Havana rain

You know that rule I have that says that if a band you want to see is playing twice you have to take the first opportunity to see them because you won’t make it to the second? Yeah that one. Bamboleo were playing Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. I’d been crook most of last week and was exhausted Saturday so we put off Bamboleo, who playing that night, for their matinee the next day. Sunday it started raining about 2pm and it didn’t stop until after 7. Normally not a big deal but I’ve been on Calle 20 when it’s been pissing down (you can probably find the post on it if you search Charanga Forever) and I have no desire to find myself in the same boat (boat! geddit?!) again. So … Revé was on in Miramar that night but I was so dispirited that I couldn’t summon up the energy to find, then fight with, a taxi driver on the way out there, so I just went to bed with my Fred Vargas book. I know, that’s just so shocking. I never passed up a Revé gig before. I thought I would regret it the next day, but actually I didn’t. That’s kind of shocking too.

Azucar Negra were on at Galiano, but the Smoke Monstress said, “don’t they have a singer you hate?” Oh yeah. (Pavel) I want to see new girl singer Ingrid, but matinee want to see, not 1am-3am want to see.

The Trabuco gig at Galiano on Monday was pretty jumping. With Haila at La Tropical washed out, and I imagine small attendances at Bamboleo and Tanya (at Galiano) for the same reason, I guess people were keen to cut loose. Trabuco were working the extended stage again. I’m in two minds about it. It’s good for the singers but it relegates the band to backing musicians. They did the Alexander song again, and although my video is in focus this time, the sound is a bit shitty. I asked Chino, the bajista, if they had recorded it yet: he said everything except the metales. He said, why, do you want to take it with you? Yes! Good song. He scarpers to the Habana Libre after every Monday matinee as he has a jazz gig there. Lucky him. Riveron was still absent. I forgot to get an update but if he’s still off, it looks like it’s probably pneumonia again. I think that’s a relapsey thing. Jeez. Also Miguelito is still away; still in Canada I guess. They did Control. Erk. I had one week without it. I should be grateful.

Trabuco are doing Miramar instead of Havana D’Primera today (Tuesday) because they are going to Venezuela. That’s one of the saddest sentences I have every written. Kola Loka are doing a matinee larga at Galiano. That’s actually the saddest. Still listening to Disco Fiesta but seems like there are slim pickings for the next couple of days.

Azucar Negra are doing a matinee at Miramar on Thursday so, Pavel or no, I’ll go to that, and Bamboleo are at my local on Friday with Salsa Mayor there on Friday night. That must be among their last gigs before they go to the US.