BEER BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL

APRIL 27.28.29 2007

Back in the lovely fishing village of Beer in East Devon, this time not for the October Rhythm & Blues Festival but for it’s Blues & Roots offspring. The relaxed informality of the October festival was, if anything more pronounced and the slightly more laid back music blended nicely with the glorious weather.

Friday night and The Mariners Hall was laid out with more tables & chairs, still room to dance, but increased opportunity to relax and listen in comfort. The first band on were Me & The Devil from Cornwall. They rarely play outside that enchanted county and their excellent performance made it more of a shame that they do not travel. Steve Mole guitar vocals; a dedicated harmonica player and a truly exceptional double bassist really punched out the very best of acoustic based Blues.

Next up, the Matt Empson Band, piano led by Matt with very fine vocals. A fine rhythm section worked together smoothly to cover classic songs from many styles reflecting the Roots mixture theme of this event. A pot-pourri of musical influences with stand out songs including “Flip, Flop Fly” and “Shake Your Hips” to “Fulsom Prison Blues” & “Some Kind of Wonderful” A great treat for the dancers.

Saturday lunchtime in The Anchor Inn a great favourite of mine Simon Prager weaved his usual magic. Simon would not object to being called an entertainer, although an anthology of the Blues styles and guitar techniques and a raconteur of wit and wryness, his touch with a crowd is in my experience quite unique. Playing an eighty year old guitar he entranced an enthusiastic crowd covering songs from the earliest Blues to satire, vocaleze and even music hall. His new CD “Shukin Sugar” – his first recording for years really gives you the flavour of his warm performance.

In the evening after a glorious afternoon on the beach, The Mariners Hall started off with Roy Mette, a leading light of the Essex Delta. One man and his guitar who held the stage and the audience with confident ease. His own songs and the old masters were superbly presented. “GallowsPole” and a wonderfully louche version of “One More for The Road” demonstrated guitar virtuosity and the warm sure vocals were excellent.

Then the Guy Tortora Band gave a master class in pace and range. I have seen Guy grow over the years into a performer of true presence and authority. Perched on a tall stool, playing a variety of acoustic and electric guitars he lead his immaculate players through a set of songs the demonstrated his complete command of the breadth of American music. I must mention his outstanding keyboard player Janos Bajtala who followed the light and shade and subtleties of Guy’s songs with complete empathy. People listened carefully to the thoughtful songs and danced happily to the swingers. Guy’s own “My Town” and an emotive take on Dylan’s “She Belongs to Me” have stuck in my mind. This is a must see band – Don’t Forget!

Sunday morning the weather still wonderful, I wandered though the art galleries and the old bookshop (Beer really is a great mix of interesting shops, people waiting on the beach for the crabs to be cooked and seagulls like Lancaster Bombers stealing ice creams) before climbing up to the Social Club. In October they play host to the Monster Jam Session – to many, the highlight of the weekend. In April the form took a more acoustic slant, Congas were provided for those of that bent, and locals and visitors played all types of songs in all sorts of combinations to great effect. Jeff Chapman of The Roosters & The Jives played some typically punchy takes on R&B classics and Cliff Gater, a stalwart of Beer events kept up with some fine harp playing. Jason Manners came up with some “conga tastic” numbers, and accompanied Amanda a young singer songwriter of great talent and wining personality. My wife Sheila joined them on bass and a great time was had by all.

Time to go home, the first Beer Blues & Roots which some people were calling Baby Beer is on its way to hopefully trot down the years behind its October big brother.

Riley B James

Next Blues & Roots Festival is 26,27 & 28 April 2008