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]]> http://www.rockmanbluesband.com/index.php?entry=entry071206-215139 ]]> http://www.rockmanbluesband.com/index.php?entry=entry070926-194254 St James Infirmary Blues




The song involves a man telling the singer/narrator, at a bar, how he went down to St. James Infirmary (hospital) and tragically found his girl (baby) dead.

Like most such folksongs, there is much variation in the lyrics from one version to another. One set of lyrics, goes this way:

I went down to old Joe's bar room, on the corner by the square
Well, the drinks were bein' served as usual, and this motley crowd was there

Well, on my left stood Joe McKennedy, and his eyes were bloodshot red
When he told me that sad story, these were the words he said:

I went down to the St. James infirmary, I saw my baby there
She was stretched out on a long white table, so cold, and fine, and fair.

Let her go, let her go, God bless her, wherever she may be
She can search this world over, never find another man like me

When I die Oh lord please bury me In my high top stetson hat
Put gold coins over my eyelids So the boys will know I died standing pat

Get six crapshooting pallbearers Six chorus girls to sing me a song
Put a jazz band behind my hearse wagon To raise hell as we roll along

Get sixteen coal black horses, to pull that rubber tired hack
There's thirteen men going to the graveyard Only twelve men are coming back

Well, now you've heard my story, well, have another round of booze
And if anyone should ever, ever ask you, I've got the St. James infirmary blues!
]]> http://www.rockmanbluesband.com/index.php?entry=entry070926-193322


Jimmy Reed

You got me runnin', you got me hidin'
You got me run, hide, hide, run
Anyway you wanna let it roll
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You got me doin' what you want me
A baby why you wanna let go?

I'm goin' up, I'm goin' down
I'm goin up, down, down, up
Anyway ya wanna let it roll
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You got me doin' what you want me
A baby why you wanna let go?

You got me peepin', you got me hidin'
You got me peep, hide, hide, peep
Anyway you wanna let it roll
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You got me doin' what you want me
Oh baby why you wanna let go]]> http://www.rockmanbluesband.com/index.php?entry=entry070617-165853 The scrap-metal sculptures of Jeff Roeckle, on exhibition in the Yocum Gallery of the Institute of the Arts, Wyomissing, exude an infectious joy.
By Ron Schira
Reading Eagle Correspondent

Wyomissing, PA - In what this writer believes to be a long overdue exhibit on the metal sculptures of self-taught artist and blues musician Jeff Roeckle (pronounced ROK-lee), the Institute of the Arts’ Yocum Gallery is presenting an overview of his work through June 29. Roeckle has been on the scene for at least 10 years and has shown at many of the local venues but has not shown in this capacity until now.

The solo exhibit, self-titled “Jeff Roeckle,” consists of some 35 welded and painted scrap-metal configurations of both abstract and representational attributes. All of the work, except for one or two pieces, is centered on a happy and pleasant view of life with many of them hung on the wall, a few on pedestals.

I was reminded of artwork by Paul Klee or Joan Miro as I walked among the pieces. There was joyfulness in their completion that to me spoke of an artist that loved life and enjoyed it fruitfully.

Artworks such as “Laughing Man,” which additionally bobbed up and down when you touched it, and “Car” were almost cartoonish in execution and childlike in attitude. Obviously, he is not out to incur grandiose comments on the problems that plague us more so than the pleasures that nurture us.

Some of the works were astoundingly academic regardless of his training and of course I speak of his near-to-life-size “Lady.” The piece presents a hollowed out female form that looks as if he welded the metallic shards right onto the figure like a mannequin. Arms at side, relaxed and posture perfect, one senses an anatomical correctness, a person residing within the sculpture.

Other works appeared as reeded plants or ferns, linear and wirelike; “Dream,” or “The Egyptian,” for example, were lyrical drawings in steel. I do have to say that one or two of the freestanding pieces had sharp edges and probably could have been filed for protection.

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Works such as these practically beg to be touched, and well, there goes the dad in me talking again.

The artist also plays guitar, banjo and harmonica with his own band, The Rock Man Blues Band, who performed five songs at the reception, much to the dancing enjoyment of a few young children. His fellow band members are Benjamin Yeager on cello and Bob Macintyre on fiddle.

Roeckle is one of those artists who believes in inspiration. He translates his joys into art and shares them. Once a member of the Philadelphia Mummers, he fondly refers in artwork to the fancy costumes and dancing in the streets. A friendly guy, he wore a black derby and an infectious smile for his opening reception and wanted to play music as much as talk about his art.

That was fine with me; I enjoyed them both.

•Contact Ron Schira at entertainment@readingeagle.com.]]> http://www.rockmanbluesband.com/index.php?entry=entry070501-170026 Hamburg slates Mardi Gras for downtown improvements
BY MARIA HERNE
STAFF WRITER
mherne@republicanherald.com
10/01/2007

HAMBURG - Hamburg officials and business owners are so happy that the $1.3 million downtown streetscape project is finally finished that they've decided to close the streets for a night and throw a Mardi Gras-style party.



They're also inviting some guests who really know how to dress up for the occasion - Philadelphia Mummers.

Deena Kershner, program manager of the Hamburg Our Town Foundation, the organization that was charged with the $1.3 million enhancement project, announced Thursday that five members of the Philadelphia All Star Mummers String Band have agreed to make a special guest appearance at a ceremony on Friday to mark the completion of the downtown Hamburg enhancement project.

"The streetscape project is finally coming to a close, after years of planning and months of construction, and the town wants to celebrate their new makeover with a party," Kershner said.

Heim Construction Co., Saint Clair, was awarded the contract to improve sections of the 100 block of Fourth Street and the 200 and 300 blocks of State Street, the crossroads of Hamburg's downtown shopping and business district.

Beginning in May, sections of the sidewalk were removed to make way for new slate sidewalks, curbs, historic-looking streetlights and other decorative accents. The work was finished a few weeks ago.

The money to fund the project was obtained from grants by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the state Department of Community and Economic Development and the Berks County Department of Community and Economic Development.

"Our business owners and residents were supportive of the efforts and instead of complaining about the inconvenience, the majority commented on the positive: how fast it was completed, how nice the street crew was, how absolutely different our downtown looks with our new walkways," Kershner said. "It was a frustrating, but exciting, time for Hamburg."

Kim Kehs, the owner of Yarns R Us, a yarn specialty shop at 41 S. Fourth Street, said the project greatly enhances the downtown area.

"I love it," Kehs said. "I think it's so inviting and beautiful. I think it just makes everyone want to do what they can to make their store better."

Our Town Foundation will sponsor a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Friday. The ceremony will coincide with "Mardi Gras and Blues," the finale of the Hamburg Area Arts Alliance Summer in the City art strolls.

The themed Friday night downtown events, which have been held monthly since April, feature art exhibits, performing artists, culinary presentations, music, theatrical performances and arts and crafts exhibits.

The Our Town Foundation received a $1,687 grant from the Berks Arts Council and the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts to organize and promote monthly events that would showcase local artists, Kershner said.

During Friday's arts stroll, which will go from 4 to 8 p.m., the Mummers will appear in costume and parade on Fourth and State streets, accompanied by the 15-member Hobo Band, a local favorite, The Rock Man Blues Band and a variety of other musical groups and street performers.

"We're inviting everyone to join in the celebration, and come dressed in Mardi Gras style with costumes, beads, masks, crowns," Kershner said.

In honor of the occasion, the recently renovated American House Hotel at State and Fourth streets is sponsoring an outdoor beer garden and Cajun cuisine in the hotel restaurant.

For additional information, call (610) 562-3106.]]>