Sunday
First up on the Sunday (and an interesting choice to kick start the second day) was Corey Harris. He had to battle the worst of the day’s weather and his acoustic, intimate music is hardly suited to raising the crowd on a damp early Sunday afternoon – and yet he worked perfectly. Remarkable guitar work, heavy on feel and touch and less on pure technique, coupled with wonderfully expressive vocals, the performance went down well with the crowd and set us up for the rest of the day. The fact that Corey could then be seen wandering in the audience after his set listening to the artists following him speaks volumes about the event; by and large, any egos had been left at the door (or the next field possibly!)
Shemekia Copeland was for many one of the highlights of the day. Incredible vocal performance, terrific vocal power with tenderness and sure technique when required, she showed a remarkable feel for the music for someone so young. It was to be one of the many occasions when the Primer (in this case on orders from his partner and undeniably “better half”) went straight to the CD tent to pick up the latest album. Heartily recommended to R&B lovers everywhere. The set was rooted in the traditions and values of the blues, but with a soul sensibility and a gospel heritage. Great personality, huge talent!
An added bonus for those who missed Saturday was that the Blind Boys Of Alabama, scheduled for Saturday, ended up playing a set on Sunday instead. They are an incredible live act, but the showboating shouldn’t detract from their foot stomping, awe inspiring vocal performances. I’ve read one or two churlish reviews about the performance, implying it’s too slick and manufactured to be considered genuine. It’s all rubbish of course, sincerity and slick presentation can and do mix perfectly well. If you get the chance to see them live, don’t pass it up
One of just about every blue fans heroine’s, the great Koko Taylor was up next. It has to be said that, understandably, the voice isn’t quite what it was twenty years ago; but the great lady more than makes up for it with a stagecraft, a cracking band and a wonderful blues catalogue to choose from. Considered another highlight, if only to simply see a legend at work!. The earthy, good time approach, single minded dedication to her own version and vision of the blues, and the clear undying commitment were all present and correct
The Fabulous Thunderbirds played a typical high-energy set for which they have become famous. Incredibly tight, Kim Wilson excelled himself on the harp and they undoubtedly went down a storm with the crowd. It’s also clear that Kid Ramos is the latest in a truly great line of guitar players with the band. However, although it’s churlish to say it, in some ways I felt we’d heard it all before and the set didn’t grab me the way the rest of the day had up until that point – enjoyable nonetheless
In many ways, one of the unsung heroes of the blues, Charlie Musselwhite, played an understated but charming set. He was placed a little awkwardly in the running order, following a series of up-tempo, high-octane performances. His harmonica playing is something to savour however and his in-between song asides gave us all a chance to enjoy the change of pace and relax a little
One of the clear highlights of the first day, even the sun came out occasionally to listen to Taj Mahal produce a fantastic good time performance. Taj visited just about every stage of his career, ranging from early blues, soul forays (‘Mr. Pitiful’) right through to ‘Senor Blues’ and beyond. Perfect for the time of day, he got everybody on their feet demanding encores from the great man. Superb band as well, and good to see a couple of horn players adding to the colour of the sound
Sunday finished with a Primer hero – Van Morrison. As usual, nothing was straightforward for the great man – the sound wasn’t right generally and he appeared uncomfortable with specific mike volumes throughout the set. He did make a joke about the sound problems (and that he had a top twenty hit in 1999, despite the programme notes arguing his last hit to be over twenty years ago) but to be honest I still couldn’t work out whether he was in a good mood or an unhappy bunny – I suspect the latter. But the set was well paced, with a nice touch in the shape of a nod to the Bishopstock setting with a couple of blues standards (Bobby Bland and Sonny Boy Williamson were name checked) along with much of the bluesier side of his own material. He also mixed his own compositions with blues and soul standards in the extended jams that he has utilised on occasions in the past, all to wonderful effect. The band, as usual for any Morrison gig, was exemplary and the set was still a worthy finish to a great Sunday
Monday
Monday kicked off with Paul Lamb and the King Snakes. Long respected as one of the finest of the British blues bands, in many ways they were the ideal choice to kick off the last day. Lamb is of course one of the finest blues musicians that Britain has ever produced and the show certainly didn’t lack energy or commitment. For me though, there was no real spark, nothing that got me into the groove I’d felt throughout the previous day. Maybe this just said more about my own preconceptions of the band (or maybe I just hadn’t warmed up yet!!)
