Texas Johnny Brown
I. J. Gosey
Images by kenne
February 22, 2003, Blues lovers and legends in Houston gathered at Houston’s Mr. Gino’s Lounge in the memory of blues/jazz great, Kinney Abair. Now that it’s almost the 10th anniversary of Kinney’s death, I’m sharing my images of the Mr. Gino’s event. Some of the musicians in the photos are Joe ‘Guitar’ Hughes, I.J. Gosey, Ashton Savoy, Mike Stone, Pee Wee Stevens, Sonny Boy Terry and Texas Johnny Brown. Many other legends were in attendance, but not necessarily in my photos.
That evening we were also remembering AJ Murphy, who had a heart attach and passed away after giving a eulogy for his close friend, Kinney.
AJ Murphy
kenne
(To review other Blues posting on the blog, use the search function for “blues” on the home page, left column.
The Weary Blues
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
I heard a Negro play.
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light
He did a lazy sway. . . .
He did a lazy sway. . . .
To the tune o’ those Weary Blues.
With his ebony hands on each ivory key
He made that poor piano moan with melody.
O Blues!
Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool
He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.
Sweet Blues!
Coming from a black man’s soul.
O Blues!
In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—
“Ain’t got nobody in all this world,
Ain’t got nobody but ma self.
I’s gwine to quit ma frownin’
And put ma troubles on the shelf.”
Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.
He played a few chords then he sang some more—
“I got the Weary Blues
And I can’t be satisfied.
Got the Weary Blues
And can’t be satisfied—
I ain’t happy no mo’
And I wish that I had died.”
And far into the night he crooned that tune.
The stars went out and so did the moon.
The singer stopped playing and went to bed
While the Weary Blues echoed through his head.
He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.
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WOW! It’s been nearly 10 years already!! And to see the others that have left us since. That was an awesome gathering that evening. Thanks for posting this. We miss you guys.
Mary and Kenneth
Yes, can you believe it! We miss our friends, but so glad many are still around — separated only by distance.
Reblogged this on Becoming is Superior to Being and commented:
Mr. Gino’s Lounge, located in Houston’s blue-collar South Union neighborhood, has a rustic charm that keeps patrons coming back over what is now close to half a century — more than that, it’s the music in a very comfortable environment.
When we live in the Houston area, we would frequently go to see friends and hear the Blues on the weekends at Mr. Gino’s Lounge. One time was to attend a benefit for Houston blues guitarist, Kinney Abair, February 23, 2003, and remembering AJ Murphy, who had a heart attach and passed away after giving a eulogy for his close friend, Kinney. — kenne