Mickey's Blues

May 30, 1997

Of all the venues you'd think would host a blues fest, Pleasure Island just doesn't come to my mind (although it can be fun if you like spending lots of money while tourist watching). It seems too family-oriented to get down and dirty with the sometimes nasty but truthful blues. With the lineup they offered at their blues fest this past weekend, though, it was anything goes (to some extent) and at times it did.

Each night they had two bands playing two sets on two stages. Friday's lineup consisted of Louisiana-based The Radiators and Jonny Lang, who at 16 years of age sounds as mature as the great B.B. King and the likes. Between the two, there was a nice variety of blues styles. The Radiators, one of the best underrated bands around, mix up the blues, some country and a little rock and roll with the appropriate cajun spices. I compare most of their music to Dr. John, and their keyboard player even looks and sounds like him. Nevertheless, their songs are beautifully soulful - they make you want to get up and dance.

Jonny Lang was definitely the biggest and greatest surprise. I had never heard him, nor did I know his age until after his amazing show. Listening to his playing was like having an out of body experience. He played the guitar with a vengeance and sang with a force that could penetrate stone. He had a great presence - definitely ready for the big time. Hopefully, the ugly side of the business won't destroy him before he hits his prime.

Saturday Night featured the great John Mayall and his Bluesbreakers and the up and coming Chris Duarte. Unfortunately, I missed John Mayall. As of the pioneers that bridged Blues and English Rock, it's great to see that he's still playing out. I had seen him once before, and he was fabulous - playing all his classic hits. The Pleasure Island gig was, I'm sure, no exception. It's nice to see he's still kickin' after all these years.

Of course I couldn't miss Chris Duarte, who happens to be one of my favorite new blues artists. His style has truly developed from the last album. (It's heavier - with a lot of punk influences - and also radio-friendly, with catchy melodies flowing above groovin' rhythms - making a combination for chart bustin' tunes.) I can't wait until his new album comes out, which he said won't be until August. Despite the fact that the band is not used to the Pleasure Island format (playing two 1-hour sets two hours apart), they still rocked on unshaken. Even Chris' daughter was proud of her father, cheering the crowd on from the DJ booth.

Sunday's evening consisted of Bo Dudley and Junior Wells, two blues greats who I'd have loved to have seen, but two days at the festival had me plenty bluesified.

Eric Levy
My main focus in life is my music. I have been writing and playing music for over a decade, and it has been my labour of love. My main instrument is 6-string guitar, lead and rythym. I listen and play everything from low-down, dirty blues (B. Guy, BB, Howlin' Wolf, J. Winter, SRV, etc.) to more aggressive and heavier stuff (Soundgarden, A.I.C.,Pantera, Sacred Reich, etc.) to many that are somewhere in the middle, (Black Crowes, Stones, STP, Allman bros.) Bottom line is that I love music more than life itself. Well, almost.