They recently announced the line-ups for the 2007 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival to be held June 29, 30 and July 1 at LeClaire Park in downtown Davenport. And once again, I'm afraid it's going to be another underwhelming festival. I'm just hoping for some pleasant surprises along the way.
Actually, the two biggest names that I'd like to see are Robert Randolph and the Family Band; and the return of Little Charlie and the Nightcats. But I wouldn't mind seeing Tom Principato, Albert Cummings and Kelly Richey, as well.
Robert Randolph and the Family Band play a mixture of blues, funk, soul and gospel. Randolph plays a 13 string pedal steel guitar, an instrument more akin to country music than it is to the blues. The band - all related to Randolph - started as the church band for the Randolph family church back in New Jersey. He has three albums out and has also played Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival.
Little Charlie and the Nightcats were just here in the Quad Cities a couple weeks ago. I understand they put on a helluva show - one that some tell me was one of the best shows they've ever seen from a touring blues band. I've seen Little Charlie and the Nightcats play three or four times before and their infectious "jump blues" style of play, along with Rick Estrin's stage presence and harmonica playing make Little Charlie a must see for any music fan.
I've seen blues guitarist Tom Principato once before and he put on a blistering show. The Washington D.C.-area guitarist is a little bit of everything - gospel, jazz, rock, country - but is pigeon-holed as a blues guitarist. And he said he doesn't mind that one bit. In fact, he likes to call his style of hybrid music "American music".
Principato first started in the business as taking over for blues great Jimmy Thackery in a band called Crawlin' King Snake. The band eventually turned into a Chicago-style blues band called Powerhouse and Principato was on his way.
I've heard about blues guitarist Albert Cummings but have yet to see him play. Cummings is a 30-something native of western Massachusetts whose previous day job was as a designer and builder of high dollar custom homes throughout New England. Cummings recently released his fourth CD and will be traveling this summer across America and parts of Europe.
Kelly Richey has been described as a cross between Stevie Ray Vaughan and Janis Joplin. Richey is based out of Cincinnati and fronts a three-piece band that plays homage to great guitarists such as Lonnie Mack, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. She would be a good one to see.
Other than that, there really isn't anyone else I'd like to see. Chubby Carrier will be playing here again, and I think I've seen him play three or four times at various places. There's a "Blues Harp Blowout" scheduled for Saturday evening featuring Mark Hummel, James Harman and Paul Oscher, but I'm not huge on guys playing harmonica.
I know booking the bands has to be a tough gig, given that you need months of advance notice to try and get performers to come to the area. But still, I'm not too enamored with the line-up again this year. Maybe that's a good weekend to head up to Summerfest in Milwaukee.
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