Good Music In Town?

[fabfran]

Is there any?

I heard about this place that was supposed to be really good with some legendary blues guitarist but when I went, the joint was dead and the guy wasn't there. I asked one of the waiters about it and she that no-one knew where he was and that he doesn't bother showing up many nights! Oh really?! The band that was on was OK but not quite what I would call legendary.

Is there any decent music in town? Most of what I've seen is rubbish.

[jajohnson]

North Gate is popular. They call themselves a jazz bar but it's not really jazz, more like fusion or jazz rock. I remember reading a quote about this place on the net somewhere: "not always good, but always interesting"

The Boon Yoo market area, near The Irish Pub, is also popular. It's mostly reggae and DJ's but there's a rock band there some times. If you're looking for "good" music, it's not the best place to go to, but it's great for a party!

For good music, you can try what is fast becoming my favourite place in town, the Bear Bar. It's down on the river, but on the other side to where Riverside and those places are. The first half of the week they have guitarist/singers doing the old hits which can be a bit boring, but the second half of the week they have bands and they're great. I've seen a big latin combo, who were awesome, supported by a Thai girl who also did latin stuff who was fabulous! They have jazz fusion and pop the other nights.

If you're into blues, they had a poster on the door advertising a blues night this Wednesday. We'll have to see if the first band lives up to it's name ("The Best Blues Band" ) but Boy Blues is also playing and he's supposed to be quite good.

Boy Blues also has his own place, not far from the Bear Bar, upstairs in the night bazaar. And there's a reggae place across the road from the Bear Bar. I've never been inside because it's always loud and the music doesn't sound very good

[Loaded]

Northern folk music from Sontaree Vechanont at her restaurant Huen Sontaree.

http://www.saochiang...ticle&Id=318420

It's a mix of great Northern food and music next to the Ping river. Sometimes her famous daughter, Lanna Cummins, sings there as well. An extra bonus is that there are usually few foreigners around as most come to Chiang Mai to look for burger bars and jazz/blues clubs.

[huli]

I've been having a lot of fun at Boy's Blues Bar inside Kalare Market at the north end of Changklan/night bazaar area. It is especially fun on Mondays which is open mike night and many of Boy's exceptionally talented musician friends take turns. Boy is a real friendly and happy Thai who can really make his electric guitar do tricks. It's definitely worth a visit. Music starts about 8:45.

[lexilis]

"I heard about this place that was supposed to be really good with some legendary blues guitarist but when I went, the joint was dead and the guy wasn't there. I asked one of the waiters about it and she that no-one knew where he was and that he doesn't bother showing up many nights! Oh really?! The band that was on was OK but not quite what I would call legendary."

I am pretty sure you are talking about Tuk at his bar/restaurant "The Brasserie". I would say don't give up on him. Tuk has been playing solid rock/blues guitar in Thailand for well over thirty years and many would say he is a legend. He's a bit burned out now (but who wouldn't be). Try his place again. He usually plays for a hour or starting around 11:30 or midnight. You have to hear him a few times. Some nights he just goes through the motions with the same old tunes. But then there are some times when he is really on and its completely mindblowing. Check it out. Tuk's a really good guy too. BTW, the other guy Boy learned to play under Tuk and if I remember right I think he is Tuk's cousin or nephew or something.

[fabfran]

Thanks for all the replies.

@jajohnson, I was googling the Bear Bar and found their web site, but I also found out that bear is also slang for gay. Is it a gay bar? Not that I mind, it could be quite fun, a gay jazz and blues and latin bar :-)

@lexilis - I hear you that this guy is really good but if he's not there or is just going through the motions, why would I bother? Life's too short to be chasing after flakes and there are plenty of other good musicians who show up and play the gig! Boy sounds like he's worth a look. I'll look out for him, for sure.

[jajohnson]

Is it a gay bar?

Not that I'm aware of. It seems like a normal crowd every time I've been then, no screaming queens or divas. But it used to be called Guitarman and if you google that, there are a lot of links from gay travel sites, so maybe it used to be one. Probably something in the water around there

[jajohnson]

I would say don't give up on him. Tuk has been playing solid rock/blues guitar in Thailand for well over thirty years and many would say he is a legend. He's a bit burned out now (but who wouldn't be). Try his place again. He usually plays for a hour or starting around 11:30 or midnight. You have to hear him a few times. Some nights he just goes through the motions with the same old tunes. But then there are some times when he is really on and its completely mindblowing.

+1 for Took, he's a great player. But I have to agree with you about him getting burnt out.

