Vintage blues, or as some call them “the scratchies”,  tell stories and come from the depths of a person’s life.  One of the best visuals of this is the Empress of the blues, Bessie Smith.  From songs of despair and dying like Send Me To The ‘lectric Chair to the ravings about the famous southern musician Charlie Green in Trombone Cholly, the blues were equivalent to life.  Reaching into the depths of your soul and bringing what is there to the surface and pouring it into an envelope of music is what the blues and especially the vintage blues is all about.

Most people today who enjoy the blues do not want to venture back to the roots.  These are usually the vinyls that no one wants to touch for fear of marring them; kind of like the best china that is saved for only the most special occasions that never seem to come around.  Today a lot of this music has been digitalized and yet people are still afraid of playing it.  They would rather play contemporary blues like Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Lee hooker, Van Morrison and yes, even Cyndi Lauper. There is nothing wrong with any of these performers.  I enjoy listening to their music very much as the person whose blog I have hijacked can attest to.

As a history buff I love exploring the roots.  When discussing blues this means gong back and experiencing those who came before and paved the way for the contemporary artists.  The women, or queens of the blues especially paved the way and made it possible for others to pick up where they left off.  Bessie Smith earned her title as Empress as she could be considered the original blues diva.  This gutsy lady, upon being told that the KKK was coming to break up her tent concert did not run and hide as she was advised to do.  Instead, she walked off the stage and right out toward the hooded mob and stood her ground telling them that they would have to fight her, her band AND her tentful of fans.  This five foot nine inch woman who could cuss the wallpaper off the wall turned the KKK on their tail and sent them running.  She lived every word and every note she sang.

Billie Holiday was another Queen of the blues.  She, too, felt every thing she sang and continued to light the path for many others just like the woman whose music inspired her, Bessie Smith.  Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton also laid some mortar of her own.  In fact, you could say she was responsible for one of Elvis Presley’s hits, Hound Dog.  The song was actually written for Big Mama and is about a man.  Mr. Presley took it and made it about a dog and had a hit.  If you listen to Big Mama’s version you can really feel why this song was written for her. Ma Rainey is another lady who gets my applause and humble curtsey as a queen of the blues.  She was not afraid to sing about anything.  From being a Slave To The Blues to Countin’ The Blues, Ma Rainey knew what she was providing to the world.  But she could also sing songs like “Ma” Rainey’s Black Bottom with style and class.

Now, before anyone begins to think that I am partial to the women of blues (I suppose I am as they had to do more to open doors for the women who came after them) I must mention some of the men of blues.  While he is mostly known for his jazz (and what some considered a career ending move to pop) Louis Armstrong also provided the world with wonderful blues.  This man did more for music in general than anyone else in my opinion (yes, I am partial).  Bind Willie McTell is another mason who cleared the way for the future generations.  A recognizable voice his music told of life and all that it can bring.

The list of kings and queens of vintage blues could go on for the next ten generations.  However, reading about these great oldies would take away from actually experiencing them.  Take out the vintage and dust them off.  Spin them on the turntable or MP3 player or whatever your chosen mode is.  Reaching back and touching your roots from time to time will only serve to strengthen your core and enlighten your soul.

On October 9, 2009 (I erred in math and celebrated a day early) I showed the naysayers that Parky’s Pub had what it takes by celebrating the one year anniversary with a six hour gala affair that brought in great DJs and singers.  Still there were those who believed it would close.

On October 10, 2010 Parky’s Pub celebrated with a three hour two year anniversary party (Parky is getting too old for the all-day parties).  This party brought the official DJ debut of Parky herself who kicked it all off at 2 pm.  Then the wonderful and very talented BartyAum Mohegan serenaded the house full of friends SLamily and new comers with his amazing music.  We finished off the day with an hour of DJ Crighton Johin doing what he does best, spinning the best jazz on the grid.

Two griefers decided to show up during Barty’s set, but they were quickly dispelled and everyone had a wonderful time.  Pub photographer, Kimala Kohime took lots of happy snappies and then took some of them and made them into the following video.  I messaged my sweet angel, Aeryn Lovenkraft during the party and told her I had tears in my eyes.  She fussed at me, but I reminded her I had tears in my eyes for the first anniversary as well as for the grand opening.  As I look around and I see all those wonderful souls at the pub enjoying themselves I can’t help but feel that it is all because of them that Parky’s Pub has lasted as long as it has.  It is the great people who come to the two events each week (jazz with Crighton on Thursdays at 5 and Celtic Kitchen Sink with Isobela on Fridays at 2) and those who come for special events and just stop by to enjoy the place during off times that have made Parky’s Pub everything I had dreamed it could be.

Enjoy the video and here’s to at least two more years and to each and every person whom I see when stand and and look around when no one is there.  It is your laughter and chatter that fills the place.  Thank you.

Click the link below.

