Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 - by Mark Bastin

WOW! What can I say? It's been days and I'm still on a musical high I refuse to come down from! After the event I ventured out on an extended leave of sorts and I've returned to share that which was Crossroads Guitar Festival! It was the largest single music event I've ever attended and gave promise to be the most amazing assembly of musicians I've ever witnessed live and it didn't disappoint! First off, let me tell you the weather was warm but a gorgeous sunny day which turned into one unbelievable evening! As the day started people made there way into Toyota Park, finding their place on the field which was covered with a removable flooring, others located their seats in the stands. You could feel a sense of excitement in the air as every face you met gave way to a smile, as there was much to smile about! Prior to the actual Crossroads kickoff they had Kirby Kelley, Guitar Center's King of the Blues winner out to perform the track which won him the title and prizes. It was a tease of sorts as people including myself filed into the area in front of the stage reserved for the first 3,000 attendees who entered that morning. They all had wrist bands, some with cameras, many sporting previous Crossroads shirts, finding their way to the stage as the event was about to open. Bill Murray once again graced the stage as Ambassador of Chicago to begin the festivities and Crossroads 2010 was under way!! I'll come back to the music highlights but I want to continue on in describing the event and the attractions.

I was able to move about freely while my photographer Raymon Guajardo was stationed on the photo riser just left of the sound booth on the field, as I walked within those on the flooring it was apparent many were return visitors from the 2007 event and the conversations combined to highlight past performances and praise what was ahead. The best part of moving through the crowd which was evident throughout the whole day was the unity displayed. Guitar fanatics unite!! Early in the afternoon I had made my way over the far end stairs to investigate the Guitar Village which wrapped that end at ground level. My discovery was both exciting and educational! Among all the vendors one theme was constant, plug and play!! You could walk up to Fender, Gibson, Guitar Center, and many other vendors and sample their offerings to the guitar world with many on hand to field questions and encourage purchases. Guitar Center had a Legends display showcasing three world famous guitars, two of Clapton's most famous including his strat named Blackie. The third was one which stopped me in my tracks, the strat played by the man responsible for drawing me to blues, Stevie Ray Vaughan's 1965 Lenny! As I stood in front of the guitar my eyes began to swell, now I realize this was most likely a replica of Lenny but I was struck with the overwhelming feeling that came when I heard Stevie's music which still gives chills when listening. I had my picture taken in front of the larger than life picture display of Stevie, it's now my phone background.


As I strolled through the village it was my intent to hear Ryan McGarvey, the Ernie Ball contest winner who earned the right to perform on the Ernie Ball Stage placed within the village. It was a small trailer stage and very much like walking up to a game at a local fair which had a huge impact on my day! It was early afternoon as Ryan and his band began to play with many from the midwest who knew nothing of him on facebook or myspace as they were all asking his name. As Ryan's set proceeded viewers began to gasp in amazement for never knowing of such a talent! Words like incredible and hot were used to describe the young guitarist as the crowd grew larger around the stage. The song which impacted the audience most was saved for his finale, a nine minute instrumental called "Mystic Dream" and it delivered as the crowd erupted after his guitar solo where he displayed why he was the winner! As the song and set ended Ryan gave thanks for the invitation to Crossroads and to the crowd for listening. After a blistering acoustic set from Joe Bonamassa on the same stage I was off to hear more from the main stage. Joe was equally as exciting and gracious to the fans with more to come on him in the arena.

