Sage advice is found in many forms, and one of those forms is the lyrics of the country blues. After concluding that the line, "I've got to change my way of livin',"?which has been playing in my head for years and years--was actually my subconscious talking, I decided that it was time for drastic action. So on Friday and Saturday evening, I crawled out from under my rock, ventured down to Fremont, and enjoyed the music of some of the folks that we are (or should be) familiar with.
Friday night's concert at the Dusty Strings Annual Acoustic Blues Festival featured the line-up of Dave Mullany, Mary Flower, and Del Rey & Steve James. Dave came out first and while limited to three songs, treated us to spirited Robert Johnson inspired tunes. Mary followed, and although her set was also too, too short, performed with her usual skill on the lap Roy Smeck, her Gibson, and of course, her superb voice. She did a variety of tunes, including the all so tasteful "Terminal Rag." After a half-time break, Del & Steve came out and with a combination of solid musicianship, showman and showwomanship, and personal chemistry, delighted the audience with a wide range of songs and antics that left me, along with the rest of the audience (I'm sure), feeling good about things all the way home.
Saturday night's concert began with Mike Dowling, who, IMHO, is a musician's musician and guitarist's guitarist. Mike didn't let the "Blues Festival" label limit his selection of material. He included Duke Ellington's "Caravan," "Maria Elena," and Big Joe Turner's R&B hit "Flip, Flop and Fly" (as a sing-along, no less), in the mix. Another sing-along was Mississippi John Hurt's "Louis Collins," and naturally Mike did a couple of his bottleneck pieces as well. After intermission, Orville Johnson, John Miller, and Grant Dermody came out, set up shop, and proceeded to go to work. Orville led off with "Mother Earth" and it was followed by the usual great selection of songs, most of which are on their CD (hint: buy it if you don't already have it). There were many highlights in their set, including Grant's lead on "Depot Blues" and John's arrangement and singing of Lottie Kimbrough/ Beaman's "Rolling Log"?also done as a sing-along.
I am fortunate to live in an area that supports and sponsors events such as the Dusty Strings Annual Acoustic Blues Festival. I strongly urge you to see any and all of the above artists if you get the opportunity. And of course purchase their CDs when your budget permits. Not only is it great music, but it is also an investment that helps keep this living tradition alive, healthy, and thriving.
Stuart (from Shoreline, WA)
