Music at the Tin Star Saloon

What it is really like to open up a jam

2008-10-10T19:09:00.005-06:00

Ok, let me set the stage.

Any Wednesday night at the Tin Star. Sometime after 9:00pm. Not all the musicians have showed up yet. The good news is that it looks like all the important parts might be covered. We have a drummer. We have a bass. We have a, ... you know ... , a guitar player who knows his way around the E-String.

It's now twenty past nine. The bar owner is getting a bit concerned. Why hasn't the jam started yet?!!

The jam master tallies up what he's got to start.

The bar is only about half full. Who is here who can play? Count them up:

Drummer.
Bass.
Guitar. Two of them! Another one just walked in!
Horn!

Let's go: we're up. Here's what gets recorded as these five guys hit it, in the key of E.

Come by the Tin Star any Wednesday. Only the names change.

--Doug

Wednesday's 10-8 Tin Star Jam

2008-10-09T11:48:00.026-06:00

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to a music link.

Let's just start this week's jam post of with some music: Naiz, Case, Britt, Ray, Alice Cooper(?), and me joining in a bit of smoky, Cajun-flavored darkness.

Naiz & Case.

Several suspicious looking people were spotted hanging out at the bar. They must have slipped past the doorman.

We had a bunch of musicians show up early on -- Ben was hustling all night to make sure everybody got a chance to play.

A newcomer, Pegs, did a few numbers on acoustic guitar. Here's a bit of her stuff.

And here's a bit of Linda.

Mike did Stormy Monday for us.

We had a slew of other musicians as well. Here are some of them, in no particular order:

Dancers? Of course.

Beautiful people? Of course.

And finally: has anyone else ever noticed that bass players are, well, you know...

Just kidding Case. You are great musician. But you are, well, you know...

Thanks, Ben, for doing a great job herding all the musicians last night.

'Til next time,

--Doug

Fall Pleasures

2008-10-07T18:04:00.003-06:00

Good Chimayo red.

The post for last night's jam will be up later today.

--Doug

Wednesday's 10-1 Tin Star Jam

2008-10-02T15:24:00.021-06:00

So, let's just get this out of the way up front -- musicians are a friendly bunch.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to a music link.

We had a bunch of 'em show up again last night, too.

Naiz.

Daniel Talache.

Craig Small, Oscar Avila, and Victor Aivila.

Britt.

Pete Springer, & friends.

Doc.

Ray, with Linda clearly in awe of what's coming out of Ray's guitar. You did sound pretty good last night, Ray.

Johnny.

Tom Kendrot.

The Dolphin Diva.

And Ben Lucero, of course. We actually caught Ben lying down on the job for a bit there last night.

I missed a few of the musicians -- sorry, I'll get you next time.

Craig brought his Starship Enterprise foot pedal Warp Speed control panel out. Craig is an inventor, as well as a musician.

Fortunately, it was not just musicians who showed up last night. A whole bevy of other folk came out, just to hear the music and dance.

Oops, almost forgot to mention the music. It was wild & wooly. And fun.

Here's a bit of Te Deseo by the Lion 5 bunch.

Naiz, of course sounded great. Here's a piece of one of his numbers.

Towards the end of the evening Craig led us off on this tidbit of hypno-jive-acid-beat mayhem. Good stuff, Craig.

'Til next week,

--Doug

Wednesday's 10-1 Tin Star Jam

2008-10-02T08:07:00.001-06:00

The post for last night's jam will be up later today.

--Doug

Wednesday: Jam Night at the Tin Star

2008-10-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

You never know who will be there.

See you tonight.

Wednesday's 9-24 Tin Star Jam

2008-09-25T15:40:00.023-06:00

There were more musicians than you could shake a stick at last night, and they were still coming in the door when I finally left shortly after 1am. Many of the usual suspects showed up, far too numerous to name.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to a music link.

There were a few new faces as well. Hope you fellows come back again. Here's a bit of Stormy Monday, led by one of the newcomers: Michael in the red shirt, below.

Desmond!

Here's a guy we had not seen in a while: Daniel Talache. He is one hell of a blues guitar player and singer. Good to see you again, Daniel.

The gentleman with the orange cap and little red guitar was visiting from Ohio. He led us off on this number.

We had a kick-ass percussion section for much of the evening. Check them out.

The crowd seemed to enjoy themselves again. Thanks everybody for stopping by the Tin Star jam last night!

--Doug

Picking grapes north of Los Luceros, NM

2008-09-22T18:27:00.003-06:00

Nothing to do with music. A friend of mine owns a small winery in Los Luceros, north of Espanola. We sometimes help him pick his grapes at the end of the season.

Santa Fe's Hottest New Band

2008-09-21T07:34:00.001-06:00

Santa Fe's hottest new band: The Pull Out Boy premiered last night at the Tin Star.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to a music link.

It was hot.

It was rock'n.

Absinthe may have been a factor,

but mainly it was just some damn fine music performed by some damn fine musicians.

Kenny Valdez, Case Tanner, and Eric George.
How did you come up with that catchy name for your band, guys?

We'll be looking for you next time, at the Tin Star.

--Doug

Nora's Tin Star Gig

2008-09-19T14:23:00.005-06:00

Tony took some pictures of Nora McMahon's gig last night at the Tin Star. Drummer Milton made a surprise visit back from New York City, so we had the whole crew on hand for her last (for a while anyhow) Santa Fe gig before she moves to California later this month.

So long, Nora - we'll miss you. I enjoyed playing with your band this past year.

