Good Friday

Bluesfest week at Byron aka Easter, is not just music, music, music. There are other strenuous activities to be considered like the five minute stroll south for morning coffee at Green Garage, and the five minute walk north to Main Beach for a morning surf. The latter is not for all, some preferring to rest their weary bodies after a hard night of going Whoa!, and Yeah!.

A 60's boarding school upbringing has conditioned me to be up at sparrowfart, cleaning away the bottles and debris of the post-midnight discussion as to the merits of yesterday's performances - How can you say Wilco was the best act you seen so far?, That's a mighty big call! Clink! sound the box of empties headed for the bin just down from the mud-encrusted boots and dripping ponchos lining the verandah.

Who's up for a swim then! cries Jon, our eager Bluesfest newbie ~ Let's just see if he's so gung-ho by Monday. Bathe between the flags they state, What flags?. Where's Abbott and his speedos when you need reviving?. Splashing manfully, Jon and I dive under the oncoming waves and come up refreshed. That's better! To our left, tourists are being dumped off dual surf canoes despite our best efforts to assist: Paddle, paddle, paddle! Lots of fit blonde Scandanavians look on bemused.

Back at No. 54, our kind companions are preparing our breakfast of champions. Yeah, sure they are. Get your own!, Kim cries as I attempt to purloin a piece of home-ground, organic hot cross bun.

Right, What's up first?, asks Chris as champagne o'clock ticks over. Ragged multi-coloured programs are dragged out and suggestions are made. The Bluesfest iPod app is consulted as we attempt to ascertain the pedigree of some of the lesser lights. It says here Jake Shimabukuro and his ukulele shredding are not to be missed. What time is he on?, 2.30, Nah, we won't be finished lunch by then. Little chance our entree of fresh kingies with Pacific and Sydney Rock oysters followed by Paulette's renown mussels in white wine are going to be rushed.

Is anyone taking a chair?, No, maybe tomorrow. None of us want to be one of those oxygen-thieving chair people that we constantly complain about. Boarding the bus, we hope Ben Harper will still be soloing at the Crossroads by arrival time. Bluesfest Friday has a massive program with Jimmy Cliff, Steve Miller Band and Santana all performing at Mojo. I hope mine is working!

At Jambalaya Julia Z is looking svelte in a slinky red number reviving memories of Chris Isaak and Wanda Jackson's costuming. Who sang about the doggie in the window?, Julia asks as the crowd of Gen X&Y's intone WTF?. Leave it to the boomers to provide the answer. The talented teams selected after extensive scoping display their pop culture chops accompanied by the guest-enhanced Rock Kwiz Orchestra.

At the APRA tent Shawn Colvin is looking much more at ease with her plaintive songs garnering good reception. As heavy clouds form overhead, Kim and I gain up-front advantage at the Cavanbah stage where ABC FM is broadcasting nationwide. Put your hands together for our first guest Jake and his ukulele. Man that guy can shred! The hostess was brilliant drawing out stories from Jake who told us of his astonishment at being contacted by Alan Parsons who wanted to produce Hawaaian Jake's next project.

Put your hands together for a warm welcome for our next guest the legendary Taj Mahal! Holy hell, how good is this!. A great song followed by anecdotal accounts of his early band with Ry Cooder had us thirsting for more. However, time was limited and Taj exited to much acclaim. Bluesfest fans, here we are at Easter resurrecting our next guest, wait for it............ Rodriguez! Assisted on stage due to his impaired vision, I momentarily worried for his welfare, but my worry was unfoundered as he told us of his career and the unfortunate management decisions that resulted in his royalties ending up in someone else pocket. He indicated a new album was in the offering which his many fans will eagerly await. Rhythms Magazine staff subsequently did a brisk trade in new subscription pacakages that included a copy of the Oscar winning documentary dvd Looking for Sugarman.

Wandering up towards Mojo, we bumped into my cousin Helen and her husband Paul who were off to see Jimmy Cliff. What a good idea!