| Review | Rate | | BLUES FUN IN FARGO
Blue Monday
Vol. 1 Issue 4
Sept. 2004
Driving back to Rochester from Fargo on Sunday, we were all still high on the incredible music and events that we have experienced for the last two days. We hardly had to speak, as we let the magnificent performances we had witnessed play over in out heads. Not to mention the feeling of fellowship with the performers and other viewers. According to Sammy Avila, keyboard player for Walter Trout, “there’s so much genuine warmth with blues people.” I guess that’s why we’re blues fans- that’s all the high we truly need. The music we receive is food for our souls that sustains us until the next great performance. Enough with the sentiment, on to the music!
WARPED MELON BLUES BAND - very sorry guys, we only got to hear a little bit as we were attempting to get through the gate. We liked what we did hear, and hope to catch you next time around.
BIG GEORGE JACKSON BAND - We’ve been lucky to catch them playing near Rochester at BLUES in Chatfield, MN lately, and have become acquainted with them. Big George was kind enough to assist us in gaining backstage access! His performance at Fargo was nothing less that “Big George Chicago-style blues” perfection. George’s harmonica and vocals are as big and rich as his heart. His players: Jeremy, Phil, Dwight, and John are smooth and soulful, and a great bunch of guys. Always a pleasure to see!
KELLER BROTHERS BAND REUNION - Fargo native son, Mike Keller, or should I say “Mike Killer” on the guitar? All the cameras came out for the “local blues boy done good”. It’s no surprise that Double Trouble has asked Mike to play and record with them. He brought along Mike Barfield of Austin, TX to play with him on harmonica and vocals. That was a real treat, and Mike B. had his Texas harmonica singing it’s own tune. LOVED the “Funky Cupcake” song!
LITTLE CHARLIE & THE NIGHTCATS - If you haven’t seen them, GO NOW directly to the nearest gig and sit your butt down to some cool-ass entertainment. With their supreme stage presence, these guys emit “COOL”. Mixing jump, swing, Chicago-style blues, and a unparalleled showmanship - nobody does it better. They’re simply a “class act”!!
WALTER TROUT $ THE RADICALS - (Sub head for this section might also be “BLUE MONDAY T-SHIRT RESCUES TROUTS SON FROM FARGO’S SUDDEN DROP IN TEMPERATURE.”) Walter’s oldest son Jonathan was with his Dad on stage at the festival. About midway into Dad’s performance, I could see he was shivering, so I offered my trusty Blue Monday T-shirt for a little extra warmth. Jonathan was grateful, and now my Blue Monday T-Shirt is on tour with Walter, Jonathan Trout and the boys. This band is without a doubt one of my all-time favorite blues bands. I recently purchased their DVD of the live Relentless concert in Amsterdam, and have watched it several times - OUTSTANDING!! I LOVE how down-to-earth and accessible these guys are. Walter, Jimmy, Sammy, and Joey are all great fun to talk to and hang out with. They are such a tight band, seem like such a tight “family”, and are amazing musicians. I was touched once again by the dad in Walter during “Cry If You Want To” with the subject of the song, his son Jonathan sitting nearby. I think one reason I like these guys so much is because they seem to have a great handle on the really “good stuff” in life.
JOHN MAYALL & THE BLUESBREAKERS - It’s hard to tell you what it felt like to look into John Mayall’s eyes and shake his hand. I’ve listened to and admired the man for nearly 30 years - this was quite a moment for me. Mayall looks lean, fit, and handsome as ever. I was amazed to watch this 70-year old blues LEGEND hauling and setting up his own equipment for goodness sake!! Dear to my heart, as I’m a graphic designer - a little fact that I recently learned about John Mayall is that he had a successful career as a graphic designer in his younger years. Perhaps I could be a successful blues musician when I’m 70? The Bluesb | 10 | | Sept. 2004
Driving back to Rochester from Fargo on Sunday, we were all still high on the incredible music and events that we have experienced for the last two days. We hardly had to speak, as we let the magnificent performances we had witnessed play over in out heads. Not to mention the feeling of fellowship with the performers and other viewers. According to Sammy Avila, keyboard player for Walter Trout, “there’s so much genuine warmth with blues people.” I guess that’s why we’re blues fans- that’s all the high we truly need. The music we receive is food for our souls that sustains us until the next great performance. Enough with the sentiment, on to the music!
WARPED MELON BLUES BAND - very sorry guys, we only got to hear a little bit as we were attempting to get through the gate. We liked what we did hear, and hope to catch you next time around.
BIG GEORGE JACKSON BAND - We’ve been lucky to catch them playing near Rochester at BLUES in Chatfield, MN lately, and have become acquainted with them. Big George was kind enough to assist us in gaining backstage access! His performance at Fargo was nothing less that “Big George Chicago-style blues” perfection. George’s harmonica and vocals are as big and rich as his heart. His players: Jeremy, Phil, Dwight, and John are smooth and soulful, and a great bunch of guys. Always a pleasure to see!
KELLER BROTHERS BAND REUNION - Fargo native son, Mike Keller, or should I say “Mike Killer” on the guitar? All the cameras came out for the “local blues boy done good”. It’s no surprise that Double Trouble has asked Mike to play and record with them. He brought along Mike Barfield of Austin, TX to play with him on harmonica and vocals. That was a real treat, and Mike B. had his Texas harmonica singing it’s own tune. LOVED the “Funky Cupcake” song!
LITTLE CHARLIE & THE NIGHTCATS - If you haven’t seen them, GO NOW directly to the nearest gig and sit your butt down to some cool-ass entertainment. With their supreme stage presence, these guys emit “COOL”. Mixing jump, swing, Chicago-style blues, and a unparalleled showmanship - nobody does it better. They’re simply a “class act”!!
WALTER TROUT $ THE RADICALS - (Sub head for this section might also be “BLUE MONDAY T-SHIRT RESCUES TROUTS SON FROM FARGO’S SUDDEN DROP IN TEMPERATURE.”) Walter’s oldest son Jonathan was with his Dad on stage at the festival. About midway into Dad’s performance, I could see he was shivering, so I offered my trusty Blue Monday T-shirt for a little extra warmth. Jonathan was grateful, and now my Blue Monday T-Shirt is on tour with Walter, Jonathan Trout and the boys. This band is without a doubt one of my all-time favorite blues bands. I recently purchased their DVD of the live Relentless concert in Amsterdam, and have watched it several times - OUTSTANDING!! I LOVE how down-to-earth and accessible these guys are. Walter, Jimmy, Sammy, and Joey are all great fun to talk to and hang out with. They are such a tight band, seem like such a tight “family”, and are amazing musicians. I was touched once again by the dad in Walter during “Cry If You Want To” with the subject of the song, his son Jonathan sitting nearby. I think one reason I like these guys so much is because they seem to have a great handle on the really “good stuff” in life.
JOHN MAYALL & THE BLUESBREAKERS - It’s hard to tell you what it felt like to look into John Mayall’s eyes and shake his hand. I’ve listened to and admired the man for nearly 30 years - this was quite a moment for me. Mayall looks lean, fit, and handsome as ever. I was amazed to watch this 70-year old blues LEGEND hauling and setting up his own equipment for goodness sake!! Dear to my heart, as I’m a graphic designer - a little fact that I recently learned about John Mayall is that he had a successful career as a graphic designer in his younger years. Perhaps I could be a successful blues musician when I’m 70? The Bluesbreakers: Buddy, Joe, | 7 | | 218-287-7775 | 6 | | August 17-18, 2007 | 6 |
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