One of the most pleasant of surprises for the Primer was the performance of Magic Slim and The Teardrops. I’d heard very little of Magic prior to the event, so I had no preconceptions about what to expect – and what we got was a fine authentic live blues experience. The guy cuts a commanding presence on stage and had a fine band to complement his fiery performance. And despite his reputation as an intense, raw performer, I thought there was plenty of light and shade to the show
Susan Tedeschi probably needs no introduction – she’s received any number of plaudits recently, culminating in her W.C Handy award – and her live show was a superb mix of all that’s good about modern blues. She seemed a little nervous at first (although she later confirmed a little jet lag and a dislike for ‘early’ starts!) and the initial track wasn’t that strong. Then, from nowhere the gig kicked into a completely different gear and this incredible voice effortlessly won over the audience. A lovely mix of blues, R&B, a little soul and gospel, it’s easy to see why she’s rated so highly. A wonderful live performer, definitely one of the highlights of the festival. A fine guitarist and lovely vocalist, with a delivery and timbre not dissimilar to Bonnie Raitt.
One of the Primer favourites, Joe Louis Walker, was up next and he didn’t disappoint. He delivered a set which pulled from many stages of his career, mixed it up nicely and easily got the crowd up dancing and cheering on what was now a very pleasant and warm afternoon. He had a superb band with him and, despite Joe’s own abilities on guitar, he wasn’t afraid to share the spotlight with his talented musicians. Lovely to hear and see some wonderful blues piano given centre stage on a number of occasions throughout the set
The day had to this point consisted exclusively of electric, reasonably high octane blues performances, so it was difficult to gauge how Eric Bibb would be received. We shouldn’t have worried, Eric revelled in the surroundings – the larger than usual setting for his performances seemed to allow him an extra gear than would be appropriate in the smaller more intimate venues – and we got a fantastic demonstration of the breadth and variety to be found in the predominantly acoustic blues form. Great stuff, rewarded with a standing ovation from the crowd
I’d be lying if I said that Jimmy Vaughan was one of the Primer’s favourite artists. The live set was not without real merit however – he played a range of material, including a touching homage to brother Stevie with ‘Texas Flood’. We also got the really positive bonus of Lou Ann Barton guesting on vocals for much of the set. Good to see her looking well and sounding in such fine voice. She and Vaughan really seemed to gel and enjoy the show
The whole event was wrapped up by Jools Holland and his R&B Orchestra. This guy has got to be one of the best ways to close such a feel good festival. He’s the consummate showman and the ideal lead for the switch to live TV, which showed an element of Jools’ performance and then linked up with the rest of the UK on BBC’s ‘music day’ for round the country renditions of ‘Perfect Day’. Jools and the band improvised superbly when the live switch didn’t happen quite as smoothly as anticipated and then brought on some of the other performers, including Taj Mahal, Charlie Musselwhite and Nawfel, to share in the fun for the last part of the set. Wonderful, good time stuff, a lovely way to finish!!
A couple of entries have appeared on the website (in the main section as well as the R&B Primer), even though they are over twenty years old! I thought the entries you posted on the main site were all current. I’m confused!
But the purpose of the question is to point out that I was at the 2000 gig as well. I enjoyed it but only saw the Sunday. Did I get the best of the two days I wonder. Had to travel back to Suffolk on the Monday for a couple of NHS commitments on the following Tuesday. Anyway, just thought I’d actually post a question, as it’s something we have in common 🙂
(Posted in the R&B section of the site as well – all bases covered!!)
Hello Adrian The Fan
Yep, it is quite confusing I admit. In a nutshell, there are a few articles I have rescued from the old Shades Of Blue site that I decided were relevant on the R&B Primer section and on the main musings pages – they are on the latter because I considered them of value to current readers as well as R&B fans; quite arbitrary though I admit 🙂
On the subject of the festival itself, it was actually a three day festival, but we only made the last two days. And on reviewing my write-up I would consider that you definitely picked the best of the two days we attended. After all, Van the Man played on Sunday, so enough said. He played a fine and apposite set, although I believe I noted at the time he didn’t appear to be a happy bunny…
P.S
We vaguely remember meeting up with an Adrian who worked in the same NHS establishment, although I can think of no valid reason why he would have had to return on NHS business, I do recall he travelled down on his bike though! Any chance you are he I wonder?