In the multi-cultural gumbo that is Jazz Fest, the blues are like rice; it’s never the main dish, but it’s present in absolutely everything. There’s no Blues Tent or Blues Square, but nearly every performer touches upon the legacy of the blues at some point. Seeking the real pure stuff out is always difficult, what with wading through the out-of-town jam bands, funk legends, and mountain of jazz. Who’s really devoted to the blues? Here’s a handy day-by-day guide.
FRIDAY APRIL 27
The 2001 Fest starts off with a bang: this first day may very well be the best time for you to get your blues on. B.B. King is the undisputed ambassador to blues for a couple of generations; rumor has it he’s fully revitalized due to his recent Grammy-winning collaboration with Eric Clapton. If you want something that swings, check out Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, who combines blues with authentic old-school big-band and whatever other style suits his fancy at any given moment. Fluid and limber, “Gate” always has them dancing in the dirt. For something bold and brassy and blue-collar, go see Mem Shannon & the Membership; this ex-cab driver and his always-solid backup band bring their blues right from the street.
The Swedish-born, New Orleans-mellowed Anders Osborne is one of the most ferocious live blues acts, often skipping through soul, funk, and R&B in his quest for Blues Nirvana. Chicago blues pioneer and Baton Rouge mainstay Henry Gray shares the stage with Slim Harpo guitarist Li’l Buck for an unbeatable duo, while Kipori “Baby Wolf” Woods is your best bet for a real up-and-comer; he was named because of his similarity to Walter “Wolfman” Washington, but there’s much more to him than just youth. If you like your blues really greasy, dirty, and coated with swamp mud, dig on J. Monque’D and his ugly but charming brand of chitlin’-eating music. Willie West & the Alpha Blues Band roll out some of New Orleans’ best swamp-pop classics and like-minded originals, while young upstart (and former street musician) Jeremy Lyons practices something he calls Deltabilly Swing. The name explains itself.
SATURDAY APRIL 28
A bit of a comedown after Friday’s cornucopia of grease, but still worth getting a sunburn for, if only for a glimpse of Koko Taylor, the living embodiment of the bawdy blues-mama tradition. You’ll see lots of women attempting to channel her at the Fest, but she’s always been the real deal. The Oilman, known to the general public as Big Jack Johnson, is a Delta musician (and Frank Frost vet) who’s trying to break out of blues clichés with his band the Oilers; read more about him in this issue’s Fest Focus piece. Another famous sideman, Taj Mahal’s piano guru Jon Cleary, has just released his major-label debut with his Absolute Monster Gentlemen and is ready to offer you some of the funkiest blues music you’ve never heard. Baton Rouge guitar mainstay Larry Garner is perfect for the Fest: upbeat and witty, he’ll force you into kicking your good time up a notch.
Finally, Luther Kent & Trickbag offer one of the Fest’s most consistent musical experiences, a big-band horn section that can and does house anyone who comes into town. Luther’s a member of the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame; you’d be well off to spend some time finding out why.
SUNDAY APRIL 29
A day of big names, but the purest stuff has to be rooted out. For example, Dr. John is a legend of legends who almost needs no introduction, but it should be mentioned that he’s been in more of a postwar-jazz mode lately. He always has some bluesiness about him. Same can be said for Van Morrison, who’s long since ditched his folkie soul and jazz for straight up blues and R&B. How long he’ll stay there is anyone’s guess, but you can always expect a near-religious tour-de-force of roots music.
Irma Thomas is New Orleans’ soul sweetheart, but she started out with blues jumpers and shouters like “You Can Have My Husband,” and she assumes a blues-mama stance for most of her Jazz Fest sets. Her Tallness, Texas’ own Marcia Ball, is where you want to be for good-time boogie-woogie piano; she really seems to come alive at the Fest, and is always worth experiencing. The raw genius of piano wizard Henry Butler is not to be missed; he came from the jazz world but has been tapping into his blues roots more and more these days.
