I immediately inquire of Charlie Slate, one of the tavern's owners, if they plan on having Blues music on a regular basis. The reply was a resounding
Yes! Excited, I start taking notes.Article Reprint from the May 2000
BluesNotes
Article by Cheyenne
Walking down the street on a cold, rainy, winter night, what do I hear waffling on the wind? Why it's the sweet echo of a Blues harp. Incredulously, I follow the sound to the Mock Crest Tavern on 3435 N. Lombard. Why, it's my old buddy Lloyd Jones and Friends.
I immediately inquire of Charlie Slate, one of the tavern's owners, if they plan on having Blues music on a regular basis. The reply was a resounding
Yes! Excited, I start taking notes.
The tavern is small and cozy and a buzz with chatter and laughter. Then the local celeb (unknown to me) waltzes in to cheers of welcome from the friendly, family crowd. Lloyd sports his new "dangerous bad boy" image with his goatee while a melody of Jimmy Reed in "G" resounds on this Saturday night.
This small club atmosphere is perfect for an up close and personal, front row seat, pull up a chair and grab a set of spoons and enjoy Blues in your comfortable living room. All walks of life are represented here, from cowboys to the working man, singles or couples, from the rowdy enthusiasts to the quiet and somber Blues aficionados. But, with this wide array of people, it is good to know that it is the music that excites and invites and ultimately unites us if only for a moment in time. I resolve to visit again.
On my second return, Jack Cook and Jim Wallace are holding court. Jack, originally from New Orleans and now a native of Seattle, reminds us with the song "Ouch" how witty and humorous Blues can be. Robert Johnson lives on in N. Portland!
On my third visit, Kinzel & Hyde regale us with traditional Blues from down by the Delta. Deidre, the manager, introduces me to a cream and orange soda while Muddy Waters washes over my soul. They remind us that they have a live CD recorded right here in Portland available!
I take a moment to took at my surroundings. There are TVs and video poker machines, food and lots of neon sounds abound. A lady passes the tip jar around while the duo has technical difficulties ... which allows them an opportunity to plug the tavern.
Mock Crest has had many a fine Blues veterans perform here: Steve Cameron, Terry Robb, and
Bill Rhoades, to name a few.
With the advent of karaoke and country music bars, it is refreshing to hear Blues in North Portland again. I remember the days of the Coyote Club and Sunday Jams at Big Daddy's all long gone. With Saturday nights at Mock Crest ... could we be seeing a surge of popularity of Blues music? Could this be a trend?? Tavern owners take heed. Blues is back and back to stay! A standing ovation for Mock Crest in bringing Blues back to North Portland! Keep up the good work.