Showing posts with label Cedar Rapids. Show all posts

Sunday, October 27, 2024

#712 > Cedar County Cobras / McMurrin and Johnson / Illinois John Fever at The Ideal Theater 10/26/24

Cedar County Cobras / McMurrin and Johnson / Illinois John Fever – Oct. 26, 2024

Ideal Theater & Bar
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 27, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I'm always happy to experience live music, and it makes me happier to experience it with like-minded music lovers. The Ideal Theater and Bar in Cedar Rapids, Iowa hosted an absolutely astounding three-act show headlined by Cedar County Cobras. Illinois John Fever kicked the evening off with a very cool set of country blues. This was my first time to hear these artists. They played a quite impressive set and are certainly on my radar now. It was great to see Dennis 'Daddy-O' McMurrin and Dan 'DJ' Johnson again. I have been a fan of them both since I moved to Iowa just over thirty years ago, The Cedar County Cobras, finished off the evening with an outstanding-as-usual performance. They are always a delight to hear. After winning the 2024 Iowa Blues Challenge recently, the band earned an entrance to participate in the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee which will take place in January. I wish them my very best on their journey.

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· All Photos by Phillip Smith

Illinois John Fever

Dennis 'Daddy-O' McMurrin and Dan Johnson

Cedar County Cobras

· All Photos by Phillip Smith

For more information about Cedar County Cobras visit https://cedarcountycobras.com/

For more information about Illinois John Fever visit https://www.illinoisjohnfever.com/

Sunday, March 17, 2024

#668 : Wylde Nept Live at the Ideal Theater 3-16-24 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

Wylde Nept – St. Paddy’s Day Party

Ideal Theater

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

March 16, 2024

By Phillip Smith; Mar. 17, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I always have a great time when Iowa’s favorite Celtic band Wylde Nept is onstage. If one can catch them on or near St Patrick’s Day, that makes for even more of a special occasion. With four albums under their belt, and over thirty years of playing live shows, Wylde Nept has cultivated a faithful following of fans. Comprised by Westan James (lead vocals/didgeridoo), Steven James (vocals/accordion), Jon Southwood (guitars), Wayne Twombley (guitars) and Lincoln Ginsberg (cajon), the band played to an absolutely packed house of folks eager to get their Irish on.

After a traditional community shot of Jameson’s Irish Whiskey and their trademark shout of “Sligo!”, the music commenced their three high-energy sets of music with “Haul Away Joe” from their Live in 3D album. Like the whiskey behind the bar, all the favorites generously began pouring out, such as “Whiskey in the Jar”, “Mountain Dew”, “The Unicorn Song”, “Beer Beer Beer”, and “Johnny Jump Up”.

The band was on fire and the fans were enthusiastic. It truly was a special evening of music and celebration.

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· All photos by Phillip Smith

* all photos by Phillip Smith

For more information about Wylde Nept, visit their website https://www.wyldenept.com/

Sunday, March 3, 2024

#665 : Cedar County Cobras - Live at CSPS 3-2-24 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

Cedar County Cobras

Live at CSPS

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

March 2, 2024

By Phillip Smith; Mar. 3, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I’ve been wanting to see Cedar County Cobras since reviewing their Homesick Blues album in December. The opportunity finally made its way last night at CSPS in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in front of full house. That’s one of the most perfect venues in town to experience live music. The Cedar County Cobras are comprised of Tom Spielbauer (guitar/vocals) and April Dirks (upright bass/mandolin/vocals).

The Cobras played two amazing sets of music, leaning heavily into delta blues. They kicked the show off with an infectious cover of RL Burnside’s “Poor Black Mattie” followed immediately after with Son House’s “Walkin’ Blues”. The first set also included Burnside’s “Goin’ Down South” which Spielbauer remarked he picked up while playing at Red’s in Clarksdale, Mississippi. With Dirks on mandolin, they gave a wonderful performance of Bill Monroe’s “Under the Bridge” and Mississippi John Hurt’s “Poor Boy, Long Ways From Home”.

They started their second set with “Utah” from their Homesick Blues album. Spielbauer brought out his 1929 National Steel guitar to play for several songs of which included a fantastic of Muddy Waters’ “Trouble No More”. He then switched to his gold-top Les Paul guitar to finish the show, hitting on originals which included a couple of my favorites “Gimme Lightnin’” and “Homesick Blues”. The show concluded with the mesmerizing spiritual “Get Right Church”.

It was definitely a night of music for the soul, and I enjoyed every note played. I already look forward to seeing them again.

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All Photos by Phillip Smith