Mon 10 Aug 2009
Pocono Blues Festival 2009
Posted by Doc under Concert/Show Info, Reviews, Uncategorized
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Pocono Blues Festival 2009
The spirits of Chicago Blues Legends were circling the Tent Stage at the 18th annual Pocono Blues Festival at the Big Boulder Ski Area in Lake Harmony, PA. Paul Oscher, former Muddy Water’s sideman, was given the task to start another edition of the Northeast’s most anticipated Blues Festivals of the season.
Sitting in a chair all by himself Paul looked right at home with his winter hat in place and his guitar and harp ready to roll. Oscher used some sort of wireless harp microphone unit that I had not seen before. Whatever he was using on his harp, it worked and then some. Oscher treated us to some great solo Chicago Blues. Paul also treated us to some great stories of his days with the late Muddy Waters, Otis Spann and his experiences with Little Walter.
Later in the set Oscher traded in his guitar for some keyboards and the one man band continued to please the growing Friday night crowd. During the encore part of his set, the lightning started to move in. Luckily Paul was able to finish up his set and get the full weekend of blues off to a great start.
After the rains came down, James Armstrong took the stage to what I heard was a great set. Armstrong was followed by Eddie Turner. Guitarist/Vocalist Turner turned in a hard rocking’ set which featured a power trio lineup, complete with a top notch rhythm section. Compared to Oscher, Turner was a lot more rock and a little less blues but very much in line for the crowd that is looking for this type performance.
Saturday started just like the weatherman promised. Guitarist/Vocalist Melvin Taylor took the stage around 11:30am to an already large crowd. The sun was shining and the full festival atmosphere was in play as Melvin decided to tackle Carlos Santana’s “Black Magic Woman.” Other highlights of the guitarist’s set included Albert King’s “I Play the Blues for You.”
The much anticipated duo of drummer Cedric Burnside and guitarist Lighnin’ Malcolm
was slotted to open the Tent Stage. The Hill Country Jams were very much alive and fitting as the powerful team drove their sound up Big Boulder Mountain. You couldn’t help but move as Burnside and Malcolm played in perfect unison. No need for a keyboard player, bass player or horn section; these guys flat out lay it down. Cedric performed his tribute to his late grandfather/bluesman R.L. Burnside, which can be found on the latest release appropriately titled “2 Man Wrecking Crew” on Delta Groove Music. If these two guys are indicative of where blues is headed, then it’s on the right path.
Next on the main stage was the Bonedog Record Review featuring artists: Tommy Brown, Git Shorty & Stephanie Wellans. Guitarist/Vocalist Git Shorty got things rolling dressed in his bright red sport coat and his total command of the crowd’s attention. Shorty was backed by a great band which included a full horn section and a great organ player. Next up Git Shorty brought out vocalist Stephanie Wellans to perform a couple of numbers. Stephanie sounded good and brought with her a favorite of mine “You Don’t Know Nothing About Love, “which you might remember from the CD Marcia Ball, Tracey Nelson & Irma Thomas did together.
Next joining the review was the one and only Atlanta blues legend since 1945, Tommy Brown. Tommy is not only a blues shouter from way back but also a comedian. 
Tommy told the audience that he was celebrating his 72nd year in the music business and just celebrated his 78th birthday. Tommy also entertained the crowd in between songs with some jokes and stories. Early in his set, Brown asked the crowd if they wanted to see a one legged golfer and then proceeded to do a fall off the 4 foot high stage to enhance the effect of his joke. Back up Brown came and the music continued, including his 1947 hit “Weepin’ & Cryin.’” If you are a fan of Big Joe Turner you would have loved the sounds of Tommy singing over the Bonedog Review band.
