Jonathan Kalb @ Peck Slip Social, New York, NY 4/1/25

 

Bill: Jonathan Kalb

Venue: Peck Slip Social, New York, NY

Date: 4/1/25

Door: Free

7pm Jonathan Kalb

Active: 1962 (New York, NY)

Affiliated: Lightning Hopkins, Otis Rush, Johnny Copeland, Sunnyland Slim, Honeyboy Edwards, Soloman Burke, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Tracy Nelson, The Fugs

Latest Release:  2020 (Jonathan Kalb, 2020),  Shadow Of A Man (The Saloon Recordings, 1998)

Discogs Setlist AllMusic  YouTube

New York City Blues Hall of Fame inductee Jonathan Kalb has an long long history.  Quite different from his more famous brother Danny, Jonathan's voice has a higher range and his guitar style is more steeped in Chicago Blues.  The players he can casually toss off as people he's backed is mind blowing.  For instance, I had no idea he was musical director for Evelyn "Champagne" King during her "Shame" period.  We got there as the first set was wrapping, but there was still a second set to catch.

I hadn't seen Jonathan in some time so it was good to check him out.  I also had never been to Peck Slip Social, which is near the South Street Seaport.  Apparently, it just opened last December.  It is a bit of a cross between a sports bar with a dedicated music corner.  There is a piano there, which came in handy for Jonathan to show off his keyboard chops.  I would advise getting tables near that corner if you want to see the band, because even a table at the middle of the room can get a sightline obliterated by the bar and the sound can get overrun by the bar crowd.  Venues like these often have a back room for music, but it's six of one half dozen of the other.  If you shut people out, they don't get the chance to hear it and you risk playing to 3 people when you don't have to.  Of course, increasing the numbers meaning some people that are just there to drink, talk and play pool are going to drink, talk and play pool, legendary musician be damned.  But sometimes they applaud when the song ends.