The Blues (and, later, jazz, R&B and R&R) emerged from the folk singing of the slaves in the southern stat4s of the US. From those roots it has itself evolved many interpretations of the style, and much of what passes for blues now isn't really technically of the ilk. That applies to a lot of acts in this festival. But Paxton may be the nearest we get to the real thing.
His idiosyncratic playing style and richly expressive vocals have the authenticity of a man steeped in the genre. A multi instrumentalist who is able to swap around seamlessly (on the night he played guitar, banjo(s), harmonica, fiddle and piano). A big smile and deep well of funny anecdotes make for an engaging presence. Even the act of tuning up becomes a piece of entertainment. But there's a man with his won view of the world behind the words, a thinker as well as a joker. A proper troubador and always worth seeing.
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