Cahors Blues Festival - Day Six

Thursday 15 July

The problem is that by this stage of the game anyone who comes on stage has got to be more than just good, and I'm afraid the next performer, first of this night, should have been on earlier in the week.

Jean Chartron (French)

In comparison with Cisco Herzhaft (see Tuesday 12 July) Jean was a dull performer. Picking away at some Delta Blues and then feeding in some French numbers there was just no zest. He even tried “Stand By Me” but could not make people listen.

This was not helped by his need to stop the flow for a few puffs on a cigarette. Each time he stopped he lit up a fresh ciggy, took a couple of casual puffs, and stamped the rather large butt out – on the stage!

When he finished his repertoire of songs the audience hardly noticed and many just carried on talking. He then asked those that had realised he had come to an end, if they wanted him to continue for an encore. Clearly he needed to finish the whole packet of fags before leaving the stage!

He vaguely continued on and, to be fair, his audience did give him a warm clap and encouraged him into his second and final encore.

I'm probably being very unfair to the man but I will say again, he should have been on earlier in the week. The expectations at this stage were too high.

Nina Attal (French)

Very obligingly Nina was doing the 7pm slot of the free shows which was good because she obviously appeals [also] to a younger audience that would not always be able to pay for the later shows (see Nina Attal – Wednesday 14 July).

For this showing I was joined by friends Alex, Mick, and their two lovely daughters, who live near to Cahors, and this seemed an excellent time and place to meet up.

Being on a smaller stage the band had dropped the brass section and the amps were set at a more comfortably volume, which greatly improved the tone. In my opinion a much better performance and I (we) were able to appreciate her extraordinary musical abilities.

 

What really came across; here was a group of young musicians on the threshold of fame and glory but still thoroughly enjoying being on stage.

Friend Mick, who is a formidable musician himself, seemed to be totally absorbed in these young talents and it was good to see that his eldest daughter was too.

I really hope that Nina Attal and her band go on to even more success. It would be so good for popular music at a time when real talent in commercial music is very thin on the ground.

Nine Below Zero (British)

Stemming back to 1979 in South London, Nine Below Zero are one of the oldest and best known 'pub rock n blues' bands with a huge following in the UK and Europe.

Associations with The Blow Monkeys, Dr Feelgood, and Rory Gallagher have seen the original band move on. The band of 2010 comprises of Dennis Greaves (lead guitar and vocals), Mark Feltham (harmonica and vocals), Gerry McAvoy (bass guitar and vocals), and Brendan O'Neill (drums).

But the audience didn't care too much who they were, they just loved the music. Fast, bluesy, and good – real good. And how could it not be – these guys are the tops.

Mark Feltham

Dennis Greaves put on a stunning performance and really drew the crowd to him and, Mark Feltam – wow!! As one of the pre-eminent blues harmonica players in the world this was not just a treat but a privilege. His playing was without bounds. Resourceful, gutsy, blues at its best. He sung pretty  damn good too.

All together a great performance and I cannot wait to see Nine Below Zero again – soon.

Coming Soon - Dr Feelgood at Althen des Paluds (Avignon) 

Liz McComb (USA)

I was looking forward to a change in pace. Something different. And I do like a bit of gospel from time to time.

A Steinway piano was wheeled onto the stage and lots of time was spent setting up mics and adjusting sound. This was going to be good, I thought.

Liz came on in full diva style – escorted on the arm of – I'm not sure who. He went off and Liz struck up a gentle gospel blues tune whilst the other members of her band slowly took their places on stage. An impressive start.

Liz then went on to bellow into her microphone with such power she was instantly drenched in perspiration. It was pouring off her. 
 

I have every reason to believe that she was playing and singing superb gospel music but it was ruined by volume and subsequent distortion.

Again, as I have said earlier in the Cahors Blues Festival review, expectations probably did not help but I had in my mind that I was going to be wooed with gentle praising and a few hallelujahs. I thought there was going to be several gospel singers led by Liz McComb, all singing about happy days. I got it wrong I suppose and what I actually got I did not really like that much. I stayed for about an hour and then decided I needed some paracetamol.

Shame really.

