The Dirty Lowdown…
Last Saturday, we went with our friends Rob & Lynn to see Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald at the Melody Tent. We’ve been to the Melody Tent several times, and it never fails that we have a great time at this Cape Cod institution.
The Melody Tent is only open for the summer season. February is a little chilly for an open air concert. The warm summer Cape air is a perfect setting to hear your favorite music. Easy to get to and small enough so that parking isn’t a nightmare. And in this day and age that ticket prices are actually reasonable.
The concert was great. We were in the very last row, but that’s like being in the front row of some big venues, except we didn’t have to look straight up to see the stage. There isn’t a bad seat in the house – no obstructed views (unless you sit behind Marge Simpson), and a rotating stage for a complete theater in the round production. One of the best things about the back row is that it’s closest to the beer…and bathrooms.
Boz and Michael M. did not disappoint, each doing a 75 minute set with all of the stuff you want to hear as well as newer and/or cover tunes. They both had fantastic backup bands and were generous in giving their female backup singers some solo action. This show kicked off their summer tour together.
During intermission we hung out on the crushed stone behind the t-shirt booth and ran into some more friends. We love living on the Cape because we know almost everyone by name. Bill and Jocelyn, our pals from the Paul Good fan club, were there among others we see a lot at the Island Merchant. A beer and a giant pretzel and we were ready for more.
The cool thing about the Melody Tent is that it’s not just for music. I’m sure that many of the professional wrestlers and comedians that take the stage couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. There are often children’s matinee shows, and the Cape Cod Chowderfest happened the day after our concert. Plus it’s just cool to see a show in a tent – don’t know why. For top notch entertainment, go with your friends to a show at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. In fact, we’ll be back tonight to see Susan Tedeschi!
Visit www.melodytent.com to view their summer line-up, and send this message to your brother.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Paul Good Band
The Paul Good Band. Go see them.
I could stop right there, but I won’t. One of the best local bands you will ever see on the Cape (or up and down the East coast for that matter) is the Paul Good Band. Consisting of 4 (and sometimes up to 7 or 8) seasoned, professional musicians, Paul Good and his crew play everything from jazz, classic rock to high end top 40: Steely Dan, Weather Report, Larry Carlton, Chick Corea, Santana, jazzy work ups of the Beatles, Gerry Rafferty – the list goes on. They make the songs their own with unique arrangements and blistering solos.
I could stop right there, but I won’t. One of the best local bands you will ever see on the Cape (or up and down the East coast for that matter) is the Paul Good Band. Consisting of 4 (and sometimes up to 7 or 8) seasoned, professional musicians, Paul Good and his crew play everything from jazz, classic rock to high end top 40: Steely Dan, Weather Report, Larry Carlton, Chick Corea, Santana, jazzy work ups of the Beatles, Gerry Rafferty – the list goes on. They make the songs their own with unique arrangements and blistering solos.
We saw them last Sunday playing their weekly gig at the Island Merchant on Main Street in Hyannis. They play Sunday nights from 7-10 (except the 3rd Sunday of the month). We’ve been going to see them for 3 or 4 years now – and we’ve been lucky enough to form friendships with the band members as well as several of their other fans. They have a loyal following here on the Cape, and we always see someone we know in the crowd.
The line up at the Island Merchant that night was Paul Good on guitar, Mike Dumas on drums and vocals, Rich Hill on bass and Freddie Boyle on keyboards and vocals. If you’re lucky, once in a while you’ll catch them with Vinnie Conga on percussion and Richie Labedz on saxophone. Everybody in the band plays in other groups and brings a wealth of experience to the stage.
I recorded a little bit of their show, so I’ll let the music speak for itself – just press play in the audio player below and enjoy.
Check out http://www.paulwgood.com/ for dates and info. If you’re looking for high quality music on Cape Cod, you owe it to yourself to see these guys. Paul Good Band? No no no…Paul GREAT band. (Sorry, I just had to.)
Friday, June 5, 2009
Boats. Lobster. Beer.
Our latest adventure took us off the coast of Dennis, from Sesuit Harbor into Cape Cod Bay. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch-time cruise in calm waters under the warm sun.
We heard about “Lobster Roll Cruises” while drooling over an episode of “The Phantom Gourmet”. You could watch that show after a four course meal, and it would still make you hungry. Anyway, it was a no brainer for us – two of our favorite things – boat rides and lobster. The phone keys smoked as we dialed for reservations.
The Lobster Roll is a 58 foot custom-built dinner and party boat. With room for 60 people, it is both a beautiful and comfortable vessel. Now in its third season, the Lobster Roll has proven to be a popular attraction in peak season. Reservations are highly recommended. Our trip was early in the season, so it was just us and a party of 10 celebrating the 80th birthday of one of their group. The Lobster Roll is also available for private charters.
