosie chose the Cheesy Popcorn. Yum.
We had opted to split the drive to Chicago with a stop in St Louis.
When booking I hadn't realised that this (very nice) hotel was done in mock-horrible-elizbethan/tudor/omfg Decor
I almost lost it. I felt like I had accidentally wandered into the Philosophy Sequence from The Meaning of Life, complete with soft pastel wearing midwesterners mistaking me for a Pom over toast in the aptly named breakfast 'Nook.'
When I asked where one could get the Pox the hotel staff were not at all amused. Her Majesty was hung in the living room in a Warhol multi screen print kind of way...are you starting get the picture
I stayed in the Sir Thomas More room, replete with a volume of 'Utopia'. It was hideous.
(it was very nicely appointed, the bed was nice, the people friendly etc, again I apologise but the decor messed with my head)
The 8 foot stuffed bear in the lobby was a nice touch and I like the ATM in the phone booth.
Everyone else thought this was the best place ever.
Go figure.
Whilst the boys went out and caught some Soul and Jazz in St Louis, I retired to my chambers under gas lamp and spent the night tormented by Ghosts of Interior Design Past (noooo.....not the chintz.....nooooo)
After escaping Castle Von Disneystein, we made for the freedom of the flatland roads, filled with Americas commerce hauled in long panel truck bodies, with scrolled names like Jesus and the occasional pair of truck nuts.
There were a number of old ironwork bridges in Illinois and Chicago proper that put me in mind of the turn of the century iron work of Sydney. Ah homesick..
As we neared Joliet, one of the old huge wrought iron bridges that regulate the flow of traffic along the Des Plaines river opened up.
Americans don't like to wait, many of them immediately started turning around and looking for an alternative path, as did we, after a brief break to watch the barges line up.
We returned Mr Recht to the safely of Mo and headed off to the seedy side of town and broken down shack where broke musicians go to stay...
Unless of course they score an AWESOME deal through some website...not telling.
The next day, we decided to adjust out set list again. The Hyatt had a number of conferences on - Singles pleasing the lord (verbatim), Jesus loves Real estate (made that one up) and Macroeconomic Modelling of Long Term Financial Derivative Trading..with Jesus (also made that one up but you get the idea).
We hired our own room to readjust the set list and put up signage that only other Australians would understand.
Theo loves this part of the job.
Gig 7 - The Waterhole, Chicago
With the set list re-jigged one final time, we packed and headed into Downtown Chicago for our gig at The Waterhole
As dusk fell, the boys loaded in and began setting up.
We ordered Red Beans and Rice, plus some chicken, I made a dash to radio shack for an adapter (1 block away how's that for luck?) and as the Stormcellar Weather closed in..
The Waterhole has seen some pretty serious musicians grace its stage and later I was told that it seemed as if some of those spirits had been with us as we played.
I have to say, the boys put on a hell of a show. That was one you had to be there for. Cheers to Dan for help on sound and Cat for inviting us to Chicago's Juke Joint.
Gig 8 - Old Town
Thanks to Mo, the following day we had an additional show at The Waterhole, a riders bar in the 'burbs
I challenged the crowd during Running Jody to see if they did more than sport a bumper sticker.
I am pleased to say that the rider community do more than just pay lip service, they are actively engaged with returning service people, and that's a damn fine thing.
Outside in the parking lot I saw a bunch of rides that would have been well thought of at our gig in Catherine Hill Bay a few weeks ago, but as Tim showed me, there was more to it than that!
That was a huge night and huge gig, including a very special rendition of Born in Chicago from our very own Mr Paul Recht.
Big thanks to Tina for inviting us, Mo for encouraging her, Rich for doing sound and shout outs to Jan, Tim and all the other patrons of Old Town. I have a feeling we'll be seeing you again.
Gig 9 - CrossRoads Blues Society
Our last gig of the US tour was with the Crossroads Blues Society and their annual after festival thank you party.
They host a party to say thanks to all the volunteers and people who come to make the Crossroads Blues festival one of the fastest growing regional festivals in Illinois.
So for a last time, we headed out on the road. Well sort of last time, we still had more driving, but you know what I mean.
Youtube did some copyright claim and muted the audio on this, I cant even remember what we were listening to...
The VFW hall is in an old Quonset hut, the FW are like our RSL, except without the Pokies (hence the old Quonset hut)
The US version of the RSL is The American Legion, and they volunteer their time and effort to keep these places open for the community. Way to go guys.
Our host, Steve Jones, gave a short speech and held the elections to the board for the coming year and then ceded the floor to us.
Word had spread from the previous nights gig and we had a number of people come down to hear us after reports from the night before. Cheers guys.
For our last show the boys were in fine form, I'd managed to get a cold after Danny Cox's lawn party but thanks to Walgreens, I was buzzing off my little noggin with cold and flu remedy.
Some elements of that last show were simply mesmerising. After the show we were teated to a wine tasting over Italian. Yeah, it's a hard life on the road...
Thanks to Steve and Annette and all the members and volunteers for the Crossroads Blues Society and all the people who chose to spend a Sunday afternoon with us.
Our hosts for our stay were Don and Becky at the Blackhawk Trail lodge and I cant think of a more fitting and beautiful way to finish. What a gorgeous place.
The trip wasn't over for us quite yet, we still had gear to return or resell, vans to wash, some sightseeing to do, and officially our last gig for the tour was our return to the Bondi Royal.
Next Installament:
I try to remember everyone to say thank you to
Jetlagged gig at the royal goes off!
Stay tuned.!