Two great piano players backstage after the set: Janice Scroggins and David Vest.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Paul deLay Tribute
The last Paul deLay band. They've released a live album, "The Last of the Best." David Vest announced to the crowd that Paul was back on top, that the album had gone to #1 on the Amazon Live Blues Albums list.
Two great piano players backstage after the set: Janice Scroggins and David Vest.
Two great piano players backstage after the set: Janice Scroggins and David Vest.
Backstage Before the Paul deLay Tribute
David Vest and Duffy Bishop.
Peter Dammann joined the schmooze.
D.K. Stewart did too.
This is Jean Kempe-Ware, one of the unsung heroes of the Blues Festival. She is in charge of media relations for the Oregon Food Bank. I've dealt with media relations people for decades and I have to say she is one of the most talented, most thorough, nicest and most patient I've ever met. And she actually loves the music, too!
Peter Dammann joined the schmooze.
D.K. Stewart did too.
This is Jean Kempe-Ware, one of the unsung heroes of the Blues Festival. She is in charge of media relations for the Oregon Food Bank. I've dealt with media relations people for decades and I have to say she is one of the most talented, most thorough, nicest and most patient I've ever met. And she actually loves the music, too!
Gospel Time
Linda Hornbuckle, Janice Scroggins et all inspired those inspirable and musically pleased everyone else.
Sunday 7/8/07---The Final Day!
At 11:30am, before the gates opened, Gary Houston and Ron Rogers act like they like each other. They actually do.
At noon, I introduced Ocean 503, from Portland.
This is Tim Rutter, manager of the Miller Stage. Both Jim and Bill at the Credit Union stage did fabulous jobs. Never a cross word, always getting things on and off on time...and great guys.
Dick Potts, Mac Potts and Ben Rice were everywhere!
At noon, I introduced Ocean 503, from Portland.
This is Tim Rutter, manager of the Miller Stage. Both Jim and Bill at the Credit Union stage did fabulous jobs. Never a cross word, always getting things on and off on time...and great guys.
Dick Potts, Mac Potts and Ben Rice were everywhere!
Sunday, July 08, 2007
4 p.m.
Reggie Houston and Charmaine Neville renew their collaboration of over 20 years.
...along with Amasa Miller, co-leader of her band, also up from New Orleans for the Festival.
...as Reinhard Melz, the best second-line drummer in town, kicked off on the one and let the boogie do the rest. (James Brown said that.)
After the cruise, this familiar face and ears was by the fountain. He was not invited to participate in the festival, thank God..
...along with Amasa Miller, co-leader of her band, also up from New Orleans for the Festival.
...as Reinhard Melz, the best second-line drummer in town, kicked off on the one and let the boogie do the rest. (James Brown said that.)
After the cruise, this familiar face and ears was by the fountain. He was not invited to participate in the festival, thank God..
3:15 p.m.
The city gleamed from the stern
...another stern...Fred Stern the rainbow maker.
On the middle deck, one man had on his dancing shoes.
While David Vest and family got ready for Reggie and Charmaine.
...another stern...Fred Stern the rainbow maker.
On the middle deck, one man had on his dancing shoes.
While David Vest and family got ready for Reggie and Charmaine.
2:45 p.m.
While Charmaine second-lined in her chair.
...and the love of my life, Karen Fox had the sweetest smile.
...and the tuba kept the bottom fat.
Charmaine grabbed a cowbell and joined the guys.
...and the love of my life, Karen Fox had the sweetest smile.
...and the tuba kept the bottom fat.
Charmaine grabbed a cowbell and joined the guys.
The Saturday Afternoon Cruise
On the top deck The Dirty Dozen Brass Band to' it up.
E.T. shows off
Charmaine Neville plays air trumpet.
Reggie Houston sat in on "Saints."
E.T. shows off
Charmaine Neville plays air trumpet.
Reggie Houston sat in on "Saints."
Saturday, July 07, 2007
David Vest---my Festival highlight
Boogie woogie grand master David Vest played the most outstanding set of the Festival Friday afternoon. These pics are from his workshop.
