Special Feature: Guest blogger Blake’s review of Chicago Blues festival

chicago blues

You often hear the American’s talk about freedom and I think I got a lesson in what they mean on my trip to the three day Chicago Blues Festival (June 12-14).

The free part is that the festival is free. The freedom part comes from the fact that you have the freedom to come and go as you please.

I took advantage of this by spending some time at Buddy Guy’s Legends’ Club, where he runs a parallel festival, which although not free, was definitely worth the money.

I also got to go to one of Chicago’s older blues clubs, Blue Chicago for a set. I’m not sure how it has survived this long considering it only seats about 50 people.

I also was able to squeeze in a live Irish set at Fado, one of the city’s many Irish bars. After all, one can only handle so much of the Blues.

Getting back to the festival, it runs outside in a park along Lake Michigan, from 11am to 10pm each day. I can’t say how many hours of the festival I did see but let’s just say as a famous country singer did “I’m not as good as I once was.”

During the day the festival runs 5 stages with only one headlining stage running in the evening.

The festival this year was dedicated to Willie Dixon and Muddy Water as they would have both been 100 this year.

However, pretty well all of the artists paid homage to the recent passing of BB King, including the headliner, Buddy Guy. Most did this by playing some portion of “The Thrill is Gone.” Probably a fitting tribute but a little tiring after the third or fourth time.

Speaking of Buddy, he appeared to be in a nostalgic mood, as he played songs from many artists including the fore mentioned King and Cream. As usual Buddy, showed his excellent guitar and showmanship skills, pretty incredible for someone who turns 79 this year. It was also interesting to see his son take one lead guitar break.

I saw many other artists, too numerous to mention. I did learn one valuable lesson – in Chicago, just because they play early in the day doesn’t mean they are any less skilled. That was the case for my find of the festival, Dexter Allen. An excellent guitar player and singer, who played a portion of his set in the audience.

Chicago Blues Festival

Dexter Allen

For those of you that have a bucket list, drop the Chicago Blues Festival in.

Cheers,
Blake

Thank you Blake Wellner! We appreciate you sharing your thoughts on the show.

This special feature of guest bloggers with reviews of awesome concerts is open to submissions so please feel free to contact us if you have something you would like to share.

2015-07-07T21:19:56-03:00July 7, 2015|entertainment, fredericton, live music|

Weekly Live Music Lineup …

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TUESDAY JUNE 30:
6:30pm – Open Mic, Days Inn Oromocto
7:30pm – Kill Chicago, Officer’s Square
10:00pm – Open Mic w/Richie Gloade , Wilser’s Room
10:00pm – Before The War / White Lyres / Mrs. Hippie, The Capital

WEDNESDAY JULY 1:
12 noon – CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS (click here for blog post )
7:00pm – Sidney Murgatroyd, Main Street Ampitheatre
10:00pm – Dub Antenna (Reggae), Wilser’s Room
10:00pm – Dolan’s Jam w/Late Night Orchestra, Dolan’s Pub

THURSDAY JULY 2:
6:30pm – Open Mic w/George Melanson, Sour Grape (Oromocto)
7:30pm – Society of St Andrew Pipe Band, Officer’s Square
10:00pm – Next Exit, Dolan’s Pub

FRIDAY JULY 3:
4:30pm – RIVER JAM FREDERICTON (click here for blog post)
9:00pm – Julien Austin / Steve Waylon, Pioneer Days (Oromocto)
10:00pm – Find The Others / Cedric Noel / Trophy Wife, The Capital
10:00pm – Next Exit, Dolan’s Pub

SATURDAY JULY 4:
7:00pm – Josh Bravener, Ringo’s Bar & Grill
7:30pm – Alan Jeffries Trio, Officer’s Square
9:00pm – Trooper / Alter Ego, Pioneer Days (Oromocto)
10:00pm – Brother / Sulphur City / Burning Coast, The Capital
10:00pm – Next Exit, Dolan’s Pub

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2015-06-30T00:22:17-03:00June 30, 2015|entertainment, fredericton, live music|

Maritime CountryFest 2015 hit it out of the Square!

Officer’s Square that is 🙂

The Maritime CountryFest organizers put together a great lineup and Mother Nature provided a perfect summer day by which to enjoy it all!

The grounds were well set up to manage the flow of traffic and the volunteers worked well as a team and always had a smile to share. Thanks!

Unfortunately I was only able to catch the last two performances of the day but wow! They were amazing and the crowd was definitely enjoying every minute. Signature Sound did a fine job of getting the levels just right and the sound was great throughout Officer’s Square.

Roadhammers collage 2

The Road Hammers (and me)

The Road Hammers were even better than I expected. They delivered a very professional show. Super talented and very entertaining as they covered the entire stage and actually climbed the rigging at one point. They did a great job of making Fredericton feel special by throwing in the city name and commenting on the beauty of the East Coast several times.

