Thursday, January 22, 2009

RoadTrip D1 Night at Beale Street, 夜遊藍調之城 比爾街

People like the blues must know BB King, the King of Blues. He is an American blues guitarist and writer, the greatest blues music performer ever. In 50', BB King become one of the most important names in R&B music.

Before the Club surfing, we stop by the Peabody Hotel for the famous duck show. Peabody located downtown Memphis is a old and classic hotel famous for it's ducks swimming in the fountain of the lobby. The ducks live in the 9th floor and come down to work in the fountain from 9 to 5. At the end of the day, the Duck Master (or duck manager?) with red suit will make them walk of the carpet and go back to their home up stair. That's the tradition of Peabody, but I only think of my favorite 薑母鴨 (a duck dish in Taiwan, sorry).

The Duck Master is introducing their history


Duck's coming


Run! Run!


The night belong to explorers. On Beale street area, more than 30 music clubs contain different music style: Blues, R&B, Elvis?, POP, country, Hard rock cafe and something I don't know. We picked the BB King Club, the most famous traditional blues club, for tonight. They said it is not really safe in this street because it's crazy at night. We saw a lot of police car around the area. But the alleys and the place we parked is really really scary. Although we are from A town, the black capital, still feel not comfortable with the strangers.

Beale Street at night


BB King's Club



The owner of BB King's Club is BB King, as a matter of course. Entrance ticket is 5 dollars and you can buy the drinks at the bar. Tonight is the night before Christmas Eve. Not really crowded on Beale Street. We took two beer and sat at sat corner. There's a dance floor in front of the stage. Many people shake their butts with the music. The band and the singer are excellent and the high light tonight is a black man with bright-red suit and bow tie dance with her wife to celebrate their anniversary. How romantic!