Good Friday Grooves

It was like calcium carbonate and ambrosia comparing last night's offering of "Contemporary#" artists to tonight's value-packed program. Sure, there were artists and bands who could be lumped in with the Kendricks and  D'Angelos of last night, but Good Friday's program had much wider appeal.
# Bluesfest's description.

James and I arrived just as Graham Nash made his entrance at Crossroads with former Springsteen sideman Shane Fontayne.  Steamy conditions more suited to swamp fox Tony Joe White warmed the audience as Graham opened with "a song from last century" ~ Bus Stop!  "I didn't know he was in The Hollies" exclaimed James, furthering his education.  It would be one of those days that made you love Bluesfest all the more.

Three songs from his new album "This Path Tonight" nestle in between Nash's earlier compositions including "Marrakesh Express", "Cathedral" and "Immigration Man".  The background to the latter was amusing: CSNY were passing through UK Customs and an officious bureaucrat passed Stills, Young and even The Cros through before preventing Graham from entering his homeland.  "What the....?".  More celebrity tales ensued with the story of how He and Joni were shopping and she saw a vase in a shop window that would be perfect for the flowers they bought that day.  "Our House" was followed by "Chicago" and "Teach Your Children".  A memorable performance with more than one grown man later admitting he had tears in his eyes.

Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) was next up on Crossroads and kicked off with some serious sonic disturbance powered by his band including son Spencer on drums.  His long ranging set included a solo acoustic portion that provided background to the family reuniting just outside a drinks tent with fellow Canberran Mark O'Brien, who, like daughter Alicia, was enjoying his first 'fest.  Next up, St Paul and The Broken Bones.  Who?....

Only the STARS of Bluesfest 2016!.  James takes up the story:

"Mmm gurl. St Paul. What a voice!."  He reminded me of an American Idol contestant.  You know, the type of contestant who on first viewing isn't exactly appealing to the eyes.  But man oh man, once they start singing, they're suddenly the best-looking person in the room.  Think your stout IT geek, mixed with the voice of Otis Redding and you get St Paul.  Close your eyes and you would have thought it was the great Otis himself.  Let's not forget about St Paul's fabulous backing band, with the brass section particularly on point.  A great melting pot of Soul and RnB originals straight out of Birmingham Alabama, mixed with a couple of fantastic covers ~ "Shake" by Sam Cooke and "She's So Heavy!" by the Beatles.  St Paul and the Broken Bones were definitely my Friday night highlight.
Thanks James!

The National in Mojo were delivering, but a 30 metre deep mosh pit is simply not my scene.  Rather, the next destination must be back at Crossroads to see the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band.

For some, Bluesfest is getting in early, picking a seat, storing your luggage/food/drinks/blanket/crystals etc and getting nice and comfy so you can stare at a screen just like in the cinema.  Getting down up front with the singing, dancing and sweating hoi poli is not their thing.  We, however, like to move about checking out the stages at the dark end of the street.  Tex Perkins (and his Ape) were doing their thang at Delta, sending a frisson of uncertainty down the spines of the uninitiated.  "How you doin'?", Tex enquired.  "Boy!  This is some Bluesfest ~ something here for everyone."  Pause.  "The Residents?...... Really??........ Wow! Who booked them???.  He must be a shill for the legendary experimental avant-garde currently answering to Randy, Chuck and Bob.  Tick, another notch on my schedule!

Across to the tiny Juke Joint for Chain and their Robert Johnson fixation before dropping into Jambalaya where The Wailers were performing their album "Uprising".  Fantastic, just as good as last night, and probably just as great tomorrow.  The bus line was getting rowdy as we wearily joined the queue for the trip back home. Au revoir.