Rockabilly at the Continental Club

May 24, 2010 by Cynthia    1 Comment     Posted under: Austin-tatious Events, The Happiest Hour

Under the black awning and just inside the red doors of Austin’s Continental Club, where a haphazardly taped up sign proclaims “Free air conditioning,” is an intimate venue and stage with a retro feel circa 1957, the club’s original opening. Inside the cool cavernous interior, it is easy to imagine it’s 1950 again, when rock and roll was young, men wore slicked back hair and skinny black ties, and women wore voluptuous in cinched-waisted full skirts. Triangular tables perch next to tall stools and vinyl couches in a simple mod style reminiscent of one of my favorite local eateries Galaxy Cafe. Featuring live happy hour bands every day of the week, things are always happening at the Continental.

Kicking back with an icy Lone Star at the Continental couldn’t be cooler on a hot afternoon, especially when you’re listening to the upbeat pairing of rockabilly/swing sounds of Miss Lauren Marie and the Horton Brothers, with a stand-up walking bass, a twinkly keyboard and a rocking telecaster guitar occasionally traded for a steel guitar. The makeshift dance floor is filled quickly as couples take to their feet in appreciation, and those that don’t can’t help but tap their feet. Circling fans overhead cause the occasional skirt to fly up.

With a big white flower pinning back wavy dark hair is Miss Lauren, whose rich voice recalls Pasty Cline and is sweet relief on a sweltering Texas summer day. As someone who fondly remembers lip syncing to Patsy’s records, dancing on my parent’s couch at the tender age of five (there are pictures to prove it), I can freely admit my secret desire to be Miss Cline, and now maybe a little bit, Miss Lauren Marie. With crowd-pleasing covers of old favorites like “Red River Valley”, “Crackerjack” and “Sixty Minute Man” nicely sprinkled among originals, it’s music that will just plain make you happy.

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