[Gonzo the Face]

Thanks for all the replies.

@jajohnson, I was googling the Bear Bar and found their web site, but I also found out that bear is also slang for gay. Is it a gay bar? Not that I mind, it could be quite fun, a gay jazz and blues and latin bar :-)

@lexilis - I hear you that this guy is really good but if he's not there or is just going through the motions, why would I bother? Life's too short to be chasing after flakes and there are plenty of other good musicians who show up and play the gig! Boy sounds like he's worth a look. I'll look out for him, for sure.

As someone who has been around CM for about 25 years now, and have known and respected Tuk , from a distance, for most of these years, I must say it does somewhat annoy me that someone who has been aboard this forum for about a month and with 3 posts, to call Tuk a 'flake'.

I don't feel it shows the respect Tuk is due, even if you do not like him, his music, or his place. I do not think you will make many friends with an attitude like that..... but that is you and your choice.

Welcome to the forum and best of luck in your search for your level of music.

Gonzo

[elektrified]

Thanks for all the replies.

@jajohnson, I was googling the Bear Bar and found their web site, but I also found out that bear is also slang for gay. Is it a gay bar? Not that I mind, it could be quite fun, a gay jazz and blues and latin bar :-)

@lexilis - I hear you that this guy is really good but if he's not there or is just going through the motions, why would I bother? Life's too short to be chasing after flakes and there are plenty of other good musicians who show up and play the gig! Boy sounds like he's worth a look. I'll look out for him, for sure.

As someone who has been around CM for about 25 years now, and have known and respected Tuk , from a distance, for most of these years, I must say it does somewhat annoy me that someone who has been aboard this forum for about a month and with 3 posts, to call Tuk a 'flake'.

I don't feel it shows the respect Tuk is due, even if you do not like him, his music, or his place. I do not think you will make many friends with an attitude like that..... but that is you and your choice.

Welcome to the forum and best of luck in your search for your level of music.

Gonzo

I agree. You have no business calling Tuk a flake. I'm sure he is much more successful than you are.

[fabfran]

Wow, I think I hit a nerve. I wasn't looking to offend anyone but seriously, you guys need to chill out a bit.

I'm sure Tuk is a great player but if people are coming from out of town to see him play and he doesn't bother to show up for gigs, how is that anything but flakey? I was told he does it quite often. And when he does play, he's sometimes "just going through the motions". What difference does it make if I'm new to these forums or not, it's still annoying that I made a special trip to see him play and he didn't show. He seems to have a following in town, but this kind of attitude seems a bit disrespectful to his fans. They come to see him play but he doesn't show. If you didnt know him for so long, if you made a trip to see someone play and they didn't turn up, what would you think?

[elektrified]

Wow, I think I hit a nerve. I wasn't looking to offend anyone but seriously, you guys need to chill out a bit.

I'm sure Tuk is a great player but if people are coming from out of town to see him play and he doesn't bother to show up for gigs, how is that anything but flakey? I was told he does it quite often. And when he does play, he's sometimes "just going through the motions". What difference does it make if I'm new to these forums or not, it's still annoying that I made a special trip to see him play and he didn't show. He seems to have a following in town, but this kind of attitude seems a bit disrespectful to his fans. They come to see him play but he doesn't show. If you didnt know him for so long, if you made a trip to see someone play and they didn't turn up, what would you think?

Tuk is indeed quirky but hey he owns the place. He's been known to disappear for weeks at a time. I agree that if I was a tourist and made a plan to go to his place and listen to him play and he didn't show up it would be disappointing. But for people that live here full-time and know Tuk, it's not unusual at all.

[mcgriffith]

The OP never mentioned where he went (as in the name of the establishment) to hear a "legendary blue guitarist", so we are trying to herd cats here with this conversation.

The long timers assume the OP is referring to Took at the Brasserie. And they are probably right.

And the OP doesn't know that to hear Took play at the Brasserie...he doesn't come on until after ~11:30-12 midnight, and plays a 1-2 hour set until closing time. And not every night; generally weekends are a good bet. Unless he's out of town.

His nephew Boy is certainly a talented musician and excellent blues guitarist, and I've never been disappointed hearing him play.

Bear Bar is the new name for what used to be The Guitarman, and no it was not a "gay bar", it was a jam bar run by our dear friend Nicky and his lovely wife. (sniff, I miss you guys).

There's many many places for good live music here; I suggest the OP have patience and do some investigating on his own. Ride your scooter around on a Fri or Sat night- you'll find lots of places. And welcome to Chiang Mai.