sandy allen: News

Yes, folks... Sailfest is over for '08. Sandman and friends had a wonderful time, both on and off stage. Sman wandered over Friday night to claim a parking space for the weekend in one of the garages, having learned from past experience that it's easier than hustling around, worrying about getting towed. He's got the hand-truck thing down to a science, so even though he had to carry stuff for three different bands, it was not a big deal (the crowd parts like the dead sea when they see this character reeling & wheeling down the street). After securing the space, Sman roamed the streets and the docks, checking out the Friday night action, before heading home to rest up for Saturday.

Arriving around noon, Sman had a few hours to relax and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the fest, as it geared up for Saturday night and the fireworks. Between wanderings - finding coffee, checking out the vendors' wares, and people-watching (one of his favorite pastimes), he would return to the Hygienic Art Park, where the music started early, and the overall feeling was that of an oasis - a (relatively) quiet, cool spot away from the hustle on the streets. At 3:45, it was time for his solo set, which, by all accounts, he pulled off with a measure of aplomb, and without offending anyone (this took a little self-censoring, and a choice of folky-family-friendly songs).

After enjoying the Jammers' set, it was back to work, first with Hellbent & Heartbreakin', then with the Rivergods - both sets were big fun for us. Heartfelt thanks and kudos to Sherry and Jim for putting this thing on, and to Preston and Rick for handling the sound/stage set-up ALL WEEKEND!!!

Sandman packed up after the R'gods set, did some more roaming and woman- er, people-watching, and found himself down by the main stage for the fireworks. Rather than fight with traffic and burn useless gas, he headed back to the Hygienic, where some of the S.A.M.S. folks entertained for an hour or so. It was a treat to kick back and really relax with the R'gods and some HB&HB folks and Jammers, before heading home.

Sunday was a beautiful, breezy day. Sman parked around noon and got his gear all set up, then followed his Saturday routine for a while, until the rest of the R'gods arrived for a 2:00 pm show. The sound was great, the crowd was enthusiastic - one of the most fun sets we've done in a while ( we should do this more often!). THEN... bagpipes. Always a thrilling, chilling experience. The day capped off with Enter the Haggis - these guys are supreme. The ol' Sandman was even dancin' - couldn't help himself.

Hopefully, we'll all be around for another round next year. I'm gettin' attached to this thing.

Thanks to all of you who were there... for your continued support of live music (local & come-from-away, alike).

love, peace & harmony...

It was bound to happen sooner or later... with a few of us playing in a few different bands, and with the summer offering a wider range of venues; there have been a few conflicting gigs. Thanks to a cooperative, flexible, mostly tolerant bunch of individuals, we'll be able to pull it off.

July 25th... Sandman will shuttle from the Bank St. Cafe (BCHH) with HB&HB to Sneekers for the Hoolio show.

August 14th... this one got confusing. Originally scheduled for the 7th, the Acoustic Hoolios' regular night in the rotation, Jim C. switched it 'cause he's got travel plans. Then the J.E. Winery invited the R'gods to play. Jim graciously told Mike and Sandman to take the winery gig - not that Sneekers isn't fun, or important, or worthy of serious consideration in such decision-making - but the winery thing only comes up once a year (or so). Thanks Jim. And thanks to Rhonda at Sneekers (I'm sure she'll forgive the confusion - we'll make it up somehow).

There have been a few other close calls, date changes and "how can I be in two places at once..." situations. We strive to avoid these things - it's a challenge.

Today the Sman is off to New London for Sailfest. Has to get there around noon to claim a parking space (hopefully - it's paid for). He'll perform a half-hour solo set around 3:45. Then the Jammers take the stage, followed by HB&HB, then the R'gods. Fortunately, this all happens in one place - at the marvelous Hygienic Art Park on Bank St. It promises to be an exciting and wonderful day.

