It's All About The Song--Jay Stiestra at the Ark WSG Chris Buhalis and Madcat Ruth

Singing from the heart (and the soul)

Don't let the unusually mild temperatures of late fool you--the long, dreary days of yet another Michigan winter are right around the corner.  With the hectic whirlwind of the back-to-school season behind us and the always chaotic holiday season in front of us, it is important to find something you can use to slow down, enjoy a moment of peace and recharge your body, mind and spirit.  For me, nothing fits this bill more than live music, performed in front of a small crowd, by local artisans.  And there is no finer place to indulge in this pastime than The Ark.  For the past 50 years the volunteers and management of this superb venue have been providing the very best in honest, live musical entertainment to their loyal fans.  If the southeast Michigan music scene has a soul, it can be found at 316 South Main Street in Ann Arbor.

Buhalis doing what he does best

On a windy autumn night in November, the Ark presented a night of local folk music from singer/songwriter Jay Stielstra and several musical guests.  Jay chose local songwriter and friend Chris Buhalis to open the night.  I have followed Chris for some time and can say, without reservation, that--in addition to being a remarkable talented songwriter and performer--he is among the finest human beings I have ever met.  An old soul in a young man's body, Chris manages to embody all that is best in the hard-working, blue collar people that built the motor city, stocked the arsenal of Democracy and founded the middle class.  With his feet planted firmly in tradition and his fingers on the political pulse of the present, Buhalis manages to merge the roles of historian, activist and storyteller into a seamless commentary on the way things are--and the way they should be.

Working man's hands

Like all great American music, the very best songs are often rooted in tragedy.  The  artistic journey has not been easy for this troubadour of the working class.  Two years ago, Chris seriously injured his hand in a table saw accident at work.  He was in the middle of recording his second album, "Big Car Town" at the time--an album that may never have been finished it not for an outpouring of support from the local music community to help pay the medical bills and sustain Chris during the long days of rehabilitation.  Fortunately, Chris has recovered from his injuries and has begun performing songs from the album.  His striped down melodies and rhythms on guitar, paired with his passionate baritone voice color his songs with joy and pain and sorrow all at the same time.  Chris has an uncanny knack for lyrical hooks and metaphors that make his songs thought provoking and entertaining.  On this evening, two of his songs-- the prohibition era ode to the Detroit area bootleggers "Whisky Six" and the cautionary tale of timber-era greed "The Virgins"--brought the crowd to their feet.  If you would like to contribute to Chris' kickstarter campaign and bring the rest of this excellent album to life, click this link.

Legendary Songwriter Jay Stielstra

The night's main event was two sets of original music from Michigan singer/songwriter Jay Stielstra.  Far closer to the end of his legendary career than it's beginning, it is fair to say that Jay's old fingers don't always cooperate and play the right note; and that--like all of us refugees of the cultural revolution of the 60s and 70s--he sometimes has trouble remembering the next verse of a song.  But, like a favorite pair of old jeans and a worn-out flannel shirt it is these very flaws and imperfections we return to again and again to feel comfortable, alive and at home.  Reminiscent of the waning hours of a back-yard fireside singalong, this evening embodied the sense of community music brings to a gathering of friends.  The crowd this night sang along with every song--and what songs they are!  Part songwriter and part-storyteller, Stielstra's songs draw on familiar Michigander themes with stories of hunting and fishing in the natural beauty around us; songs about loving a pretty girl and disdain for all things "southern".  Like a favorite uncle, and with indefatigable sense of humor, Jay delivers the punchline lyrics of his songs with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face.  To call him good natured would be a titanic understatement.  With unforgettable lyrical and melodic hooks, Stielstra's songs are easy to sing along with, fun to share with your friends, and ultimately unforgettable.  He is among the very best songwriters you will ever hear.

