June 2010 - Extra

“I’VE GOT A BOTTLE IN MY POCKET AND A BLUES SONG ON THE RADIO"

Bonjour,

I’ve had ‘Dark Hours’ by Mean Read Spiders (see my March 2010 posting) playing in my car as I’ve been driving around in the blazing summer sun. It is one of my all time favourite CD’s and I just cannot hear enough of it. The music is superb – lively and varied – and I always find something new in the lyrics.

Many people mistakenly think The Blues is all about sad songs. How wrong they are and, despite it's title this great album is far from depressing. Rain or shine it never fails to lift the mood.

Of course much of The Blues is the musical description of bad times – that’s the legend! – BUT, it is music set in sad times to lift the spirit. Just listen to track 5 ‘Feel So Bad’ about an evil hearted woman who has just left him in misery but, and this is the great line, he's ‘Got a bottle in my pocket and a blues song on the radio’. Brilliant. Get my point?

Need more proof. Listen to the award winning Connie Lush from Liverpool– now she is a lady to brighten your day. She is up for “Woman of the Year” and “Best female Vocalist” British Blues Awards. Click on these links and vote with your digits – please.

21 June is national FĒTE DE LA MUSIQUE in France.

On 24 June in New York City there will be a Blues Summit with blues legend James Cotton and friends who include pianist Pinetop Perkins and blues harp player Mr Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith. Plus, Hubert Sumlin and the great Taj Mahal. Sure to be a memorable night.

Anyway –

CAHORS BLUES FESTIVAL

We are only 6 weeks away from one of the main blues festivals in France and, if you haven’t got your tickets yet you need to shift your butt.

The nearest international airport is Toulouse (Blagnac) just 1 hour from Cahors or there are train services directly to the town. By car Paris is just 5h30 away. So there really is no excuse, wherever you are, get down here and have a weeklong fun time in a great town.

Saturday 10 July

17:00               Loic Hula Boy    (FS)  

19:00               Viktor Huganet  (FS)

21:00               Malted Milk

23:00               Popa Chubby

Sunday 11 July

17:00               Rolf Lott    (FS)

19:00               Hoffman Family Blues Experience (FS)

Monday 12 July

17:00               Cisco Herzhaft  (FS)

19:00               Fred Chapellier & La Master Class (FS)

21:00               Roland Tchakounté, Amar Sunday, &

                        Fred Chapellier

Tuesday 13 July

16:00               Le Tremplin Cahors Blues Festival

Wednesday 14 July *

17:00               The Honeymen (FS)

19:00               Kevin Texas Band  (FS)

21:00               Nina Attal

23:00               Connie Lush & The Blues Shouters

Thursday 15 July

17:00               Jean Chartron (FS)

19:00               Nina Attal (FS)

21:00               Nine Below Zero

23:00               Liz McComb

Friday 16 July

17:00               Bad To The Bone (FS)

19:00               Las Vargas (FS)

Saturday 17 July

17:00               Lonesome Wally  (FS)

19:00               Dave Goodman  (FS)

21:00               Blues Power Band

23:00               Joe Louis Walker

FS = Free Show

For the ‘Pay Shows’ day tickets are available at 30 euros or 26 euros if purchased in advance. Or a ‘Festival Pass’ is available for access to all the shows for 70 euros or 65 euros if purchased in advance.

Advance tickets are available via http://www.ticketnet.fr/shop/fr/resultat.asp

*          The 14 July is the national celebration of Bastille Day and the town of Cahors will not be an exception to this annual extravaganza and spectacle. An added bonus !

WHAT’S ON IN FRANCE

June

08                    B.B. Brunes are at Place de la Victoire, Bordeaux (33)

09                    Mark Knopfler is at POP Bercy, Paris

10                    B.B. Brunes are at Plage du Mourillon, Toulon (83)

12                    B.B. Brunes are at Esplenade de l’Europe, Montpellier (34)

15                    B.B. Brunes are at Quai d’Honneur Mairie, Marseille (13)

16                    B.B. Brunes are at Parc Mistral, Grenoble (38)

24 – 27             Burgandy Blues Festival, Le Creusot (71)

26                    Eric Bibb is at Chambery, Savoie (73)

July

04                    Stevie Wonder is at Arena de Nimes, Nimes, Gard (30)

05                    Joe Bonamassa is at the Zenith, Toulouse (31)

09                    Joe Bonamassa is at Nimes, Gard (30)

09                    Uncl’ STF is playing at Jarden du Cure, Renne le Chateau    Aude (11)

09                    Al Green is at L Olympia, Paris
10                    Nico Wayne Toussaint is at Dax Motors N'Blues, Dax (40)

10-17                              Cahors Blues Festival, Cahors, Lot (46)

16                    Uncl’ STF is playing at La Guinguette, Lac de Montbel, Léran ,      Ariege (09)

22                    Mark Knopfler is at Nimes, Gard (30)

27                    (to 1 August) Cognac Blues Passions, Cognac, Charente (16)

Thanks for reading.

A bientôt