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For some Portlanders it represents a traffic headache, for others a noisy disturbance, but for many, the Waterfront Blues Festival is nothing less than the high point of the summer, an unbeatable combination of social event, music extravaganza and patriotic holiday celebration. And why not the blues on July 4? It's the quintessential American genre, the single greatest influence on contemporary Western music. Yet while our heritage owes a great debt to the blues, history owes an ever greater debt to the African Americans who have woven their sounds into the fabric framing our cultural quilt. A lucky few have reaped financial rewards playing this revered musical form, but countless more have slogged through years of poverty and obscurity, fighting racism and the music industry's homogenizing aspects, sacrificing all in the name of their beloved blues. Recently, labels such as Fat Possum have helped expose the overlooked talents of such folks as R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough; at this year's festival, make sure you don't overlook these unique talents: JOHNNIE BASSETT & THE BLUES INSURGENTS
Thursday, July 2, at 6:15 pm
Yeah, so Bonnie Raitt played with John Lee Hooker--but so did Johnnie Bassett, long before it was a parasitic attempt at street cred. Did you know he also recorded with such biggies as Tina Turner, Dinah Washington and Big Joe Turner? Or can be heard on Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' 1960s hit "Shop Around"? Probably not (most people don't), but that's no reason to ignore his electrified interpretation of classic blues stylings. Give the background man a chance to shine in the spotlight. DAVID "HONEYBOY" EDWARDS
Saturday, July 4, at 3 pm
Eighty-two-year-old Honeyboy Edwards may have the worst luck of any blues musician ever. As a teen he hung with the legends, learning licks from Charley Patton, tipping whiskey with Robert Johnson and journeying with Big Joe Williams. In 1942, Alan Lomax recorded him for the Library of Congress, then asked Edwards what players he liked; Edwards mentioned the then-obscure Muddy Waters. Waters, of course, went on to become one of history's most famous bluesmen, while Edwards continued his troubled troubadour lifestyle. Today he's one of the last remaining links to the Mississippi Delta blues tradition and the hard times when boozing, balling and brawling were the best life had to offer Southern blacks. ALVIN YOUNGBLOOD HART
Saturday, July 4, at 4:30 pm
Hart's an upstart only on his second album, but he sounds like a veteran. His debut, Big Mama's Door, featuring passionate covers of classics by Leadbelly, Charley Patton and Willie McTell, was an acoustic slide-guitar workout that scratched the backs of old-fashioned front-stoop blues fans everywhere. His new album, Territory, takes Hart (and a few sidemen) for a brisk stroll from New Orleans to Kansas City and back; it's more pretty than gritty, but he still makes Keb' Mo' sound like Dave Matthews. THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA
Sunday, July 5, at 4:15 pm
Beginning as the Happy Land Jubilee Singers in the dark, impoverished days of the Great Depression (1937 to be exact), Clarence Fountain and the Blind Boys of Alabama have inspired many a "Hallelujah!" with their ceaselessly energetic gospel-blues singing. Sixty years is a long time to tour the world, but you won't notice the slightest slack in their tightly woven harmonies. In the last few years, they've finally received their due, being nominated for a Grammy, playing at the White House and even appearing on a Christmas episode of Beverly Hills 90210. SON SEALS
Sunday, July 5, at 7 pm
Thanks to his status as one of Alligator Records' original artists, Son Seals is among the fortunate few to have crossover success with a white crowd. He's earned praise from places like Rolling Stone, but he's still suffered like any starving artist. Besides the usual rundown touring vans and ripped-off equipment, Seals once lost most of his band in a train wreck and was shot in the face during a domestic dispute in early '97. His tempestuous fretwork is strongly reminiscent of Albert King and Buddy Guy, and he packs enough personal power to make Anthony Robbins jealous. BOBBY "BLUE" BLAND
Sunday, July 5, at 8 pm
Three people have had more career hits on the R&B charts than Bobby "Blue" Bland: James Brown, Ray Charles and Fats Domino. That's some amazing company to keep. Bland, a 1992 inductee into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, began his career by recording for Chess in the early '50s, but his hit years started a bit later on the Duke Records label; since then he's had 51 songs in the R&B Top 40. Still, though his popularity with black listeners is nothing short of remarkable, his soulful, lovelorn blues was never fully appreciated by a white audience that actually believed Elvis created rock. Don't make the same mistake. |
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