Flanfire

Lured as I was to the Gypsy Lounge (East Sixth near Comal for the uninitiated) by the prospect of hearing Stefanie Fix swap songs with Noelle Hampton, I walked in the door only to find joy unimaginable — the lovely Havilah Rand in the stead of my great pony-tailed pal Dave Madden, along with Noelle’s “man” Andre Moran playing lead guitar for all three lovely ladies. This is Stef’s gig mercifully moved from jovita’s (good call, Mister Bane!), and in two weeks her special guest will be (drum roll!) Wendy Colonna.
The place was packed — on a Tuesday night — the atmosphere was thick with incense and the lush red curtains that encase the floor level stage. The music was surprisingly psychedelic at times, and I was back in the Sixties again. Best thing about this double set was that all three women are seemingly in awe of each other’s talents — and all were helping with the ooh’s and lala’s as appropriate. Love (as Jesse Colin Young so greatly desired) was all around. And, yes, they have Jameson and ginger!

I looked around and noted the presence of one Jimmie Dreams aka the booking agent Jimmie Graves, and it was to be his night after the ladies were done.  Mind you, the Gypsy’s owner noted that his website will be up “soon,” and a quick check of his Facebook page was equally unrevealing, so for now the best way to find out who is playing is word of mouth.  And the place is full – even in the back tented (and heated) smoking lounge.  A few minutes later D-Madness walked in, and I knew I was not going ANYWHERE!  You just have to know that this smiling, very charming visually impaired but musically gifted man [Brian Conway long ago told me D-Madness was the most amazing musician in all of Austin, and he just might still be right!) is going to rock your world — tonight he was playing (as he often does) his Tama drum kit and sampling on a keyboard, while using his voice as a musical percussion instrument in addition to singing and rapping and playing styles from jazz to funk to ure soul.  I have also seen D (aka Dwayne Jackson) playing bass (notably, on a SXSW Sunday at Hickory Street with Corrina Rachel).  Tonight was no exception — last time I saw D was at the Moody Theatre with Bavu Blakes at the fundraiser for Austin Music People (AMP) — tonight it was the interplay of drums, vocals, a little keyboard action, and alternating lead guitarists (one of whom was the illustrious Mister Dreams).  All in all, the Gypsy is going to be HUGE in this town — next door to Hotel Vegas, around the corner from the White Horse.

Before I go, I want to thank Lee Duffy and Rick Busby and all of the folks who made last weekend’s Austin Songwriters Group confab so special – I only got to spend half a day on Saturday, attending three or four sessions and listening to music from Marvin Dykhuis, Will Sexton, Joe Manuel and Sonny Throckmorton, but the time was more than well spent.  Friday night had been special at the Continental with the Mastersons (Chris and Eleanor), and Saturday night just as special with the return of Cowboy and Indian (plus a fine set from the Dead Left, with Neal Kassanoff, Lindsay Greene, and Lauren Gurgiolo).  I spent Sunday evening chilling at Baker St. for the open mike, heard some fine sets from close friends and newcomers to Austin (even Marcia Hayden Hendrick all the way from East Hampton, Massachusetts) – and we all got an unexpected blessing when Mandy Rowden and Deann Rene played a short set to close the evening.

Previews of coming attractions — Let’s start with the Love Leighs next Tuesday at the Gypsy, but first we get the first shows of the year from the Moonlighters and Deadman on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, at the Saxon (both shows at 10 pm), and tomorrow night it’s Josh Buckley at Trophy’s with Bob Hoffnar sitting in on pedal steel (after Kem Watts plays the Crow Bar).  Lots more I could write about, after all this IS Austin — but wow two chances to see and hear Lonnie Trevino, Jr., in one weekend (with friends coming in from Colorado and Louisiana to see the Deadman show).

Finally, I just heard from The Iveys, The O’My’s and Judson McKinney — all of them with new music and all hitting Austin for SXSW, along with half the plugged in world.  It’s just two months off … so catch up on your sleep now.