The Blues, Bashed ...

I've been to 3 shows so far of the local blues festival ...
(http://www.bluesbash.com/)

Friday Night-- Big Ron Hunter (N.Carolina), Nappy Brown (NC/Chicago) band: King Bees (NC)

Good opening night at Cumberland's on King Street in Charleston. Nappy Brown recorded as far back as the 50's in Chicago. The highlight was actually Big Ron Hunter (an unknown!) from NC who sings a sort of blues-soul and is best at solo acoustic blues-- his voice approaching Bobby Womack at times. Nappy Brown came alive for a rendition of his old hit "Lemon Squeezin' Daddy" - ("Let me squeeze your lemons baby/You can't squeeze them yo'self!") -- looked a bit like Rufus Thomas and sort of did the funky chicken. But mostly he was overshadowed by the backup band, who were disappointing. (Nappy pic at left)

Saturday Night-- SuperChikan & His Fighting Cocks (Clarksdale, Mississippi)

This guy released one record on Fat Possum in '97, which was a good indicator of the quality of this act. This band was tight as it gets, no mistakes and song-to-song-to-song, rockin' blues (no slow numbers), all good-time music. The band is all chicks, including his daughter on drums and they are excellent. He had a homemade "bantar" -- a banjo with a guitar neck which he ran through a pedal (wah-wah?) to give it a sort of Bo Diddley sound. The song selection wasn't too adventurous but the band is terrific.

Tuesday Night-- Carey Bell (Chicago) Band: King Bees (again!)

Carey Bell is known as a classic harmonica player and played on records with: Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, etc. He still has it and you could see it occasionally, particularly on the slow songs when he would also let out a smoky croon (sort of like Bobby Bland). Unfortunately once again he was overshadowed by the good-but-not-great backup band. They all know how to play but can't seem to play together very well, which is surprising given that they've played together for years!

(http://kingbees.home.mindspring.com/)

Looking forward to Friday's show of Wanda Johnson ("soul singer") hmm...