--Doug

Steppen' Out Tonight, 9-19 at the Tin star

2008-09-19T08:34:00.000-06:00

Wednesday's 9-17 Tin Star Jam

2008-09-18T13:35:00.009-06:00

Happy.

That's what people were feeling last night at the Tin Star jam.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to a music link.

We had some happy music, too. Ben kicked us off with a mellow jazz-funk piece. A bit later Tom Kendrot generously opened up The Wonder to four of us for solos: Ray on guitar (welcome back, Ray), Lance on flute, me on tenor sax, and Freddie on harp.

In general, last night was a good night to come out and play

or dance

Or just hang out.

Hope to see you there next week.

--Doug

Also, Hillary Smith and the GT’s

2008-09-16T15:40:00.002-06:00

One more performance you don't want to miss!

Friday, September 26th at the Tin Star, 9:30pm.

Here is her URL, some cuts from her new CD playing there;

http://www.hilljam.com/

--Doug

Last Chance to see Nora this Thursday

2008-09-16T13:54:00.002-06:00

This Thursday is Nora McMahon's last appearance in Santa Fe -- she's moving to California. Come see her this Thursday at the Tin Star, 9:00pm.

--Doug

Later This Week

2008-09-16T13:52:00.002-06:00

Don't be shy, come on out to Tin Star jam this Wednesday, 9:00pm.

--Doug

Wednesday's 9-10 Tin Star Jam

2008-09-11T10:58:00.016-06:00

It was a good time last night.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to a music link.

We started off with some nice music by Victor Avila and friends. Here they are:

A bit later the horns all got up with the rest of the group and banged out a few numbers. Here's a bit of that.

The sounds seemed to be met with general approval.

If not downright amusement (we're used to that).

Joining us last night were our friends Freaky Freddy Lopez

Brad

Ramon

Troy

and Oscar.

Always glad to see you guys at the Tin Star!

We can't forget the usual suspects who managed to slip by the doorman again:

Also, there was this lady with legs who kept blowing Frank's horn. Do we have a budding new trumpet player in the house?

Our bar tenders were their usual delightful selves.

Around midnight Ben and I (pictured below with the lovely Laura)

joined a young gentleman for a couple of numbers. I'm sorry that I did not get his name, as he has a very nice voice. Please join us again at the Tin Star jam, mystery singer! Here's one of his songs.

Nice job running the jam as usual, Ben. Ray, come on home -- we miss you!

Later,

--Doug

Tin Star Jam Tonight

2008-09-10T08:49:00.000-06:00

Hosted by Ben Lucero. See you there.

--Doug

High Altitude

2008-09-09T07:37:00.000-06:00

Allright, you happy people.

It is that time again.

Saturday September 13, 2008

at 9:00 pm

" High Altitude"

at the hottest place in town

The Tin Star Saloon, Bar and Dance Hall.

Be there or be square!!!

Last Wednesday's Tin Star Jam

2008-09-04T18:24:00.001-06:00

You may have noticed that there was no (gasp) post for this week's jam.

That's because I didn't go.

Next week. Be patient.

--Doug

Nora McMahon's Schedule Before Departure

2008-08-31T09:31:00.001-06:00

Miss Nora will grace us with three last performances in New Mexico before embarking on a new journey.

She is leaving on September 24th for Santa Rosa Junior College in California to earn her Associate Degree in Music.

Come out and enjoy the sweet sounds of Nora McMahon. Show your support and wish her well on her next adventure.

We can all say we knew her before she took flight and soared!

September 5, Friday, 7:00 pm

Savoy, Albuquerque

September 14, Sunday, 8:00 pm

Cowgirl, Santa Fe

September 18, Thursday, 9:30 pm

Tin Star Saloon, Santa Fe

Fat Tuesday Tin Star Tonight! Friday

2008-08-29T10:07:00.001-06:00

FAT TUESDAY AT TIN STAR TONIGHT

Big Easy End Of Summer Blast, bring your beads and get Bonified Friday Aug 29th! 9.00!

Thanks again everyone for suporting us and helping us have a great 1st summer

Tin Star

411 W Water Street

Wednesday's 8-27 Tin Star Jam

2008-08-28T14:57:00.011-06:00

It was that kind of an evening at the Tin Star, last night.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to a music link.

The women were friendly.

Frisky.

Demure.

Oh, and friendly.

The guys were kind of digging it.

Inside, Ben was, as always, maintaining his cool while running the jam.

There was the usual socializing.

And playing.

Here's a bit of King of the Road from early in the evening.

Come on out and join us next Wednesday.

--Doug

Tin Star Jam Tonight

2008-08-27T09:18:00.003-06:00

Hosted by Ben Lucero, starting at 9:00. See you there.

--Doug

The Mud Ponies at the Tin Star last Sunday

2008-08-26T16:09:00.014-06:00

The Mud Ponies get together once a year at Indian Market to play. Last Sunday they were at the Tin Star, and it was a party. Unfortunately I had to leave before some of the local famous people, like Wes Studi and his wife showed up. Another photographer got a picture of them & sent it to me, though.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to a music link.

Check it out, here's a bit of one of their early numbers.

They sounded pretty good to Laura.

Everybody was having a good time.

Roque was there, supplying his award-winning Carnitas.

The players.

Next year I'm staying for the whole party...

--Doug

The Mud Ponies

2008-08-25T10:49:00.001-06:00

The post for last night's performance by the Mud Ponies will be up later today.

--Doug