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When
asked to write about blues clubs in Taipei, I
jokingly replied, "There are blues clubs
in Taipei?" Because, truth be told, there
aren't any real blues clubs in the city along
the lines of the Chicago venues dedicated to
the music of Buddy Guy and other legends.
There are a few places in Taipei, however, which
occasionally book blues bands or host jam sessions
where the blues gets trotted out. And when one
chances to feature a band that plays the blues,
that club, by default, becomes Taipei's blues hub
for the evening.
The Peshawar Cafe is one such venue. Situated on
ShiDa Road, this venue hosts one of Taipei's very
few blues bands--David Chen's Muddy Basin Ramblers,
who play some fine Delta and Country Blues spiced
up with Jug Band tunes and Hokum.
The Living Room on NanJing East Road near GuangFu
Road is another place where the Ramblers perform
every now and again. It is also the unofficial
homebase for BoPoMoFo, another blues band, of which
this writer is the lead singer. BoPoMoFo plays
mostly Chicago-style Blues with some Texas road-house
thrown in for grins. Jam sessions are held on Wednesdays.
Citizen Cain on DongFeng Street also hosts jam
sessions and open-mike cavorting that often has
a blues orientation. The Shannon Pub on DunHua
Road is graced with the talents of the Kenyatta
Trio (& Friends) every Sunday.
The Wall, in GungGuan, has hosted David Chen's
Muddy Basin Ramblers to enthusiastic crowds. We
can only hope that more blues will be offered by
Jimmy and his crew.
Die-hard blues fans will be heartened by persistent
talk that some true blues clubs might be established,
if financing materializes. Also, the recently formation
of a Blues Society here should give the scene a
shot in the arm. E-mail dcr@thebluespowerhour.com
for details. Finally, those who wish to stay in
the know regarding the blues scene here are encouraged
to visit a website aptly called www.taiwanblues.com |