Saturday night Sweetie and I along with our friends Jim and Leanna headed downtown to legendary Cain’s Ballroom to see the western swing trio “Hot Club of Cowtown” play some music.
I have to admit that in 18 years of living in Tulsa I have never stepped inside Cain’s despite blogging about it twice, here and here.
We didn’t know what to expect. I think something like Cain’s I think about people getting drunk and passing out, crowded, expensive. But we went anyway.
Was I surprised. The place is nice, parking is plentiful, the admission at $20 seemed a bargain. The drinks were cheap ($2.50 for a beer), the management very nice and accommodating, and the crowd was very laid back. There were a few children in attendance and everybody seemed pretty chilled and sober. And of course there is no smoking!!!! I was totally relaxed.
The opening act was a charming little outfit with a strange name “Three Penny Upright.” They are two female singers (who have really strong clear voices) a guitar player, drummer, and a bass player. One of the singers had a washboard. I have never seen a washboard actually used as a musical instrument before, I mean if you don’t count “Hee Haw.” They played for a while and were very good. I could hear them again.
Then a pause and Hot Club of Cowtown came on. They were great. They are just three, a guitar player, bass, and a violinist and how they made such a big sound I will never know. I bet Bob Will’s ghost traveled up from Memorial Cemetery at 61st and Memorial (I can get you the GPS coordinates if you are interested in paying your respects) just to hear it. The music is large, and happy, and played and sang very very well.
I give them four stars out of four.
I give Cain’s four stars out of four. A double header folks!
Here is Hot Club’s performance of Ida Red from YouTube
A performance of the same song by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys in the movie “Blazing the Western Trails”
Smiles all around in our party Saturday night.
Sweetie and I will be heading back to Cain’s soon. We are definitely seeing Hot Club in Cowtown next time they are in the city.
Have you gone out to hear some good music lately?
Wish I have…the only music I’ve heard lately is three little voices in the back of the car singing “Jingle Bells.” Sounds like you scored a winner, though!
I heard the Avett Brothers at Cain’s just a couple months ago. They, too, put on an excellent show. I’ve been going to shows at Cain’s for years. It’s my favorite live music venue anywhere. I even rented out the place and got engaged there.
I really want to go there. Take me with you guys?
I want to see Cross Canadian Ragweed next time they are here (I think they play Cain’s?).
@Alyssa – sounds like great music to me.
@Trait – I’m mad because I’ve missed out for so long.
@B – I checked their web site. The only time they are in Oklahoma through June is in Thackerville at the casino (on I-35 just north of Red River.) That would be great. I could take you and the B’s along with the other Y’s to my favorite geocache. You know the one where all the bodies have been dumped?
Nice to find a nightclub that’s family friendly and not too wild. Sounds like great music and great fun for all.
Happy new year to you and your family!
Interesting Post!
– Pixellicious Photos
You know The Hubby did the wiring for the new updated Cain’s. He is very proud of the red neon in the windows which was his suggestion. Hey, I know that guy on the right in the last picture…ummmm…he was one of my teachers at TCC I believe, Speech. Small world.