Mighty Clouds of Joy opened Sunday's events and boy were they fantastic! This is one of the great gospel groups with excellent arrangements and vocals. They have been performing for over 37 years and I hope they make it back to town soon.

Sam Butler was singing his bluesy brand of gospel at the Best Buy Stage. He plays guitar and they have more of a rocking gospel sound to their music.

I happened to catch part of the James Graer & Company performance inside at the Fine Line Stage. This was another fine sounding gospel group and a great way to spend the early part of a Sunday. Quan Howell, the lead singer from the Sounds of Blackness was in the audience and joined them on stage for a couple of songs.

Over at the Main stage the Fargo a cappella group, The Blenders, were dishing out some fun four-part harmony. They performed everything from blues to gospel, and R&B to pop. They already have 3 CD's out and have just signed with MCA for their 4th.

Wierd Al Yankovic Mill City Music Festival, Mpls., MN Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

What can you say about Wierd Al Yankovic? This had to be the "strangest" show of the weekend. Good humor, entertaining lyrics, fun antics, and great musical comedy, but definitely bizarre. His music is quite good but tends to get overshadowed by his histrionics and use of props. His song parodies are unequaled and the crowd just loved him.

Wierd Al Yankovic Mill City Music Festival, Mpls., MN Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

I was looking forward to seeing The Blasters perform next, so I had to leave Weird Al behind before his set was over - guess I missed more great parody by the looks of his "Eat It" and "Fat" costumes. The large crowd was watching Yankovic but one of the hits of the day was the retro rock group The Blasters. Rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, roots rock are all terms used to describe this rocking blend of American music.

During the first song they were plagued by amp problems so improvised with a harmonica solo. At one point the lead guitar player's amp was completely out so Phil Alvin was left to play the guitar by himself. He said later that he knew his guitar was out of tune when he started but figured it wouldn't matter because he didn't normally play on this song, but when he had to take over the guitar part he had to make the best of it...and it still was pretty good.

Robbie Fulks Mill City Music Festival, Mpls., MN Photo © 1997 by Steve Felling All rights reserved

The Blasters have been around since the late 60's when brothers Dave and Phil Alvin started the band. Dave has since left to go on his own and John Bass along with Phil are the two remaining original members. Keith Wyatt now on lead guitar added some great rock and roll guitar playing.

Robbie Fulks, a boyish looking, tall, lanky guitar player and singer that plays some fine alternative country was inside at the Fine Line. He has a collection of very good original songs, many featured on his new CD "Country Love Songs" on Bloodshot Records. He also had an entertaining dueling banjo and guitar segment at the end of his set. You might be able to catch him at Lees Liquor Lounge or First Ave. (he has played at both) when he returns to the Twin Cities.

Ray Charles Mill City Music Festival, Mpls., MN Photo © 1997 by Steve Felling All rights reserved

Ray Charles, was the Sunday night headliner. This was a big production with orchestra, tuxedos and the drum roll to bring on Ray. He was wearing his black tux, red shirt and shades and was sounding fine. He received such a warm welcome from the largest audience of the day. It was great to see him walk out with that huge, sincere smile of his. He alternated between piano and keyboards with his legs pumping continuously, his heard rolling back and to the side, always a huge grin and so much energy - just like a child in a toy store. He also played some mean saxophone on a few numbers.

Ray Charles Mill City Music Festival, Mpls., MN Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

He is such an engaging, warm, sincere performer singing to us straight from his heart - so soulful. He did many of his hits including "I've Got A Woman" which brought the surging crowd to its toes (they were already on their feet). I understand the sound was a little muddy sounding in the back, one of the draw backs from an outdoor show, but up front Ray was looking and sounding just great.

Here is a pictorial display of some of the other shows from this weekend.

Joan Jet Mill City Music Festival, Mpls., MN Photo © 1997 by Steve Felling All rights reserved

Arturo Sandoval Mill City Music Festival, Mpls., MN Photo © 1997 by Steve Felling All rights reserved

Willie Murphy Mill City Music Festival, Mpls., MN Photo © 1997 by Steve Felling All rights reserved

Arlo Guthrie Mill City Music Festival, Mpls., MN Photo © 1997 by Steve Felling All rights reserved

Jimmie Dale Gilmore Mill City Music Festival, Mpls., MN Photo © 1997 by Steve Felling All rights reserved

K's Choice Mill City Music Festival, Mpls., MN Photo © 1997 by Steve Felling All rights reserved

E-mail Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

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