Konology Clearwater Sea Blues Festival

Friday night I took my host Craig back down to Fort Lauderdale to Satchmo's club where the J P Soars Trio were knocking out a set of covers plus some self penned numbers. I can recommend this club to anyone visiting this neck of the woods. Once again a certian notoriaty was obtained on the dance floor which was an open sesame to joining a nice group of folk for whom it was a regular night spot.
It took a five hour trip up the turnpike with a my friend Craig Norton with whom I'm staying together with his partner Kelly in Boca Raton (Near Ft Lauderdale), to get to Coachman Park on the Saturday morning arriving early afternoon. Craig who used to play basketball with my son Matt, is an ex-pat from Milton Keynes who married a local girl and a blues fan to boot. He'd never been to Clearwater so it was a mutual treat for us both.
Coachman's park was as it suggested a pleasant little park with a small lake and a fountain in a scenic setting alongside a rocky shore. It's slight slope provided a natural amphitheatre for a full pro stage set and sound system with a large screen to one side of the stage. There were about twenty rows of seats for rich bitches at the front but after that you brought your own chairs and pitched camp. A range of eateries provided an exotic range of southern foods, fried of course! There were also the regulatory beer and wine stalls plus blues fashion stalls and one for Blues Revue Magazine and the big recreation vehicle promoting the Legendary Rythym & Blues Cruise both co sponsors of the event. So I was able to catch up with friends made during the cruise plus some cruisers in the audience amazed that I was still in the States or in a state, can't remember which.
We caught the end of a solo first act Selwyn Birchwood on an acoustic playing some very acceptable roots pieces. Next up was a Chicago style Michael Williams Band but gave some light and shade with some slower numbers. The tersely named Tex Mex blues band from Austin, Rich Delgrosso/ Del Toro Richardson Band rounded out the afternoon. We left halfway through the set to check in with our hotel some 5 miles out of town and returned in time to pick up some food as Curtis Salgado took to the stage. This guy was the inspiration for the John Belushi character in the Blues Brother movie and in fact was an set consultant for it. So you can guess the kind of dynamic set he produced, backed by a romping five piece. Just after 8.00 Buddy Guy took the stage to an estatic welcome. This guy is 74 years young and flattened all the had gone before and had the largely seated crowd on their feet for most of it. Taking in the fact that only 48 hours before he had perfomed at Mumbai this was an an amazingly physical set. He truly deserves the accolades he continues to win.
Sunday the weather, previously cloudy with sunshine periods turned overcast and threatened rain. Solo Frank Robert opened at 1.30 playing a resonator to full effect. Piano playing Eden Brent followed mid afternoon. She'd been following me about! She was solo playing in the cruise's piano bar and was usually well oiled by about 3.00am. I had met her again on a trolley car in Memphis as we were going to the finals of the IBC, she to judge, me to watch. Here she was again! Will I never be rid of this woman! This afternoon she had hi jacked the drums/bass duo from Janiva Magness and brought in a trombone guy from London whose name I didn't hear clearly. An odd mix, but it worked except it was poorly balanced and her electric piano wasn't sounding right. She complained of being tout tired but is suspect alcohol had it's part to play and it was not a good set. A well endowed woman, her low cleavage dress did however attract the attention of the TV cameras especially as she leaned over her keyboard and a good many men I would guess. At one point she referred to the cruise and said she was mounting a law suit as she had been sexually harrrased front, side and back!! This brought a wide smile to the face of the cruise's CEO Roger Nabel.
Ronnie Baker Brooks, son of Lonnie BB, opened the evening's proceedings with a full hard rocking set of Chicago Blues that warmed the crowd at a time the wind was ominously picking up and spots of rain falling. The rain was short lived. The set ended to a standing ovation and oddly a far few of the audience left not trusting the weather I guess. When the Janiva Magness Band took to the stage the wind had picked up and was blowing across the stage. A couple of numbers established the band's musical credentials with a fine lead guitar and keyboards solos. Then the Multi award winner, Janiva took the stage and the crowd that stoically remained, by force. A fine entertaining set evolved despite the gale force wind, which at times buffeted her microphone. Why it didn't dawn on the techies to muff it for her I don't know. A true performer she gave us a full set to a slowly diminishing audience chilled out of their seats where many might have shortened it by three or four numbers. A cold end to what had been a wonderful weekend and remarkably it was free! Konology is an internet,cable,phone company in case you wondered.
Retreated to a local bar to warm up attracted by what sounded like blues from a local band. In the event I think they need more practice or a different hobby. And so to bed. Back to Ft Lauderdale tomorrow in preparation for the flight home to normality.

Clearwater Revival?

