Some Friday night blues in the Burgh: Ricci, Popovic, Adler, Robillard

Well, it looks like another weekend with some fine bluespeople coming to the Burgh, but, alas, all on the same night once again.

That would be tonight, with dueling shows at the two best spots around town for out-of-town blues bands -- Ron Esser's down-home style Moondog's in Blawnox,  and John Pergal's slightly more urban and hi-tech (you can watch the bands on the TV screens at the bar) Thunderbird Cafe in Lawrenceville.

Just for the record, the T-Bird has a better beer menu, one that makes even BeerNotes happy to be there. Moondog's has the wall of fame of dog-faced musicians that's almost worth the trip. Both are great spots to see the blues up close and personal.

Tonight, Moondog's offers Ana Popovic, the supermodel of the blues guitar, with Jason Ricci. Both are powerful blues-rock guitarists. At right is a photo from the BlueNotes Magic Picture Machine, taken at the Wheeling blues festival last year. It's here because it's the only one I have of the featured bands tonight, and also because I like to loook at it.

Both are young and talented. Popovic was born in what used to be called Yugoslavia (weren't things a lot simpler then?) and Ricci comes from Maine (things were always simpler there). Ana brings a strong, rocking brand of blues, and Jason carries a sort of Little Richard musical vibe, adding drama to his fusion of material from all sides.

Ricci will be appearing solo, but he and his band, New Blood are touring on a new CD, with the appropriate blue title, "Done With the Devil."

Meanwhile, in another blues dimension in a galaxy not too far away, Duke Robillard brings his long and winding road of musical experience to the T-Bird. SInce he was there at the founding of the classic Roomful of Blues band in the late '60s, Duke has gone on to play whatever music he likes, and always plays it well, without ever straying too far from the blues.

Opening for the Duke is the Burgh's Jimmy Adler, who tackles straight-ahead blues with stinging guitar as well as anybody around. And he's been doing it for a couple of decades now.

You can take your pick, depending on your taste, or your geography. BlueNotes will most likely be found watching the Duke. I missed him the last time he came through town, and haven't sipped from that blues mug for a number of years.  But I think both will be very good shows. Go out and support the blues of your choice.

Here are some YouTubers of all the suspects in tonight's blues caper:

Jason Ricci

Ana Popovic

Jimmy Adler

Duke Robillard