Opening Day
Tom Mazzolini of KPFA started off the morning by introducing
Fillmore Slim who started rocking the stage right
at 11:00 a.m. Featuring selections from the new movie
soundtrack "American P.I.", Fillmore Slim slid a high-energy
silk beat across the crowd and his set ended far too
quickly. Definitely someone to catch at every opportunity.
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The Dynatones
The Dynatones blasted onto the stage featuring selections
from their new CD "Shake That Mass", big, bold and brassy
as all get out. Absolutely a group worth introducing yourself
to if you are not familiar with their work. They hammered
out "Papa's got a Brand New Bag" with incredible energy,
sharp and on the spot. They laid down a great dancing beat
and might just as well run that guitar right up your spine.
A HOT group and considered one of the best live acts to
see.
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The
Dynatones
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Alberta
Adams
Johnnie Bassett and The Detroit Revue came out of the corner
swinging and Alberta Adams voice rolled across the audience
with awesome power and Joe Weaver's fingers danced across
that keyboard. They rocked the audience with incredible
rhythm in "Ain't Nobody's Business if I do." |
Alberta
Adams
beltin' out the Blues
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Rosie
Flores
Rosie
Flores was the fourth act of the day. With her small frame
and large turquoise guitar, she looked almost like a child
as she approached the mike. There is nothing childlike about
this singer's voice. She snapped it out fast and sassy with
a ringing rockabilly vocal style and playing that had the
crowd snapping their fingers and dancing. The song "Fox
Town Road" was haunting enough to send a chill down the
arms, even on such a perfect day and then "Rock-a-Bye Blues"
rocked you right out of it. An artist worth looking for,
high-energy and a lot of fun.
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Rosie Flores
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Boozoo
Chavis
Boozoo Chavis, King of the Zydeco, brought some fine L'ousiana
spice to the Bay Area. Hopping Cajun rhythms had the crowd
doing the Cajun Two-Step. Even when they didn't know it! |
Boozoo Chavis
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Keb
Mo
Keb' Mo' hails from East L. A. and plays the guitar. I almost
want to say that if you need more information than that,
you're not looking at the blues scene closely enough. Keb'
Mo's fingers worked their magic across the strings of his
guitar and the audience. Becoming more of a 'name' with
the blues fans, Keb' Mo' has been playing for more than
twenty years. Introduced to the delta blues when he was
given the part in a play, Keb' Mo' has taken the blues down
a new path, and we're liking what he's finding.
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Keb
Mo
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Joe
Louis Walker
Joe Louis Walker and the New Blues Allstars closed out the
day with Billy Branch, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Alvin Youngblood
Hart and Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne. These boys wailed it
out as the sun set, a perfect ending to a perfect day as
the breeze started to chill and the crowd started to pack
it in. |
Joe
Louis Walker
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Rod
Tyler
Roy Tyler and New Directions woke Sunday morning up with
"New Direction" and by the next song had the entire audience
up and dancing, moving smoothly from a rap beat to a reggae
rhythm. They introduced us to the 'Swamp Gospel' style with
"The Warning" An absolutely dynamic group and definitely
worth checking out.
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Rod
Tyler and New Directions
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Lavay
Smith
Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers . The name honest
to god says it all. Lavay Smith can take your breath away
with her hot vocal style. "It Don't Mean A Thing. . ." had
a swing that just doesn't get any better. "Gee Baby. . ."
strutted through the crowd and "I Want a Big Fine Daddy"
from her newly released CD brought to mind the deep down
cat purr torch song style. Absolutely a must see if you're
ever in the Bay Area. The title of the CD, should you desire
to check it out, is very easy to remember. "Everybody's
Talkin' Bout Miss Thing". Do I need to tell you to look
for it?
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Lavay
Smith
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Roy
Gaines
Roy Gaines! What to say about this performer? Living up
to his pyro-technical Houston roots, Roy Gaines electrified
the stage. Taking command from the first number, gracing
the crowd with licks in the vein of Freddie King and T-Bone
Walker, Roy Gaines put on the show! Shedding his jacket
early, Roy Gaines provided the energy with his guitar to
get the entire Sunday crowd on their feet. Fronting tunes
from his 1999 CD "Blues Man for Life", he established himself
with the crowd as a blues presence. Look for more great
music from this Texas blues and jump guitar wizard.
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Make
sure to catch this act whenever you can!
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Elvin
Bishop
and Little
Smokey Smothers
Elvin Bishop and Little Smokey Smothers took the stage next.
Slow rockin' guitar set the crowd to swaying. Great hip
swingin', shoulder shakin' blues backed by big brass. On
time and on top, they had the crowd howling (literally)
for "I Gotta Red Rooster |
Elvin Bishop & Little Smokey
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Rod
Piazza and the Mighty Flyers
Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers. They never get anything
but better. The Mighty Flyers are tight and fast, they had
the crowd on their feet jumping. Rod Piazza's harp solos
are smoking hot and can leave your jaw hanging and Honey's
fingers (and toes) are as fast as anything I would have
believed possible as she raged away with her own keyboard
solo. This group can never disappoint you! |
Rod and Honey Piazza
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