1 April 2013 (Day 91) – Public Holiday Blues

After a frantic weekend, it was a relief to have the public holiday Monday to recover.  As I sit at the kitchen table and write, “M” takes the opportunity to whip up her magnificent vegetarian cannelloni.  The shell filling is her combination of pumpkin, sweet potato, ricotta, cracked pepper, fresh basil and freshly chopped garlic.  It’s placed in an oven pan on a bed of passata and sprinkled with parmesan cheese and more passata.

As today is the final day of the Bluesfest at Byron Bay, a festival I’ve never attended but would like to one day, I’m playing a number of blues CDs.  “M” appears happy to listen to my selections for once and is even prepared to share her views, starting with:

(249) Joe Louis Walker – Silvertone Blues

Walker is one of the last authentic bluesmen having played with a range of the greats over the course of his career.  Knowledgeable in all forms of the blues a la Taj Mahal, he is a solid guitarist and possesses a tremendous voice that suits his selection of material.  This is a solid selection of Chicago blues which really catches fire during its second half, particularly on the title track, Crying Won’t Help You and Bad Luck Blues.

“M”s comment: “I like this type of blues.”

(250) Eric Bibb – Friends

This is one of around 30 odd albums that Bibb has released either by himself or in combination with other artists.  Using mostly acoustic instruments, Friends is as good a place as any to start given, as the title implies, this consists of a number of collaborations.  99 And A Half Won’t Do with Guy Davis is overlaid with gospel themes, Charlie Musselwhite shines on Six O’Clock Blues and Taj Mahal is his usual classy self on Goin’ Down Slow.  The highlight is Dance Me To The End Of Love (not the Leonard Cohen song) with piano from Jerry Yester, the producer of Tom Waits Closing Time which should give you an idea of the feel of the track. 

“M”’s comment: "I like how the tracks on this album change and use other instruments.”

(251) Mia Dyson – Parking Lots

Dyson is an Australian blues singer and guitarist with a strong playing style and a suitably raspy voice who’s been paid almost the ultimate compliment via a supporting slot on one of Eric Clapton’s most recent tours of Australia. This album, her second, probably was the release which got her that gig.  It consists of a nice mix of numbers that are well played and arranged culminating in Down, a fiery number and Fire Creek, an evocative instrumental.

“M”’s comment: “I don’t like this.  Her voice is too harsh.”

Our friends arrive for the afternoon.  I make a mental note to ask “M” to …………..