Crossroads on the main stage began as it did in 2007, an intro from Bill Murray introducing Eric, then Eric introducing Sonny Landreth and the music was off and running. Sonny performed Promiseland with Eric onstage in one of his songs reminding us all why Sonny opens the show and is who he is! Robert Randolph and the Family Band followed with Joe Bonamassa and Pino Daniele assisting. Joe's only song of his own he performed was Further On Up The Road and it was stellar as usual but it was odd only seeing Joe lead on one song. Robert and Pino both took lead vocal honors with Robert's sister assisting as well. On the next set Robert Cray, and Hubert Sumlin, took the stage with Jimmy Vaughan performing an emotional rendition of Six Strings Down in their set. As each performance ended they spun the rotating stage around to speed the transition so we all had little down time between sets, it was very effective and pleasing to the crowd. I don't want to overlook the fact Robert Cray sounded better than ever and any time Hubert Sumlin is on stage makes it a legendary performance! Moving further into the day I found myself listening to Jesus Just Left Chicago once again having just seen ZZ Top at the Indy 500 Carb Day show but the difference on this day was they sounded better than any time I've ever heard them live! They also covered Foxy Lady which drew great approval. Albert Lee, Keb Mo, and Vince Gill jammed together with Albert's daughter joining in on lead vocals on one song. Vince performed his top hit, Whenever You Come Around but his guitar play was really what took center stage! Then Vince covered with permission, Eric's song, Lay Down Sally, with Sheryl Crow assisting on vocals and James Burton and Earl Klugh jamming on guitar. It was exciting to see and hear all the genres covered with all the musicians on stage as rock, country, blues, and jazz were all represented by many of the best in their respective genres, although blues was the theme of the day.

I spoke of my trip to the guitar village earlier in the day which unfortunately meant I had to miss someone on the main stage, this was a big sacrifice for me as my favorite guitarist, Doyle Bramhall was on stage with Sheryl Crow and I missed it all. Fortunately a few fans had videos online allowing me to see what I missed but as with any live show it's more moving when it's in your face. The next group in our face was Chicago legend Buddy Guy along with Ron Wood, and Jonny Lang, representing three generations of blues and or blues rock. They were like three little boys on stage!! To see Buddy still playing as he does at a young 73 is simply remarkable!! Ron and Jonny's guitar play pleased the crowd as well while Buddy makes the comment, "it's a blast between two who play like that, makes me feel like I'm in heaven." We were all feeling it as Buddy screams and goes into playing the Rolling Stone's song Miss You, while Jonny begins to sing requesting the crowd to join in. This was my favorite set on the big stage as all three have meant so much to me musically so I was truly in heaven with them! This being my largest music event ever to cover I was struggling to focus on covering the event versus falling into an all out blues rock fanatic coma! There were some great songs but the musicians stood out on this day as Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, and Warren Haynes performed in place of the Allman Brothers since Gregg was unable to attend due to a successful liver transplant. David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas from Los Lobos also joined in. They covered the Allman Brothers song Soul Shine as a tribute and it was well received!

Johnny Winter slowly walked out and sat on a chair performing a cover of Red House as the fans all showed respect for the elder statesman of blues. It was a magical day of music and Jeff Beck added to the magic with a magical musical score of his own which left you writing the story in your head as the notes took you to another place. Jeff was also sporting a new bass player named Rhonda Smith who not only had some amazing bass lines, but she also thrilled the crowd with her vocals! After such an amazing performance you'd expect more of the same right? What followed was Bill Murray in one of his many costumes over the course of the day. He was Elvis and wiped his forehead with a red cloth which he revealed was a Chicago Blackhawks Flag, the crowd cheered as he through it in the audience as Elvis had thrown a scarf. A last minute addition to the event was Citizen Cope as he performed I Shot The Sheriff with Clapton leading into Steve Winwood's performance with Eric Clapton and a stirring Clapton style cover of Voodoo Chile which was very intense! Cocaine and Mr. Fantasy were also favorites played for an estimated crowd of 30,000.