The one and only Judy Banker

Joining Jay on stage was his long-time musical partner Judy Banker.  A monster singer/songwriter talent in her own right, Judy's voice--whether singing harmony or lead--blends seamlessly with Stielstra adding color and life to the songs.  The effortlessness with which they sing together underlies a lifetime of performing together.  She also contributes classic folk-style guitar work to the performance.  For a light-touch, thumb-and-finger strummer, her playing is remarkably rich and nuanced and provides a very full sound to the band.  With a flexible voice that moves effortlessly from a sultry tenor to a crystal clear soprano depending on the mood of the song, melodies flow seemingly effortlessly from her as she sings.  Her on-stage banter with Jay is priceless!  From reminding him of the next verse with a whisper, a wink and a smile, to plenty of good-natured ribbing, it is easy to see how comfortable they are performing together.  It's also great to see how much fun Banker has on stage.  She is constantly smiling, often laughing and looks like she's having a great time (and I'm certain that she is!).  Judy plays out with Jay a couple times a month, sings/plays with a few other singer/songwriters and folky bands, and somehow even finds time to play with her own band.  Find an opportunity to go see her, you will love every minute of it.

Really adding to the evening was the cast of special guests joining Jay and

David Roof

Mary Seelhorst

Peter "Madcat" Ruth

Judy on stage.  Bassist David Roof (yet another superbly talented singer/songwriter in his own right) contributed some killer baritone and bass harmonies, as well as a truly world-class bass solo on one number.   Mary Seelhorst carried much of the lead/solo work on the fiddle.  She has one of the fullest and richest fiddle tones I've heard and seemed to be having a great time all night.  Her washboard/one-man-band rhythm section piece near the end of the night had me in tears.  And who wouldn't appreciate Ann Arbor's own Peter "Madcat" Ruth on Harmonica.  I have heard all of the best harmonica players, and he is among, if not THE, best of the best.  Somehow he can make a simple harp sound like the entire Marine Corp band in a 1" x 3" box!  After one of his solos, I heard about 70% of the crowd muttering "wow!" and "unbelievable!" under their breath.  On this night, the ensemble on stage was pure magic.

Overall, this was a tremendously relaxing and enjoyable night of music on an autumn night.  I've included a few other photos from the evening below.  Feel free to tag/share/and use them at will, but give credit to SemiBluegrass.com.

Great Local Blues: Detroit IBC Blues Challenge at Callahan's

IBC Blues Challenge at Callahans

No surprise.  I like my music live.  And I love my music local.  So, when Steve Soviak, President of the Detroit Blues Society invited me to attend the International Blues Challenge at Callahan's, I couldn't say no.  Boy of Boy!  I'm glad I did.  I was truly amazed at the depth and breath of musical talent on display there.  I tried to jot down a few note, and snap a few picture to share with you.  I was writing in the dark, so not sure what "terminal pickle blues" means, but I ended up with a several pages full of notes on every band there.   Go see some (or all!) of these bands, you'll thank me later!

Solo/Dou Winner: John Latini

John Latini--winner of the Solo/Dou challeng--led off the festivities with a brief set of soulful blues.  A killer, smooth guitar player I was totally unprepared for what came out of his mouth when he started singing.  With a deep (and I mean DEEP), growly baritone simply dripping character, he infuses the lyrics with passion, and heartache necessary to truly sing the blues, instead of perform the blues.  Sort of a Louis Armstrong-esque singing New Orleans blues feel to his voice.  He was also very comfortable on stage  and struck an immediate connection with the audience. 

Leah & the Troublemakers

Next came the the youth challenge winner, Leah & the Troublemakers. Don't discount this group of high-school aged "School of Rock" graduates because of their age.  Lead singer Leah rocks, and she rolls, and boy howdy--this girl can flat out sing the blues!  In addition to a powerful, velvet-smooth and soulful voice, Leah is able to resist the all-too-common tendancy for yourg female vocalists to over-embellish, instead choosing to sing with the band, instead of over them.  And what a band!  A great young drummer and punk-rock tinged bass player provide all the drive you could want.  Throw in some tasty lead guitar licks and rock-solid rhythm guitar and you have a band as good as any you'll see playing the nightclubs and bars around town on any given Saturday night.  There is also something to be said for bands who dress up for the stage.  On this day Leah sported a tasteful blue dress and the boys in the band wore narrow matching neckties over white shirts and black jeans.  Very rock and roll chic.   Check them out online.  They were definitely in the running for best band of the night (not best TEEN band....best band.  Period.).

Jeff Hoagland Band

The IBC Blues challenge is pretty simple when it comes to band competition.  15 minutes to set up.  15 minutes to perform (don't go over)!  Winner take all.  Bands drew numbers to decide their performance order.  Can't fit in all the photo's here, so I'll include them at the end of the article.  Leading off was the Jeff Hoagland band.  Classic guitar/harp driven blues here.  I was impressed by his easy demeanor and laid back vocals.  The band was tight--obviously used to playing together and presented a subtle and nuanced approach to the blues.  I found them very easy to listen to and instantaly captivating.  

