Umpleby's Bakery & Café

With the danger of turning this website into an obituary column I have to post the passing of a legendary bass player – Donald “Duck” Dunn.   He is best known for playing with Booker T and the MGs as well as The Blues Brothers Band and touring with Eric Clapton.   He was a session bass player on the Stax Records label out of Memphis.  The people he played with is a regular who’s who in the Blues, Rock and R&B  Community.

I had the pleasure to see him many years ago in NYC when he was playing with Booker T.   They were playing at a venue that the front looked like a greyhound bus.  I don’t think it is there anymore.  Does anyone out there remember that place and what it was called?

The NYT article is here –  DUCK DUNN

I should mention the big reason why I am so saddened by his death is that I am a bass player too.  Much to the chagrin of my parents I spent maybe too much time playing in different rock and jazz bands to the possible detriment of my studies.  Duck Dunn was definitely an influence on my playing.   In my defense though I still did well enough to get into Skidmore.  It must have been all the musical activities on my CV!

It is very sad though to hear of his passing.  The music community has lost its bass clef.

Just a reminder, one week from day is opening day of the 35th season of the Norwich Farmers Market.   Wait till you see all the newly constructed booths that a lot of the vendors (as well as Steve, the manager!) have been working on!

We’ll be selling at the market for the first time lamb pasties!  Plus all of our usual hits such as blueberry danish, meat pies, sourdough breads, breakfast pastries and savory muffins.

Plus it will be a full moon that night so that means anything can happen at the market that day.  Anything.

the passing of two very interesting people.  One was the former drummer of the Band, Levon Helm.   I remember seeing the movie The Last Waltz for the first time when it was featured by the  cinema club at Skidmore.  Wow!  For a lover of old time rock and roll that was the movie to see! From Clapton to Muddy Waters.   The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is probably one of my favorite songs of all time, or at least in the top 50.  Who am I kidding, its gotta be at least the top 25.

The second was Greg Ham.  You would know him as the flute player in Men at Work. He played the famous little riff on the song Down Under, which might as well be the national anthem of Australia.  I remember seeing the video on MTV when MTV was relevant. When they actually played music videos announced by VJ’s – Video Jockeys.  Does anyone remember Martha Quinn?  I’m getting off track.    The sad reason for his untimely death I urge you to read here in The Age.

Godspeed and RIP to both fellows.