Archive for November, 2008

Old Jazz Standard at the Raven

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

Brian Kelly at the Piano

The piano at the Raven Coffeehouse in Port Huron is left to fill the house acoustically.  It creates a nice acoustic feel, and blends well with the amplified vocals.


Brian Kelly at the Raven Coffeehouse, Nov 2008

       - the Muse

Smoke in the Mirror at the Raven

Monday, November 24th, 2008

This week I played my original “Smoke in the Mirror” on acoustic.  I liked the sound, and played around a bit on the dark side (Windows MovieMaker) to try and give a bit of a 60s black and white film feel.

       - the Muse

Wanted: Blues Tools gear lock harp holder

Friday, November 21st, 2008

In the Apr/May 1996 issue of Blues Revue magazine was an ad for a harp holder sold by Blues Tools.  It used a gear lock system and looked to be very stiff, allowing for expressive blues players to be able to playGear Lock harp holder the harmonica more aggressively than the standard wire harmonica braces.  Apparently the $60.00 price tag was a bit high for the limited audience, and in 1996 I couldn’t spare the coin.  Ah, but now I can and I have not been able to find one for sale!  If anyone has one for sale, please contact me.

       - the Muse

Live at the Raven Coffeehouse

Monday, November 17th, 2008

The Raven Coffeehouse in Port Huron Michigan is one of the coolest gathering places I’ve ever seen.  Great coffee drinks and a menu of great foods.  I love their “Ragged Mountain” salad with an organic herbal mate.  I had the opportunity to play a short set there Sunday evening and captured some video and still images with my Canon G9.

Gray Sky Gold Leaves Video

The stage is set up in a 2nd floor corner (upper right).

Raven stage

The stage gives the performer a spectacular view.  It also provides a private space for the musician, while at the same time it feels intimate.

view from stage

       - the Muse

Bluewater Bridge at night

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

When I saw the moon over the Bluewater Bridge in Port Huron I knew it was a unique opportunity to try and capture the moon, a twilight sky, and the lights on the bridge.

Bluewater Bridge

       - the Muse

Sarnia reflection

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

I was walking along the St. Clair River in Port Huron when I noticed this reflection of buildings across the river in Sarnia, Ontario.  As I moved about to hide my reflection and line up the buildings in the mirrored windows, it eventually occurred to me that anyone in the building must have wondered what I was up to - until I finally pulled out my camera for the shot.

reflections of Saria

       - the Muse