Monday, March 01, 2010
Live music I’ve heard lately
Sheila Marshall, Blackbeard’s Too in Ingleside
Live music I’ve had the pleasure of hearing lately:
Tried to listen to Sheila Marshall for a 2nd time Saturday, Feb. 27. She was great, as usual. The guitar player accompanying her was good, but the songs in the set I heard didn’t show off his talent near as well as the time I heard them together before.
The place was Kilburns 2 in Cypress, which is why I said I “tried to” listen and left after one set. Not that I’m really coming down on Kilburns - the staff was friendly, courteous, and professional, the food I saw coming out of the kitchen looked good, didn’t try any myself, its nicely decorated and all that, and it’s got a smoker’s patio so you don’t feel like you have to try to peel the cigarette smoke off your clothes when you leave. It’s just that it’s one of those places that seems to have a regular crowd that would be there regardless if anyone was playing live music, and it wouldn’t really matter who was playing either. The place was crowded, the talking loud, and although some polite applause followed most of the songs, there seemed to be about 4 people there to actually hear the music (The table next to me seemed to groove out more to the rock played on the house speakers when Ms. Marshall took a break than to the live music). Nice place as a bar and grill with a group of friends, not that great as a music venue.
The other place I’ve heard some live music recently was Blackbeard’s Too down in Ingleside, Texas. I was in Ingleside off and on for work most of January and February, so I ate at Blackbeard’s a few times, heard two acts once each and one guy twice. Adrian was the guy I heard twice, guitar player and singer, says he’s there most Thursdays. Loved the first time when he played some Leon Russel and a couple of originals, sounded a lot like Leon Russel. Didn’t like his pick of songs as much the 2nd time, but still good. I didn’t catch the other two acts’ names, the first solo guitarist/singer on a Tuesday was OK, but about the time you’re ready to hear more, he’s off on a way-too-long break. The other time, I forget if it was Friday or Saturday, heard a younger duo, a guitarist and a small drum set. They were awesome, sorry I didn’t get their names. The guitarist/singer was very John Mayer-ish, both his vocals and guitar playing, and the drum player knew how to add just enough without getting in the way. I didn’t personally recognize most of the songs, so don’t know if they’re originals or just songs I don’t know.
Bottom line, I would highly recommend catching dinner at Blackbeard’s Too if you’re ever down in Ingleside (the original is over in Corpus Christi and also has live music). Nice enough atmosphere, the fish and burgers we tried were excellent, the music very enjoyable, and the music goes from 6-9 PM instead of starting at 9 or 10 - past us old folks’ bedtime - like a lot of places in Houston.
SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!