Blues Concert in Algiers

On Friday night, January 4^th, Douglas and I attended a blues concert given by musician John Lee Hooker Jr. Despite my yearning to get off the compound and do something fun, I was hesitant to go see Mr. Hooker in concert. Last July, Mr. Hooker sang our National Anthem at the 4^th of July ceremony held at the Ambassador’s Residence. I apologize in advance if he should one day come across this blog and read what I have written. All I will say to him is, “Am I not right?” Mr. Hooker approached the podium, took hold of the microphone, and proceeded to butcher our precious song. To say he was off key would be an understatement. And to make matters worse, he didn’t even know all the words! I never knew the line “O’er the pampers we watched” was written in the Star Spangled Banner. I guess he meant, “…the ramparts we watched…” To put the icing on the cake, when Mr. Hooker finished singing the Star Spangled Banner (or something like it), he proceeded to hold up the microphone with his head high towards the sky, slyly smiling awaiting an ovation from the audience. Are you serious? I felt like I was watching the Black Awareness Rally scene in Coming to America when Mr. Randy Watson destroyed his song and then dropped the microphone and walked off the stage like he just did the damn thing! I may forever hear that mangled tune in my head every time our dear Star Spangled Banner is sung. I’m scarred! You can now understand my hesitancy to attend Mr. Hooker’s concert. If it was going to be anything like that awful 4^th of July performance, I would have rather stayed home and reminisced on the blues I had after that day.

We decided to attend, being optimistic that this concert would be different. I have to admit, I was just excited to get dolled up and go out with my husband. The concert started at 7:30 pm. It was held at the Sofitel Luxury Hotel. The hotel is a bit far from the embassy. Most of the Americans we knew had never been there before. Sofitel is most certainly a hidden secret in Algiers. It is stunning. We arrived shortly after 7:00 pm, just in time for the cocktail hour. We were greeted outside the hotel by a gentleman wearing a black top hat and bellman coat. The man opened our car door and escorted me inside. It was like something out of the movies, although we did go through a metal detector and bag check upon entering the hotel. I can’t say that part is typically seen in any movie or at any other elegant hotel. Once again, it was a reminder that we are at a danger post in a third world country.  At least they were all very polite regarding the security checks.

We took the elevator up to the main level, where the concierge was found. The elevator ride was pretty cool. The inside was covered with mirrors and the lights made you feel like you were at a disco. They changed colors every few seconds. I figured if the concert was bad, we could sneak out and joy ride up and down on the elevator for a while.

The reception area was as eye-catching as the lobby. The area soon became crowded with fellow embassy workers and family members that we recognized. As we mingled with guests we couldn’t help but notice the servers that passed through the crowd with plates of hors d’oeuvres. Every time we turned around there was another man with a different tray of food and drinks. We did not expect such a treat. Free food that was actually good and unlimited drinks! Now that is how you party on a budget. This evening was looking brighter by the minute.

Shortly after 7:30 pm, the hors d’oeuvres stopped and the show began. The hostess of the evening was a woman who leads the Public Diplomacy department within the embassy. She always does a great job putting on events. For that reason we knew it would be good. The band members were already on stage, gearing up to bring their lead singer out. Mr. Hooker received a great introduction by both the hostess and his fellow band members. He came out to the stage with such excitement, ready to ignite the crowd. Mr. Hooker is a Grammy Award-winning artist. I had never heard of him before this, but I also don’t know everyone who has won a Grammy. From the sound of his music it was apparent that he and his band deserved that Grammy Award. Mr. Hooker put on a show that night! His energy level was off the charts. His band members played the keyboard, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, lead guitar, bass guitar, and drums. Douglas and I had a blast at the concert. We danced all around that room in awe of the performance. Douglas found special entertainment in the band members as he reflected on his days as a musician in the Corps. He hasn’t picked up his sticks in over a year. At times I found myself staring at him, seeing his face beam with excitement from watching the drummer pound those drums. Had Douglas been invited to play, he would have been like a kid in a candy store.

The two hours Mr. Hooker was on stage went by in a flash. We had a spectacular time that night. Both Douglas and I were relieved that his concert was exceptionally better than his rendition of the National Anthem. Mr. John Lee Hooker should definitely stick to what he knows - the blues! 

Drummers

Bass Guitar Player "Tebo"