Benefiting the Atlanta Blues Society, Darwin's BackPorch Blues Festival held June 26th was proof positive that blues was to be taken seriously in the Metro Atlanta area.
Overcast skies never poured rain. The beer flowed. Barbeque cooked. People sat in summer chairs and soaked in several hours of blues music.
Following the Atlanta Blues Society meeting, Bluephonic, lead by vocalist Nichole Petersen, warmed things off with a set of easy going blues that sank into the skin gently.
Shortly after, it was a quick trip to the schools of soul with Heaven Davis and The Aggravating Poppas. Davis' blues are upbeat with healthy doses of soul, blues and rock. If Aretha Franklin is looking for a long lost daughter, she look no further then Heaven. She's the real deal with a style of blues to get you on your feet.
Guitarist Barry Richman might be one of Atlanta's undiscovered treasures. Vocalist Carrie Connelly radiated a charismatic sex appeal that was perfect foil for Richman's six string exploits. Revising gems "Stormy Monday" and "Whipping Post" into new chapters of cosmic exploration sets Barry apart from guitarists recycling old battered bags of licks. His chops can flex some country as "Black Texas Highway" came out sounding like a theme song for Bonanza.
Legendary Eddie Kirkland is among the last of the old bluesmen. A stint in the hospital just wasn't enough to keep this troubador out of action. While monitor problems threatened Kirkland's set at first, they were quickly corrected so Eddie can let his guitar preach its way through "Democrat Blues." Through the passing of time, Kirkland's vocals are undiminished. Not the fastest guitar playing. But Eddie can say it all with one note.
Howard And The White Boys deserve a merit badge for tearing down the house. Their twin guitar and harp attacks crafted a Texas Sound on a collision course with the Windy City. Howard and his boys cooked through "Got My Mojo Workin" along with "Please Call Muddy Waters" in a fashion of a headliner finishing the festival. Following this band surely was nervewracking. Who was up to the challenge?
Perhaps the Damon Fowler Group? This trio from Tampa, FL admirably pulled together a set of tight tunes. Switching between guitar, lapsteel and dobro, Fowler rumbaed in "The Jig is Up," sasayed through "Hot Tamales" and turned "Sweet Marmalade" into redneck stomp. The trio's take on "Whippin Post" would have made Greg Allman proud. The jamming left no pockets empty as drummer and bassist monitored Fowler's every move. Something that has to be done when their leader takes them into the zone.
Like Howard and The White Boys, Smokin Joe Kubeck and Benois King served up heaps of fried Texas Blues. King's rhythm and lead work meshed with Kubeck's piercing assaults and was dance medicine. Joe's slide was a boogie blaster of Lone Star attitude in the Peachtree State. The set's last song was an instrumental resembling Johnny Winter's "Meantown Blues." A two or three minute showcase of Tabasco Sauce boogie.
Kudos should be given to the Atlanta Blues Society. Besides booking local talent, they are wise in bringing big name acts so the scales balance evenly and everyone in attendance is pleased.
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