Michael Doherty's Music Log: Rick Shea & The Losin' End at Maui Sugar Mill Saloon, 11-19-25 Concert Review

Rick Shea's monthly show at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon was held last night, with John McDuffie sitting in on guitar in place of Tony Gilkyson. As with each of these "Swingin' Doors" shows, a special guest band was also on the bill, and last night it was Claremont Voodoo Society, a band I was excited to see. As I've come to expect, this was a wonderful night of music.

As usual, the night began with a somewhat shorter set by Rick Shea & The Losin' End. They took the stage at 8:37 p.m., Rick mentioning that he was sick last month, explaining why he wasn't there. After switching a questionable guitar cord, Rick opened the show with "Big Rain Is Comin' Mama," a song from his 2020 album Love & Desperation. In his introduction he mentioned how it's been raining here in Los Angeles the last several days, and how more rain is on the way. There was a good energy to the song. After a quick sound adjustment, the band followed "Big Rain Is Comin' Mama" with "Nelly Bly," which had a nice, slow groove, and a very cool ending. Then we were treated to a particularly good rendition of "Shelter Valley Blues," which featured some delicious bluesy guitar work by John. "They say this ain't no place for fools or dreamers/But a foolish dream is all I've ever known."

Rick Shea has a new album coming out early next year, and he mentioned that album last night before playing "Midnight Shift," a song that Buddy Holly recorded in the late 1950s. That was followed by a song that I had requested, "Trouble Like This," from the 2017 album The Town Where I Live. This is a beautiful song that has been playing in my head a lot lately. I suspect that if you listen to it, it will make a home in your head too. Rick then told the story of Johnny Cash getting arrested in his introduction to "The Starkville Blues," a fun number. Jeff Turmes sang lead on "Early Train," a cool song, sounding like a dream we can share. John McDuffie did not have his pedal steal with him for this show, but his work on electric guitar on that song kind of felt like what he might have played on that instrument. It was a fantastic rendition. And the cool vibes kept coming, with "(Down At The Bar At) Gypsy Sally's" following "Early Train." "The wolfman's on the prowl," Rick sang. And with the song's delicious groove, we all felt like we were on the prowl. The group closed out the set with "Hold On Jake," a good country rocker. The set ended at 9:24 p.m.

The Claremont Voodoo Society was up next, taking the stage at 9:36 p.m. and opening with a nice rendition of Tom T. Hall's "That's How I Got To Memphis," featuring some good work by Bill Barrett on harmonica. That was followed by "Crawford's Hill," featuring some really nice harmonies. Throughout the set, three of the four band members took turns singing lead, each with his own strengths and style. And their fallen bandmate Brad Lewis was still present, in part through certain song choices, such as "Still Got The Blues For You," an incredibly cool song that was a wild sort of waltz. A highlight of the set. Their rendition of "Make Me Down A Pallet On Your Floor" included a good drum solo. There was some more great stuff on drums in their cover of Hank Williams' "Hey, Good Lookin'," which also had a cha-cha-cha ending. I thoroughly enjoyed their set, and hope to see them again sometime soon. And whatever albums they might have available I need to add to my collection. Their set ended at 10:34 p.m.

Less than ten minutes later, Rick Shea & The Losin' End were back on stage, kicking off their second set with a cover of "Honky Tonk Blues," the Hank Williams song. That was followed by "Mexicali Train," with a rhythm like a train so that we could all climb aboard. "Juanita (Why Are You So Mean)" followed. As you might guess from its title, it's a fun song. Then the band delivered one of my favorites, "Mariachi Hotel," a song that felt like a delicious haunting. After that, Jeff mentioned what a great song "Mariachi Hotel" is, and how it was difficult to follow that with one of his own songs. The song he chose to follow it was "Rickety Men," from his Wreckage album. And it's another really good number, a fun song with a delightful groove, a particularly catchy bass line. The band kept that sense of fun with "Blues Stop Knockin' At My Door." That was followed by another personal favorite of mine, "Sweet Bernadine," which was a highlight of the set. I love the whole feel of that song.

Jeff took another turn at singing lead on "Don't The Moon Look Real." During John's lead, a woman came dancing out of the loo. Don't you love it when music has that effect on folks? Plus, this venue has that kind of friendly, relaxed vibe that makes it all seem just exactly right. They followed "Don't The Moon Look Real" with "Sweet Little Mama" and then "Sweet Little Pocha." "She cries when she hears the mariachis, but I never know why." The guitar work at the beginning of "Que Mas Quieres" reminded me a bit of the beginning of the Grateful Dead's "Truckin'," and was another energetic number. They rounded out the set with "Mathilda" and "(You're Gonna Miss Me) When I'm Gone," the band jamming a bit on that last song, which was wonderful. The show ended at 11:50 p.m.

Set List

Set I