Dege Legg

Black Joe Lewis at the Blue Moon

by Dege Legg

Black Joe Lewis has been kicking up a buzz in the city of Austin, Texas as of late, playing true grit and unvarnished soul, blues, and R&B.

Black Joe Lewis has been kicking up a buzz in the city of Austin, Texas as of late, playing true grit and unvarnished soul, blues, and R&B as can be testified in songs like the profanity-laced “Bitch, I Love You.” Screaming like a high-pitched Howlin’ Wolf or Hound Dog Taylor, Lewis has wrestled the blues back from the mid-life crises of the cheeseburger in paradise crowd and returned it to the gritty backstreets and alley ways where the electric blues was formed. Many of the tunes hark back to Muddy Waters crossed with Sam and Dave vibe, puncuated by a snap crackling band of Austin scenesters.

Opening the show will be the Richard Revue, fronted by Troy Richard, one of Lafayette’s finest songwriters and best-kept secrets. In between recording records at Bosco fishing camps, Richard lives it like he plays it — real — stirring up a racket that is equal parts Cajun, folk, classic rock, outsider country, and backwoods shuffle. Be at the Blue Moon Saloon to witness Black Joe Lewis and Troy Richard & the Richard Revue on Oct.18.

Playing Favorites with Black Joe Lewis:
1. Favorite non-musical sound to make? Punching my drummer.
2. Weapon of choice? Snakes.
3. Least favorite blues song ever written? “Women Love Me, Fish Fear Me” by Keb Mo
4. Favorite Truck Stop Food/snack when on tour? Sunflower seeds and vitamin water.