Next: Le Blues Dans La Ville Avec Rachelle Plas

Cahors Blues Festival - Day Five

Wednesday 14 July

I was excited, we'd had our night off and now I was ready for the shows that had drawn me to Cahors. Connie Lush, Nina Attal, Nine Below Zero – oh, that reminds me, it was still around 30°c - all yet to come. So sporting our “South Of France” 'T' shirts we again hiked our way up the charming Boulevard Gambetta to the festival village at the Espace Bessieres.

Almost precisely at 5pm the first band up on stage were:

The Honeymen (French)

It is very rare that I will by a CD on the back of a live session but these guys; brothers Jimmy and Elmore, lured me into parting with 12 euros for “High Rise Fever”.

Jimmy is the bald geezer with dark glasses, plays guitar and sings – the straight man. Brother Elmore provides great blues harp, vocals, and the humour. Oh, and Jimmy also bashes away at a pair of foot-pedal drums.

An all round true blues duo, great beat, great harping, that would be welcome at any gig or concert.

Jimmy sings in a gutsy American blues style that completely masks his natural accent (that always amazes me) plus a wonderful warm harp sound by Elmore, and his retro mic, became for me, a highlight of the week. Why the hell they were not one of the top billings in the main arena defeats me.

I’m playing the CD whilst I type this  and I’m finding it hard to keep still – 12 euros well spent. I’ll do a CD review in a future blog.

Kevin Texas Band (French)

I really wasn’t sure of what to expect from this band and the Honeymen were going to be a hard act to follow. The programme read ‘do not miss on any pretext’ and I’m pleased to say that the advice was sound – they were good entertainment and a great way to spend the last rays of a warm sun whilst supping an ice cool beer – or two!

If I say they were not exceptional I do not in any way want to imply they were not good. A young band of competent musicians they were clearly having as much fun as their audience – and isn't that what it is all about?

The sound was rock ‘n’ blues at its best with great sounds from Kevin Gueganon lead guitar and vocals, Julien Cormier on blues harp, Bruno Breton on bass, and Yves Louet on drums.

An unlikely looking front man for a blues band Kevin toured the audience during a his guitar solo and especially spent time to captivate (and hopefully inspire) the kids. However, he called on Julien Cormier to join him on his sojourn but a harmonica without a remote mic is just lost in a crowd.

I did appreciate their music and think it is great to see young people that can both enjoy and play real music.

Nina Attal (French)

After a short break for some nourishment it was back to the festival village but this time into the paid concerts area for the big stage, and the big build-up for Nina Attal.

Nina is gaining cult status in France and I wanted to see what this was all about – I was not at all disappointed. The girl can sing, in at least French and English - perhaps other languages too, she can certainly play guitar, she is bright and charismatic, and she has surrounded herself with good band of musicians.

At just 18 years old she is a pretty, bubbly, little thing with bags of talent – but not much of a wardrobe!

But it was not Blues. Soul, Funk, Popular, it may have been. Good it certainly was, but it was not Blues.

Frankly it was all pitched a bit too high for me and her two brass players (trumpet and sax) did not help with this. Towards the middle of the second hour my eardrums were beginning to complain and although she is a fantastic artist in what she does I was quite glad when she completed her second encore and stopped.

The audience, however, loved her and without a doubt she has a remarkable music career ahead of her.

Connie Lush & Blues Shouter (British)

This wonderful, lovely woman is stark raving bonkers. Mad as hell but it is this, and being Britain's diva of the blues, that makes Connie Lush sooooo appealing.

Voted Best UK Female Vocalist (5 times!) and European Singer of the Year (2002) in the French Blues Trophies (twice) puts Connie Lush top of her class – and boy does it show.

One minute my eyes were searching amongst the, yet to be used, paraphernalia that is strategically placed around the stage and then the next moment my eyes were fixed only on Connie. Dressed in a kind of 'wife of Fagin' outfit she made her big entrance and stole the scene. The crowd went mad and Connie's strong voice rattled every window in town. Her audience loved everything she did. They lapped up “Send Me No Flowers” and “Blues Is My Business”, and I just loved her version of “Feeling Good” - and I was!

