Saturday night at the New Orleans bar in downtown Seattle.

The Music: A quintagenarian quintet playing JJ Cale, Sonny Rollins and various electric blues.
The Beer: Good local brews at a decent price.
The Place: A small and narrow bar with the stage near the entrance. Everyone quickly getting up to dance to Mustang Sally. Friendly atmosphere.
The Girls: Either tightly connected to a couple-unit, or else a freewheelin’ fifty-something letting loose.
Total Score: 9/10. Fun.

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Sunday night at The Yale in downtown Vancouver.

The Music: Sax, harmonica and accordion playing Muddy Waters and various whiny harmonica blues. After the break they went all electric and started playing their own rather bland rock.
The Beer: Uninspired and overpriced.
The Place: Too big, with a whole room full of people and pool tables that didn’t come for the music. Only a handful of people get up to dance.
The Girls: Either tightly connected to a couple-unit, a freewheelin’ fifty-something letting loose, or a lesbian.
Total Score: 6/10. Disappointing.

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A word advice for those of you who are the type to go cruisin’ in the bars for girls – blues joints aren’t the right place. Unless peroxide grannies are your thing, of course.