The crew was super friendly, especially Jillian, our hostess/server/bartender. Jillian was friendly and accommodating, giving us brief information on the points of the shoreline we were passing. Upon embarking, Jillian asked if she could get us a drink. It was 11:30am. Assured by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett that it was 5 o’clock somewhere, I got a beer and Lauren got a Bloody Mary – possibly the best Bloody Mary I’ve ever tasted. Jillian is our new best friend.
We were on the open air upper deck as we departed Sesuit Harbor at low tide through a narrow channel. It was sunny and 75 degrees and my beer was ice cold. The wind was just so that we hugged the shoreline at perhaps ½ mile out, which afforded a great view of beautiful houses and beaches of dreams. It’s hard to pinpoint why such a view is so appealing, so instead I’ll just recommend being appealed yourself. The sun, salty air and burble of the engine combine to become a quintessential Cape Cod experience.
About 45 minutes into our cruise we were informed that lunch was served. Thank God, because for the last 10 minutes, all we could smell was the fact that lunch was soon! We went down to our assigned tables to find our meal already waiting for us. When you see the pictures you’ll understand why this excursion is a must. The biggest lobster roll I have ever seen. In fact, you couldn’t even see the actual roll; the buttery, toasted roll. Mmmmm. I could go on for ions about this lobster roll, but I will spare your busy schedj. If you’re not into lobster, there are other offerings such as a chicken caesar salad, roast beef roll up and a veggie roll up; all expertly prepared on board by the staff of the Sesuit Harbor Café.
After lunch we joined in singing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl; after which we were delighted to be offered a birthday cupcake. A delicious lemony confection that was a perfect complement to the lobster roll we just devoured. (Truth be told, I spied the cupcake Tupperware container and secretly hoped they would have extras!) They were made by the birthday girl's granddaughter-in-law. We highly recommend these cupcakes - we loved them as much as we did the lobster roll - and you can find the recipe on her fun blog here: Sunshine in the City
The S.S. Lobster Roll has Sunday brunch, lunch and dinner cruises. Check out http://www.lobsterrollcruises.com/to find our more. For a true Cape Cod experience, give Lobster Roll Cruises a try!
We heard about “Lobster Roll Cruises” while drooling over an episode of “The Phantom Gourmet”. You could watch that show after a four course meal, and it would still make you hungry. Anyway, it was a no brainer for us – two of our favorite things – boat rides and lobster. The phone keys smoked as we dialed for reservations.
The Lobster Roll is a 58 foot custom-built dinner and party boat. With room for 60 people, it is both a beautiful and comfortable vessel. Now in its third season, the Lobster Roll has proven to be a popular attraction in peak season. Reservations are highly recommended. Our trip was early in the season, so it was just us and a party of 10 celebrating the 80th birthday of one of their group. The Lobster Roll is also available for private charters.
The crew was super friendly, especially Jillian, our hostess/server/bartender. Jillian was friendly and accommodating, giving us brief information on the points of the shoreline we were passing. Upon embarking, Jillian asked if she could get us a drink. It was 11:30am. Assured by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett that it was 5 o’clock somewhere, I got a beer and Lauren got a Bloody Mary – possibly the best Bloody Mary I’ve ever tasted. Jillian is our new best friend.
We were on the open air upper deck as we departed Sesuit Harbor at low tide through a narrow channel. It was sunny and 75 degrees and my beer was ice cold. The wind was just so that we hugged the shoreline at perhaps ½ mile out, which afforded a great view of beautiful houses and beaches of dreams. It’s hard to pinpoint why such a view is so appealing, so instead I’ll just recommend being appealed yourself. The sun, salty air and burble of the engine combine to become a quintessential Cape Cod experience.
About 45 minutes into our cruise we were informed that lunch was served. Thank God, because for the last 10 minutes, all we could smell was the fact that lunch was soon! We went down to our assigned tables to find our meal already waiting for us. When you see the pictures you’ll understand why this excursion is a must. The biggest lobster roll I have ever seen. In fact, you couldn’t even see the actual roll; the buttery, toasted roll. Mmmmm. I could go on for ions about this lobster roll, but I will spare your busy schedj. If you’re not into lobster, there are other offerings such as a chicken caesar salad, roast beef roll up and a veggie roll up; all expertly prepared on board by the staff of the Sesuit Harbor Café.
After lunch we joined in singing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl; after which we were delighted to be offered a birthday cupcake. A delicious lemony confection that was a perfect complement to the lobster roll we just devoured. (Truth be told, I spied the cupcake Tupperware container and secretly hoped they would have extras!) They were made by the birthday girl's granddaughter-in-law. We highly recommend these cupcakes - we loved them as much as we did the lobster roll - and you can find the recipe on her fun blog here: Sunshine in the City
The S.S. Lobster Roll has Sunday brunch, lunch and dinner cruises. Check out http://www.lobsterrollcruises.com/to find our more. For a true Cape Cod experience, give Lobster Roll Cruises a try!
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