Lubricated by frequent slurps from a rather large glass of Bergerac(!) rosé wine she kept up a stunning performance for a full two hours. I'm not so sure that boasting about drinking Bergerac wine, on stage, in Cahors went down quite so well with the traditionalists but how could anyone not love her – and they did love and enjoy this amazing eccentric, talented, English woman.

The dynamics of the performer/audience relationship created a positive exchange of high voltage energy. To say that she is a hit in France is just slightly an understatement! The French love her.

And, she had another little surprise up her voluminous sleeve, Connie stopped the show and she introduced a young, home-grown, harmonica player and singer in the form of Rachelle Plas. Strangely, I had seen a single poster in the town advertising Rachelle Plas to be playing in a restaurant on Friday evening and, being as I have an interest in harmonica playing, I had booked us a table. Now we were going to get a preview!

It was pretty obvious that this situation had not been rehearsed but Rachelle managed to find the beat with the lads of Blues Shouter and came up with some pretty impressive harp playing. What was very clear was that Connie and Rachelle hit it off and were having a ball.

More on Rachelle Plas later.

Blues Shouter are a good band and support Connie well. Pete (?) gave us some jaw dropping solo guitar licks and hubby Terry was brilliant on bass – not often we see a bass player who shows he is having a good time!

Seeing Connie Lush & Blues Shouter was an absolute treat and I can't wait to see them again – soon – but I do have to admit I was wrong in my March 2010 blog. I had previously likened Connie Lush to Tina Turner and Gladys Knight. Well, perhaps they just sound a bit like Connie -  because she is no copy. She is unique and sounds like no one except Connie Lush – because she is …...... Connie Lush.

Cahors Blues Festival - Day 4

Tuesday 13 July

Listed as Le Tremplin, the final of a Blues talent completion we decided to have a restful evening, with friends, knowing that the next two evenings would be packed full with big sounds. So I’m really sorry but I have nothing else to report. The only sounds I wanted to reach my eardrums were the chinking of wine glasses!

Captions please? Send your witty ditty by clicking on the 'comments' link at the bottom of this page.

As the intention of this blog is to help in the preservation and promotion of the Blues in France I hope you will enjoy just some of the views in and around Cahors.

A bientôt

Day Three - Cahors Blues Festival

Monday 12 July

The future of the legend !!!

Cisco Herzhaft (French)

The programme described him as one of the last of the authentic blues pickers which is undoubtedly true, even if that “one of the last” encompasses several hundreds of bluesmen and blueswomen!

However, what a lovely warm, talented entertainer this man turned out to be. Seated comfortably he picked away at his steel slide guitar, sang well, and constantly hit the beat with a stomp-box*, he took us on a tour of The Blues and all its derivatives – Delta, Chicago, Rag Time, even American Indian, and Irish influences. He even managed to fit in a blues stylised version of “Apache” (Shadows).

He had his packed audience in the palm of his hand. Hands and feet were following his beat as his left foot never stopped its mesmeric drumming.

A great show by a real bluesman. He is well up on my list and I will want to see him again.

* (I've looked up how to make one - its easy!)

We didn’t stay for the 7 o’clock show with Fred Chapellier as he was to be playing later so we took the opportunity to head into town and sample some of the excellent cuisine for which this region is famed.

Roland Tchakunté (Cameroon)

As you will know from one of my previous postings I have sampled some West African music in its raw state so I was keen to see what this guy could do. Well, he could do well and was by far, in my humble opinion, better than the other two acts that were to form a melange as the night wore on.

His tribal music with blues influences put out a gutsy performance and I would have been quite happy if he had filled the rest of the time that evening.

This especially as his companion guitarist, Mr Mick Ravassat (French I think), was absolutely brilliant and worthy of a place amongst Bonamassa,and the likes – yes, really! Mick also has his band 'Mick Ravassat & The Blue Team'.

Mathias Bernheim, percussion, was good too - making a well rounded and interesting trio band.

Roland and Mick worked exceptionally well together and I would gladly like to see either of them again – together or on their own. A good show lads.