2 Year Celebration! Parky\’s Pub

In February 2007, I was at home watching the Law & Order: SVU episode where they were looking for a person who was involved in a virtual reality world called “Another Universe”.  This gave me an idea.  I found that Another Universe is fictitious, however there is another virtual reality world that was alive and well called Second Life (later in 2007 Second Life (SL) would be depicted on CSI).  I had my laptop at work and created an avatar and entered the world.  Due to not having internet at home at the time and issues with my laptop I did not make it off Orientation Island.  I put SL aside and went on with my life.  In the midst of Meniere’s I dealt with the death of my father and a treatment that took away my immune system and left me fighting colds and infections.

October 2007 I watched the CSI episode involving SL and was reminded of my failed attempt at entering that world.  I couldn’t recall my avatar’s name and password.  So I created a new avatar and called her Parker Janick (Parky).  I made it into SL this time and began exploring.  I would spend my free time at work in SL (I worked nights at a television station and was all alone there)  During my exploration I was clicking things and not knowing what I was doing things would happen.  One time I clicked something and received a blue box and clicked yes.  I then went to change a tape and when I returned, my avatar was dancing.  I sat there and cried for about five minutes.  I could no longer dance in Real Life (RL), but I could dance in SL.

I continued to explore and ultimately got internet at home where I could explore more.  I made friends, learned how to swim and do many other things in SL.  I finally found my life again.  Along my journey I began meeting other people with chronic illness and issues.  There are those who are bed ridden and others who are in wheelchairs.  I have even met three others in SL who have Meniere’s Disease.  It helped at one point when I begin attending a support group in SL for people with chronic illnesses and/or their caretakers.  One thing was certain, we all came into SL for the same reason, to do things that we could no longer do in RL.

I can’t do much in RL that I used to do, but in SL I am thriving.  I own a Celtic Pub where everyone is welcome (as long as they obey the rules) and I host twice a week at a friends jazz and blues club.  I am involved with writing groups and even attend a Writer’s Circle once a week where I read some of my own work.  I recently submitted a poem for a contest in SL and won first place.  I even wrote a short story called The Damsel And The Dragon about why I am in SL and it was published in a SL magazine.

I highly recommend SL to those with Meniere’s Disease or any chronic illness that keeps you from doing the things you love to do.  You can do those things again by using an avatar in SL.  Use this link http://secondlife.com/.  to find your life again, even if it is virtual.  I would still much rather be dancing, hiking and swimming in RL, but for now I will do these things in SL and keep my mind active while meeting new people from around the world and making friends (gaining contacts) in the process.  Don’t let your illness deprive you of your life.

A staged shot taken to accompany my short story The Damsel And The Dragon

A staged shot taken to accompany my short story The Damsel And The Dragon

I have loved jazz for a long time.  Jazz and blues are very closely related so I am a fan of each.  Seems everyone knows my favorite is Louis Armstrong.  It is often said that jazz is the black man’s music and white men have tried to take it for their own.  I have also heard it called African Music.  I honestly do not believe any of this.  Jazz is the music of peace.  It transcends race, gender and age to bring everyone together for a meeting of the heart, mind and soul.  President and Mrs. Obama were seated in the balcony with the honorees.  Secret Service were there as well.  The agents assigned to protect the president are to be alert and always focused on what is around them.  I usually think of Royal guards who aren’t allow to move at all while they are standing guard when I think of the Secret Service agents.  While the cameras were capturing the faces of those in attendance during the performances I watched.  During Dave Brubeck’s presentation I noted the faces and posture of those the cameras caught.  When they were focused on the First Couple I noticed the Agent seated behind them.  His eyes were focused and watching everything around them, but his head was moving to the beat of the music.

Wide shots throughout caught everyone with heads bopping, feet tapping and fingers drumming to the fine jazz music being played.  Black, white, Hispanic, male, female, actor, musician, president.  It didn’t matter who they were, they felt the heartbeat of the music that is jazz.  If it moves your body, even your toe to tap, then it has reached your soul.  And that is JAZZ.

I knew I had set the opening of the pub at about the same time of my Rez date. I thought it was the day before. However, as I was looking at my Rez date (10/9/07) I realized that it was actually the day after my Rez day that I held the grand opening for Parky’s Pub. I said nothing and didn’t attempt to change the plans as everything was set. Now I fess up to my grave error and beg your forgiveness. **hangs her head** I just don’t do well with numbers at all. I am so sorry.