Leonardo Gianola of Elijah Criag. 

I met Elijah Craig Band's frontman Leonardo Gianola last year at this same event.  He's a crazy talented slide guitar player able to wring some amazing sounds out of his left-handed Gibson SG.  None-the-less, he floored me with a smooth vocal on the last song, sung with passion and character and an award-winning smile on his face.  You could totally tell that he--and all the members of Elijah Craig--loved being on stage.   This band is obviously built around a semi-regular jam session with each and every member contributing a song.  They have a great sound and all of them can sing!  In fact, their voices are so good, I wish they had tried more two- and three-part hamonies during their set.  They would have brought the house down!

The Diana LaFuente Band

Next up was the amazing and beautiful Diana LaFuente.  One of the highest-energy sets of the night, this energetic dynamo really belts out the blues.  She has that quintessential, edgy Detroit sound in her vocals and demands your full attention from the very first note.  A voice this big demands a huge band behind it, and did she ever deliver.  Hands down the smoothest and funkiest drummer of the evening.  Her bass player not only laid down a mean electric bass line, but added some upright bass and even harmonica to the mix.   And her guitar player--with his emerald green strat--calmly stood in the background thrownig down one classic blues riff after another...until the final song, when he exploded into a maelstrom of show-stopping antics including a Steve Vai inspired tap/thrash shredding passage; playing with his teeth; and one lightning fast riff after another.   A real show stopper!

Bubba Wilson & the Powerhouse

Bubba Wilson and The Powerhouse.  Loved this young guitar slinger / vocalist.  He really captures the power and emotion of Southern Rock/Blues.  I'm not sure how a kid this young can belt out such deep, booming and powerful vocals. Thowing his curly blonde locks all over the stage, he twists and contorts his body while playing and displaying a classic "guitar face" in all it's glory.  This being a contest, I thought their selection of orignal songs was spot on--beginning and ending with a burner, and featuring a poignant, autobiographical number in the middle.  I would have voted him as the winning band.  There was a small--perhaps single note--mistep in the middle of one song, and I tell myself that was probably the difference betweeen winning and second place.  Truly a great band!

Chris Canas and his "Mother"

Next up came self-appointed "Soldier of the Blues" and last year's winner the Chris Canas band.  I love this band!  Chris is a pure showman.  From his classy stage outfits to his classic hat, this young singer is pure class.  I listened as he talked, complimented and traded notes with literally every band there.  He's a true ambassador of the blues.  As well as being a fantastic singer and musician, Chris is a true entertainer, giving the audience something to hear, watch and think  about with every motion, word and sound.  I love that he chooses to share the stage with his Mother who is a fine singer and performer in her own right--and who claims she's his older sister and has the good looks to pull it off!  I had to leave early, but found out the next day that the band had repeated as winners.  I'm sure they'll use their experience last year to polish their show and make a DEEP run in the finals.

Roadside Rick

When I pulled up to Callahan's I was greeted by a big purple party bus and throngs of fans wearing Roadside Rick & the Breakdowns tee shirts.  You simply have to love a band that brings their fans with them!  The band "looks and feels" like an Outlaw country band, but that immediately goes away when they hit the stage.  Pure, telecaster-driven blues performed with energy and passion in front of a driving rhythm section had the crowd on their feet and dancing from the first note.  Even though it would have disqualified them, the crowd kept calling for an Encore.  I want to go see these guys full show some time.  I'm sure it will be a great party!

23 North

I love a good horn section.  Finishing up the night was 23 North.  No picture could possibly capture this 10-piece band.  With a great selection of classic blues covers backed by a tight horn section, this band really gets the crowd moving.  Their sound is very reminiscent of "The Committments" movie a few year back...with some classic Blues Brothers and Joe Cocker thrown in for seasoning.  All three vocalist featured could really sing!  And, the best harmonies of the evening.  I really enjoued this set!

With winter coming, make sure to follow SeMiBluegrass here and/or on facebook for more live, local music in SouthEast Michigan.  As usual, feel free to tag, share and use the photos here and below.  Just credit SeMiBluegrass.com!