JR_CountryFest FB

photo from Maritime CountryFest Facebook page

Johnny Reid was impressive even before hitting the stage. The stage was transformed with risers used by the 12 musicians performing with Johnny and all draped in what looked like silk. The draping served for some dramatic and interesting lighting. He had a 4 piece horn section, 2 guitar players, mandolin/fiddler, keyboardist and 2 backup singers. It was impressive both visually and in sound. Great musicians and a little throw back to the big band shows. His many love songs made for a romantic setting and had many couples swaying to the sounds. He had played in Scotland the night before and yet didn’t seem to short change us on performance for even a minute. In fact friends of mine got married Saturday and were in the Royal suite at the Delta hotel where Johnny was also staying and he agreed to stop in for pictures. He likely made their special occasion just that much more memorable.

My sappy heart was moved just a bit when Johnny broke out with his song Change the World so I’m sharing a version here for you to enjoy –

I never grow tired of the live music experience and this festival reminded me how much it means to us all in all its formats. There was a great exchange of energy between performer and patron – regardless of age or whether sitting or dancing. Looking around this large crowd and seeing so many sing along left me smiling and appreciative of the moment.

CountryFest 2015_portopotty pals

porta potty pals

I wanted to give a shout out to these fellas who made our wait in the porta potty line much more entertaining in their attempts to jump the line. Thanks!

ps – my battery ran out before Johnny’s set and that is why I borrowed a picture from the MCF page.

2015-06-24T08:37:14-03:00June 24, 2015|entertainment, fredericton, live music|

Well! That’s a wrap folks!

After 20 awesome years Mark Roberts’ East Coast Music Show is coming to an end and we will be celebrating with great local music at Dolan’s on Wednesday!

Mark Celebrations

“Well after twenty years, the Mark Roberts East Coast Music Show is coming to an end. Much has changed in that time…starting with the music, how it’s purchased and consumed, and radio itself. So I’ve had my time. So many highlights over 20 years….I was nominated nine times for an East Coast Music Award (ECMA) award (never won one, leading to my nickname…the Susan Lucci of Fredericton!) I went to the ECMA’s at least 15 times in cities all over Atlantic Canada. One of the best was here in Fredericton when I had my own showcase at Dolan’s with acts like the Trews, Dave Gunning, Wintersleep, Charlie A’ Court and many many more. Dolan’s was packed all weekend. Been fortunate to have interview hundred of performers. Sunday June 28th will be the last show (#962)…and since the show airs twice on Sundays, that means over 19 hundred hours of 100% east coast music on the radio.”

I don’t want to let the occasion pass without mentioning how much Mark’s show has meant to both the musicians and fans on the east coast scene. The East Coast Music Show provided a place for bands to share their new work and a platform on which to establish themselves seriously in the music industry. This program did a lot to shine a light on our home grown talent and it will be missed. We will all have to work harder to fill the gap by promoting & supporting local musicians through all available avenues.

Mark & I have become friends in big part because of his support of local musicians. I was working with a local band when I invited him to come out to hear them in hopes he would promote them. He met his wife that night and that same band played his wedding! Music is powerful stuff!

For those who might not know, Mark released an album a few years back titled Kid from the Shore. He is a gifted songwriter and he had a stellar lineup of local musicians play on the album. As I recall his CD release party at Dolan’s was a whole lot of fun! The album is available on iTunes and you can pick up your own copy by clicking here.

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It is only right that a farewell bash is being held Wednesday, June 24th at Dolan’s starting at 7pm, featuring Peter Hicks, Tangled Traditions, the Rockin’ Billies, Mark Roberts and the Shore Road Drifters and more…..

I’m sure it will be a great time and I’m sure we’ll be talking about the ECMS and it’s farewell bash for a long time to come.

THANKS MARK! See you soon!

2015-06-23T21:19:11-03:00June 23, 2015|entertainment, fredericton, live music|

Special Feature: Guest blogger Blake LIVE FROM LONDON

Eric Clapton RAH 2015 - Wheres Eric FINALWhat do you get when you combine one of the greatest concert venues in the world with a birthday celebration? Eric Clapton at the Royal Albert Hall in London last Friday night!

Clapton turns seventy this year and is holding a series of concerts in New York and London to celebrate.
People come to hear the hits and Eric delivered.
Best songs of the night : Wonderful Tonight and an acoustic version of Layla.
Best guitar solo of the night was a tie between I Shot the Sheriff and Crossroads.
I’ve seen Clapton a number of times and this is the first time I’ve heard him play Tears from Heaven.
You could have heard a pin drop in the hall. I’m sure everyone in the hall was thinking about Eric’s son and also the death this week of BB King, a strong influence to Clapton’s music. It is maybe also a sign that Eric has recognized his advancing years.
How did it end? with a rousing version of Cocaine which had the entire venue dancing in the aisles.

What this all goes to show is that even at seventy, ‘Old Slowhand’ can still deliver.

Live fom London,
Blake

Thank you Blake! We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on the show.

This special feature of guest bloggers with reviews of awesome concerts is open to submissions so please feel free to connect if you have something you would like to share.

2015-05-18T22:38:45-03:00May 18, 2015|entertainment, fredericton, live music, Uncategorized|
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