Best Things in Life Mostly Free

 Booker T. Jones

Thanks to Chapman University in nearby Orange, yesterday a friend and I were able to treat ourselves to a free afternoon of blues. Chapman has billed this as its "inaugural" event, so already I'm looking forward to an encore next autumn. And what a trio of acts they provided.

Leading off, Aki Kuman, a Silicon Valley engineer turned Bollywood blues star, electrified Aitken Plaza with his harmonica, his singing and his unique fusion of retro Indian pop and earthy blues. I'd never heard a harmonica that sounded quite like his and became an instant fan. Give a listen. This lad's fresh and freakily intriguing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnPaSmPxgtw#action=share

Debating whether we'd take a break for a late afternoon meal or stick around for the next act, the Iguanas, we agreed that the late afternoon sun had shifted so we were no longer protected by the shade of the trees beside our bench. Besides, the allure of nearby Rutabegorz in Old Towne and our rumbling tummies convinced us to stroll a couple of blocks to feast on pumpkin hummus and a couple of the restaurant's featured vegetarian dishes. I'd not had the

quinoa "twocos" there before, but may order it again soon. The pumpkin hummus wasn't free...but nearly so. It's the chain's seasonal specialty and the hefty bowl with accompanying pita chips set us back only a buck. What a bargain.

We got back, plunked ourselves down on a shady spot on the grass and began to drift back to the '60s as Booker T. Jones, master instrumentalist, took the stage with his current quartet. For the next hour and half I couldn't stop bobbing my head to the persistent distinctive beat of this remarkable group.

How could anybody ever forget "Green Onions"? If you have, here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oox9bJaGJ8

I could listen all afternoon to Booker T. but I have places to be, friends to see, but if you've got spare time, here's his Greatest Hits. I think we heard them all yesterday afternoon, thanks to Chapman University. Greatest Hits
https://youtu.be/ZcLlg8WuqqE?list=RDZcLlg8WuqqE

Blue skies, blowsy blues...plus pumpkin hummus? Who says the best things in life take bundles of bucks?