The final set was upon us with what appeared to be 20 guitar amps across the stage as Eric, Jimmy Vaughan, Robert Cray, and B.B. King took the stage. As the three younger artists strummed softly B.B. began to tell a story which took a very long time to complete but the living legend of blues was given his due and began to sing Rock Me Baby. Watching this finale made me realize I could be seeing things I may never see again so it was both amazing and emotional for me. These four men then went into another B.B. tune, The Thrill Is Gone, and it was equally special to witness! From there many of the day's performers took the stage to sing Sweet Home Chicago and nearly all of the crowd had remained in their seats to witness another historical ending in the making! It was a truly sweet ending to an extraordinary day in witnessing some of the best musicians the world had to offer, leaving memories which would last forever! One last note, Eric Clapton spoke at one point in the day stating that the crowd was reason to say there would be another Crossroads, so for those who had heard this was the last one, rejoice, and get to the next one, it will be all you had hoped it would be. I know it was for me, an unforgettable experience as a writer, fan, and music lover, one I will cherish!

Mark Bastin

American Blues News

Photos courtesy of Raymon Guajardo

http://www.crossroadsguitarfestival.com/

Greeley Blues Jam by Jim Stick

Colorado is known for its' 300 days of sunshine a year. That fact, along with normal low humidity and cool crisp nights, makes Colorado a usually ideal place for an outdoor blues festival. Sure it might get some afternoon thunderstorms in the summer months but a non-stop three day soaking rain? Naw--that's reserved for the midwest or a place like Seattle. But unfortunately for the Greeley Blues Jam in Greeley, CO, mother nature showed her unpredictability by unleashing just such a steady downpour at this year's event.
The weather could have had disastrous results for any festival. But with some quick thinking, a little bit of luck, and the steely determination of a dedicated group of volunteers---this year's Greeley Blues Jam was miraculously pulled off.

(Left) Tim "Too Slim" Langford of Too Slim & the Taildraggers

The weather could have had disastrous results for any festival. But with some quick thinking, a little bit of luck, and the steely determination of a dedicated group of volunteers---this year's Greeley Blues Jam was miraculously (and the word "miraculously" might be an understatement) pulled off.

The outdoor portions of Friday night's activities were hampered by the rain which came and went early but by halfway through the set of Too Slim & the Taildraggers from Seattle, WA--it started pouring rain, with a little hail mixed in, and the rain never stopped in Greeley until Tuesday. Amazingly the crowds were pretty good sized despite the weather. A lot could be contributed the energetic set laid down by Too Slim & the Taildraggers. This band gets it due in the northwest of the USA, where they have a huge following. But they are grossly underrated and under-appreciated in the national blues media. This was the first time in around five years they had made it to Colorado and the crowd was loving every minute of it. Tim "Too Slim" Langford's sizzling slide guitar work had many people dancing care free in the cold and penetrating Colorado rain. Later that night at eight bars all within a two block radius of the outdoor downtown events--the best of the Colorado blues bands played and it was hilarious watching people make mad dashes from bar to bar in the driving rain. The local newspaper (The Greeley Tribune) commented in an editorial after the festival that they had never seen the downtown area "hopping the way it did Friday night".

The festival was scheduled to start on Saturday morning at the Island Grove Arena which hosts the Greeley Stampede every year-- one of the biggest rodeo's in the country. Wisely they sod the floor of the arena for the day of the festival (and then sell it used the next day). But even with that, when the sound crew showed up at 9am, the sod on the arena floor was covered with ankle deep water and with no end in sight to the rain--they said they just couldn't do the sound outdoors on that day. That set the heads of the Greeley Blues Jam organizing committee (Al & Pam Bricker) into an "OMG what the heck are we going to do" train of thought. They met with Tom Welch, the manager of the Island Grove park complex and asked about the indoor event center on the property and very luckily there was nothing scheduled for it that day. After numerous details to be ironed out at 10am they made the decision to move the festival indoors. However it was scheduled to start in one hour so their work was cut out for them.

They mobilized their army of volunteers and got to work setting up the venue. Notably Fine Audio from Denver that was doing the sound had about the toughest job to do. They had two sound systems for the two stages set up outdoors and now they had to tear them both down in the pouring rain and quickly set them back up again inside. One major problems was averted when Matt Larson of Kenny's Steak House graciously allowed the event to use their liquor license for the indoor facility.