I have now looped around the southern states and I'm back in Fort Lauderdale, or more specifically just to the north in Boca Raton staying with friends. But the blues entertainment will have one last revival before returning home next week. Tomorrow, Friday 18th February we're driving across Florida to Clearwater on its west coast to a free blues weekender. Top billing is Buddy Guy, Janiva Magness, Ronnie Baker Brooks and Curtis Salgado! Plus 6 bands in support. For free - how good is that? However, there's a local blues club to visit tonight first. Oh dear. Must oil the wheels on my zimmer. It's getting a bit chilly this late afternoon dropping to 70F as I write. Oh Lawdy!
 Keep the faith folks.

Nawlins Notes #3

Weather continues variable but The Big Easy just romps on. Took a Mississippi Paddle steamer trip yesterday as time is running out, unfortunately it was overcast and chilly. Whilst at an out of town club last night the heavens opened and I got drenched catching a trolley car as not a cab in sight. Today - sunshine, clear skies and very hot!
Another two days and it's Florida but even they have had rain.
Met another record producer at the famous/infamous Maple Leaf Club (named after Scott Joplin's Rag) last night who was chuffed to bits having won a Grammy in LA a few days back with a band from Nawlins. Also spoke with the leader of the evening's band Papa Grows Funk, John 'Papa' Gros - get it? His size lives up to his name. Great keyboard player who I was put onto by Dale Storr who is to honeymoon here later this year. Bands don't get much blues funkier than this excellent set. Complex riffs from Papa plus scorching sax and lead guitar. Drummer had to be heard to believe it. Was given two more CD's. into luggage surcharge now. Compensated for the journey back to the hotel. Took a hot shower and threw clothes into the hotel's tumble dryer. All this at my age! Ridiculous.

Nawlins Notes#2

It is now Sunday and another sunny but very cold day. Full winter wear called for in the easterly wind that's been blowing for three days now. Mardi Gras fever is endemic here with parades everyday some times up to three.
The only snag is that from 4.00pm public transport closes down for the parades that close off the streets and I can't get to the out of town clubs in the evenings. Cabs are exploiting the situation and looking for silly money, so I'm restricted to the clubs on Frenchman St. some ten minutes away from my hotel on Nth Rampart..
It being Sunday I did of course go to church!! I had found a southern Baptist one around the corner which was modern and well cared for one. Hovering around the entrance wondering whether it was open, a black lady in her Sunday best, (including a top hat ensemble), rolled up and invited me in, where I was greeted by a whole bunch more. I was the only white there, and at the end of the service they all came to speak with me. The little kids just stared at me with rounded eyes.
The service started with a swinging Hammond organ solo. The sound equipment and lighting was superb and would have been the envy of most bands. They even had studio style screens for the rhythm section, absent this morning until a drummer later walked in, then a piano player - all the kit was already in place. Then the service proper began with bible readings, prayers and lots of impromptu responses from the congregation whilst the organ continued low profile. Then a trio of ladies, most amazing singers let rip, more prayers. Another from the trio and the sermon began brothers and sisters, running 40 minutes with a hell’s a popin preacher who dramatically worked his way up into a sung epilogue. Another from the girls, prayers and finis. A fine production.  I have never experienced anything like it. I discretely recorded the girls on my camcorder - sound only, awesome! If our churches were this up to date they would be full for sure. 
When I exited the church I saw a group of people with dressed up dogs, heading towards North Rampart St where my hotel is located. Upon enquiry it seems there was yet another parade due along it, a Barkus parade for dogs! It could only happen in America! Thousands of ‘em of every breed and size and then some. Marching bands were  also there interspersed with dogs and their owners, all thematically dressed and/or with small floats, with owners flinging the mandatory beads in all directions to the crowds, many of whom had also brought their dogs. Not one dog fight did I see! There are a lot of pit bulls here, all well mannered!?
Off for a belated Italian lunch, I came across another street party with a stompin' band. Whoopie Goldberg  was missing but her Carmelite sisters act weren't. Jigging around having a good time, it was their fundraiser event!
The streets each night are awash with drinks cartons, discarded beads and flummery, yet by the next morning all is cleared up and streets washed. Rubbish bins are located every ten to twenty yards or so and cleared by morning. Street cleaners abound. Likewise, the police erect and disassemble barriers with speed and efficiency along routes in the van of a fleet of tow trucks clearing their way of illegally parked cars, you don't mess with them though they are polite.
I wonder what tonight holds in store?