Sandman has put a couple of pics up on the photo page... from the BIMF. One of the locals (Steve) took a whole bunch of pics of the Jammers & the Hools. These look like the same old Sman, but the twist is, he's playing with the Jammers - finally, after having been rumored to be one, now I guess he is.

Busy weekend coming up... Thursday, the acoustic Hoolios play at Sneekers (always fun - last week the Rivergods debuted in the Thurs. night spot). Friday, the R'gods play the BCHH, followed closely by the Hoolios (the whole Hools). It all happens at the infamous Bank St. Cafe, starting at 6 pm. Saturday, Sandman will be sliding around with HB&HB at Ocean Beach... festivities begin at 7 pm. Ken Atkins & The Honkytonk Kind share the bill. Meanwhile, tha acoustic Hools will be muddling through (without the Sman's humble contribution) over in Voluntown at the Tamarack. Kinda makes one wish he could be in two places at once... Hope to see y'all at one of these, anyway.

Yes, folks, we did it again... The Hoolios were invited back to the Block Island Music Festival (This was the fifth time for Mike P. & the Sman- the fourth for Jim C.). Last year, the Hools and the Village Jammers played back-to-back, and evidently, it was so good they had to hear it again. Unfortunately, Billy de Light couldn't get away, so the Hools got by without his tasty licks...the Jammers suffered a last-minute drop-out as well - Curtis had to bow out. Sandman was called upon to fill the void. He did his best, with a few songs he'd never heard, in the strangest keys possible...anyhow, a wonderful time was had by all - that "island thing" happened. Those nasty blues Sman was whining about last month melted away in the breezy time warp that is Block Island. The weather was perfect (last year was almost a hurricane). It feels good to be a fixture in this low-key, magical event. Hope they still love us enough to invite us back next year - I'll keep doin' this thing as long as they let me.

Again, thanks to all you visitors to my humble space... I've been out of touch for a few weeks 'cause my computer got caught in a storm... so I got a new one - it's much better.

As usual, I urge you to check the Calendar - I just put a few new gigs up. Love, peace & harmony...

Hey Folks -

Big news... this month is the busiest ever here on the Sandman site, having just surpassed last August's numbers. Perhaps this is due to the busy gig schedule in the upcoming months (Hoolios, Rivergods, HB&HB all have lots of summer fun in store - Sman was even able to squeeze in a gig with his band). All this scheduling may have led to folks in all those bands checking the site for conflicts... or, maybe there have been legitimate visits, in which case the ol' Sman feels he owes y'all a fresh bit of prose, not to mention a hearty "Thanks for droppin' by". (sorry, all you fellow bandmates - I'm sure you're all legitimate in one way or another. You just kinda don't count as real visitors).

Sman has the blues. Don't worry (in case you care) - it's sure to be a passing thing. Could be the moon. No, it's not the moon, full & Scorpio though it may be. It's... well, never mind, we won't get into it. Let's just say the old fool set himself up. Yeah, that about covers it.

There will be songs... the best (perhaps the only) good thing about going through such a phase is the creative stuff born of it. Sman's been around long enough to realize there's a lesson here and he'd better be paying attention and soak it up (and suck it up). Hopefully, the music will work it's magic and time will heal.

Speaking of music... last weekend was full of it - Saturday night found the R'gods and the Hoolios at Stashes in New London, warming up the stage for the Lo-fi Radio Stars. It was a great show - all the bands had fun and so far, the reports have been positive. I guess we did OK. Sunday afternoon again had the R'gods & Hools back-to-back at the Norwich Holiday Inn, doing a benefit for fire-victims. Mike P. is still recovering - he not only played with those two, but followed right up with a rockin' Horizontal Hippies' set. Kudos, Bro.