Guitarist Snooks Eaglin’s talent is so large, and his musical capabilities so broad, that he was once billed as Little Ray Charles. As it is, he’s now a unique local legend in his own right, essaying everything from Piedmont to hard R&B. Wrap it all up with Amy Adams & the Hank Sinatras, who effortlessly combine country swing, blues, and jazz standards into a whole new smoothness.
THURSDAY MAY 3
Historically, this lead-in to the second weekend is the day when you can find hidden musical treasures; it’s the only time the Fair Grounds are only mostly packed. For that reason, a lot of blues performers get relegated to this day, but if you can get off work, you might find Baton Rouge heroes Tab Benoit and his mentor Tabby Thomas giving out a distinctly swampy Cajun-blues vibe. R&B party band Sonny Bourg & the Bayou Blues Band uncork a number of cool refreshing classics from the blues and soul songbook, while Bourbon Street veterans Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band spool out raw shot-and-a-beer blues with amazing lead guitar. Last but certainly not least, Sheba Kimbrough and Clancy “Blues Boy” Lewis once again team up for one of the Fest’s most enduring sets—she on parade-march drums and he on stinging lead.
FRIDAY MAY 4
Not a whole lot of blues here, but some interesting blues-like substances. The wicked, wicked Wilson Pickett is a soul legend that needs no explanation here: if you’re not sure who he is, you probably stumbled into the Fair Grounds looking for a winning horse. Keb’ Mo’ again proves that he’s the living embodiment of young, tasteful contemporary acoustic blues, while Marva Wright—the state’s premier bluesmama—rips up the stage with her BMWs. Cyril Neville & the Authentic New Orleans R&B Revue are just that, while vocalist Willie Clayton combines Chicago blues and Southern retro-soul in a winning combination.
Sunpie Barnes & the Louisiana Sunspots are an anomaly of sorts—a real zydeco dance band steeped in blues tradition; watch Sunpie pull double duty as one of the city’s finest accordionists and one of its greatest harp wailers. Breaux Bridge native Sherman Robertson also has a wicked combination to offer—Texas shuffle, zydeco, and swamp blues. Patriarch of the Baton Rouge blues scene, Raful Neal blows harp in the Little Walter style. Danny Rhodes and the Messengers come out of Arizona, of all places, but the Louisiana-born Rhodes’ resume is impeccable, and the Messengers are one of the hardest-working blues bands in the country. Finally, noted drummer June Gardner (Albert King, George Porter, Jr.) gets the groove on with his fine backing band, the Fellows.
SATURDAY MAY 5
This may well be your second-best day to hear the blues. The Delta jamband North Mississippi Allstars puts a decidedly light and collegiate spin on the basic template while still maintaining their back-country integrity. Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters are one of the finest forward-thinking roots outfits in the world, mixing soul, blues, and jazz in equal, heady doses. Bassist Burton Gaar has played for everyone from Slim Harpo to Rockin’ Sidney, and it’s molded him into a veritable encyclopedia of Louisiana music styles. The supergroup Sansone, Krown, and Fohl is a sure bet, lining up three of the city’s blues masters in a traditional all-acoustic setting.
SUNDAY MAY 6
A good way to close out the Fest: Fats Domino hauls out his boogie-woogie inspired rock and roll classics, and Allen Toussaint takes you on a guided tour of his soul and blues catalogue, as does Ernie K-Doe, who can always be counted on to run through his Crescent City Classics. John Mooney & Bluesiana electrify Son House-style swing with a heavy Louisiana accent; their live show is always first-rate.
Likewise Earl King & the Butanes, whose rough R&B stylings and crowd-charming asides always inject a little warmth into the proceedings. Eddie Bo and Big Joe Duskin, separately, showcase various styles of barrelhouse piano. You can’t ask for a better way to go out than the Little Freddie King Blues Band, who are as street as a police blotter and greasy as a six-piece fried chicken dinner.
Bear in mind also that there are two blues-themed night concerts during the Fest: Earl King and Snooks Eaglin at the Praline Connection Gospel & Blues Hall on the 4th, and B.B. King appears at the GALA 2001 concert on Thursday, April 26th. You may not be able to afford the Gala benefit prices ($500!), but we’ve just given you seven full days of relatively inexpensive entertainment. What do you want, blood?
