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Having organised
three successful festivals so far, the pressure
was on the organisers to consolidate this time. How did they fare? Well,
I have to confess that, when I saw the line-up for Friday's opening
night, it was almost like reading my own wish-list.
It is a truism
that festival slots offer merely a snapshot of performers' capabilities.
For the first act, there is the added responsibility of engaging the
audience who may have arrived direct from a working week; yet to relax
into the weekend mood.
Storm Warning
proved more than up to this challenge. No average 12-Bar Blues Joes
these, they are a band of consummate musicians offering a diverse fusion
of styles and preferences. Under the guidance of frontman Stu 'Son'
Maxwell's vocals and harp and Bob 'Mad Dog' Moore's guitar, the band
played a considered selection from both their new CD
Something Real
and their original CD
Breaking Out.
Without question, they made themselves a few new fans before their
night's work was done. Deservedly so.
Connie Lush
was a delight. I have seen Connie several times in recent years - indeed
we introduced her at Tring Festival for the final gig with her Blues
Shouter line-up. She was damned good then. But this was Connie Lush
re-energised.
Maybe the change
in the band has led to a renaissance because Connie Lush was truly
magnificent! She gave an impassioned performance which had the crowd
spellbound and she was in absolute control of the whole marquee
ambience.
Ian Parker
is always guaranteed to give value for money. He has a way of involving
his audience like co-conspirators in a secret plan. This is achieved,
not by speaking to the crowd but by gesture and facial expression. And
it works. By the time Ian and his band have concluded a performance, we
are all willing participants. And we were.
Dr Feelgood
provided exactly what was needed to finish the first night. A band that
always rises to the occasion (despite Steve Walwyn suffering from a cold
- not feeling good), the Feelgoods did not disappoint.
Offering lots from
their extensive repertoire, they are a very mobile band; certain to
entertain. My personal preference is to see a performer who brings his
act to me and invites my inclusion in the process; a performer who
insists on my engagement. Dr Feelgood ticked every box for me.
So, a rainy Friday
night wrapped up with a satisfied and really happy crowd anticipating
the following day ... which dawned with brilliant sunshine. How the
organisers have managed to make the weather perform this volte-face
every year to date is astonishing. Maybe they too have made a deal at
the Crossroads...
The Tyler Brown
Blues Band
from West Wales had the responsibility of opening Saturday afternoon's
proceedings and did so remarkably well. I've heard their music in the
past but this was the first time I'd seen them perform and I really
enjoyed their set. Offering a selection of covers and self-written
material, they were convincing and their guitarist Gareth Price
has more than a touch of early Clapton about him. Bob Bawden led from
the front and the whole ensemble gave us a great start to the day.
At last year's
Abertillery Festival, I introduced
Blue Traffic
to the stage. I'd never met them previously although their name had been
mentioned frequently.
Their set of
covers then led to a huge and enthusiastic response from the
festival-goers and it must be for this reason that they were invited to
play again. So, it really was back by popular demand!
Dave Williams on
guitar and vocals is an exciting and charismatic performer; the fact
that he is so adept with his instrument underpins his flamboyance. But
the essence of this band goes way beyond fretboard acrobatics - there is
a true talent, respect and feel for the music in all three performers.
Subsequently, I
have had people opining that Blue Traffic stole the show. I wouldn't
argue with this as I believe
them to be special. And the crowd loved them. And, as sometimes happens
on special occasions with special people, the band received from the
crowd.
This was a seminal
moment for Blue Traffic. The band had decided, prior to the event, that
they would play mainly covers with just one of their own compositions
sneaked in. Because of the enthusiastic response of the audien ce to
their first song, they threw away the setlist and played several of
their own songs - and the applause and the enthusiasm did not waver.
The shame is that
Blue Traffic have yet to complete recording their debut CD (due in the
Autumn). If they'd had it with them at Abertillery, they'd have been
urgently ordering another pressing on the following Monday. And I'm sure
I wasn't the only Welshman filled with hwyl as the band concluded with
their Hendrixesque Welsh National Anthem. Did they steal the show? Well,
they certainly became 'Wanted' men for a posse of Blues music
aficionados.
Samuel James
provided us with an acoustic contrast. The man from Maine almost didn't
make it to the festival as he was delayed at Cork airport en route to
Abertillery. His music is fluid and authentic and he gave a great
performance on acoustic and resonator guitars.
The Hard
Travellers
comprise many well-known names from the history of UK music. To me, any
band featuring Zoot Money is worth seeing. Add to this Colin Allen, Dave
Sharpe, Henry McCullough and Gary Fletcher and you know you'll be
entertained. And we were!
New Orleans'
Jon Cleary and his Absolute
Monster Gentlemen
gave us a good-humoured Crescent City keyboard funk romp en route to the
finale. These guys really put the fun in funky!
And then came
headliner
Robert Cray.
I believe that every Blues music fan should get to see Robert Cray once
- they owe that to themselves as he has been a consistent and constant
for decades. I have enjoyed many of his tracks over the years and here
he played a selection very competently and very smoothly; as one would
expect from a performer of this calibre.
Overall, this was
another slickly-managed festival offering a wide range of musical
styles. The crowds are clearly growing year-on-year yet it, so mehow,
retains its intimacy and friendliness. The organisers are to be
congratulated and supported in their experiment with such a diversity of
musicians and we can all anticipate the next Abertillery Blues Festival
with excitement.
Blues Show Bob -
GTFM 107.9
The Blues Show is
available live on the web from 10pm till midnight every Monday at
www.gtfm.co.uk
and on 107.9FM in the Pontypridd area.
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