Blues veterans fill set with classics
A staple of the Pine Bluff music scene, the Port City Blues Players, gave their audience a 24-song complement of blues standards during the Live@5 concert at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. The March 1 concert was presented on the Catherine M. Bellamy Theatre stage.
The performance included such classics as “The Blues is Alright,” “Black Cat Bone,” “Cross Cut Saw,” “Send You Back to Georgia,” “Hi-Heel Sneakers,” “Rock Me Baby,” “Black Cadillac” and “Seventh Son.”
Six dozen fans cheered on the six-piece ensemble for two hours of soaring electric guitar, kicking keyboard, a thumping rhythm section and a blend of melodic vocals. In addition to the host of music lovers, half a dozen well-known regional musicians were in the audience.
Port City Blues Players are Pops Cooper on keyboard, Jerry McCoy on guitar and vocals, Lex Capraitalia on drums, Mark Morgan on guitar and vocals, Dave Sadler also providing guitar and vocals and Roscoe Willis on bass.
McCoy, Morgan and Sadler swapped center stage, trading off lead guitar runs and lead vocals on various numbers throughout the evening.
Sadler said while introducing another number, “If you’ve never heard a Hound Dog Taylor song, then you will have after we play this next one for you.”
Special guest Tina Cossey made an appearance, joining the band on stage. Cossey with her group, The Tina Cossey Band, recently earned a spot on Memphis’ Beale Street to perform their show before the judges of the 39th annual International Blues Challenge in January. The group made a strong showing, going all the way to the semifinals in fierce competition with more than 200 blues acts from across the U.S. and Europe.
In reference to Cossey’s accomplishment, Sadler said, “She made Pine Bluff really proud!”
Cossey stepped to the mic saying, “I’m glad y’all waited on me to show up!”
She launched her contribution with three signature covers, the Janis Joplin hit, “Turtle Blues,” Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind,” and her spin on Muddy Waters, “Hoochie Coochie Man” with a slight twist, “Hoochie Coochie Woman.”
With the crowd engaged with Cossey and the Port City Blues Players, the normal 7 p.m. cut-off for the Friday night event went for another three songs.
Both Port City Blues Players and the Tina Cossey Band will be the opening acts beginning at 5 p.m. April 26 at the 43rd annual Fordyce on the Cotton Belt Festival on the Dallas County Courthouse lawn in downtown Fordyce. Following an hour-long performance by each band, three-time Grammy winner Bobby Rush will cap off the evening with a 90-minute show.