Russell Cheatham

Who is that masked man:

http://tinyurl.com/pwvfl

Peripherally related to Bontuku, since he's on one of the late tapes.

Welcome to Jeff Machota

I've invited Jeff Machota in as designated Nature's Table Staff Representative. Please join me in welcoming him with a round of warm Augsberger Dark.

I'm hoping that Jeff will be kind enough to report on various unreported things related to all things Nature's Table and Bontuku.

Welcome, Jeff.

Another Road Trip

I just remembered another road trip we did. We played a gig at a bar in Bloomington/Normal. I remember this because I stayed overnight with a couple of HS friends and their kid, and watched "Pee Wee's Playhouse" the next morning.

Anybody remember the bar?

The Fans

Without getting too specific (let's save last names for email, as this will get picked up by search engines)...

Who were the rabid fans and groupies for the band?

We all know Susan and Simona, they're immortalized in song.

Bontuku recordings

Didnt see this anywhere else, apologies if this is already a thread

Here's what I have in the way of recorded Bontuku-
Nature's Table-8/9/86 Sets I+II (2 CDs off of cassettes)
Nature's Table-9/5/86 set I (1 CD from cassette)
Bontuku white Album (1CD from my LP)

What else is there? I'd love to add to my meager collection after all these years. I was at other shows for sure.

I also have the following post-original Bontuku recordings-
Wachamba-undated practice at parkland 1987 (1 CD from cassette)
Wachamba-Opportunity House 1/13/87 (1 CD from cassette)
the All-new Bontuku-Nature's Table 1/30/87 (1 CD from cassette)
Bontuku/Wachamba practice-Parkland College 2/4/87 (1.5 CD from cassette)
Wachamba-Nature's Table 5/20/87 sets I+II (2 CDs from cassettes)

and finally-
Oscar Sully-Jemelatu (1 CD from LP)
Oscar Sulley in collaboration with Korean orchestra-Friends

all of my stuff is available to any.

Gigs at George Chin's

George Chin's place was an interesting place to play. They put us up on the third level in a room that wasn't a whole lot bigger than Nature's Table in terms of capacity. There was a sort of a stage area on the west side of the room. They'd also have jazz acts.

As is par for the course, I don't remember specifics about the Chin's gigs, except that it was hard to load in and load out, and it was loud. We got to be close to the crowd, as always.

George Chin's trademark phrase was, of course, "Money talk, bullsh-t walk!"

I'd see him around town occassionally, sometimes in downtown Champaign. He died several years ago, his son Eddie eventually sold the place. Eddie may still have business interests here in town.

What was Chin's is now called the Clyborne, I think.