When I arrived shortly before 11am--less than one hour after they made the decision to move the festival--I could hardly believe my eyes. The indoor venue was set up and looked almost ready to go. The food vendors were setting up, the two stages were set up, and chairs had been set up for the VIP section. If I hadn't known better it looked like they had planned on being there all along and had spent a couple of days getting ready. Moving the two sound systems would prove to be the most time consuming but by 12:25---around two hours after they decided to move the festival indoors--the Colorado blues stage was rocking with the sounds of the Blues DoGs. The word "miracle" was on most people's lips. Colorado blues bands played throughout the day on the second stage while the mainstage acts were setting up. There is a LOT of talented blues bands in Colorado and I noticed a lot of the national acts paying attention and digging what was going down on the Colorado stage.



(Above) Kerry Pastine---lead singer of The Informants.

The main stage started out with Colorado's own The Informants. This band tied for the Best Self Produced CD at this years' IBC in Memphis, has had Dan Ackroyd play their music on his national blues radio show for over a year, and has been getting serious national airplay on the Sirius satellite XM blues station. This high energy blues-based R&B band had the crowd jumping from the start and showed why they are knocking on the door of being a national touring act. Go download the song "Salvation" from their last CD "Crime Scene Queen" and you will immediately understand the buzz about them. This band loves to have fun and they convey this vibe very easily to a live crowd.



(Above) Polly O'Keary bass player of Too Slim & the Taildraggers.

Next up on the main stage was Too Slim & the Taildraggers--all rested up and dried out from their rainy outdoor adventure of the night before. Heck they are from Seattle--they probably felt right at home. They were simply on fire on Saturday afternoon. It was one of the better sets I have heard in a while. Mention must be made of the superb rocking rhythm section of Polly O'Keary on bass and Tommy Cook on drums. Ultra tight--they have a great chemistry between the two and give Too Slim a solid rocking foundation for his formidable guitar playing. I'm not sure at all how O'Keary can move and play so hard on stage, especially at the altitude of Colorado, but she pulled it off (with a few deep breaths in between songs) and a big smile never left her face the whole weekend. A high point was O'Keary's emotional singing of "The Light" from Too Slim's last CD--"Free Your Mind". Many people came up and told me it was the highlight of the festival to them. Hopefully Tim Langford and his bandmates will get their just due when their next CD comes out (hopefully this winter). They played some of their new songs over the weekend and they were very, very good.



(Above) Shemekia Copeland

Shemekia Copeland hit the stage next and she is hard to top when it comes to female traditional blues singers. She told the audience she was very moved by the number of people from Colorado who came up to her before her set and told her stories of her late father--Johnny Clyde Copeland--playing around Denver many years ago. Copeland in turn moved many Colorado blues fans with her set which drifted in between soulful blues and gospel. Her touring band were solid seasoned blues professionals and it was easy to hear why she has won so many blues awards in Memphis over the years.



(Above) The sensational Sonny Landreth

Sonny Landreth was next up and he is just in a class by himself and in his own world as a guitar player. He has developed his own unique style and has perfected it with years of touring and playing. A special treat for his set was longtime friend Steve Conn sitting in on keyboards and accordion. Landreth and Conn have recorded together and used to play together in Colorado around 1980 before Landreth returned home to Louisiana to embark on the musical path he is on now. Conn is now based in Nashville putting out some solid Americana style recordings. The result was a top notch set that technically was off the charts. Landreth coaxes the most tasty and beautiful sounds out of his guitar with his slide playing. If angels in heaven play music--it would sound like Sonny Landreth.