This weekend should be fun; starting Fri. with HB&HB at the Bank St. Cafe for one of those infamous extended Happy Hours, joined by Girls,Guns & Glory and the Paul Brocket Road Show. Yahoo! On Sat. the Hools (acoustic version, sans drums & electric guitar) will be at Fiddleheads in New London (it's across from the "new" courthouse, near The Garde) sometime around noon. The same cast of characters will trek to Voluntown Sat. evening to play the Tamarack Lodge, a very nice venue in a serene country setting - it's well-worth the trip, so we hope to see some familiar faces. On Sunday, HB&HB is playing a private party, returning after a triumphant showing last year (before Sman became a hellbent heartbreaker).

There's something scheduled just about every week in the foreseeable future, so please check the calendar (& check the links) to keep up with where the Ol' Sman will be struttin' his creaky stuff. Right now, he's gonna go dig a hole and plant something (or crawl in?) or split some wood (winter will surely be here too soon), or maybe just take a nap... Thanks for the opportunity to vent. Sharing is so healing.

April is winding down. The weather is finally warming up. The season of music in the great outdoors approaches (of course, there'll still be lots of indoor fun, too).

The past month has been a whirlwind, with Sandman rehearsing the band and breaking in the "Allen Wenches" (for those of you who missed the gig at the BCHH, Sman had a couple of talented young ladies on stage, singing background vocals (foxes with voxes). In spite of having had only three brief rehearsals, Gwennie and Charlotte did a fabulous job. We're hoping this is the beginning of a lasting relationship (the girls were recruited from Conn College, where they sing in the a capella choir). Sadly, Gwennie Poor will graduate next month and move on to real life elsewhere. Charlotte Oldman will be back and we've asked her to recruit future "wenches". I must say the girls took it all very well, this being their first experience with a band - lesser souls would've withered (a band is like a family, with the ever-present teasing and occasional bawdy humor). So, kudos to the wenches.

Now, to the benefit... big thanks to all who came out, donated, and otherwise supported Operation Happy Note. The Instruments of Hope benefit took place on April 13th and was attended by a couple of hundred. Apparently, over $3,000 was raised, and somewhere in the neighborhood of $4,000 worth of instruments donated. Barbara Baker, who started the whole thing a few years ago in Minnesota, was genuinely surprized at the response here. If you weren't there, and would like to know more about it, go to operationhappy.com

That's it for now... enjoy the Spring - we'll be complaining about the heat before we know it - go out and hear some live music. It's good for your soul !

They're all important. But these have particular weight. First, and certainly weightiest, there's the upcoming benefit (Sun. 4/13) at the Pawcatuck VFW. Find out all about it by going to the "Press" page on this site, and visit operationhappynote.com
Sandman will be there with his band, in really good company.
On April 18th, Sman & the band return to the BCHH at the Bank St. Cafe in New London (that's Ct. - for all the fans in Vermont, or is it New Hampshire?...). We're hoping for a surprize at this one, but the less said the better (don't wanna put the kaibosh [?] on it). I can say there will be some brand new, never-before-heard songs - the "Vivian Trilogy" is finally complete! It could be worth the trip just to hear that...
On Wed. 4/9, Sman will be appearing (well, audible anyway) on Rodeo Joe's morning show on WCNI (90.9 FM). The show runs from 6 to 9, so the ol' Sandman is getting in training, rising early, choking out a few tunes with the first birds, before sunrise. Joe (probably not his real name - there's some question) assures us that 8 a.m. will be a fine time for the actual live performance... still, haven't done a show that early since the days when I was still up from the previous night. Coherence may be an issue (at least the nasty sinus infection is gone, thanks to modern medicine, and what one doctor called "tincture of time". Just the usual healthy cough, now). Tune in and cheer us on - we need good vibes.
Thanks to those of you who came to see the Hoolios at the "O'Neill" - still Sman's favorite venue - good to see familiar faces.
Speaking of venues... Sman travelled to Greenwich, Ct. last week (with Bret Farrar) to play a first-time gig at a wonderful place called Thataway Cafe. The folks there (there ARE "folks" in Greenwich!) took really good care of us and will have us back. HB&HB trekked up to the Shorebreak in Narragansett, RI for a gig with Josie Crosby's band Signs of Life... not exactly a country bar (the tiki torches gave it away), but an enthusiastic crowd gave us a warm reception. Who knows, we might've opened some minds about "real" country music. We had a great time and I know we turned a few people on.

