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Play me something blue
Feb. 8th, 2008 10:43 pmThe blues festival kicked off last night with the Chain Awards, which featured three one-hour sets from Stingray, Natural Ball, and Collard Greens and Gravy (the awards themselves were a bit mumbly, but that's what you get when you hold them in a pub). Highlights from each band: a new, toe-tapping original by Stingray which I am guessing is called "Rock 'n' Roll Monkey"; great covers of "Black Magic Woman" and "Snatch It Back and Hold It" from Natural Ball; and Fife'n'Drum-inspired songs from Collard Greens and Gravy's latest album, Devil in the Woodpile. Also of the coolness was this painter called Bob Gammage who had his canvas set up in the far corner of the room and, over the course of the night, painted a lively mash-up of the evening. (see his gallery or this youtube video to get an idea of his work).
Today, an absolutely awesome afternoon performance from Hat Fitz - wild Delta blues mingled with his own songs, plus surprise jam with Ian Collard (harmonica-playing frontman of Collard Greens and Gravy). Another painting from Bob Gammage; I was lucky enough to be standing right next to his art corner, so I could watch the figures emerge from the scrubbled oranges and purples as the performance progressed.
This evening, Joe Robinson, Rosie Burgess, and Mississippi Shakedown. Joe is zomg 16 (and looks it - how can anyone so babyfaced play guitar like that?) and played a mix of not-so-bluesy instrumental pieces: some his own, some classics (such as Chet Atkins, Santana), and some playful appropriations (eg Bach). Rosie (backed by double bass from Andy Tigges) was delightful, telling the story of each song - and what songs! - and giving a very conversational, intimate performance1.
We only heard a few songs from Mississippi Shakedown - including an outstanding AC/DC-ly rendition of "Amazing Grace" - but I'll be getting their CD. And that was the end of the second day.
I'm thinking I'll put a mix together when the festival's finished - there really are a whole bunch of talented folk here, and a taste of their music is worth a thousand words of description.
___
1 Despite distractions. It's probably, technically, A Good Thing that I don't have pyrokinesis, or the drunken knucklehead periodically "cool-dancing" in front of her would be a column of flame several times over. Things you do when drunk: never quite as awesome as you think they are.
Today, an absolutely awesome afternoon performance from Hat Fitz - wild Delta blues mingled with his own songs, plus surprise jam with Ian Collard (harmonica-playing frontman of Collard Greens and Gravy). Another painting from Bob Gammage; I was lucky enough to be standing right next to his art corner, so I could watch the figures emerge from the scrubbled oranges and purples as the performance progressed.
This evening, Joe Robinson, Rosie Burgess, and Mississippi Shakedown. Joe is zomg 16 (and looks it - how can anyone so babyfaced play guitar like that?) and played a mix of not-so-bluesy instrumental pieces: some his own, some classics (such as Chet Atkins, Santana), and some playful appropriations (eg Bach). Rosie (backed by double bass from Andy Tigges) was delightful, telling the story of each song - and what songs! - and giving a very conversational, intimate performance1.
We only heard a few songs from Mississippi Shakedown - including an outstanding AC/DC-ly rendition of "Amazing Grace" - but I'll be getting their CD. And that was the end of the second day.
I'm thinking I'll put a mix together when the festival's finished - there really are a whole bunch of talented folk here, and a taste of their music is worth a thousand words of description.
___
1 Despite distractions. It's probably, technically, A Good Thing that I don't have pyrokinesis, or the drunken knucklehead periodically "cool-dancing" in front of her would be a column of flame several times over. Things you do when drunk: never quite as awesome as you think they are.