Kim Wilson and the Fabulous Thunderbirds finished off the night on the main stage and they did not disappoint. Wilson is the only original member left from over 30 years ago when the T-Birds started and he is still at the top of his game as a frontman, singer and harmonica player. Wilson always has great guitar players with him and his current line-up features two killer players in Johnny Moeller and Mike Keller. Moeller in particular was outstanding and quickly made people forget about the many famous name guitar players who have played with the T-Birds in the past.

Overall it was a great festival with a marvelous diversity to the main stage line-up. Many different shades of the blues were heard during the day. It was the second year for the Greeley Blues Jam and the fifth if you count the three previous years when it had a different name. This is not the typical resort town or major metropolitan city that you think of when you think of a place for a blues festival in this state. But from the all volunteer group that organizes the festival, to the many businesses that financially sponsor it, to the Chamber of Commerce and the city government---it is truly a shining example of how a mid size town can get behind an event and put on a successful blues festival.

I asked Tim "Too Slim" Langford what he thought of the festival (that you should look at attending next year on the second weekend in June)--he said:
"What a wonderful group of people who put on the Greeley Blues Jam. My hat is off to Al & Pam Bricker, the sound and lighting people and all of the volunteers who had to overcome such overwhelming obstacles due to the bad weather and get the festival moved indoors. It went off without a hitch. It was our first time in Greeley and the crowd was fantastic. We had such a great time performing for everyone. The people in Greeley were so friendly and accommodating. We hope they will invite us back someday."

©Jim Stick, 2010

Stay with American Blues News all summer as our coast to coast blues writers travel to and report on the many wonderful blues festivals held in this country.

15 Under the Radar Blues\Blues Related CDs by Jim Stick

Here is a list of 15 blues or blues related CDs that have come out or have been re-released in the last 15 years or so that have flown under the radar or are just under appreciated, that you might want to look into owning. There are so many blues artists releasing CDs these days that it can be nearly impossible to keep up with everything that comes out. You won't find big blues artists like B.B. King, Tommy Castro, Buddy Guy etc. on this list. If one of these CDs sounds interesting to you, I will name one song on each that for less than one dollar you can go download and get a flavor of what the CD is about. I hope that this list will turn you on to some great blues music that might have slipped by you.






"1928 Sessions" by Mississippi John Hurt

Mississippi John Hurt does not have the reputation of Robert Johnson or the intensity of Charlie Patton or Son House. What Hurt did have was a unique blues style from the 1920's era with an almost folk style of guitar playing and a sweet voice which can almost seem at odds with the typical song topics of the day of shootings and stabbings mixed in the with the lost love themes. It boggles my mind that these songs, recorded on the Okeh label, were recorded 82 years ago.
Download one song: 6. Louis Collins
"Resurrection of the Bayou Maharajah" by James Booker

The tortured genius of New Orleans piano wizard James Booker shines in this collection of songs recorded live at the famed Maple Leaf bar in New Orleans. Other New Orleans piano players might have bigger names but none could ever match the mad and sick talent of Booker.
Download one song: 2. Medley: Tico Tico/Papa Was a Rascal.
Is it even humanly possible for anyone to play the piano runs Booker plays on this song? And this was done live? Truly amazing and astounding.
"South of I-10" by Sonny Landreth

Sonny Landreth is getting his well deserved props these days. This 1995 recording is the start of where his unique and amazing slide guitar style, his poignant songwriting about his Louisiana homeland, and his improving voice all came together.
Upbeat and lively, every song on this recording is a joy. One of two CDs I have ever owned that I literally wore out by playing so often.
Download one song: While Congo Square gets more acclaim--my favorite is: 2. Creole Angel.
"Radioland" by The Cate Brothers

Jimmy Thackery turned me on to these guys in Memphis in 1997. At that time he told me they were "the best r&b band going today". Thanks Jimmy. Featuring the soulful voice of Ernie Cate and the ultra clean guitar style of brother Earl Cate, this 1995 recording is equal parts soul, r&b, and blues. Every song on this CD is a "keeper".
It is hard for me to understand why this Arkansas based band has never broke big onto the national blues scene.
Download one song: You can't go wrong with any song on this CD but start with the title track: 2. Radioland.
:"Gone Woman Blues" by Rory Block