Sorry, my camera crapped out just before David took the stage. However....he was behind a big grand piano and played with Peter Dammann, David Kahl and Jeff Minnick of the Paul deLay band. Vest was in Paul's last band for nearly three years. Paul loved David's soul and amazing technique. Also playing on the Miller Stage with David was the Texas Horns (who have been everywhere during the festival).
David played tunes from his own albums and from Last of the Best, the recent and only release by Paul's last band. I've seen David many times and I can truly say I have never seen him play a better set of music than this one. He was in great voice, never missed a step on the piano and played blues, boogie-woogie and rock n' roll with a soulful vengance.
The crowd was up and dancing immediately and never stopped.
He finished with a tune on both The Last of the Best and his current album "Serve Me Right To Shuffle," called "Try Not To Kill Me When You Say Bye-Bye." It has become a rock n roll classic. Paul used to close the set with it, and David left the crowd screaming for more by the time it was over. And yes, he did kick back the piano bench and went wild at the end.
One line in the song got a huge response from the crowd, "Don't ask me where my country went/B.B. King is MY president!!"
Let's hope David starts playing around here a whole lot more!
Sorry, my camera crapped out just before David took the stage. However....he was behind a big grand piano and played with Peter Dammann, David Kahl and Jeff Minnick of the Paul deLay band. Vest was in Paul's last band for nearly three years. Paul loved David's soul and amazing technique. Also playing on the Miller Stage with David was the Texas Horns (who have been everywhere during the festival).
David played tunes from his own albums and from Last of the Best, the recent and only release by Paul's last band. I've seen David many times and I can truly say I have never seen him play a better set of music than this one. He was in great voice, never missed a step on the piano and played blues, boogie-woogie and rock n' roll with a soulful vengance.
The crowd was up and dancing immediately and never stopped.
He finished with a tune on both The Last of the Best and his current album "Serve Me Right To Shuffle," called "Try Not To Kill Me When You Say Bye-Bye." It has become a rock n roll classic. Paul used to close the set with it, and David left the crowd screaming for more by the time it was over. And yes, he did kick back the piano bench and went wild at the end.
One line in the song got a huge response from the crowd, "Don't ask me where my country went/B.B. King is MY president!!"
Let's hope David starts playing around here a whole lot more!
Not Blues for Kids
....but blues BY kids! 12 year-old Gunnar Roads tears it up at the A&E stage as part of the New Blues segments of Friday's shows.
He switched to electric guitar later on.
Eugene's Hank Shreve made a splash when he played at Paul deLay's Memorial Concert at the Portland Art Museum and he's working his way up. He's with Gunnar's band currently, among others. Nice way to get seen.
He switched to electric guitar later on.
Eugene's Hank Shreve made a splash when he played at Paul deLay's Memorial Concert at the Portland Art Museum and he's working his way up. He's with Gunnar's band currently, among others. Nice way to get seen.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Blind Boys of Alabama
They tore it up, as usual. Here they are after the set.
I ran into Mac Potts, 16 year old blind multi-instrumentalist (playing Friday), and his dad on their way to see the Blind Boys.
I was hanging out with David Vest and his family in mid-afternoon and he told me that Clarence from the Blind Boys was ill and that BOBBY PURIFY might be sitting in. I asked Pete Dammann and he wasn't sure. There's a story there and I'll find out more Friday when David plays (3:45).
I ran into Mac Potts, 16 year old blind multi-instrumentalist (playing Friday), and his dad on their way to see the Blind Boys.
I was hanging out with David Vest and his family in mid-afternoon and he told me that Clarence from the Blind Boys was ill and that BOBBY PURIFY might be sitting in. I asked Pete Dammann and he wasn't sure. There's a story there and I'll find out more Friday when David plays (3:45).
My Highlight of the Day---James Cotton
Moments before James Cotton's band took the stage, Lurrie Bell, Hubert Sumlin, Fiona Boyes and other Chi-ractors sat around backstage
James Cotton blew his first notes from backstage, and then walked out.
And then he wailed.
Hubert Sumlin joined James. Nuff said. Pinetop Perkins joined later.
James Cotton blew his first notes from backstage, and then walked out.
And then he wailed.
Hubert Sumlin joined James. Nuff said. Pinetop Perkins joined later.
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