Pokey LaFarge

Pokey LaFarge
Rum Drum Ramblers
September 18, 2009

Pokey was in town and I missed him. This is the third time this year Pokey played the Blue Plate and the second time I missed it. When I missed him at the Blue Plate last time I was able to Catch him in Ashville the next day. This time, alas, no. This time I had a dilemma. Not your standard Tom Waits, "Two dead ends and still you've got to choose" dilemma but a positive dilemma, having to chose between Pokey Lafarge and Melissa Greener. Melissa was playing a house concert that I helped set up so I missed Pokey live. It was the radio for me again for Pokey.

At what some have called the best Blue Plate ever, The Rum Drum Ramblers opened the show.
Lead by Matt Wilson and with two shared members of Pokey's South Side Three, Joey Glynn and Ryan Koenig, The Rum Drum Ramblers play depression era sounding dirty blues. Highlighted by Six Feet In The Ground, they stomped there way to a strong set.

SET LIST

Bumble Bees
I Feel It Too
Six Feet In The Ground
Stop Calling Me Friend

Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three hit the stage like a paddlewheel through town.
Upright bass and guitars, harmonica, washboard, and kazoo and Pokey's foghorn voice promising us all a clear path to port through the instrumental chaos of the South City Three. Add Adam Hoskins' guitar to Joey's bass and Ryan's washboard and the frenzy and fun gets the crowd on their feet and dancing in their beer.

SET LIST

Clyde Jones? Claude Jones? Todd Jones? enunciation isn't Pokey's stong point.
Hard Times Come, Hard Times Go
Cairo Illinois?
I'm So Happy I'm Singing La La La

Pokey's new album, Riverboat Soul, is expected out any day as I post. I can't wait to find out the names of the new songs and hear what else he has in store. Just because I missed an opportunity to see him don't you follow my example. If you get a chance catch his act. You will not regret it.

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