Big Foot Bob & the Toe Tappers put on one of the most memorable performances ever at White's. And they're in some pretty heavy company... Mose Allison, Dick Wagner, Question Mark & the Msyterians, Junior Watson, Rusty Zinn & the Dynatones, Jim McCarty, Scott Morgan and many many others. Not only are they exceptional musicians but they exude a warmth and a sense of irreverence that brings us closer to the music. The goodtime vibe catches on like wildfire and engulfs the audience in a communal smile.
Good music can be fun!!!
This was a special show for a coupla reasons. First of all, Wayne Morton, the remarkably melodic bassist and production whiz, celebrated his 50th birthday. But more poignantly, Bob "Bubba" Grundner, one of the premier drummers in the country (even played with Dolly), returned for his first gig since he was diagnosed and treated for malignant lymphoma.

It was an emotional moment.
And Bubba's courage and artistry shone through the entire performance.

The Band opened with "Watching the River Flow". With a dynamic Toe Tapper arrangement Dylan's chestnut is transformed into a jazzed up 12-bar blues. Bob Schultz' soulful vocal got some powerful instrumental backing...tight drumming, a great horn chart, and fluid guitar lines.

The first set features some might fine playing from multi-instrumentalist Mark Kieme. Whether adding a sweet nuanced flute interlude or blowin' a thrusting powerful sax solo, Kieme keeps it real...right in the "bucket".

Schultz mixes it up with an astonshing eclecticism - R&B, Blues, Ballads, Rock, and Country.
Pure Americana
Rootsy and soulful and all done in good humor.
When a technical difficulty emerged, Schultz said,
Ohhhh... shit and STEP IN IT!!!

Smilin' ear to ear
"Midnite Hour Blues" was juxtaposed with "Third Rate Romance" - country meets blues and merge to reveal a universal form and structure.
From my window it's all the same song
This set contained several highlights. In fact each song was so masterfully executed it seemed like every tune suggested a crescendo of genius.
Taj Mahal's "Ain't Nobody Gonna Steal My Jelly Roll" and Keb Mo's "Tell Everybody I Know" never sounded more urgent and electrifying!

There was one bonafide masterpiece during the set...that magnificent "Walkin' in the Wind". It's a Traffic-styled Winwood-esque ode to human loss and longing.

Its elusive lyricism is wistful yet angry. It speaks to sugar daddies and sharks headin' for a payoff. And the other players - the plastic princesses and silver-bearded boys - are all tryin' to compete for the prize...but all that's left is the stain on the sheets. The refrain signals the existential void...

"Walkin' on the wind
"Lookin at the sky"
"Sailin' on a breeze"
"And wondering why"

As the applause subsided, Bob said,
"After 30 years that song still makes sense"
AMEN

The majestic ballad "Magnolia" is a love poem, gentle and pure. Schultz sings with an understated conviction that gives authenticity to the quiet emotion and power of the lyric. Great!!

The driving uptempo "Midnight Hour Blues" has everyone noddin' and rockin' with the groove. By this point in the show I'm lookin' around and everyone and I mean EVERYBODY is smiling. Like a fine tuned engine, the band is firing on all cylinders...smooth and loose but dead on the beat. Of special note... Danny Hare lived up to his reputation as one of the finest guitarists to come outta Detroit in the past 25 years. He is one of the most fluid and tuneful pickers I've ever heard. His rich tones stood out and put sparkle into the overall performance.
Even master sax-man/musician Jeff Hall joined-in for a few tunes.

Well the night came to a rockin' close... it was an extraordinary performance.
MUSICAL
The next morning, after the gig was well over and the band dispersed to all points of the compass, I found a pair of Bubba's drumsticks. On it the was the inscription, "Bo, Big Foot Bob and the Toe Tappers
Thanks for having us...Bubba"
When I read Bubba's words, it almost brought me to tears.
Instead I smiled.
For a moment I could see Bubba up on the stage poundin' them skins. And I thought, could this be the twilight of the Gods? I believe to my heart's beat that I witnessed something in the Toe Tappers that is exceptionally humble yet so profoundly important.
Could it ever be repeated?
My God Bubba, don't thank me...the honor was mine.
Thank you for bringing me into the circle
And as Big Foot Bob Schultz says,
"Good music"
"Good Booze"
Good Night"

Bo White
4/23/04