Confronted with two stellar blues shows on one Friday night, BlueNotes was befuddled. Should he devote his full attention to just one show, or share himself with several fine artists? Much like the eternal BeerNotes dilemma: So much beer, so little time.
Once I got to the Thunderbird Cafe to see Duke Robillard, it all became as clear as a crisp blue note. Robillard was just opening his first set when I got there -- the opening act by Jimmy Adler had been canceled (Jimmy was gracious - said it would have been a privilege).
When Duke's fiirst set ended at about 10:30, it was clear that I'd have enough time to whip the BlueNotesMobile across the 40th Street Bridge and hang a right for Blawnox, where the Moondog howls, and end the night with Jason and Ana.
So let's take a look back at all these fine musicians and see if I remember any of what happened.
Duke Robillard is just as I'd remembered -- hadn't seen him for a couple of years, so he's gotten little older. But who hasn't? He's a great guitar player with a fine sense for the blues, and he brings a crackling band, complete with saxman, upright bass and a keyboard player with piano and organ.
You can tell he loves blues that jump and swing, just like Roomful of Blues, the band he helped to create back in the late '60s. So when he did "Frankie and Johnny" as a swinging instrumental, it was not a surprise, but it was a real pleasure.
If i remember correctly, he did a fine old T-Bone Walker number titled "You Don't Love Me (And I Don't Even Care)." I hope I remembered that right, 'cause it was really fine, and a great lyric as well.
I love Duke's guitar work -- nice fat tones, liquid blue notes that swoop and soar, and jazzy riffs with lots of himself thrown in to let you know that it's not just the blues, it's Duke's blues. He's been around the blues block for decades, and he's taken all the influences and styles and made them his own. It's a pleasure to watch him work. And to hear him work. He's got a new CD as well, "Stomp the Blues Tonight." I've only heard snippets, but if it's like the rest of his work, it's worth a listen.
After a quick handshake with the Duke, it was time to head for Moondog's. Ana Popovic was already in high gear when i got there. Her guitar work seems to get better evey time I hear her, and this was my first time seeing her in a club, up close and personal, where the intensity level of her guitar work is higher and harder and reminded me a little bit of some of the jamlike '60 psychedelic blues-rock that once expanded the young BlueNotes mind.
I had seen her set last year at the Wheeling blues festival, and was impressed with her playing and her stage presence. The level she reaches when she's 20 feet away is another story. If a blues guitar can make you high, and take you higher, then she does. Okay, gin and tonic helps, but produces no music of its own, save tinkling ice.
She basically blew away the crowded club with fierce blues licks, extended and mind-bending solos, and a passion that seemed to flow from her soul to her fingertips. Ana bends her head back, closes her eyes and lets the music flow, and its intensity can catch you by surprise.
The blues is a passionate, emotional music, and she seems to be able to find that emotion and take it to the next level. She doesn't really play traditional blue tunes. She plays blues that rocks and soars, that makes startling journeys through your head, then your heart. Up close, it's a magical trip.
Yeah, I liked it.
After an intermission in which fans lined up for CDs and autographs (Popovic was unfailingly gracious), she launched a second set that included high-powered harp-fanatic Jason Ricci. Just when you thought you couldn't go no higher, Jason lifted you up. They fed off each other's solos during some extended jams, pounding home the music with ferocious abandon.
This wasn't subtle music. This was music that grabs you, shakes you, torments you, and leaves you feeling like you've been ridden hard and put away wet -- a very good feeling.
Ricci, by the way, is touring behind his new Electro Groove CD, "Done With the Devil," a high-energy harp masterwork of blues-rock.
And it was great to see both clubs full of fans, with an energy level that seemed to fuel all the performers. Truly a fine night for the blues.
Posted
May 18 2009, 01:00 AM
by
Jim White