Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 908 Location: Tampa Bay, FL
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:53 pm Post subject: Summertime Blues
Where did the summer go? School starts tomorrow and I'm savoring the aftertaste of this summer's Blues journey.
The highlight of my summer was seeing Canadian guitarwoman Sue Foley. I saw Sue this summer for the first time at the Lehigh Valley Blues Festival in Pennsylvania. I have some of Sue's cds (she has recorded seven), but to see her live and in person is a whole different musical experience. I think she's a wonderful vocalist and songwriter, but it is her live playing that differentiates her from all the other guitarwoman I've seen perform. Her style is part Texas blues, part Piedmont blues, with whole lot of heart and soul. This woman's music is as fiery as her brilliant red hair. She has amazing command over her pink paisley electric guitar. She played several songs from her soon-to-be-released cd -- which were written for acoustic guitar -- but she did not have an acoustic with her that evening. Her acoustic-style slide work and her thumb and finger picking on the electric guitar were inspiring. I can hardly wait to hear those songs being played on her acoustic. For tour information see: http://www.suefoley.com
Now, if there is an award for the best run festival of the year, it should go hands down to the folks who organized The Kalamazoo Blues Festival in Michigan. Aside from headliner Kenny Neal, this three day festival featured some of the best Blues bands you've probably NEVER heard of.
I saw every band -- 24 in all -- and also caught a couple local bands a few days before the festival started. I also attended a free clinic at the festival with Piedmont player Ernie Hawkins. Thusday's lineup was acoustic. The husband-wife team of Robin and Tony Rogers was impressive, as was The Wiyos (a trio of young men playing ragtime and swing), and the veteran Piedmont blues duo of Cephas and Wiggins. Friday's lineup included two powerhouse blueswomen -- Renee Austin and Janiva Magness -- and closed with headliner the Groove Hogs, a 9-piece blues-based horn band. Everything about this festival was well planned -- great venue, great line up, smooth logistics, great sound, good food and cold beer -- and the weather was perfect too !
Delta Moon, another one of my favorite bands -- and a band you must see if they come to a bar near you -- played Saturday afternoon before Ellis Hooks, Mighty Mo Rodgers, Kelly Hunt, Billy Boy Arnold & the All-Star Chicago Band, and headliner Kenny Neal. Delta Moon hails from Atlanta and is fronted by Tom Gray on steel guitar, Mark Johnson on bottleneck, and the amazing Gina Leigh on vocals, hand percussion, and sometimes piano. Delta Moon has a signature sound unlike many of today's contemporary blues bands. I first saw them about three years ago, before the release of their first cd, and I got hooked. Now I'm a Moonie -- I go to see them every chance I get ! Their style is a grinding, soulful blues, with lots of layers and sweet harmonies. If you live in Oregon, you can see them next week at Lefty's Pizzeria or the Bite of Oregon festival. After that, they are headed to the U.K. for a 12-stop tour ! You can check out their tour schedule at: http://www.deltamoon.com
There are a few other bands that I really enjoyed this summer:
Ellis Hooks and Duane Jarvis teamed up for a hot, hot, hot set at the Kalamazoo Blues Festival. I'd never heard of either of these musicians, and since they don't have any cds together, I may never hear them again... but it was a high-energy, soulful, inspiring blues show with Duane on electric guitar and Ellis on vocals. I would love to see them again. You can hear Duane at: http://www.duanejarvis.net/
Sarah’s Rhythm Recipe is a wonderful band from the Allentown, PA., area. Frontwoman Sarah Ayers knows more songs than you can fit in a jukebox and the band has no trouble keeping up with her. I really like her Susan Tedeschi covers, and I'm looking forward to hearing their first cd when it comes out this Fall. You can find more info about the band at: http://www.sarahayers.00band.com/
So, where did the summer go? _________________ Travelling by train of thought
Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 1504 Location: Methuen, MA
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 4:11 pm Post subject:
Nice descriptive writing there, RoadWarrior.
While school doesn't start up here in the northeast for a few more weeks, and summer isn't over for me just yet, I feel that it's been my best summer musically in a long, long time. It kicked off with the Yellowjackets, Johnny A. & Robben Ford shows early in June. Then in July, a couple of kick ass shows from bands I grew up with but never saw live- the Doobie Brothers and Mountain. In a couple of weeks I'll be logging hundreds of miles in a marathon blues weeked, first, at the White Mountains Boogie 'n Blues Festival on Sat. the 21st which features Monster Mike Welch, James Montgomery, Johnny A., and a few other bands. Then, on Sun. the 22nd, I'm shooting down to Asbury Park, NJ to catch JohnnyA. again, and my main man, Robben Ford. And finally, to top off my summer, I'm off to Ojai, CA the following weekend for the Robben Ford clinic.
A final thought. All of this probably would not have happened if I didn't join this board 6 months ago. I've been deeply influenced by everyone in here, and I feel musically revived and alive again. I've never heard of a Baker, and now I own one! My next goal in life is to personally meet each and everyone of you!
Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 289 Location: Baltimore, Md
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 10:01 am Post subject: Been a good summer...
Hey Johnny -
I've had a great spring/summer as well...
Went to the "Guitar Congress" down here and saw many great folks: Bill Lawrence, Tuck Andress, Ralph Towner, Andy Summers, Jen Batten, John Hammond (but I MISSED Les Paul and Pat Martino )
Then got to see Robben and the gang up close!
And local hotshots Carl Filipiak and Tom Principato.
I, too, have gotten stoked and bought my G&L ASAT, picked up a bunch of Robben's CDs and am learning the songs!
Looking forward to the Asbury Park show.
I'm going to spend the morning exploring the Pine Barrens by kayak...so you'll recognize me as the guy with seaweed in his hair, who smells like a dead fish!
Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 908 Location: Tampa Bay, FL
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 5:02 pm Post subject:
James Montgomery is at the top of his game ! I saw him last summer and loved the show. He is one heck of a harp player -- have you checked out his latest cd? It looks like an awesome festival... Enjoy the show !
I'd love to see Johnny A. again, but doubt it will happen anytime soon.... unless he visits to Florida !
I really wanted to see Robert Lockwood Jr. this summer... but it didn't work out.
Have safe travels JohnnyZ.
I'd love to hear about any other concerts/festivals anyone has seen this summer ! _________________ Travelling by train of thought
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