Cahors Blues Festival - Day 7

Le Blues Dans La Ville

The main theme of this Friday night was for various bands, including some that had been in the Festival, to play in restaurants and bars throughout the town of Cahors.

With more than a dozen venues advertised it should have been hard to choose but I had previously noticed, during the week, a solitary poster in a shop window. It was advertising Rachelle Plas and the poster read (in English) "A Girl, Her Harmonica, and Her Voice". No contest. This was the one for me. But more of this later.

Bad To The Bone (French)

Back in the Festival Village there were two more free shows in the early evening. The 5pm one we could see - the 7pm one we could not as we had booked the restaurant for 19:30.

Bad To The Bone, I think, were having a bad day. Rather embarrassingly they had to apologise for the absence of their keyboard player. Whether this phased them or not I don't know (I'm sure it did to some extent) but they were not impressing the audience that bothered to turn up.

What they played was mostly rock and I've hard much better. Sorry lads. Maybe another time.

Rachelle Plas (French)

If you have been reading the previous blogs on the Cahors Blues Festival you will know that Rachelle Plas made an impromptu appearance with Connie Lush & Blues Shouter and this was a great preview for me.

Tonight she was playing at the Food & Beverage restaurant which is situated in a beautiful old square in the old quarter of Cahors town. It's a strange name for a French restaurant, especially as it is owned and run by a Frenchman who speaks no English. I will prefer to call it the F & B restaurant. Its a charming place with almost tropical gardens behind a high wall, and this is where we were seated on this warm evening for both our meal and the show.

Rachelle had set herself up with a small band; keyboards, guitar, and drums - and herself on harmonica and vocals.

We were not at all disappointed. Rachelle is both a talented and an accomplished blues harp player - and she has an excellent voice to suit the music too.

While we finished a superb meal she got our feet tapping to a mix of blues, soul, and just a little jazz. I particularly liked her versions of "Sir Duke" and "I Can't Stand The Rain". A table of fans, of similar age to Rachelle, got up and were dancing to the music that was drawing crowds to peer through the gate and over the wall. The meal was turning into a party!

This girl, from Paris, with her harp and voice, is going places. Look out for her. You will not be disappointed.

In fact, she will be playing at the National Harmonica League, Bristol (UK) at the end of October.

Sadly, my camera started to play up and the lighting in the restaurant garden was not placed to shine on dear Rachelle. Therefore, I have had to rely on web sourced images in this instance. But there will be another opportunity.

So that's it. That's all the bands and artists I got to see in Cahors this year (2010). There was a final night but the Tour de France was passing my house the following day and I did not want to miss it and the massive BBQ party that was to follow.

Cahors Blues Festival was a massive event and extremely well organised and very successful. Bags of credit must go to all who arranged and helped to provide such excellent entertainment. 

However, I will say that I found the volume levels often unnecessarily high. I was staying more than 1 kilometre away from the Festival Village, and the two shows I did not stay to the end, I could still hear very clearly from that distance. 

I am not adverse to jacking up the volume when listening to my blues or rock - at home or in the car. It is, after all, important to feel the music. But care must be taken not to distort the music, it must be respected - and so too are the rights of those that, for whatever reason, may not wish to share the same music. I do feel that being able to hear the words of a song 1 kilometre away rather excessive.

Despite my one or two negative comments my complete admiration goes to all who performed. Although some were better than others they all had to be good to be there.

And this brings me to my list of favourites. To name who I thought was best is not possible because of the diverse talents and different styles. So, I will list them in the order that they appeared:

• Viktor Huganet - Rocker extraordinaire
• Malted Milk - A real blues band
• Cisco Herzhaft - Fantastic entertainment
• The Honeymen - I bought the CD, they must be good!
• Connie Lush - The belle of the Festival
• Nine Below Zero - Great blues, great rock, great fun
• Rachelle Plas - One to watch

Oh, and the Tour de France? It was won by Alberto Contador.

Coming next : Dr Feelgood, JJ Milteau, Mannish Boys, and Alex Henley Band

A bientôt

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 .................

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

April 2010

RAMBLINGS

Thanks to all those that are keeping me supplied with blues fodder, and a BIG thanks to YOU for reading this blog. I hope you like it. Any comments, advice, or ideas will always be appreciated . And do please pass the  blog link on to any friends. Thanks. 

In this issue we have news of Joe Louis Walker coming to Cahors. The wonderful voice of Connie Lush (see March 2010 issue) will be in France too. Nico Wayne Toussaint, harmonica fantastic, continues with his tour in France and Spain. Malted Milk are running around, and BB King will be in Cognac again.

Other news is that the UK government has announced that they want to put a stop to the illegal downloading of music. I cannot imagine how they will do that, it is all a bit too late, but I wish them luck - after all it is wrong. But then, so is fiddling one's expenses!!!!!!!!!!! What do you think about music downloads and copying? Has the music industry shot itself in the foot? Let me know your thoughts.

