My mother-in-law plays in the blues band "African Wind" and I've seen her play all sorts of venues but one of my favorite performances was at Swallow Hill.  For starters she not only sang and played electric bass as she usually does but she also played her stand-up which is as much a piece of art as it is a wonderful instrument.  It's a rare treat because not all venues really have the space for the entire band plus a stand-up, not to mention making it easy to get in and out.

Another great thing about that night was that four of my cousin-in-laws were up on stage Irish step-dancing while African Wind performed "Queen of the Dance Hall Girls".  Normally the sound of the girls dancing is pre-recorded or simulated with an instrument but nothing can replace four amazing Irish step-dancers in their hard shoes doing high kicks and coming crashing down on the wooden stage floor in perfect time to the song.

Lastly everyone was treated to an amazing performance when Madam Andrews came up on stage as a special guest and performed with the band, sharing her gospel-style of singing and blending it perfectly with the blues of African Wind.

Live music has a tradition of each performance being unique and memorable.  Sadly in these days of huge concerts and highly commercialized music it's harder and harder to find those experiences, it seems each show is a carbon copy of the last with your city's name filled into a blank.  One place that tradition can still be found is Swallow Hill, where you can still see a show and still say, "you should have been there, it was amazing!"