The thunder and lightning storms stopped. The flooding abated. A cooling breeze settled over the city of Austin, Texas. People came out of hiding an onto the main drags. Parts of Austin resemble Bourbon Street where music streams from adjacent bars and clubs. In one block you can go from down in the alley blues to traditional country. Barkers assist. Many choices, many chances.
So, we ambled on down to "The Home of the Blues," Antone's.
On this particular night we awaited the arrival of Miss Lavelle, an 89 year old blues singer who has a local following and who has been treating Austin's music scene with her humor and soul for decades.
We got a beer and a table and wondered about food. Anton'e has a bar, but no kitchen. There is a little record/souvenir shop in the front of the building that sometimes sells poor-boy sandwiches. None remained on this night. But, when a kindly older woman arrived on the scene, something else became apparent.
When Miss Lavelle appears, there is a pot luck. People bring fried chicken, salads, mac and cheese, and other homemade dishes. It all goes on the end of the bar. First Miss Lavelle makes her selections from the array of food. When she is done eating, anyone else can. That's how it is; always was,always will be.
In a bright Coral dress, Miss Lavelle goes for a piece of chicken and a few other small amounts. She smiles, and then invites others to partake. Her burnt orange wig is parted down the middle and on that part, in the middle of her forehead rests a large broach. Looks and shines like diamonds but I don't think so.
The show starts at 7:00 and the call and response of a love fest ignites the first set she performs. There is a personal blues about growing up poor in Mississippi, there are a few classics from a huge blues/soul catalog, and a surprise or two. Like the request to do Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic," which she does with all the ease and grace of everything sung so far.
We stayed for two sets. A rumor floated over the scene that Miss Lavelle had gone outside into the alley behind the club for a little "refreshment" and encouragement. Who knows, she's the real deal, all she needs to do is eat first, and she's ready to do it all over again.
So, we ambled on down to "The Home of the Blues," Antone's.
On this particular night we awaited the arrival of Miss Lavelle, an 89 year old blues singer who has a local following and who has been treating Austin's music scene with her humor and soul for decades.
We got a beer and a table and wondered about food. Anton'e has a bar, but no kitchen. There is a little record/souvenir shop in the front of the building that sometimes sells poor-boy sandwiches. None remained on this night. But, when a kindly older woman arrived on the scene, something else became apparent.
In a bright Coral dress, Miss Lavelle goes for a piece of chicken and a few other small amounts. She smiles, and then invites others to partake. Her burnt orange wig is parted down the middle and on that part, in the middle of her forehead rests a large broach. Looks and shines like diamonds but I don't think so.
The show starts at 7:00 and the call and response of a love fest ignites the first set she performs. There is a personal blues about growing up poor in Mississippi, there are a few classics from a huge blues/soul catalog, and a surprise or two. Like the request to do Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic," which she does with all the ease and grace of everything sung so far.
We stayed for two sets. A rumor floated over the scene that Miss Lavelle had gone outside into the alley behind the club for a little "refreshment" and encouragement. Who knows, she's the real deal, all she needs to do is eat first, and she's ready to do it all over again.
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