I always seem to catch Papa King on a set break. But I stuck around an almost full Owl Acoustic lounge, April 7 for some of his set. He wanted to say hi to everyone in the room who came out on an ugly night to hear him play.

 As usual, King and his band including bassist Doug Freeman and lead guitarist Marc Belisle and drummer Brandon McPherson.

They opened the second set with a haunting version of blues standard “St. James Infirmary.”

 They quickly picked up the tempo counting off 1,2,3,4, on a long jam  designed to get everyone dancing, which most of them did.

 King rumbled out the lyrics in an appealing, gravelly, Dr. John type baritone, and switched acoustic guitars.

 Marc Belisle who I mostly know from alternative rock band DoubleJack, proved to be a solid blues picker as well.
“Sugar Bee” was a highlight as  was a slide guitar powered version of blues classic “I’m Ready.”