Last week, I caught what I believe was Harlan T. Bobo’s first solo show in Chicago. Now, I’ve seen Harlan a ton of times, but never outside of Memphis. So I was pretty excited about it. However, that excitement quickly faded when after searching for a parking spot for about twenty minutes, I arrived at the club only to find that the evening’s show had sold out!
So how did I get in? Well, right as I am about to leave, someone from the club comes out and asks the door man if Harlan is on the Chicago label, Bloodshot Records. When I inform him that Harlan is actually on the Memphis label Goner Records, the door man becomes intrigued and starts up a conversation with me. After I tell him that I’m from Memphis and that Harlan hardly plays anywhere outside of Memphis (other than Europe), he sympathizes with me and lets me inside. Many thanks!
As always, Harlan put on a great show. However, the highlight was getting to see my friend John who was playing drums with Harlan that night. I hadn’t talked to John in probably a year, so it was really nice getting to catch up with him. Unfortunately, I didn’t see Jeremy (bass player and host of WEVL’s Out on the Side) after the show and missed my chance to say “hello.”
Below, the set list for that night:
