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| Lois Blaisch |
Truck Stop Mixtape Open Mic Party is a regular music series held at Bar 10 in Tarzana, a mix of an open mic night and a show with scheduled performers. Last night those who were scheduled to play included Emily Magnet, Karman Jeanne & The Fish, Lois Blaisch, and Carleen, each doing relatively short sets. For the first hour or so, it was an open mic, and anyone could sign up (I think you had to purchase one drink in order to play).
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| Emily Magnet |
The first of the scheduled performers, Emily Magnet, took the stage a little after 8 o' clock. "
Take me away, take me away," she sang in her first song, and we could hear the need in her voice, the desire. We recognized it, for it is our desire too, isn't it? Especially these days when a madness has taken hold of the country, and a stupid sort of madness at that. She had a lovely voice, and her set also included a song titled "The Depths," which was beautiful.
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| Karman Jeanne & The Fish |
Karman Jeanne & The Fish were up next, and this time it was just the duo, without any guests performing with them. While Fish tuned his guitar, Karman mentioned that they're currently in the process of recording, so keep an ear out for a fresh track sometime in the near future. They opened their set with "Free Rocks For Sale," a sweet number about when Karman was a child. That was followed by "Tell Me Tomorrow," which featured some really nice harmonies. In her introduction to that song, Karman said it was about not telling someone it's over until the next day. It is not a political song, but the line "
Promises made, mostly broken" made me think of politicians. "What If I Said" was a highlight, the duo delivering a beautiful rendition. "
What if I said/Things are going to get better/What if I said/They already are." They wrapped up the set with "Strange Time" and "Take."
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| Lois Blaisch |
Karman Jeanne was then back moments later to provide backing vocals for Lois Blaisch, who was also backed by Bob McNabb on bass. Yes, it was a trio this time (the last time I saw Lois perform, there was a full band). While work was underway to get the bass amp functioning, Lois mentioned this was the second time she'd played at this venue. She then opened the set with "Magic." "
Words can never say how much you mean to me." I especially loved those moments when she hit those great raw places with her voice, like Kim Carnes territory. That song also featured some sweet backing vocal work and cool stuff on bass. It was followed by "Hurricane," which she introduced by saying it was inspired by a series of hurricanes and the effects of global warming. "
This ain't no vacation." There was a good power to this one. "
It's time to get together, fix things while we can." "Weather Man" followed, and when the three of them sang the title line, it was adorable. "I Wanna Be Your Old Lady" was a lot of fun, a country number that featured Lois yodeling on the words "
old lady." She was going to follow that with something else in the country vein, when someone shouted out a request for "Could've Been." "
I was going to spare you my sad song," Lois said. Though she hadn't planned on playing that one, she ended up delivering a gorgeous rendition. Though the Tiffany version is actually quite good, this song is more powerful, more meaningful, more heartrending when sung by someone older. That was followed by "Feel Like Love (And It Feels Alright)" and then "Gonna Be Alright." "
We all need a little tenderness/When the world gets crazy with too much stress." Indeed! She wrapped up the set with "Pour Your Sweet Love Down On Me."
There was more music after that, with Carleen playing next, and then, apparently, the open mic resuming, but I headed over to Maui Sugar Mill Saloon, where a night in celebration of David Allan Coe's music was already in progress. Both Lois Blaisch and Karman Jeanne would also make their way over there and perform before the night was over.
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