Thirty years before Patrick Swayze pranced across the silver screen, kids along the Gulf Coast and in South Texas were dirty-dancing to the sound of pounding pianos, descending horn riffs, and sentimental lyrics. The dominant musical motif was the triplet-a cluster of three notes performed in the time it takes to play two-and couples were belly-rubbing to the beat on dance floors from the Tiffany Lounge in San Antonio to the Big Oaks Club across the Sabine in Vinton, Louisiana. Today triplet classics like Fats Domino’s “Blueberry Hill” still seduce those who remember their lilt and swagger.Two who remember them well are Austin musician Doug Sahm, a walking history book of Texas musical styles, and Clifford Antone, Texas’ blues impresario. Together they have paid tribute…
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