Let's hope Spring catches up to the calendar SOON. Cabin-fever gets mighty old with all this daylight. Hope to see y'all around. Keep supporting live, original music.

love, peace & harmony...

It's goin' around...and around, and around... Just when you think it's gone, it comes back, maybe somewhere else (head, chest, ears poppin', nose runnin'). These days, when we get together for a rehearsal or a gig, it's the first topic of conversation; "What stage are you in? Can you sing that part (without choking)?"

In spite of the pesky, persistant bug, we soldier on, Hellbent and Hoolio alike (Rivergods are in recent childbirth/sick yunguns/standby mode).

Jim's acoustic deal is on at Sneekers this Thursday eve (the Hoolios sans drums and lead guitar). I mention this 'cause it wasn't on the calendar until this morning (just now). Scheduling confusion, due to Jim's recent vacation, whereon he caught something which tangled up his mind - counting third Thursdays becomes a difficult problem when you've missed a few.

The rest of March holds a variety of Sandman activity, including a premier solo performance in Greenwich, Ct., a couple of HB&HB gigs, and several Hoolioperas...check the calendar.

Hope y'all are healthy. Remember, Spring is almost here!!!

Last Friday once again found HB&HB at Bank St. Cafe, headlining an extended BCHH. Graig Edwards opened things up with a strong set of traditional acoustic stuff. Next came Sawbuck, a New Haven-based trio (guitar, bass, drums), rookies to the Happy Hour. A great set of original songs - a high twang-factor here. We hope to see more of them. Hellbent & Heartbreakin' finished off the night. As usual, a grand time was had by all.

This coming Friday, Sman will be down the street at The Bank St. ROADHOUSE with the Hoolios, and on Sat., across the bridge in Groton, at Sneekers, also as a Hool... guaranteed to be a good time - Jim just returned from a (mostly) relaxing vacation down in the warm south, so the band is anxious to get him working again.

Come on out...

Last Friday was a marathon for Sman... the BCHH began with a rockin' set from Craig Edwards and his Zydeco band, The Swamp Doctors. HB&HB took the stage and kept it goin' - their second set was a bit longer than planned, as the Rebel Riders were wending there way through the streets of New London, unfamiliar with the lay of the land. They did arrive, got set up quick and launched right into their set, with Sandman sittin' in on steel (must say the Sman was a little anxious - these guys have played with some MONSTER pedal-steel cats). Apparently, he did OK - nobody kicked him off the stage, and he made it through the entire night.

Saturday night most of HB&HB (sans Brett & Todd) made the journey north to Providence, to check out The Empire Diner. This is a very cool venue, run by the folks in Lucky 57, one of the areas finest roots bands. They've been hosting a series called "Your Roots Are Showing" for 4 or 5 years now, in different venues. They finally got worn out looking for places to do it and got there own - a vintage diner at 777 Elmwood Ave., complete with home-cookin', ezpresso/cappucino, pretty, friendly waitresses and an intimate music room. We were treated to three acts; two from Boston, followed by the Lucky ones themselves. It was a refreshing scene (much like the BCHH at Bank St.). Next month HB&HB will perform there (3/8), again with the Rebel Riders. Unfortunately, Sman has a previous gig (Hoolios at Sneekers) but he will be playing there in the near future (there's a promisory email to prove it!).

This Friday, it all happens again at the BCHH - with a new line-up. Check the Calendar...