Amar Sundy (listed as Touareg)

Whilst researching gigs, concerts, and events for my monthly list of “What’s  On In France”, I have often found Mr Amar Sundy and, knowing he is of North African origin (another region I have spent some time in) I was again most interested to hear his style.

I suppose I fit a minority opinion but I found him to be a kind of  middle east Popa Chubby but nowhere near as skilled. His improvisations left me confused and often I was convinced he had lost his way. I was looking for much more, something very different.

I suppose I was expecting, hoping for something like the style of Cheb Mami  (Ahmed Khelifati Mohamed) but sadly Mr Sundy’s Saharan roots where nowhere to be seen. Disappointing.

Fred Chapellier (French)

In retrospect I think we should have opted to have seen Fred on his earlier performance. Without doubt he is a fine bluesman with a very fine band (Rhythm, Bass, Hammond organ and Drums) but having seen so much previous talent – and it was still only the 3rd day of the Festival – his light just did not shine for me.

And then they all got on stage together! Frankly I was not impressed. Fred is obviously a professional and experienced performer, and can hold his own but it looked to me that Roland was beginning to wish he had gone home whilst the going was good.

Amar wanted to dominate the stage in that infuriating way some people try to be magnanimous whilst really seeking attention for themselves.

I would love to see Roland Tchakounté again and my ‘man of the night’ by far was Mick Ravassat.

Second Day - Cahors Blues Festival

Sunday 11 July

To give the town a break after the correctly predicted late night finish of Popa Chubby there were only two early shows on this equally hot summer Sunday.

All the free shows were hosted on a small but ample stage, near the refreshment area, the bar, and the ‘T’ shirt vendors. Plastic chairs and plastic tables, with occasional brightly coloured parrassols gave a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and when the sun made its way down partial shade was provided by the huge plane trees that surround the square.

Rolf Lott (German)

First up on stage, and pretty well on time, was Rolf Lott who perched himself on a stall and picked his way through many favourite traditional Blues songs from the 1930’s to 1950’s. After the releases of energy of the previous day this was a more sedate way to enjoy an early evening drink and listen to some ‘roots’ music. Probably not one I will remember long term but not at all bad – on the following night Cisco Herzhaft was to outshine Rolf in a way I will remember.

Hofmann Family Blues Experience (French)

Despite their name these are a French band with daddy Hofmann looking like Roy Wood and Hofmann Jr. looking like – well nothing like anything you can see in dad. On bass and drums are two other members of ‘the family’ but I have no idea as to whether, or not, they are indeed related.

A very colourful mummy Hofmann sat on the sidelines hoping to sell CD’s and occasionally advising the sound tech to pump up the volume – as did the drummer, as did daddy Hofmann.

The first half hour or so was not good and Hofmann senior was clearly getting agitated. To be fair, something had gone wrong with the sound consul and support staff were busily bringing in fans to cool the thing down.

A switch to a duet with acoustic guitars seemed to be the turning point. Dad and son got it together, the sounds merged to music and the audience stopped talking. They were away and went on to produce some good rock ‘n’ roll. 

Will they be on my list of ‘the best’ I don’t think so but damned good entertainment and it was free!

Coming up; Foot stomping Cisco, a touring Touareg, and sounds of the Cameroon. Plus, look out for Connie Lush & Blues Shouter, and Nine Below Zero

Cahors Blues Festival - Day One

So you couldn't get there eh? Well that's too bad. You missed something really good and you MUST MUST MUST make sure you are in Cahors next July. It truly is a great blues festival and I can say, from first hand experience, that I heard more good blues music in Cahors than I did in Memphis, Tennessee.

If you did get there then I hope these ramblings will help you to re-live one of the best Blues festivals in France.

Cahors is a majestic town built on a horseshoe bend of the river Lot which meanders leisurely through wide valleys and steep gorges eventually running into the Garonne.

It’s architecture is typical of the region. It’s many narrow streets and secluded squares fashioned from its rich and varied history. Within the centre ville it cannot be much more than 20 or so paces between cafes and restaurants where one can while away an hour or so with a cafe crème or a cool beer, or enjoy some of the fine cuisine and excellent wines for which the region is famed. And, if that is not enough, there are dozens and dozens of interesting little shops selling everything from boutique cloths to local produce, or even a house if you like!