Trombone Shorty Andrews was just hitting Stage 2 with his very young band. Shorty did a cover of the old classic rock song “American Woman.” Not a surprise to hear Andrews doing this one since I know he spent time touring with Lenny Kravitz who also covered that song. Shorty then took it back to New Orleans and sounds a whole lot more at home with “You Got The Same Thing On.” They call Troy Andrews “Trombone Shorty” but he is just as comfortable and impressive when he plays the trumpet.
Back to the tent stage it was time for Melvin Taylor’s second set. Melvin mentioned that they were just getting warmed up with their late morning set and were really bringing it all together in this second set. Taylor is an impressive guitar player and was called back for an encore, which surprised everyone when they broke out a very original sounding version of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in The Wall.”
Following Melvin Taylor in the tent was the 2nd set of Cedric Burnside and Lighnin’ Malcolm. The groove and the grind of straight forward Mississippi Hill Country Blues once again filled the tent. Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside covers followed and Cedric and Lightnin’ took it to another level.
As the set finished up I just had time to catch some of Shemekia Copeland’s 2nd set. Earlier Shemekia performed a tribute to her late father, Johhny “Clyde” Copeland in the tent stage. 
Shemekia sounded in great form as she finished her set with her hit “It’s 2 AM.” Shemekia is currently on tour in support of her new CD “Never Going Back (Telarc Records).”
Back up on Stage 2 Bernard Allison was laying down “40 Days and 40 Night.” Decked out in his Jerome Bettis – Steelers jersey, Bernard was in true form fronting his top notch band. I was most impressed by the sax player and keyboard player that were on the road with Allison.
Back over at the tent stage, a late fill in for the festival guitarist Zac Harmon was taking the crowd to Mississippi. With a powerful new drummer and covers of Muddy Waters, Al Green and James Brown, Zac put together one of the best sets of the festival.
I think Trombone Shorty and his band were just getting warmed up earlier. The second set of Shorty’s band which was under the tent now really picked up the crowd and took them to New Orleans.
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Trombone Shorty
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Shorty played trombone, trumpet and keyboards during this set. I was told that he ended the set with a 2nd encore of “When The Saints Go Marchin’ In” with his entire band fronting the stage.
Shorty had some tough competition for the headlining spot since two Chicago Blues legends were on the main stage. Guitarist Eddie “The Chief” Clearwater and Harpist James Cotton played a great living legends set backed by Cotton’s band. Decked out in his zebra designed hat, the lanky Clearwater can still sling his left handed guitar and belt out some classic Chicago blues. After a bout with cancer a few years back, Cotton no longer sings but can still belt out some of the best blues harp sounds you will ever hear.
Back and forth Clearwater and Cotton played off of each other’s licks and looked like they were having the time of their lives up there. Just before the rain came down harder the duo was able to play “My Babe” and “Rocket 88″ to wrap up their set.
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Eddy Clearwater
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I love the way the Pocono Blues festival gets Sunday, Day 3, off to a great gospel start. The Pittsburgh Gospel Lights opened to a growing crowd and light rain. Their lead singer and drummer was really the force behind this outfit with versions of “Mary Don’t You Weep” and “Glory Alleluia.”
The tent stage opened with two solo sets that would merge into a duo. Electro-Fi recording artist Fruteland Jackson took the stage first with a great version of his acapella tune, “Blues 2.0.” Fruteland then sat down and pull out the guitar and entertained the growing crowd with his blues number about growing old “Pencil Don’t Write No More.”
Next up was Harrison Kennedy, formerly of the group the Chairman of the Board. You might remember this group from their hit “Gimme Just A Little More Time.” Harrison also started his set by performing an acapella number about an old “Chain Gang Holler.” Harrison then sat down and broke out the slide on his guitar and also brought down the house with a great song accompanied by some old time spoon playing. After Harrison finished up his solo set he brought Fruteland Jackson back up and the guitar duo took it from there. Fruteland and Harrison traded licks and vocals while performing some blues classics like “Key to The Highway.” Look for a new CD from Harrison Kennedy on Electro-Fi Records in the Fall of 2009.
