blue sky Bradenton Blues

The first Saturday in December has brought Bradenton the Blues for the last five years - in the form of the Blues Festival.  This was the first year the headliner was not a female and I don't think I would be the only one who had the opinion that this was not a positive thing.  The order from first year through last was Ruthie Foster, Shemekia Copeland, Marcia Ball, and Janiva Magness... this year the women were sorely missed in the line up.

We arrived about 2:30 in time for the gender bending Jason Ricci- whose harmonica was virtuoso - and had a guitar like depth of sound...

 
The next act was Victor Wainwright- our favorite of the day - just an all around good performer- piano and vocals---

weren't crazy about the next one- nothing horrible just not inspiring-

the headliner- had a mean blues guitar but there was something quite flat about the whole afternoon- maybe because there were no named acts who were female- just a thought...

 2012

 2013

 2014

 

2015

 the venue is right along the Riverwalk in downtown Bradenton-

so not the best line up we have seen but - who knows what 2017 will bring... the day was beautiful- sunny and blue skies and in the high 70s... a perfect day to sit by the river... tomorrow we are off on a getaway vacay... so I will be off for a week (roughly) but will be back with reports on the changes in Cartagena since I was last there in 2012..... stay tuned...

reporting back

on the concert at SPACE late last night-

above a close up of the way cool light fixtures in the club and below - our table 11 menu holder-

the one word review- outstanding!

so here are the two featured artists- and artists they were-

Janiva Magness - is an American blues and soul singer and songwriter. The Blues Foundation named Magness the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year in 2009, becoming only the second woman, after Koko Taylor, to be so honored. In the same year, she was named the Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, which she had already won in 2006 and 2007, and was nominated for again in 2012. Since 2006, she has had 22 similar nominations. "Magness is a blues star."

Doug Macleod - is an American storytelling bluesman. Although now associated with his home in Los Angeles, he has lived and worked in North Carolina, St. Louis, Port Washington, New York, and Norfolk, Virginia, where he was stationed in the United States Navy. He became acquainted with the blues in St Louis in his teens and started his career playing country blues on acoustic guitar, finding that singing eased a chronic stutter and helped him to eventually overcome it. Although predominantly associated with acoustic guitar, his skills were developed as a blues bass player, and honed by his subsequent journeys into jazz and electric blues.

so we started the night with a stop at Edzo's - for a char grilled burger for Phil and a crispy griddled burger pour moi... shared "old fries" and topped off our retro meal with milk shakes... can't go wrong there...

Doug played first starting right before 10pm - and he was downright amazing on guitar - his blues singing was very traditional spiced with some humor and upbeat interpretation of some low down tunes.  Really terrific surprise - we loved him!!! hope to see him again (maybe at Bradenton Blues Festival in the future)

and then Janiva- and she commands with the voice of a woman (no little girl folkie whispery voice for her) - came out and knocked the socks off everyone - - - 

some heavy hitters in the guitar back up - three varying leads and even Doug came onstage for a number near the end-

the concert ended at 1am and we headed home in awe of the talent on the small stage last night- we heard four terrific guitarists and Janiva's blow you away vocals... the small but appreciative audience left murmuring accolades to their friends as they entered the cool night air...

tonight Omakase - so always more to return for....