Three hours, three contrasting Blues acts. Well, they were supposed to be blues acts....
MAX & VERONICA
Maybe I've led a sheltered life, but who knew a washboard could be played in a sexually provocative manner?!
A duo playing acoustic blues, with ragtime and gospel thrown into the set mix, keeping alive the traditions of the 20s and 30s - in Italy. The couple from Milan look a bit shambolic to begin with, like they're just pretending to be serious musicians. That facade soon melts away when they play. Max is a decent blues guitarist and a respectable singer. Veronica is the one to bring things to life though. Playing the aforementioned washboard, plus ukulele and kazoo, she's frequently hilarious, a natural entertainer and possessed of an excellent blues voice. A fun and musically sound start to the afternoon's show.
BRANDON SANTINI
A big man with big energy, big personality and a big voice. Santini is a blues singer and harmonica player from Memphis, here backed by a strong four man Scots band of drums, bass and two guitars. His rapport with the audience was immediate, a communicator who quickly gets a room on his side. A set of full-on blues rock had many up dancing, everyone clapping along and a buzzing and very sweaty Spiegeltent. Santini's rich vocals and virtuoso harp playing are hugely impressive, but the band all played their part, especially young local guitarist Jed Potts whose solos soared and ignited into existence.
Santini has genuine star quality and charisma backed up by a obvious love for, and knowledge of, the history of blues music. But mostly he just wants everyone to have a good time and join in the fun that he and his confederates were clearly having. In that he certainly succeeded.... and left the final act with the hard task of following a master.
GERRY JABLONSKI BAND
There's line lying somewhere between showmanship and parody, and the GJB gallop over it with brio. I'm showing my age here, but it felt like the stage had been populated with Fast Show characters. Jablonski himself is what Ozzy Osbourne would be if he turned into a Dulux dog with John Lennon glasses. The bass player made you think that Ed Byrne wasn't ageing well. And the harmonica player seemed to be fuelled up with a potent mix of testosterone and ballet steps. At least the drummer just looked like a drummer.
The overall effect was hilarious, a pantomime from the rock hall of cliches, and I couldn't stop laughing. All of which obscures the fact that this is a pretty good rock band, but with less emphasis on the blues aspect than the previous acts. The drummer is excellent, the bass player solid, and Jablonski's guitar work is both exciting and, at times, surprisingly sophisticated. While the harmonica player certainly adds something to give a more bluesy flavour, he isn't as good as he appears to think he is...
Life's not fair, so making comparisons with what had gone before was inevitable, and the final act of the afternoon, who'd have done well as the second act, fell short as a result. Santini's musical talents, and ability to relate to people, should have made him a shoe-in as the headline act, a fact reflected in the number of seats that emptied in the final hour. Festival programme organisers please take note....
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