Show Review: Billy Watson San Diego's Clown Prince of Blues Harmonica

[dr.alters-wizardsway@xxxxxxx]

Hi, 

Here is a cut and paste of my article that was just published in Blue Ink, the newletter of Blues Lovers United San Diego (BLUSD). 

Hope you like it. 

Doc 

Billy Watson...Classic Showman 
by Dennis "Doc" Alters 
Sunday May 2 at Pala Casino Billy Watson and his International Silver String Submarine Band contended with the manic depressive throes of Laker fans. The audience was riding the near crest of the ecstasy of victory in game one with immediate dashed hopes of defeat at the hands of the Spurs. Billy was a consummate showman and rose to this enormous challenge with poise, wit, charm and incredible artistic musical ability. A seasoned and confident performer, Watson did not go into a narcissistic huff, but embraced the moment by pretending that the cheers were for the great solos rather than successful baskets. The crowd responded and Billy recaptured their attention again and again, always doing his musical best with incredible variations of sweet riffs and vocals. Chris Michaels, supported on drums by Phil Rowley, contributed outstanding stand-up bass train-rhythms that drove the music with fluid strength. Chris admitted to changing his "A" string to gut and is enjoying the woo!
d tone of that thwapping box. Like Billy, Chris is multitalented artist creating abstract paintings under the name Chris Crepps. Tom Harkenrider complemented Billy?s harp tone by playing guitar through a matching vintage Silvertone. Billy?s tasteful solos included a selection of 3rd position Low F on certain numbers, clean jazz licks that repeated through the octaves, and an instrumental arsenal of well thought out, captivating, jump blues riffs. His authentic Sonny Boy Williamson II style on the acoustic numbers, and switching harps from 2nd to 3rd position are inspirational to other musicians. Billy is a textbook definition of artistic professionalism. He polished each number with interesting finishes and concluded his show with musical finesse that sent out a message to the mixed audience of gamblers, sports fans and musicians. He rose above the split attention, and gained the crowd?s interest by being true to his talent and upbeat infectious spirit. And to think he did a!
ll this, kept his pants on, and didn?t even put on one mask or bring out the maracas with eyeballs. Imagine what would happen if he could have used his whole bag of tricks. 
Dennis "Doc" Alters is the harpman and vocalist with The Alternators and also a bonafide Psychiatrist.
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Dennis "Doc" Alters 
Harp and Vocals 
The Alternators