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

July 2010

Bonjour mes amis,

We are well into the concert and gig season now and there is loads going on in France. See the details below for concerts at Avoine, Cahors, Althen des Paluds, Cognac, and in October the Avignon Blues Festival.

I’m still waiting for news on when and where Shri Blues will play. They were at Gruissan (11) last year and put on a superb performance. I’ll let you know details as soon as I hear anything.

Sadly, in June, 15 years ago Rory Gallagher joined the great bluesmen of the after world. In June we also lost Pete Quaife (aged just 66) who was, for some time, bassist in the Kinks. On a lighter note, on 10 June we celebrated 100 years since the birth of Chester Arthur Burnett a.k.a Mr Howlin’ Wolf.

Occasionally I’m asked where we can buy good blues music. Of course the usual supplier sites like Amazon and iTunes will stock the better-known material – and many of the links in my blogs will take you to the relevant counter within Amazon. But there are one or two specialised sites as follows:

Dixie Frog Records

Red Lick

Music Stack

All are good and well worth just a trawl around to see what you can find. Let me know if you have a favourite music store.

WHAT’s ON IN FRANCE?

July

01  Joe Louis Walker will be playing at Avoine Zone Blues, Avoine

      (Chinon) (37)

01-04   Avoine Zone Blues, Avoine (Chinon) (37)

02&03  Eric Bibb, Nina Attal, & Amar Sundy play at Nuit du

                  Blues,  Cabannes (13)

03  Dr Feelgood is playing at the Guitar Festival, Lavelanet (09)

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  BB Brunes is at Argelès-sur-Mer (66)

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

12-17 Jazz à Sete (34)

16     Uncl’ STF is playing at La Guinguette, Lac de Montbel, Léran , 

        Ariege (09)

22     Mark Knopfler is at Nimes, Gard (30)

24     See Dr. Feelgood, JJ Milteau, Mannish Boys, & Alex Henly 

         Band at the Festival de Blues at Althen des Paluds (84)

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

August

08     Nico Wayne Toussaint is in Quillan (11)

21     Uncl’STF is at L’Ecume des Jours, Montbel (11)

October

16     Joe Cocker performs at the Zenith, Toulouse (31)

18     Katie Melua is at Le Dome, Marseille (13)

18     John Mayall is at the Bikini, Toulouse (31)

20     Supertramp play at the Zenith, Toulouse (31)

Plus ………… Every Saturday evening during the summer months there is an Open Mic – Jam Session at Le Rendez-vous, Lèran (09). Starts at 19:30. Menu 10 euros.

CONCERT & FESTIVAL REMINDER

Avoine Zone Blues, Avoine (Chinon) (37) - - 1 to 4 July

Guitar Festival, Lavelanet (09) - - 2 & 3 July

Nuit du Blues, Cabannes (13) - - 2 & 3 July

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

Jazz à Sete, Sete (34) - - 12 to 17 July

Festival de Blues à Althen des Paluds (84) - - 24 July

Cognac Blues Passions, Cognac, Charente (16) - - 27 July to 01 August

HOW DEEP CAN THE ROOTS GO?

During my working days I was very fortunate to have travelled to most parts of the globe and this included much of West Africa from Morocco down to Angola. And on some occasions I made my way to small shack bars in the suburbs of Abidjan (Ivory Coast) or Lagos (Nigeria), or Douala (Cameroon) where I could hear excellent local artists playing the Blues and R & B. In particular I remember one hot sticky night making my way to Vridi, on the coast near Abidjan, and finding a small bar with just a rush roof on rough poles and open to the unmade roadside. The only seating was heavy, clumsy looking wooden benches and the beers were served from a large plastic cool box. I got there literally as the 4-piece band struck up and they opened with a 20-minute lead-in to Hendrix’s ‘Hey Joe’ – followed by an extended version of the song with various solos. I don’t know if you can imagine that atmosphere but I will never forget being the only white man in town and no one cared because we all enjoyed the music.

So, I was very intrigued when someone recently gave to me the CD album “West African Music” (The Rough Guide). It open with a light calypso like track called ‘Foliba’ by the Super Rail Band from Mali.

Track 3 ‘Roucky’ by Ali Farka Toure (again from Mali) could easily sit comfortably on a Chris Rea album. Over 8 minutes long though!

Another 8 minutes fills track 9; ‘Utru Horas’ by Orchestra Baobab (Senegal). Now, in which direction across the Atlantic has this music travelled? And did it call by Mexico on the way?

The final track (12) is ‘Agne Anko’ by Kante Manfila (Guinea). A simple but pleasing acoustic guitar accompanies this ballad – perhaps praising the land he loves, his village, his people, his family?

This album presents a medley of fine tunes and rich musical textures. Influences from the musical storytellers that travelled the trade routes from darkest West Africa to the Sahara in the north – and beyond.

Undoubtedly Blues as we know it was born out of the harsh conditions of life as a black African in the Mississippi Delta but they brought their knowledge of music and an African beat with them on the slave ships. I wonder if, in those very early first years in foreign lands, did those impoverished slaves play their African music to their friends – maybe to remind them of home and those left behind. Did those more upbeat tunes gradually become the Blues of our Delta legends?

Listening to “West African Music” it is very clear that music influences have done a full circle. Modern African music is clearly styled, in part and in particular, on Blues-Rock but it is still the very deepest root of the Blues we are so fortunate to have inherited.

There are dozens of similar albums with West African music and I’m sure most will offer good listening.

I’m not sure if “West African Music” (The Rough Guide) will replace John Lee Hooker on my listening list but I did enjoy it and I would recommend it.

Please don’t forget to let me know of any concerts, gigs (however small), open mics, etc that may be happening in your town or region. Feel free to share with us any bluesmen, blueswomen, or bands that you like or tell us about your favourite CD.

Most of all, enjoy the music, enjoy the summer, and stay safe.

A bientôt.