Within the town the festival was extremely well advertised. Barely a shop or billboard did not display a poster listing the main events to take place during the week. However, a major omission was that none of advertising gave any clue to where the Blues Festival was to be held, and for this reason we missed the opening (free) show of Loïc Hula Boy. Bearing in mind that Hula Boy did not provide a highly amped show the only way that we found the 'Blues Village' was when we saw a display of perhaps a hundred Harley Davidson’s, and being drawn to these, we then saw the entrance to the concert area.

Very fortunately we did not miss the second act on a very hot and humid (35c) Saturday evening. For, what did not sound too inspiring in the programme turned out to be a cracking performance by young Vicktor Huganet.

Saturday 10 July

Viktor Huganet (French)

My initial reaction to Viktor, as he went about preparing for the off, was that he looked like a nice boy with early George Michael bleached streaks in his hair and a chin as smooth and fair as a baby’s bum. In no way was I prepared for an exceptional performance by an all round good rocker. Although I was pretty impressed with his Gretsh White Falcon semi-acoustic guitar. Very nice.

Supported by a Max Headroom look alike on drums and a resistance fighter on bass they did look an odd bunch .... but a very good odd bunch they were. A definite 'son of Setzer'!

The label said he sounds like Eddy Cochran and ‘just like Eddy’ he was, punching out song after song from the late 60’s / early 70’ in a style that could have matched the King himself. "Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie", "Mystery Train", "That's Alright" and stuff I have forgotten because I was having such a good time. All three are fully competent musicians who clearly enjoy what they do. As I looked around the audience it was hard to find anyone who was not foot tapping or clapping to the many songs that were so good to hear again and so good to hear done well.

Well done Viktor - a real good rocker – I’ll definitely get to see you again.
 

Malted Milk (French)

Malted Milk are a blues band I had noticed, and read about, on the Dixie Frog Records site and one that I had marked as a ‘must see’. From the hand of Robert Johnson, and then popularised by Mr Clapton, Malted Milk is a classic blues track - and these boys did the name proud.

First of the paid shows, and to start at 9pm, the setting sun did not provide any relief from the heat that radiated from the ground, the walls, the railings, even the air that seemed in short supply. Fortunately the beer, at 2 euros a plastic beaker, was ice cool. Yeh!!!

Three guitars (lead, rhythm, and bass), keyboard, drums, and a couple of brass (sax and trumpet) supplied the sound with Arnaud Fradin (also lead guitar) and Yann Cuyeu (rhythm guitar) providing most of the vocals.

The band work well together and, at the same time, interact with the audience during their powerful, first class, two hour session.

The mix of Mississippi, Chicago, and West Coast blues were all given an added ingredient – Malted Milk – and I really was very disappointed when their time was up.

Although each and every one of the band gave a brilliant performance, in my opinion, worthy of special note was the drummer Gilles Delagrange who I thought was inventive whilst still providing a deep pulsing beat with enviable concentration. The final beat of the show drained the last of his massive energy, running down his arms and into the battens, whereby he simultaneously let go of the sticks and sprang up and in the same motion made strides away much in the same way a weight lifter would do after just completing his record lift – needing to wind down such tremendous physical and mental energy.

Now marked as a ‘must see again’.

Popa Chubby (USA)

The late night show, sponsored by Harley Davidson, was the man that fills the stage with his size and presence. When he entered on stage I took a double take cos’ he looked just like my mate Tank wearing a spotted tea-cloth on his head!

Popa opened the show with an elongated version of  “Hey Joe” – a brilliant track which set the scene for what was to come – and during which he became a fountain of perspiration that burst from him at the same rate as his repertoire of heavy rock music. A bikers dream!

Improvisation in music is what makes Blues so diverse and interesting, enabling the artist to put his soul into his sound, but I do find some over extended versions difficult to follow and I loose the drift of the original tune. Yes, I may be a pleb but at the same time, I was left in no doubt whatsoever that this man Popa Chubby knows how to squeeze every note known to man out of his well worn guitar.

A big show by a big man.

Loads more to come - keep looking .................