May 9, 2020

Blue Evening

Expressway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATkGoHWLVNM

Some diggers love to collect “private press” records
Since they weren’t put out by labels, they’re obviously rare
On the other hand, there’s often a very good reason the artists weren’t signed
The nice thing about the internet is the widespread access provided
So you can make up your mind if the class matches the rarity
This is one private press that brings the goods
At least for me
Expressway was a band from orange county, CA
They played soul, blues, rock, funk
They had a regular gig at “The Place”in El Monte
No word if anyone ever called it “El Lugar”
Kirk Browne was the guitarist
Also played banjo, harmonica, and violin
Blue Johnson played bass and vibes
Their look is classic 70s


On their Facebook page they have some old posters of their shows

Art is pretty crucial
This one’s from the water wheel in Covina

They also mention that they were one of the few interracial bands in SoCal at the time
Blue Evening is a mellow mood, accentuated by Johnson’s vibes.
With lyrics to match:
The rain keeps falling on my window pane
There’s a burning in my eyes that I can’t explain
I don’t know who to blame
It’ll be a blue, blue evening. Again.