Peter Karp and Sue Foley

The(ir) Turning Point

Piermont, New York

June 15, 2012

Story and Photos by Richard Ludmerer

The Turning Point Café at 468 Piermont Avenue in Piermont, New York, is one of those music venues popular with those in the know. Piermont is close to New York City and easily accessible from New Jersey. The small town could be located anywhere as its one main street is lined with curio shops and boutiques. The club seats less than 100 people and is an intimate place to see folk, blues, and jazz performances. The restaurant upstairs also features fine dining.

Peter Karp has played here often over the years, only this time he brought with him his new partner, Sue Foley. Karp and Foley were touring in support of their second Blind Pig album, Beyond the Crossroads.

From the new album they lead off their set with “At The Same Time,” written by Karp.

The lyric “The good things you wanna do sometimes are the same as the bad things you wanna do,” caused the packed house to react with an overwhelmingly positive response.

Karp and Foley responded with an energetic set as they tore through “Analyze’n Blues,” “Beyond the Crossroads,” “Resistance,” “Chance of Rain,” “Take Your Time,” “More Than I Bargained For,” and “Fine Love.” While Foley played a Fender electric guitar, switching to an acoustic for a few songs while Karp played on a National steel.

Peter Karp, Sue Foley, blues

From He Said, She Said, their groundbreaking first album, they performed “Treat Me Right,” “Dear Girl,” and “Wait.” Foley also sang “Two Trains” off her Love Comin’ Down album, released in 2000. The enthusiastic crowd was left begging for more.

Although both are recognized for their individual works, pairing up in a sense was like a new beginning. It came with a certain amount of criticism. Apparently they have achieved their own turning point as they have played 47 shows in the last 52 days.

They are the couple to watch as they continue to make their own special brand of the blues.

Richard Ludmerer is a contributing editor at BluesWax.