WHAT'S ON?
April

01   Eric Bibb is at salle Grappelli, Nice (06)

02   American Gospel Connection is at Palavas les Flottes

02   Eric Bibb is at Mainvilliers -­ Salle des fêtes

03   Connie Lush is at Regneville-Sur-Mer (76)

03   Eric Bibb is at St Rémy-Les ­Chartreuses -­ Jazz à Toute Heure
06 - 10  Nico Wayne Toussaint is at Hotel Meridien, Paris  
15   Nico Wayne Tousaint is at Ruel Malmaison (92)
17   Little Bob is at Le Mans (72) - Circuit 24h Moto
23   Pura Fe is at Merville (59) - Espace Culturel

23   Malted Milk is at Le Thor (84) -­ Le Sonograf   
24   Malted Milk is at Périgueux -­ Les Toquets
25   Pura Fe is at Grande-Synthe (59) - Centre Culturel
25   Malted Milk is at La Roche Posay ­- Festival Images en Scènes

BLUES NOTE

Joe Louis Walker adds to the line-up of magnificent blues artist to perform at the Cahors Blues Festival in July 2010.

Starting out in his teens, in San Francisco, Joe Louis hung out with guitarist Mike Bloomfield and jammed along with visiting bluesmen in the local clubs.

At some stage he moved to gospel and sang with the gospel quartet, the Spiritual Corinthians which, at the time when blues was more clearly defined as ‘Delta’, ‘Chicago’, or ‘West Coast’ seemed to confuse his listeners. But by the mid 90’s he was becoming more consistent and set about setting himself new challenges. Great Guitars (1997), with leaders like Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, and Ike Turner is an interesting feature of his work and reveals his wide knowledge of the blues.

Multiple Grammy and WC Handy award winner, Joe Louis Walker, is now a ‘must’ to see and hear. A guitar legend and a singer/song writer he now relentlessly tours the world spreading his unique style of his blues passion. He now has 19 solo albums and countless compilations with guest appearances.

Joe Louis Walker is truly keeping the legend alive and he is coming to the South Of France this year. Don’t miss him.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

John Lansley - Musician

John’s first visit to the Aude (11) was more than 4 years ago, when he and his then musical partner made the long trip down from Luxembourg to play at a birthday party. Seduced by the south of France, he has now made his home here and has started to get actively involved in the music scene.

South Of France Blues – What is your musical background?

JL – I started at the tender age of 13 and within a few years was serving my apprenticeship in various bands playing everything from Cream to Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath to Genesis, Pink Floyd to Yes. Over the years I have graduated from what might be termed English Blues through ProgRock, experimental music, reggae, and latterly back to the blues.

South Of France Blues – Guitar favourites and influences?

JL – Early on I guess it was Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Tony McPhee (The Groundhogs), then people like Santana, John McLaughlin, Steve Howe, Bob Fripp, Allan Holdsworth, Mick Ronson. But stand out influences are Peter Green and Jeff Beck – both have superb sense of touch, dynamics and melody, originating in blues forms, but taking the original ideas forward rather than churning out the same riffs.

South Of France Blues – What are your plans now?

JL – I love playing live and have been trying to find suitable opportunities here in France. I also love playing with interesting musicians who are involved in different types of music, and seeing what happens. So creating, writing and recording are also very important to me.

It is clear there are some good musicians in the area, and lots of people interested in listening to live music, but there seems to be relatively few venues capable of providing for the demand. I’m involved with a group of people trying to address this. Watch this space!

South Of France Blues – Aha! Do tell us more...

JL – Well its early days but we’d like to set up a sort of Blues Association which would help put musicians in touch with each other, publicise and even arrange gigs, help with recording projects and so on. But we’ve got some work to do before we’re ready to launch it. Anyone interested in helping should get in touch with me (john.lansley@yahoo.co.uk)!

South Of France Blues – So you’re a professional musician? Or (dare I suggest it) retired?

JL – Ha ha. Neither. I have always wanted to have fun playing and made the decision not to rely on music to pay the rent. My ‘day job’ is in the investment planning field – I was a tax consultant advising expatriates around the world and over the last 20 years have also been specialising in helping people invest their money tax-efficiently, deal with pensions, inheritance issues, and related financial matters. I am a member of the Spectrum IFA Group (www.spectrum-ifa.com) and will gladly discuss either music or finance with anyone!

At the time of this Blog chapter South Of France Blues is working with John to find a suitable venue in the Aude (11) for blues events and for ‘open mic’ jamming sessions. Anyone who can also assist in this direction, or is interested to play, can contact John on the link above or through the comments link on this page.

Loads more gigs coming up in May. Keep watching this space. As the South of France starts to warm up so will The Blues.

A bientôt