Kim Wilson is a warm homespun anomaly in an otherwise self-absorbed and dispoasable pop culture. That he is famous beyond the boundaries of our insular lives makes this brief encounter even more wondrous. How is it that a star who enjoys international acclaim finds himself at White's Bar...at the "kitchen"?
Easy
Just ask....
and be ready to show ya mean it.
Kim himself mentioned it during the show. Kim says he enjoys "playin' the joints" 'cos "that's where it all started" . It reminds me of a recent interview with a new club owner who said he was after an "upscale White's Bar". Well, I think that is all well and good....even cool. But as soon as ya combine "upscale" with "White's Bar" you've lost the vision. And you'll end up only with customers of convenience...music will scarcely matter as much as looking good and being in the right place at the right time. Hell...they might even to pretend to like blues or jazz or country music as long as it's not too black or too country...and especially if it doesn't require much effort.

Well tonight was THE night for music lovers. You know what I''m talkin' bout...that type of ambience that engulfs you in waves of amazing sound and energy. It doesn't happen as often as you might hope and it can occur only with music that comes straight from the heart and soul of the artist.
AUTHENTIC
HUMAN
UNIVERSAL

Kim Wilson's performance was all that...and more. But before Kim staged his coup 'de 'etat with Doug Deming & the Jeweltones....

Dan Kozuch brought in his musical partners Jim (Bass) and Nathan(drums) from Gone Daddy Gone and added Sean (guitar) from Drunk Tony and added - as a special treat Dr. Ben Maine on keys and harp (Maine's father was the AHHS football team's physician back in the sixties when I played. Dr. Maine treated me for severe brain damage and recommended that I start wearing a helmet...duh!!!)

In preparation for the show, they assembled the final lineup of the band, came up with a name - Funky Blue Soul, rehearsed a "GRUELING 45 MINUTES" for two straight nights, discarded their name in favor of "Over at Five", broke up over the shitty band name, and reformed 5 minutes before the show.
Whew
And believe it or not...
THEY ROCKED!!!!

Dan and the boys played a high energy set filled with great vibes and just a touch of irreverence

Blind Louis JOOOONYAH indeed!!

They left us all smilin' and more than ready to pick up the good vibrations laid down by Kim Wilson

Before the show Kim and I had a chance to chat.
I especially liked his heighth

Kim proved to be accessible and genuine...not always the case with an artist with a parcel of hit records. I must admit I remembered Kim only for his "hit" records with the Fabulous Thunderbirds - "Tuff Enuff", Wrap It Up", "Hot Number". And I only recently got acquainted with his solo work - especially the rockin' and rootsy "Lookin' For Trouble" CD. Kim just drove back from Memphis where he won a prestigious WC Handy award for "Song of the Year" (for "Lookin For Trouble"). He said he was a bit tired from the drive. But his performance never even hinted at the slightest fatigue or weariness.
This cat is a bonafide road warrior and a minstrel of immense depth and talent
The show must go on...

He opened with the rockin' blues of "Love Attack" from his above-mentioned CD and never looked back. Wilson put on one of the most amazing performances I've ever witnessed. An eclectic but seemless set that combined straight 12-bar blues (It's So Sad), funk ("What You're Doing To Me"), rockabilly ("Tiger Man"), and jump blues ("Tired of You").

Wilson came struttin' out like Bruce Willis in Die Hard...confident...even cocky...but with just the right amount of vulnerability. His harp work was simply breathtaking. I've never before heard it played with such nuanced ferocity

Wilson is a master and he proved it on "F Fat". It was one of the most incredible displays of virtuosity I've ever heard. Wilson's 17 minute solo - sans accompaniement - devoured the crowd and evoked a spontaneous eruption of roaring approval.

There we stood stunned by Wilson's rootsy musical landscape, in open mouthed admiration of his unassuming and natural gifts. It felt as if I was part of something rare and beautiful.
The real Music of America

Doug Deming & the Jeweltones contributions were notable. In many ways Doug's purist approach matches Kim's rootsy vision to a "T"

The set ended with the steamy rousing instrumental "Jr's Jump" ...with Wilson playin' like a man possessed...and at the climax...the very moment that Kim is inside himself...he is right there at the crossroads with Johnson...headin' down Highway 51

Thanks to all who joined me in this communion of souls. We shared something indelibly pure...a moment when the artist and the audience are one and the same.

It can never be better than this

Peace,
Bo White
5/3/04