The Blues

I thought I’d write a little about what the blues is all about to me - both musically and philosophically. I didn’t “get” the blues when I was a kid. I mean that I didn’t hear it on the radio or really understand what it was about. Like most white kids in the US I probably heard it from the British Invasion rockers more than from the true creators of the blues. I can remember doing a blues tune in the college swing choir band and thinking that it was really exotic. If I had been a guitar student who studied scales and listened to different music styles to understand them I probably would have connected earlier, but I grew up with the same AM radio pop that most midwestern kids heard in addition to the old standards that my dad played on the piano in the evening. Dad’s piano playing did expose me at least to the great jazz chords and blue notes that are shared with so many blues songs. I wonder if you have to have some hard times to really “get” the blues. I finally began to understand them when I was on my own and was playing some blues tunes in a band in addition to getting my first real blues recordings like a Robert Johnson box set or Muddy Waters and several early blues compilation records. It was then that I would listen for hours and be enchanted just like I had been to folk rock when I started playing acoustic guitar in the mid-70s. It was the sound and emotion that I was hooked by. The guitars and vocals just wailed with an intensity that I could relate to. I still hadn’t had enough hard times in my life to really “get” the blues, but I was on my way there. There really is a shared misery and resiliency to the blues that is cathartic just like the old Greek tragedy plays. Just like most folks of my age I’ve definitely had enough heartache and trouble in my life at 63 to at least reach the place inside where I can express the blues with some authenticity. I think that’s why the British Invasion musicians could “get” it - they had plenty of angst coming out of the war in the British Isles at a young age. And of course the blues is really about those special blue notes and scales that came from African instruments that so many African Americans were trying to recreate on western instruments. Their pain and musical culture came through and influenced American music to create jazz and blues. So I’ll do blues tunes on Wednesday to celebrate Independence Day. What more American music could there be? It’s born and bred here.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they were all so worthwhile. There are special moments in these gigs every day that remind me why I’m here. We even had a 100th birthday last week at one facility!

My Wednesday online show was doing Beatles tunes, and it was so much fun. These songs were with me from the first time my sisters put on a Beatles record in our house when I was 3. I think the audience loved it too.

Thursday at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was a blast too. There were several familiar faces, and we had a great time doing tunes and dancing. Funny thing though, all these recent press stories about tipping have really changed how people feel about it. Musicians used to be a logical choice to tip, and now I think people aren’t sure if they should. Please tip your musicians - especially if they do a special request for you. Most of them make less money than you might guess.

The private house concert that I did on Saturday was great fun too. A big storm rolled in with close lightning, so I ended up unplugging and doing most of the show acoustically. It made it so much more intimate, and the blowing rain outside added an energy that was felt by everyone. What a night!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and I had a good group that really asked for songs with good energy and fire. I had gone to heavier strings on one of my Strats, and it was fun  experimenting with the tones I was getting in addition to the acoustic 6 and 12 string guitars I played. The Munch Bunch was strong!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week including a couple on Independence Day, and I know the energy will be so high for all of them. It’s so much fun to ride the summer and holiday energy with these folks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be playing blues songs as I wrote above. This will be a dynamic night of songs, and I know it’ll be a night to remember. Come on out if you’re free.

Thursday 6:30-7 will be a packed night at the Yellow Pine Barbecue on Independence Day. I expect it will just be crazy fun. It’s probably sold out, but you might still be able to squeeze in. Call 719-742-3528 to make a reservation now. It will be a fantastic way to celebrate the 4th. Remember that I’m doing these barbecue shows through the 8th of August every Thursday if you can’t get in this week.

Saturday 11-2 I’m playing in the gazebo in Railroad Park on Ryus Ave in La Veta for SPACe Art in the Park. This is always a super celebration of art and music in La Veta for the holiday weekend. They have a great town parade at 10 as well if you want to come early. I love playing this event! Come on out if you want a fun Saturday.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I have several new tunes I’m trying to work up in between all the gigs I have going this week. It should be a blast, and I’d love to have you tune in!

——

That’s it for this week. There’s so much going on, and I’m going to try to get down to see my family in the mountains this week too as they celebrate my nephew’s engagement to his girlfriend. What a wild time this summer! I hope you’re well and happy.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of blues  songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Wednesday, July 3, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara. 719-742-3528

When:  Thursday, July 4, 6:30-8:00 pm

Who:  Tom Munch

What:  playing and singing for SPACe Art in the Park

Where:  Ryus Ave as you enter on the right - just across the tracks in La Veta 

When:  Saturday, July 6, 11 am - 2 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, July 7, 7-8:45 pm mountain time