Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Song of the Day: "I Scare Myself" by Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks



I saw Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks in concert during the spring of 1972 at the UB (a.k.a State University of New York at Buffalo) Folk & Blues Fest. The event, scheduled over three evenings, was held in a 60' x 100' tent (or so I seem to recall) in the vicinity of Diefendorf Hall and Clark Gym.

The band played a long, relaxed, but well-paced set that featured numerous songs from Striking It Rich. The highlight was an extended version of "I Scare Myself", with Sid Page's searing, goose-flesh-inducing violin solo creating a sense of heat emanating from the stage. (Which was nothing more than a slightly raised platform.)

I doubt if there were more than 100 people at this concert -- about the same number who saw Bonnie Raitt and her band on the following night. Highlight: Raitt scorching the small but rapturously receptive audience as she blazed her way through "Mighty Tight Woman".

Hungry musicians in an intimate setting. The best venue for live music.

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