Thursday Night Is Blues Night

Last night I caught the last set of the James Montgomery Blues Band, performing on the Blues Barge at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Every Thursday night as part of the BHH's Summer Series they have some big names in blues play on the barge floating just inside the main patio area behind the hotel. On Tuesdays they have soul, swing on Wednesdays and they show classic movies on Friday nights.

Montgomery and his band put on an awesome show. I saw Montgomery a few years ago down the Cape and remembered that he put on a good show, but last night he and his band brought the house down. They tore it up with some high-energy blues, including a couple classics ("Hit the Road, Jack" and "Who Do You Love"). Tons of twangy guitar and Montgomery's incredible harmonica playing. He really jams on that thing; it's a sight to behold. The band was tight, the acoustics were fantastic, and it was a simply tremendous live show. Seeing them play for 30 minutes or so made me want to go out and buy some of Montgomery's music; they were that solid.

The venue is great: on the water, outdoors in the cool summer evening. People can even dance on the front part of the blues barge - and dance they did last night, in a thoroughly arrhythmic fashion for the most part. The restaurant there has tables lined up all along the edge of the patio, providing a great view of the performance as well as quality food and beverages (from what I hear).

Montgomery's back on August 23rd. You can bet your next paycheck I'll be there. But I definitely want to check out some more shows in the meantime. Also, did I mention: free?