UPDATE: Due to some scheduling difficulties, a couple of the BCHH line-ups have changed... as of this writing, HB&HB will appear on both 2/8 & 2/15. Lucky 57, previously announced as the other act on 2/8, will not be able to make it (we'll get them in there sometime). Corina has saved the day - the Rebel Riders, a hot, swingin' outfit from the Boston/Providence area will be closing out the night.
Stay tuned for further updates/details. And remember - there's always somebody you want to hear at the BCHH!!! 6-8pm every Fri. at the Bank St. Cafe.

Wow!!! We could get used to this...last night HB&HB played to a full house at the marvelous Rose Theater Barn on the Eugene O'Neill campus in Waterford. I've said it before - this place is a gem... I look forward to every gig there, and when it's over I can't wait to get back. I guess I'll have to (wait, that is). I'm hoping to be back in Feb., or Mar., or maybe May. Thanks to all who came out on a cold, cold night to support the band and the O'Neill.

A RETRACTION: Horses to Water will not be available for download at cdbaby...after beginning the process, we realised that it cannot be in two places at once - IT IS available at itsaboutmusic.com
So, there you are... if you want to download it, you can do so at that site.

Sandman hopes to see y'all at an upcoming gig. Keep en eye on the schedule - new gigs are coming up almost daily !

Last Friday (1/18) Sandman played at the BCHH for the first time - he's played there before, but this was his first gig with his own band (actually, it's Preston's band, or most of it). Corina, Bret & Tim were great, as was Todd, who sat in on a few songs. It really was standing-room-only, which of course makes the whole thing more fun & energetic. For those of you who missed it, we'll be back for more, probably in Feb. Keep watching the calendar.

This coming Fri. Sman will be one of two or three performers at the Brooklyn Coffee & Tea House in Providence. The gigs keep coming ! Stay tuned.

...That's what we've got today (1/14/08) and that's what they're saying for this coming Friday, when Sandman will debut his band at the Blue Collar Happy Hour (see calendar for details). Unless it's strictly dogsled & snowshoe, blizzard conditions, we'll be there. Hope to see y'all there, too. The band has been rehearsing - feeling good about the music and the opportunity to get it out there for for your consideration (hopefully for your listening pleasure!).

Last Friday, the R'gods played to a packed house - gratitude goes out to Preston Frantz for running the sound, and for keeping the BCHH going (big thanks to Ken Atkins, also). It's an all-too-rare opportunity for bands to play their original material for an appreciative audience.

Speaking of Preston, his band Hellbent & Hearbreakin' has spent much of the past week recording at Eddy Shea's place - a great, relaxed atmosphere. Good things are coming out of the sessions. Eddy will be back on the road soon, so tweeking & mixing will have to wait for a while - a CD should be ready for release by late spring/early summer. We'll keep you posted.

Sandman has finally gotten around to making his CD "Horses to Water" available for download. Just go to cdbaby...

In other news... The R'gods played to a packed house at Muddy Waters (New London,12/28). Ben was suffering with a cold, but soldiered on, trouper that he is. The show was recorded and you can hear some of it at therivergods.com
The R'gods will be at the Blue Collar Happy Hour this Friday 1/11. Hope to see you there.
Hellbent & Heartbreakin' is in the midst of recording tracks for a CD to be released (?) - it all depends on how things go this week.
Keep an eye on the calendar - new things are coming up every day.

It's become an annual event; the Rivergods at Muddy Waters in New London 12/28. The R'gods will also return to the BCHH at the Bank St. Cafe 1/11 - this one was originally scheduled for 1/18, until Mike P. realised he'd double-booked himself. The 18th will PROBABLY find Sandman at the BCHH - details in the works. Keep an eye on the calendar.

In other news... HB&HB will be recording on Jan. 5th & 6th, hoping to get at least four new tunes down. Sman will possibly put steel parts on previously recorded tracks (time-permitting).

