Jump to content
Please note: You can easily log in to MPN using your Facebook account!

B. B. King Blues Festival Report WARNING SUPER LONG


BriBaby

Recommended Posts

I have not been able to log on here much because I landed a new job at a truck dealership/repair facility after I lost a job I held for 21 years. To console me and for a belated birthday present my in-laws went in with my wife and got us tickets to the festival, my wife bought me a new Artcore. I posted on this a couple of months back. Belated birthday gift and tickets

 

Anywho, the festival could not have been better for me. The auditorium holds about 8000, not a bad seat in the house. It's set up Vegas style, with 8-10 people sitting at tables. Our table was second from the stage, and three slots to the left, probably about 20 feet from center stage sideways, and 8 feet from the front. Waitress never let you want for anything throughout the entire show. It started at 7pm and ended at 11:30 pm. The first three bands used the same backline and drums, the second two used the drums.

 

Ok, first up, two of the original members of Muddy Waters Band, the bass and drummer along with John Primmer (sp?) on guitar, and someone, (I don't think it was really) like Charles Musslewhite on the harp. Killer, the real deal for sure. Played a lot of Muddy's stuff for about 30 minutes. Unplugged right from their amps and walked off.

 

Second up, Elvin Bishop and his well worn 335. Great showman. Left the stage 2/3 of the way through his set, boppin in the isle between us and the first row of tables. Stopped at our table and jammed for us a bit, kept going, picked a babe out of the auidence and persuaded her to follow him back onstage. She bumped, she grinded, then Elvin had her stand off to his right, reach around, holding a pick. He took her hand and strummed with it, then let her go while he fretted with his left hand, she banged out the right hand parts. Elvin totally had the audience in the palm of his hand with this maneuver. He had a young guitarist playing a Parker Fly with him who had it down, guitar faces galore.

 

Next up, Shamika Copeland, daughter of the late Johnny Copeland in case you didn't know. Same drummer, keys, and bass player as Elvin's. Actually Elvin and the kid just played with Shamika's band is what it was. This was a great set up, it only took about 10-15 mins between acts. Anyway, Shamika was very powerful. Her guitarist had a Tele tuned open, a metal resonator tuned open for an intimate sit down thing with her, and a Strat. Great show, great lungs!

 

Next up, the B3 and Grand piano take center stage. Skulls and Mojo's adorn the tops of both. Out, dressed in a blue satin coat, pants, and fedora, waltz's Dr. John. Killer set, totally unique, have always been a fan of the doctor.

 

For anyone who has seen B.B., I must say he is just as entertaining as ever. I had seen him twice before in the 80's and was blown away by his entertainer skills. As usual, his band, the same one he has had forever, did the first few numbers without him, then out he comes, sits down in a chair center stage, right at the edge. Jokes, stopps the music, flirts, plays, cajoles us into singing, claps, and bellers just like always. I was soooooooooo happy to see him in such form. If anyone gets the chance to see him, don't miss it. If you don't think you will like him because he is old, or doesn't shred, I promise you you are mistaken. He is one of the best entertainers I have ever seen. His stories and anecdotes are as much a show as his playing.

 

Sorry I went on for so long, I really could have got more detailed on everything. Thanks to all for your concern earlier, hopefully the new job will work out and the wife and I will be back in the rat race at full sprint before long.

 

Oh yeah, the Artcore totally rocks now that I have had a few weeks to gig with it. It covers everyting, howl's like a hollow body Gibson, but I can also do the drop D country stuff with it. Highly recommended, I don't think you can go wrong with one of these....

Once I thought I saw you, in a crowded, hazy, bar........

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 2
  • Created
  • Last Reply
That sounds like one of those pefect evenings. What a lineup! To have a show like that and be seated right up front, with food and drink handy, man you can't beat that. You lucky dog!!! Wish I'd been there .
I was born at night but I wasn't born last night...
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...