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Fruteland Jackson
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Guitarist/Vocalist Texas Johnny Brown kicked off Stage 2 after being presented with a much deserved Lifetime Achievement Award. Texas Johnny has been around since the late 40’s. Johnny is out of Houston, Texas where he began his carrer with Amos Milburn. Besides playing with Milburn, Texas Johnny also played on Ruth Brown’s first Atlantic recordings. Johnny also toured with Bobby “Blue” Bland and Junior Parker during the 1950’s & 1960’s. A highlight of his set was his very own composition and blues classic “Two Steps from the Blues.”
Actor/Guitarist/Keyboardist/Vocalist Chris Thomas King was up next on the Tent Stage. King appeared as a three piece band which consisted of himself on guitar/keyboards and a young bass guitar, drums combo backing him. Fittingly the bass player wore a Reggie Bush New Orleans Saints jersey. Much of King’s set focused on New Orleans and the state it is still in so many years now after hurricane Katrina. Chris focused on material off his digital downloadable EP just released in May entitled “Nawlins is Callin’.” An emotional song about New Orleans with the chorus “Flow Mississippi Flow” really touched the audience and brought the scenes and aftermath of Katrina right back into everyone’s awareness. Thomas even brought with him a version of the New Orleans classic “St. James Infirmary.”
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Chris Thoma King
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Breaking away from the New Orleans sound, King brought out some Elmore James like Chicago blues licks followed up by a version of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads.” After switching to keyboards, King discussed his opportunity to be in the movie “Ray”, portraying blues legend Lowell Fulson. King then kicked out a version of Ray Charles’ “I Got A Woman” and rocked the tent like an old time church revival. King’s other acting credits include his portrayal of blues legend Tommy Johnson in the movie “Brother Where Art Thou.” King finished his set with an acoustic track from the soundtrack of that movie.
Back over at the main stage, I was able to get my second opportunity to catch the very talented singer/songwriter/guitarist Ruthie Foster. Ruthie had the crowd in the palm of her hand as she told stories about her visits with Jessie Mae Hemphill and her love for Mississippi John Hurt. After this she broke into a great version of Hurt’s “Richland Woman’s Blues.” Ruthie dedicated this version to Jessie Mae.
Saffire, The Uppity Blues Women were set to take the Pocono stage for their last time. Long time Alligator recording artist Saffire is making their final go round during their farewell tour together. The group opened with Ann Rabson laying down some serious boogie woogie piano and hard driving vocals about Rampart Street (“Haste Makes Waste”). It didn’t take much before the tent was rocking and the front of the stage was packed with their long time fans. Ann Rabson demonstrated why she is such an in demand solo act and will hopefully continue to perform after Saffire is done. Gaye Adegbalola guitarist/vocalist in the group also has a long solo career; she took over the vocals on a song about “Steel Ovaries” that had the crowd laughing and dancing. Andra Faye is the third member of Saffire. 
Andra holds down the bass, mandolin, guitar, fiddle and also vocal duties that round out the great sound that has been Saffire for over twenty years. It’s very sad to see The Uppity Blues Women go. Their last performance together is schedule for November 7th of this year. Their final record on Alligator Records released this year is entitled “Havin’ The Last Word.”
After Saffire it was time to gas up the bus and head back to Rochester. Such a great festival and I really like the idea behind the multiple sets of some artists. If you are willing to do a little speed walking you can pretty much catch almost every act at this long-time festival. I am already looking forward to number 19.
Greg “Doc” Lefebre, host of Doc’s Juke Joint, heard every Sunday night on Jazz 90.1FM, www.jazz901.org streaming live on the internet. Look for photos of this years Pocono Blues Festival on our Facebook Page.
I would also like to thank all of our spectacular performers: Gordon Munding, Curtis Waterman, Washboard Dave, Ryan Griffith, 
You hear his Grammy Award Winning new release 
