Carnival of Soul

Breaking news! Phase 3 guidelines for reopening venues announced by Gov. Lamont last week. FTC said, “At the start, there was a certain novelty about streaming world-class concerts straight to our sofas or attending your first drive-in concert. But the sheen wore off faster than we could say ‘unprecedented’. Now, after a long six months of shuttered doors for CT venues, things are looking up.”

Phase 3 allows venues to reopen at 50 percent capacity with appropriate social distancing, starting Oct. 8. Being together for live entertainment has an energy that nothing can replace. FTC doesn’t know exactly what they will look like, but they’re sure excited to finally have the opportunity to figure it out. Once all the details are released on the new guidelines, they will be going full steam ahead, with the safety of the community as our guiding light. Stay tuned, more updates will follow as official guidelines from the Governor are released.”

Jams, which are always part of the scene, keep musicians busy. John Bruce described The Excaliber Blues Jam as one that was set up for anyone who enjoys an old school roadhouse feel and enjoys the company of good people and dancing. Held on Sundays, it was set up to network with like minded players to share their talent with others. Share your videos and your photographs, exchange numbers, and support live music.

Shawn Taylor is at the Tipping Chair Tavern under the stars for a 6 p.m. show. Also on Friday, at 6:30 p.m., Jeff Pitchell and Texas Flood hit the stage at The Hungry Tiger Cafe and Restaurant. The Bluelight Bandits play The Stomping Ground on Friday.

The Red Hots have a Saturday date at Brick House Wood Fired Pizza at 8 p.m. and Saturday, the Chris Leigh Band is at the Calabrese in Westerly.

Saturday at the CT Post Mall Drive In Live Concerts, you can see “Back to The Garden 1969 (Woodstock Show” at 7 p.m. On Thursday, the Milestone has Tracy Jo & The Toads.

Ramblin’ Dan Stevens writes that he and Kerri Powers are doing the Fall Series of Breadbox Concerts on Sunday at the Shaboo Stage in Jillson Park. The shows will be conducted in a drive-in format, and all proceeds will go directly to Covenant Soup Kitchen.

Sunday, roadhouse blues continue at the Brass Horse Cafe with Carl Ricci & 706 Union Ave. The Center Line duo will be at the Scotch Plains Tavern Sunday at 3 p.m. Don’t forget that Dave Stoltz brings the blues to The Flying Monkey on Sundays and The Note Brunch, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) on the Patio will have Ol’ Moose.

Sunday, RGB Acoustic plays the Orange Ale House Grille and Burger Bar.

Friday, from, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., the Jug Band music with the Washboard Slim Trio are performing at Best Video.

On Sunday, Best Video Film and Cultural Center, Ignite the Light and Spring Glen Church, in collaboration with the Hamden Department of Arts and Culture, are hosting the Hamden Black Film Mini-Series and Discussion event. A Black-centered movie with a universal theme of love, heroes, loss, immigration and more will be followed by community discussion with keynote speakers relating each movie to the issues, experiences, joys, struggles and achievements of the Black community in Hamden. Attendees are invited to come for the movies and stay for discussion if interested, otherwise, come out and enjoy films together in the company of community.

Alligator Records is pleased to announce the 2020 release of 100 Years Of Blues, the first-ever album by Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame guitarist Elvin Bishop and Grammy-winning harmonica master Charlie Musselwhite. 100 Years Of Blues is front-porch, down-home music with Bishop and Musselwhite trading licks and vocals on 12 rootsy, spirited songs, mixing nine originals with three reimagined classics.

Both Bishop and Musselwhite got their start in the early 1960s on Chicago’s blues-rich South Side. Although they were young, white newcomers, Bishop and Musselwhite were accepted by the Black blues fans and by the established musicians because they were, like the bluesmen themselves, “from down home”, and also because they played the blues with real feeling.

Another duo of guitar and harmonica, Super Chikan & Terry Harmonica Bean, have a new CD, “From Hill Country Blues to Mississippi Delta Blues” (Wolf Records). They serve up a treat for anyone with a love for North Mississippi blues on this one, trading off on an hour-long set of solo cuts that put their talents on display.

Cooped up long enough and “Ready to Road-Trip. Clarksdale is doing its part to be as safe and inviting as possible. So wash your hands, grab your mask, remember your social distancing and take a road-trip to Clarksdale. As of this message, they have 5 days a week of masked and/or socially-distanced “live” blues that you can see in-person (Music Calendar at www.CatHead.biz), plus 7 days a week of live-streams via LiveFromClarksdale.org. 98 percent of the restaurants are open, with curbside, carryout, dine-in or outside dining. All of its hotels, B&Bs, overnight apartments and hostel rooms are open and subject to appropriate health measures.

The world-famous Delta Blues Museum as well as my own Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art store are open six days a week for mask-wearing visitors; and other cool downtown shops like Bluestown Music, Deak’s Harmonica store, Hambone Gallery, Collective Seed & Supply, etc., are open most days as well.

Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.