What I do not regret is having the party as I did.  Just over a year ago I was GM for someone else’s club.  We had seven gigs a week and I worked almost all of them.  I put out the $$L as if it were my club, but was constantly reminded that it was not my place.  I sat on the deck of my friend Saphire’s home and told her about a dream I had of having my own pub.  She told someone else and the rest, as they say, is history.  Parky’s Pub is truly a place that was created from friendship and love.  It is sustained the same way.  I wanted a place where anyone could come and feel comfortable.  Irregardless of gender, breed, sexual orientation, religion, politics or anything else, if you follow the rules, you can stay.  RULES???????  Oh no!!!!!  This is very simple.  Just remember that the pub is PG and to treat everyone with respect and all will be well.  Over the year, I have been ‘advised’ to lighten up on the rules, make it a ‘Mature’ club, offer contest prizes and have cheese costume themes.  I have always said NO.  The closest the pub has come to ‘Mature’ is when I was in NYC and left the place in the care of Isobela and Aeryn.  The themes I chose to do are musical like Coltrane, Bird, Billie and Thunder.  (Oops, the last is my fantasy theme)

The grand opening lasted 12 hours and held many glitches like DJs not showing up and stream problems as well as SL must being a menace.  The anniversary party lasted from 2 -7 pm.  We began the festivities with DJ Isobela Capalini doing her usual Friday Celtic Kitchen Sink.  We got a great dosing of Barley Juice, Celtic Thunder and Celtic Women along with many other delights.  After a wonderful two hours, DJ Crighton Johin stole the stream and kicked off his set with Louis Armstrong (I think he wanted to make sure he was on the owners good side).  After an hour of Creighton’s smokin, sexy, straight ahead jazz the lovely Irish lassie DJ Kerry Anderson stepped in and played lots of Irish folk and just plain Irish good music.  (Parky was definitely happy yesterday)  To put a WOW to the finish, Maudite Carpaccio took the stream and with guitar in hand she stepped to the mic and just let her pipes ring out.  Tis a good thing Maudite is a friend and I am near deaf from what I understand.  But even with fighting sinus problems, she still did a great job singing and playing for us.

Noticeably missing from the festivities last night were Parky’s Prankster and Parky’s Pub photographer (This is why there aren’t more happy snappies posted).  These absences were not by design.  Unfortunately, the flu bug bit their family once again and kept Kimala and BigD from joining us.  We do send them lots of love and warm wish to a speedy recovery.  Many times in this past year, I have seriously considered closing Parky’s Pub and leaving SL altogether.  I even had conversations with those involved in the pub about doing so.  Now that we have reached the one year mark I stand in awe and lower my tear-filled eyes.  It is all of you who have kept Parky’s Pub going for a year.  Love and friendship opened the pub and keeps it going week in and week out.  Only love and friendship will close Parky’s Pub.  Enjoy the offerings I have here and stop by the pub when you are in world.  I thank each and everyone of you for this wonderful time.

P.S.  More happy snappies to come after I figure out how I broke the loader.

Oh yes, Parky’s Pub. This pub is one-of-a-kind. I consider it Celtic as opposed to Irish. This pub was built and continues to exist on friendship and love. Were it not for those I call friend, there would be no Parky’s Pub. There are only two gigs a week. Thursdays, the incomparable DJ Crighton Johin spins wonderful jazz and on Fridays the lovely Irish lassie DJ Isobela Capalini spins the Celtic Kitchen Sink (CKS). CKS is a gig where anything can happen. If the music and/or artist is from the Celtic region it will be played. Also, Isobela plays music that may not be remotely Celtic and she plays 6 degrees to connect it. No matter what, we always have fun. Parky’s Pub is not there to make $L, but it is a place where anyone can come and feel comfortable. Furries, Nekos, Tinies, humans or whatever, as long as you treat each other with respect, you are welcome at the pub.

Now the one element that keeps me coming back to Second Life over and over again. the reason there is a Parky’s Pub -> FRIENDS!!!! I am of a shy nature and it takes time for me to get to the point where I will call someone friend (RL and SL). There are a handful in my inner circle who keep me going. They have crossed over into my RL although we have never met in person. Being my SLamily, they encourage me and make me laugh and think and help me grow. they are also there to chastise or give me a good swift kick in the seat when I need it. I love y’all.

Parky’s Pub is the best Celtic pub in all of Second Life. It was created out of friendship and love. I have it, not to make money, but to be a place where my friends and I, and anyone else who desires, can meet and listen to some great music and just hang out in a non-threatening environment. There is no nudity nor foul language allowed. Also no weapons and the most important rule is to treat everyone with respect no matter their shape, color or background. I have a translator that is turned on if someone comes in speaking another language. There is also a Tinies Dance Ball for the wee lads and lasses who find there way to the pub. Parky’s Pub is, in fact, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Check it out for yourself if you don’t believe me.

Second Life is how DL got her life back after Meniere’s took over in the real world. There are many in SL who have found their way due to similar situations. Mostly for me this is my life. DL is along for the ride. Besides hosting two gigs at the pub each week I also work for the best jazz club in SL, The Savoy. I host a wonderful gig for the fabulous DJ BigD Flanagan playing blues and blues-rock every Sunday morning to help us wake up. I also host every Wednesday night for the best jazz DJ in all of SL, Crighton Johin. He heats up the club with his wonderful straight-ahead jazz.

Tune in here as I share with you from Parky’s heart about all that is going on in her SLife week to week and get to know Parky and all her wonderfully wacky friends that have come into her life.