... we were half a dozen strong. And , boy did we have fun! The Colony Cafe is a beautiful place, a friendly, family-run business right downtown Woodstock. There was a blazing fire and good, hot soup and coffee, dreamy, creamy desserts. Then there was the blues. Michael and his band played a tight energetic set - Sman felt right at home and even accepted Michael's invitation to play some mandolin leads. Professor Louie showed up and added piano to the mix, and (his wife?) Marie sang a couple. A couple of old friends from the NYC days ('way back when) came to see us, and that was about it. C'est showbiz. We all had fun, the roads were clear, we beat the storm home.

If anybody reads this - I mean actually read the last one and came back again the same day to read this - I'll be shocked. Eat my hat shocked... I've got a lotta hats... but I digress.

Jim has a mysterious bug. He apparently picked it up in Nashville (a buggy town if ever I saw one). Hopefully, he'll make a full recovery and be tip-top for next weeks agenda (Sneekers Thurs. 12/20, Hanafin's Fri. 12/21)

Hellbent & Heartbreakin' made the trip to Killington last weekend. We lucked out with the weather - smooth ride both ways, plenty of snow in Vt., with flurries every day.

Back in the '70s Sandman lived up there (in Waitsfield)for almost a year, so there were moments of nostalgia, recalling Jesse Winchester's "Yankee Lady";

"I lived with the decent folks in the hills of old Vermont
Where what you do all day just depends on what you want
I took up with a woman there, when I was just a kid
I smile like the sun to think of the lovin' that we did..."

So much for flashbacks...

After a warm welcome, the band got right to business, setting up and doing a quick soundcheck. Everyone settled into their rooms. Sandman found Angela (Easterling). The two of them shared confidence and agreed there was no real need to rehearse her stuff with the band.

Showtime... HB&HB opened and got 'em goin' with about an 80-minute set, then Preston turned the stage over to Angela, HB&HB backing her up admirably - there were a few shaky moments, but overall, it was a strong set. After a short (well-deserved) break, everybody (Preston incl.) returned for a sort of free-for-all set of classic country standards. As good as the music was, the high point of the night may have come afterwards - it took some arm-twisting and cajoling, but eventually Chef Tom agreed to raid the kitchen, presenting the band with his own recipe Maple/Walnut/Blackpepper pie. We all sat by the fire, enjoying the simple pleasures of a cold New England night.

Saturday was a relaxing day... Sat. night another, similar show, with some sonic boogiemen and technical anomolies. Good talk, stories and bonding after the show (Preston suggested we all get in the hot tub - Angela handled it like a trouper, gently putting him, and for that matter, each of us, in his place..."You think I haven't been around guys in a band before?"). It turned out to be an impossible dream, anyway... the hot tub is locked up at night.

Sunday a.m., breakfast, pack it up and on the road by about 10:30. Home late afternoon. It was a fun trip... we'll probably be back up there next summer.

Tonight (12/14) Sman will be doing a mini-tour of New London, starting at the Bank St. Cafe with HB&HB (6pm), finishing up at Hanafin's with the Hoolios
(9-1)

Still recovering from Thanksgiving, loving the leftovers... The Hoolios returned Friday (last night) to Hanafin's Pub in New London. The Squeezer was back (he's been nursing wife Vicki, who had a knee operation last week). So, in full force, the Hools offered up their unique brand of LatiCajuRooticanaFoRo to an appreciative crowd. The Hools are scheduled twice in Dec., and will likely be there on a fairly regular basis 'til summer draws folks back to the beach. Keep an eye on the calendar.

News from NYC... the live recording of Michael Packer's Blues Band at Lucille's is out on emusic (Sandman is there on Mandolin & vocals - there are a couple of Sman songs on there too). Check out Michael's site (michaelpackerblues.com) for more info.

Don't hold your breath, but expect new offerings from The Hoolios, The Rivergods, and Hellbent & Heartbreakin' - all planning recording projects over the next few months. With winter coming, Sandman, too, is planning to settle into a recording routine of his own. Thanks for looking in... stay in touch. Have a safe and unstressful holiday season. As always...
love & peace