Seems like the blues is the style of the week? Why not? Riots in London, stock markets dropping all over the world like a whip neck roller coaster ride.... I feel like singing the blues. Not that I feel blue myself at this moment... but it just seems like the right thing to do under the circumstances. It would seem oddly out of place to break out "cool and the gang" and Celebrate good times... come on!
This story in the Detroit News caught my attention this morning and speaks about another untold story of a Detroit talent that never rose to the headlines like so many of the musical talents that have risen from the D. Think about it and look back in history and it is really mind boggling! Work backward from rising stars of today and you can keep at this for a long time. My teen aged kids are following a rising star in a local rap guy who has the attention of suburbanite kids in Big Sean. We know about Bob Richie, Marshall Mather, Madonna. We've heard about Motown and the amazing list of stars that were cranked out of that studio. How about Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, Iggy Pop?
You have to go way back to find the talent that never quite made it to the big stage. And... for that matter perhaps the real story of the Motown sound started way back here... with the blues. If you take the time to click on the link posted above.... you will find an intriguing Youtube video of Son House singing "Grinnin' in your face..." . The face of the man and his ability to perform on command in a sound studio that seems oddly out of place tells a story that feels... "Blue". This is a song that comes from a life experience.... life on the street... life of people who experienced "Blue".
A few weeks ago I read about another Detroit "Blues" happening from the days before the Motown movement in my investigation about a historical location in the city known as "Harmony Park" or "Paradise Valley". It all started with my fascination with the recent redevelopment of this iconic park space just down the street from Comerica Park and around the corner form the Detroit Opera House.
If you take a short walk... just down the street from the steps from the Detroit Athletic Club... you can find a space that can best be described as.... well.... paradise. This patch of land is a triangular shaped plot of land which is not uncommon with the radiating design of the city. This spot is special because it takes you away from the city feel of Woodward or Broadway and into a park space. This is because of the tree lined streets, narrow roads that command control of speed, low traffic flow, and now artistic design elements.
The park itself is recessed a few steps down into a beautiful brick paved area with bench seating, tables with check boards, water fountain feature and a history lesson. It is really much more than brick pavers that tell the story. You have to get to this space to gain an appreciation of what it represents. However, the history of this space needs to be examined under a closer lens.
Within the text of this Detroit News article I'd like to focus on:
"While life was often far from heavenly as the community struggled against discrimination and poverty, the neighborhood developed its own culture and attractions. Some of the popular clubs in the area included the Club Three Sixes, El Sino, Pendennies, 606 Horse Shoe, B&C Club, Congo Lounge, Gay 90's Club, Royal Blue Bar, and the Bluebird Inn."
It's the culture and the clubs that make the story of this place. Names that spoke of special places that people flocked to for entertainment and socialization. Names with meaning... like Congo Lounge, Club Three Sixes, El Sino, 606 Horse Shoe, Pendennies, Gay 90's Club, Royal Blue Bar, Bluebird Inn. What would it have been like to pull up a chair and experience the blues?
This takes me full circle back to the place that started this whole story. It is a sad three story stand alone building that has sat vacant for many months now that is crying out to be.... dare I say... a blues club! Have you ever heard of the term "black bottom"? It's not what you might think unless you go back and find out the origin of the term. This are was located on Detroit's near east side... Gratiot Avenue, Brush Street, Vernor Highway, and the Grand Trunk railroad tracks. The adjacent bordering neighborhood was known as Paradise Valley and they were not considered the same neighborhood. It was Black Bottom because of the darkness of the soil. Historically, the area was the source of the River Savoyard which was buried into a sewer in 1836. The "bottom" and rich marsh soils were the source of the name "Black Bottom".
Bringing this to a close.... please take a minute to weigh in on any thoughts or comments you might have about the historical and wonderful slice of Detroit. If you've not been there... take time to visit and walk through the park. Explore the historical stone elements and enjoy standing in a place that is full of rich history.
Bringing this to a close.... please take a minute to weigh in on any thoughts or comments you might have about the historical and wonderful slice of Detroit. If you've not been there... take time to visit and walk through the park. Explore the historical stone elements and enjoy standing in a place that is full of rich history.
Take a minute to visit this place. Click on the link above and explore this unique place.
