Back on-line: First day in Riga

I wake up bright and energized at 9:30A.M., just in time to partake of the complimentary hotel breakfast buffet. The buffet was okay – nothing special but all I need. I have to meet Zigis at the club across the street to do some sightseeing. I am determined to see all that Medieval glory still preserved in Old Riga. (built around 1200A.D.)

Latvia has been run over, around and under by the Swedes, Poland, Germany and most recently the Soviet Union. One guy put it this way: “We’re a new nation – under twenty years old – though we’ve been fighting for our freedom for centuries.”

After I “make food” at Bites Blues Club – Caesar salad again – we head out and Zigis talks about his country, his city and his devotion to the Blues and bringing it to Latvia. He tells me a great story from his music playing youth when under Soviet Rule, musicians were stricly forbidden from playing American music live. His group played the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction” one night and the next day he was greeted at his gig by the KGB who whisked he and his band mates away for questioning. He was a teenager! Somebody told on them! They accused him of playing American Music and named the tune, “Satisfaction” at which point Zigis informs the KGB agent that “Satisfaction” is not an American song but recorded by a band from Great Britain. That didn’t go over too well. He got kicked around “just a bit, not too bad” and thrown into a cell (alone) for three days. He wasn’t even allowed to call his mother! They finally released him and he learned his lesson – no more playing American or British music! Soviet Rule.

This man lives for the Blues. It is his passion. He is devoted to his wife, kids and Pearl, his Basset Hound. I decide he is more Basset Hound than Saint Bernard: loyal, big and a little goofy but always on point when necessary and a really great guy.

He drives me around and waits patiently as I start snapping photos of the wonderful exteriors I see. It is so freaking cold and slippery out that I don’t linger and make my usual study of my favorite objects to shoot. I just take two or three shots and hope for the best. Old Riga is wonderful. It is the center of Riga and the area was built up in 1200A.D. The center of town has a big open square with wonderful buildings and ancient looking churches with crazy steeples encircling it.

The rest of the “town” is a labyrinth of tiny streets and old buildings. It’s looks like a movie set!

Funny note: Zigis is all bent out of shape because the client for tonight’s party just requested some “upbeat and recognizable songs” like… are you ready?
1. I Will Survive
2. At Last (which I had on my list but the boys didn’t learn)
3. We Are Family

Of course the LBB does not play these songs. As Jon put it: “The Name of the band is Latvian BLUES Band!”

Yep! The corporate parties are the same worldwide. I learned long ago (when we used to do more blues) that sometimes a corporate client will often hire a Blues band for their party but what they really want is music for dancing, you know, “upbeat, recognizable songs!” I admire their dedication to the Blues but I bet LBB would rule the corporate party scene here if they added a few dance tunes to the repertoire. But then, why should I encourage them to sell their souls to the Devil? They are doing just fine.

I grab a nap before the first gig. I don’t know what to expect and I am a bit scared that I will screw up the arrangements or that the audience will sit there staring at us playing straight blues and no dance tunes. Time to squeeze into my shower stall and get dressed. I am so glad that I brought an extra gown to perform in.

Up next: the party – first gig in Riga…