Well I'm back from visiting Tweeds. And I'm impressed.

Which doesn't mean the site isn't easy to figure out for newcomers.
I kept looking for the discussion forum like here and I finally figured out it was the Field Hollers section {witty name that}.

But before I even checked that out [actually I haven't done so yet cause I figured I might linger there and I wanted to let folks here know about my experience] I somehow landed in the Readers Write section. As I prefer the tried and true to the unknown, I was heartened when I saw some familiar Mudcat names {it kinda reminded me of home and gave me that I-got-your-back assurance that the non-adventurer in me needed.

For instance, I recognized the names of Jerry Rasmussen, Khandu, Bobert, and Sorcha. And there are probably other 'Catters listed in the section who I [being a relative newbie on Mudcat] don't recognize yet.

And I must give BIG PROPS to Bobert. What a storyteller he is!!
Check this out!
Bobert's Christmas Story

Tweeds has vintage photographs too. Love it!

And reviews of blues recordings & blues performances.

For example {and, Guest who mentioned Etta James in that vivid two brief description upthread, I think you'll especially appreciate this} see this excerpt of a Red Woody's review of an Etta James concert at the Chicago House of the Blues:

"Twenty minutes later, at 10 o'clock on the dot, the daughter of pool shark Minnesota Fats (true), the Matriarch of the Blues, and the only woman singing today who can be ranked with Billie or Etta or Sassy Vaughan, was revealed by the opening curtains to be onstage, large and in charge of her 8-piece Roots Band even while sitting down in a black swivel chair.

Ms. James' health is clearly not good these days. Her hands, feet and legs are swollen, and between songs she's breathing heavily. She performs the entire set sitting down, driving the band from that board-room chair, wearing a sequined red gown which reflects sparks from the spotlight which is trained on her all night. Within moments of sailing straight into At Last, the audience is hers. The tune, recorded with strings in its original version, is played tonight as if it was straight from Muscle Shoals. The horns power forward, the Hammond B3 quakes and shakes. Three of the members of this band are family, and they clearly know that this could be their leader's last tour. They are giving it everything they have in their very cool L.A. way. And as she calls the number two tune of the night, Come To Mama, the room seems to rise on the moment.

Now we pause to consider that Etta James' first hit record was The Wallflower (Work With Me Henry), recorded with Hank Ballard and the Midnighters and released in 1955. Nearly 50 years later, Etta James is clearly a senior citizen whose best days as a blues-belting temptress are behind her. But don't tell that to her, as she writhes in her leather chair, vigorously sucks her own thumb in demonstration of what she's gonna give you when you come to mama, and flirts salaciously with every man standing near the stage...this may be just performance, but it is damn convincing performance
the versimillitude of her Roots Band, allowing for generous solos and detailed introductions....

Finally, amid shouts of "We Love You, Etta!!!" she delivered the evening's capper, Sugar On The Floor, dedicated to the memory of her mother, whom, she told the crowd, had died recently. "Sugar" had been her mother's favorite song, and she sang it looking straight up to Heaven, clearly believing her mother were listening, tears pouring from her cheeks. She morphed the number, by the last verse, into a gospel pleader, repeatedly offerring up her "Thank You" with outstretchd arms and her formidable voice. As the number came to an end and the curtains closed, she turned the cries of "Thank You" to the audience and cleared her tears.

Ten minutes of calling, clapping, pounding and pleading ensued. But it was all over. She'd clearly given everything she had in a non-stop performance lasting over two hours and twenty minutes.
I'd advise anyone to see Ms. James if she's touring near your town this summer. She is one of the greats, a singer without limits in blues, RnB, jazz, funk and pop. Clearly at least the equal of Ray Charles or BB King, and on par with the best female singers of the century. Like B.B., also now on tour, she won't be performing long, due to her health. And when you've missed her, you really missed something, friend."

For the entire review Click here

Etta James In Chicago

All in all it was a great first trip. I've adding Tweeds to my Favorite list & I'm sure to go back!

In the tradition of this thread, I gotta end with some thanks to Brucie for first mentioning the Tweed site [but life stuff got in the way and I forgot about it] and thanks to Amos for reminding me about it tonight. I appreciate it, guys!!

Azizi