Nawlins Notes

I'm in the Big Easy, aka New Orleans aka Nawlins since Monday evening, and what a city it is! Music of all genres, colour, style vibrancy. They have made a remarkable recovery since the hurricane and even have a cocktail named after it. We are on the run up to Mardis Gras when the whole place comes to a virtual standstill I'm told both in human and motor traffic. I shall be out of here by it's climax thank god as that prospect is too much for an old codger like me. Vulgarity and sophistication are cheek by jowel. Private houses and businesses are already donning their elaborate and colourful garbs. Photographers have endless subject material here, always within the sound of music of one type or another.
Bourbon Street is Memphis's Beale Street on steroids and much bigger. The variety of food is mind boggling from the simplistic to haute cuisine. My hotel is a quirky French quarter one of some antiquity, but clean, comfortable and with friendly, helpful staff. I'm within easy reach of all parts of the French quarter.
Ruthie Foster, a favourite blues diva of mine, released a CD seven days ago that was recorded here late last year. I heard sample tracks before leaving home and was knocked out. So I visited the Piety Street studio yesterday and have this afternoon done an audio interview with her producer as a potential podcast on the ezine version of Blues Matters. Her agent is sending me a freebie copy. It has already gone #1 in Amazon's listings for blues and #7 in their pop charts. She was interviewed on US national radio available on;
 http://www.npr.org/2012/02/02/146303513/ruthie-foster-texas-gospel-with-a-worldly-touch
in case you are interested.
Off to see Jon Cleary playing solo piano in the New Orleans style, which is my main reason for coming here, tomorrow night with hopefully another interview there. Masses of video to edit. Had to download some of it to Laptop to free up the sd card for more.
Ladies! You would love it here as every other shop sells dresses, Mardis Gras costumes, masks and the endless lengths of colourful beads and frippary that adorns people, properties,cars and bikes.
The producer I spoke with is from LA but has decided to move here instead. It's that good.

International Blues Challenge Ends

Saturday night sees the end of the Challenge. Over 200 entrants whittled down to 9 each in bands and solo/duo classes. Held in Memphis's Classic old Orpheum Theatre, an enthusiastic packed house witnessed the battle for the final three placings. Results are are as yet to be revealed.

This morning I attended a brunch/awards ceremony by The Blues Foundation. It awards 'Keeping The Blues Alive' trophies to those who work in the background to fulfil the Blues Foundation's ideals. From the Blues in Schools programme, to literature, fund raising, festival organisers, recording industry,magazines etc around the world.

The Magazine I contribute to, Blues Matters, won this award back in 2008. This year the only British born winner was  rolling Stone Keith Richards (Now resident in NY) for his new biography 'Life' in the literature class! In Europe two went to France, one each to Latvia and Poland. The guy I met yesterday, Dan Treanor, a second generation Irishman, deservedly took the 'Blues in Schools Award'. He won the kids over totally and was an American History teacher before retirement. He'll be the subject of another article for the magazine.

Tomorrow, Sunday, I pack after visiting Gracelands and the famous blues recording studio Sun Studios with some American friends who were also on the cruise. Monday I'm New Orleans bound and looking forward to more sunshine as it's been heavy showers and a tad cold here but not the -11C of home.

In the Thick of it.

It's Thursday 2nd February and The Blues Foundation's International Challenge is now well underway with round 2 starting tonight. All the major clubs and venues on Beale Street host about 10 or 11 bands a night, (sponsored by their local blues societies). Classes are solo/duo/bands of three or more. Artists are given 10"  to set up and 25" to showcase. a panel of judges awards points according to presentation, musicality and expertise, music content and originality. There are 19 venues all running simultaneously, so its some thing of a pick and mix as to who you see as most are unknowns relatively speaking in the wider world, although many do tour. Age ranges from teenagers upwards. So too does the skill level although there are no slouches. Original material is a must as I haven't heard any covers other than from resident performers. Each band does tend to have a small coterie of followers/sponsors.
Daytime is for workshops across the genre of instruments as well as the history of blues. I also hope to attend another blues in schools event at the local downtown elementary tomorrow, although in Memphis that seems like bringing coals to Newcastle.
Weather here is a contrast to last week's 75F. Today is a sunny springlike day, but it can change very quickly. As I set out yesterday late afternoon on the trolley car ride to Beale, it suddenly darkened and lightning flashed and I got to BB King's club just as a downpour started. BB's is is one of the larger venues and was hosting the bands. After an evening meal during which about six bands went through and that included a very good Spanish band from Bilbao, the rain stopped, allowing me to cruise the clubs. Most judging had stopped by midnight so I went to Rum Boogie Club to catch Trampled Under Foot which I have wanted to see for some time. They were winners here in 2008 and are now well known internationally. Winners are usually invited on the following year's Blues Cruise, considered a prestigious gig. TUF are a trio of two bros and a sister, all left handers whose daddy was a bluesman. Where have I heard that before? They gave out a great set to a packed club  'till 1.30. I have an all places pass so I don't have to pay any cover charges. The executive director of the Blues foundation has urged me to help get the UK involved through the magazine. There was no UK representation at all. They freely acknowlege that Britain saved the blues in the 60's so where are our bands they ask? All of the EU is repped here including Latvia for goodness sake.
I have also visited The Gibson Guitar factory, The Rock and Soul Museum and the emotive National Civil Rights museum built into the original hotel where Rev King was assassinated whist trying to organise a peaceful civil rights march on Washington. If you ever here that's a must do visit.
Off now to another evening of jollity after being feted this afternoon by the Canadian contingent at a Canadian theme pub here featuring all their bands. Free beer and CD's and video sticks galore. Well I guess someone has to do it!