This is Rory Block at her best: playing acoustic Mississippi delta country blues.
Nobody does it better. On this 1997 recording she does songs from Robert Johnson, Charlie Patton, Son House, Tommy Johnson, and many more. Her dedication to keeping the music alive of these historical blues greats makes her a revered national treasure.
Download one song: 9. Rolling Log
"Telephone Road" by Mark May

You can tell that Houston, TX based blues guitar player Mark May grew up admiring Albert Collins from this 1997 release. Crank this CD up at your next outdoor BBQ\beer party. Fine collection of songs in the blues\rock genre of the blues. May is an outstanding guitar player with more than adequate vocal and songwriting skills.
Toured nationally with his band for a while, then took some time off to tour with Dicky Betts & Great Southern, and now has gone sober and is gearing up to tour nationally again with his band Mark May & the Agitators.
Download one song: the title track with an amazing guitar riff: 5. Telephone Road
Lover's Plea by W.C. Clark

Staying down in Texas but moving over to the soul side of the blues, this 1998 recording features Clark's soulful and gospel like voice and understated and clean guitar style. Another CD (typical of this list) where every song is very good. I've played this CD at work many times over the years and this CD more than any other gets customers to come over and ask me: "Who is this guy?".
Download one song: Literally, close your eyes and point at one song--you can't go wrong. So hard to choose, but I guess I'll go with: 6. Are You Here, Are You There?
"One Hot July" by Tony Joe White

Yes, that is the Tony Joe White of "Polk Salad Annie" fame. White made a musical comeback in the early 1990's and the gem "One Hot July" came out in 1999. This is laid back Louisiana style swamp blues. As evidenced by the earlier "Rainy Night in Georgia" one of White's major strengths is his songwriting and it is very strong on this CD. I love the line from "Across From Midnight"---"It's come down to just the two of us. Me and my shadow on the wall". White also has an underrated laid back blues guitar style. If someone came over to my house and told me I had to leave right away and never come back and I could only take one CD with me--this would be the CD I would take--it is that good.
Download one song: 6. I Want My Fleetwood Back.
"Storms of Life" by Bernard Allison

To his credit Bernard Allison never tried to copy his legendary father's blues musical style--he does his own thing. Allison is on the soulful end of the blues\rock genre and this CD captures his lively, funky and upbeat style. The guitar playing, the vocals, and the songs are all outstanding.
Download one song: 6. Mean Town Blues
"Sweet Talk" by Renee Austin

This 2003 recording of Renee Austin shows off her amazing voice and is a sad reminder of what could have been. A few years later Austin had to have surgery on a lump on her thyroid on her throat and it left her barely able to speak and unable to sing. She was on the fast track to blues stardom and this is best of what she left behind. Austin has kind of a raspy but powerful voice that drifts between blues, soul and jazz themes on this CD. It almost brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to it--she was so talented and such a nice, sweet person--she didn't deserve the fate that beset her.
I've lost touch with her over the years--the last I heard she was doing some charitable work for African children. Maybe the big guy upstairs had better plans for her than entertaining blues fans.
Download one song: 2. Pretend We Never Met (a duet with Delbert McClinton).
"Flying High While Staying Low Down" by Randy McAllister

This 2006 release is on the Americana\Roots end of the blues spectrum. Down home, homespun tales highlight this compilation of the best of his past recordings, one of which garnered McAllister a Grammy nomination. McAllister plays drums (barefoot), provides Texas soulful lead vocals, and plays harmonica to accentuate his off the charts songwriting abilities. This is one of those CDs that really, really grows on you the more you listen to it. Stop me if you have heard this before--but every one of the 16 songs on here is very good.
Download one song: 5. Why. or 15. The Chain or 13. Man Who Went for Cigarettes or...........
"Build Your Own Fire" by Jimmy Hall

