When Albert Cummings played at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival last summer, I felt his performance was possibly the best of every musician who was there that weekend. Cummings played with such passion it electrified the crowd. When I found out he was making a return trip to the Quad Cities, I jumped at the chance to get a couple of tickets.
Cummings recently played at the Caribbean Cove, which has been converted from Penguins Comedy Club at the Isle of Capri casino/hotel complex in Bettendorf (see map). Even though it was a Wednesday night, he was able to draw about 250 blues fans from the area to come see him play again.
Cummings, who hails from Massachusetts, is first and foremost an award winning building contractor. He's a fourth generation builder who has been constructing high-end homes and re-models in Western Massachusetts for nearly 13 years. For a short story on Cummings as a builder, click here.
Cummings, who is just short of 40 years old, played the banjo while growing up. However, he put the banjo away when he saw Stevie Ray Vaughan in person in 1987. Vaughan's performance sparked a new found passion for playing the guitar for Cummings.
Cummings finished college getting his degree in building trades to carry on the family legacy. But he began to play weekend gigs on the side about 13 years ago. It wasn't long before he had a strong following and a solid reputation as both a contractor and a guitar player in New England.
Cummings' style of playing the guitar is very reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Cummings has actually played with Double Trouble - Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton - who backed up Stevie Ray Vaughan before his tragic death in 1989. Both Shannon and Layton played on and produced Cummings' first album, "From the Heart (Under the Radar)" in 2003. Reese Wynans, who was Vaughan's longtime keyboard player, also played on that album.
For those of you not familiar with Albert Cummings' music, click here to listen to "Lonely Bed", a track from his 2004 album "True to Yourself." The guy just cooks on guitar and he's a pretty good singer, too.
The Caribbean Cove was about half full when we arrived 45 minutes before showtime. We took a large table off to the side and grabbed a few beers waiting for the show.
Cummings, wearing his trademark two-tone wingtip shoes, took the stage promptly at 7:30. Accompanied by Dan Broad on bass and Aaron Scapin on drums, they cut right into the title track of Cummings' 2006 album "Working Man". The Caribbean Cove immediately came alive. The Stevie Ray Vaughan influence was evident from the opening notes. Not that there's anything bad about that, but Cummings' is about as close to capturing the essence of what Stevie Ray's sound was all about.
Cummings ripped through a number of songs before slowing it down for his song "Together as One" from his "From the Heart" album that he recorded with Stevie Ray Vaughan's back up band. Then he was back up and rolling again before he took a break at 8:45. A break? I figured he'd be done at 8:45.
After about a 45 minute break - including Albert Cummings personally delivering beers (bought by a buddy) to our table - they got back up to play some more. It was getting late and Cindy had to get up early in the morning so we stuck around for about 20 more minutes before leaving. I understand that he ended up playing until about a quarter to 11. It was a great show.
Albert and the boys were having a great time and were amazed at the turn-out on a cold Wednesday night. I'm sure that if he hadn't played the blues fest last summer there might not of have been that many people there. But he drew a great crowd. The Isle of Capri said the bar was never as busy has it was that night. And they ran out of a lot of beer - early. They definitely weren't prepared.
So, if you're into rollicking blues with a hint of Stevie Ray Vaughan mixed in, don't miss Albert Cummings if he comes through and plays near you. Better yet, get a couple of his albums, then go watch him. You'll love the music, but he's better live and in person.
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