The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Recording artist Delbert McClinton coming to Hartford
Delbert McClinton is at Infinity Music Hall in Hartford on Friday. McClinton is a Grammy Award winning recording artist and true American blues-rock icon. Anytime he hits the stage with his full band, you can bet on a memorable show. He proudly defies classifications. His music blends his Texas roots with roadhouse rock, juke-joint blues, Memphis soul and country.
During his entire recording career, record labels have consistently tried to pigeonhole his music. The critics look at his dynamic vocals and harmonica style and you’ll hear descriptions ranging from honky-tonk, blue-eyed soul, and Texas stomp to country rock and blues — something to please everyone, and a winning personality thrown in. The music resists any traditional categorization. McClinton, when asked what kind of music he plays, will simply respond, “Fun music.”
Up at Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk on Friday, it is Samantha Fish. If you caught her last show, you know why she is coming back. Fish is an awardwinning blues artist who has caught fire wherever she plays. If you missed her, now is the time to catch her. Fish is taking her guitar all the way to the top of the blues world, one guitar lick at a time.
The Chris Bergson Band, hailing from New York City, is coming to Black-Eyed Sally’s for a CD release show of his new album, “Bitter Midnight” on Saturday. The band will give straight out New York blues. The CD was just named Album of the Month by the Dutch magazine Gitarist.
Bergson has established himself as a songwriter, as well as a talented guitarist. He is a welcome addition to modern blues music and has been creating his own blend of blues, roots and soul. Bergson was inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame and has performed and/ or shared the stage with many luminaries like Hubert Sumlin and Levon Helm.
Some of the bands are taking the stage at various events, not just club venues. Saturday, Creamery Station is headlining this year’s Local Bethany Music and Arts Festival, aka Locapalooza. It is an all day kid friendly event at Three Saints Park (right near Route 67) with 8 bands and numerous crafts and vendor setups. It opens at 10:30 a.m. and will go until 11 p.m.
Creamery Station will play the headlining slot from 9:30 to 11 a.m. They could play a bit later if enough people show up and dance hard enough.
They’re a Connecticut based band that takes multiple styles of music, such as jam, blues, rock, and bluegrass, and mixes it together into what is guaranteed a thrilling live experience you won’t be able to get enough of.
Saturday, it is The Naugatuck All Arts Festival being held on the Green. Eran Troy Danner goes on at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, he’s doing a solo acoustic show at Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza in Torrington.
For a change of pace, the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center is bringing back Howie & The Soul Potatoes with Paul Gabriel on Friday.
Jake Kulak and the Lowdown will be playing at Blue Black Square on Friday. On Sunday at 12 noon, Dan Stevens will be at Holmberg Orchards.
The Balkun Brothers have been doing some major traveling and are back in state for some shows. Nick and Steve mix heavy rock and funk grooves with traditional styles of delta and electric blues, they have crafted a sound and style all their own, reaching across generational borders. Formed in 2010 by the two life brothers, their much anticipated second album, ‘Devil on TV’ is to be released on May 30 by the European label, Dixiefrog Records.
Friday, they will be at Arch Street Tavern with Gang of Thieves and the following Thursday at The Acoustic Café joined by the Good Time Boys, a Red Hot Chilli Peppers tribute band.
The Connecticut Blues Society has concluded its Blues Challenge and is ready to move on to the Finals. Winner from each night and a wild card will play for the opportunity to go to Memphis and represent Connecticut. The date is set for June 10th at the VFW in West Hartford.
Down in Memphis, the Blues Foundation had one of its big events. Inductions were held for the Blues Hall of Fame and the Blues Music Awards were presented. As they say, those events were just the tip of the iceberg. The long weekend was filled with blues as the music was celebrated. More details can be found on the Blues Foundation’s website.
As the weather get warmer the big festivals and outdoor concerts. Major concert in June in Willimantic with the Shaboo All-Stars and a number of acts. Being held to pay off the mortgage for Covenant Soup Kitchen.
The 2 Left Feet Blues Festival is holding its fifth annual fest in August. A 2 day event with a whole lot of blues.