John has appeared at Jimmy Duke's house concerts regularly for the last several years. I was lucky enough to catch the first one and they are uniformly great by all reports. Jimmy just provides a great setup for the artist and audience. These photos are courtesy of Doug Motley as is the concert review included. -Ron Beffa
Dave Batti, John Stewart, John Hoke
Last night was my 4th visit to Jimmy Duke's place, nestled in the Eucalyptus Hills of Lakeside, NE of San Diego.
My only complaint (I always have to complain about something, don't I?) is the "Beer Nazis" cut off the supply
at showtime. Just kidding, they are actually very kind, sweet ladies who tend the gustatory gallery.
Surely I have attended 100 or more JS shows in the last 15 or 20 years. Last night's show has to rate in the
top .01 percent! I cannot think of anther time when I was so enchanted, and the audience was so mesmerized
(although, the Seligman, Arizona concert, in May, 2001 comes to mind).
Dave Batti, John Stewart, Dennis Kenmore, John Hoke
The show was "technically perfect." There was no fumbling, mumbling, or forgotten lyrics. Johnny's voice was
'spot on.' Every note, every melody and lyric was enunciated exquisitly! And there was no electric guitar with
the loud hum, like the night before.
The impeccably coiffed and fashionably attired "Dave," was totally in the groove from start to finish. The nattily
attired Johnny "Hot Licks" Hoke, on rhythm guitar, was hotter than a witch's broomstick, while the unpretentiously
garbed Dennis "The 'D' Man" Kenmore lended a perfectly understated beat to the whole affair.
The show began, with John, solo on 6-string acoustic guitar, with "Renegade Rising," from the new
"Songs To Drive By" CD, then continued with a rousing rendition of "Heart of A Kid."
At this point in time, a Japanese film crew crawled through the audience, with the world's largest
video camera (Johnny remarked to them, "They make smaller cameras, you know"), and filmed him
from about 3 feet away. They were there to film a documentary on the man who wrote
"Daydream Believer." They stayed and filmed Johnny & the band, and the audience for most of the
1st set, until he performed "DB," then they promptly packed up and left.
Next came "Freeway Pleasure" (The Road Is My Woman), "The Road Shines Bright,"
and a heart-felt rendition of "Moonlight Dream." Suddenly, the "Boys-a in the band-a"
(in John's best Lawrence Welk voice) appeared and they proceeded to 'tear it up' on,
"It Ain't The Gold," followed by a soft calypso (with Johnny "Two Shoes" Hoke on
bongos) version of "China Sky," which I never could quite understand... is it Jakarta run,
or Jakarta rum (I used to think he was singing, Get jer car to run... I know, I'm crazy),
and that part about "Catman dances"... is he talking about Catman Struthers? Anyway,
it is a beautiful song, and one of my very favories.. for reasons I won't discuss right here and now.
John Stewart and John Hoke
A sweet version of "Wind On The River" came next, then "Sweet Dreams Will Come (the line about "That's
why some people buy dogs," always elicits a chuckle or two from the audience), followed by "Dreamers on
the Rise."
Johnny announced, "It's MONKEE TIME!" and then launched into a full-blown version of "Daydream Believer," with
enthusiastic audience participation, which nearly blew the roof off the Duke residence!! The film crew went
bananas trying to capture it all, and the neighbors were busy dialing the local Sheriff's station, I'm sure (Just kidding,
most of Jimmy's neighbors were there enjoying the show).
The second set began with "One Eyed Joe," from the "Havana" CD. John says this song is getting airplay on some
Blues stations. Could this be the start of a new career for Johnny... perhaps a nationwide tour of the House of Blues
venues? He followed this with the best version this Bloodliner has ever heard of "Who Stole The Soul of Johnny Dreams."
Johnny strapped on his harmonica and proceeded to enthrall us with "Cowboy In The Distance," then an audience
member requested (thank-you) "Lucky Old Sun." You should have been there, "Roadman," it was the earthiest,
most sincere interpretation I've ever heard, bar none. Next up was the new and improved, slow version of
"July You're A Woman," and then "Waltz Of The Crazy Moon."
A sultry presentation of "Summer Child," was next, then a kick-ass, 18 minute rendition of "Fire In The Wind," w
ith Johnny and Johnny (the other Johnny) trading licks on guitar. I'm telling you, those two songs, back-to-back,
are enough to incite a pedophile (Hopefully, no one was incited).
The boys-a in the band-a kicked it into high-gear again for a medley of "Gimme Shelter/Honkey Tonk Women."
Johnny's sometimes producer and collaborator, and earstwhile member of Darwin's Army, John Hoke,
performed his excellent composition, "Dreamland."
Next Johnny performed "Lost Her In The Sun' (or as it's known on the Japanese release, "Lobster In The Sun"),
Dave Batti on bass
Following a hardy, standing ovation, John launched ito an earthy rendering of "Midnight Special/Cottenfields,"
follwed up by "Strange Rivers," performed with a spoken-word intro. He closed out with a heartfelt offering of "The Grace of Rain."
Johnny and the boys-a in the band-a were in a great mood after the show, and graciously hung out for chatting, autographs, and photo-ops.
Not only is the Jimmy Duke's experience an opportunity to see your favorite performer in an intimate setting, on a hilltop overlooking the
twinkling lights of distant citiies, but it is a gastronomic experience, as well (I still have gas). Afterwards there were still enough cookies
and other assorted goodies left over to feed half the kids on the Free Lunch Program at the school Jimmy teaches at, in San Diego.
Jimmy is one of the nicest, laid-back guys you'll ever meet. To see who else is performing at his house, check out his wesite at:
www.darkthirty.com
Keep it flyin',
Uncle Mott
John with Rhea and Doug Motley - Jimmy Duke's kitchen where before concert treats are served is in the background.