Jimmy Hall was the lead singer for Wet Willie, a blues based southern rock band that had some success back in the 1970's. Hall has one of the great white R&B voices of our time and in addition is a fine sax and harmonica player. This CD finds Hall paying tribute to the late Eddie Hinton, who was a 70's R&B singer who had a cult like following in the south, by doing all Hinton songs. The results are an extremely enjoyable CD in the Soul\R&B category. Hall still gets out and tours a little these days with various players and does a lot of this material live--go check it out if he comes to a venue close to you.
Download one song: 3. Here I Am.
"Live at Knuckleheads" by Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band

This 2007 live recording captures the best Zydeco band around in one of the best blues bars in the country (Knucklheads in Kansas City). It is very hard to keep still listening to this rousing, upbeat live show by Chubby Carrier and his band. I've always loved Zydeco music--especially when I have had a few beers--but I had always thought that Zydeco bands were kind of all the same--until I caught Chubby Carrier live a couple of years back. This CD shows why they are at the head of the Zydeco class.
Download one song: 4. I Don't Know What You Come to Do.
"Today" by Mike Zito

Zito just won the Song of the Year at the 2010 Blues Music Awards--you read about the song here on American Blues News the week before the Awards--for the title song from the critically acclaimed "Pearl River" CD. This CD---"Today"--is what set him up for "Pearl River". The 2008 recording "Today" is more on the Americana side than "Pearl River" and is a showcase for Zito's songwriting and singing talents. (the guitar came out more on "Pearl River"). This is one of those CDs that you can put in your player and let it play over and over and over without ever getting tired of it.
Download one song: 8. Today.
"Free Your Mind" by Too Slim & the Taildraggers

This 2009 recording by the Seattle based Too Slim & the Taildraggers is kind of mixture of Blues\Rock and Americana\Roots. I mentioned above that I have worn out 2 CDs in my live by playing them so often--this is the second--and it only came out last year. Great songs and great guitar playing highlight this CD. It is hard to put a finger on a style or someone or some band to compare them to. I have read other reviewers struggle trying to do the same with Too Slim. Maybe a bluesier CCR with more guitar in it is as close as I can come--but still doesn't do them justice. I love every song on this CD. I read where Tim Langford (guitarist, vocalist, songwriter for the band) took some extra time off to write songs for this CD and it shows.
Download one song: Forget the one song thing--download the whole CD. OK--I have to pick one...hmmmm....this is like if someone asked me if I wanted a date with Cindy Crawford, Drew Barrymore, or Jennifer Aniston and had to pick just one....OK...: 5. Testament

Sonny Landreth by Nelson Onofre

Greetings blues fans! This week I am featuring photos of the amazingly talented guitarist Sonny Landreth. I know Sonny has been around a long time but this was my first time seeing him perform. I have seen and heard a lot of guitar players in my days but I have never heard anyone that sounds like Sonny. I heard people talking before the show about his skills and how he was going to "blow you away" and boy, they weren't kidding! The band Indigenous opened the show and while guitarist Mato Nanji is no slouch on the guitar it became clear that the crowd was there for Sonny. If you've never experienced Sonny live do yourselves a favor and check him out. I dare say you'll be quite impressed.

Once again my thanks to John Seroff of the BB King Blues Club.

Until the next go-round, keep supporting the Blues. As you can see, these cats are working hard to lay it down for you.

Nelson G. Onofre
e-mail: nelson@electriceyes.us
my websites: http://www.electriceyes.us/
http://electriceyesphotography.blogspot.com/

click on images for a larger view

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

Sonny Landreth
BB King Blues Club, Oct. 2009
http://www.sonnylandreth.com/sonnyframes.html
photo: Nelson G. Onofre © 2009 Copyright

another great guitarist, Walter Trout here
check out GE Smith here