The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
New London fest features live music
People have a lot to say about living in Connecticut. For blues fans, one thing that needs to be said is how easy it is to travel across the state or visit New York or the rest of New England. This week, from New London to Bridgeport, Connecticut will provide some great entertainment.
Taj Mahal, an American Grammy Award-winning blues musician, will be at Infinity Hall Hartford on Friday. Calling him an American Icon is putting it mildly. His career spans the globe and has touched audiences everywhere.
He often incorporates elements of world music into his works. A self-taught singer-songwriter and film composer who plays the guitar, piano, banjo and harmonica (among many other instruments), Mahal has done much to reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his almost 50-year career, fusing it with nontraditional forms, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific.
Blues Beat remembers hearing of his shows at UMass in the 60s. Collectors still treasure his vinyl. With Mahal, you get the show and a sampling of history.
The Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport has been bringing is acts that get blues fans attention. This Saturday it is Tom “The Suit” Forst. The Forst Band is featuring Bigg Thurrsty, Vincent Brike, and Tony Delisio. They are joined by The Carrie Ashton Band and special guest, Elayne Cassara-va.
Eight years ago, Forst put the pedal to the metal on a life-long musical dream. Since then he has gained acclaim as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, performing and recording with well known musicians from across the musical spectrum.
For a blues-infused downtown experience, the New London Blues and Brews Fest will take place on Saturday and Sunday at Hygienic Art Park. Along with shows on the main stage at the Art Park, participating venues along Bank Street will also have live bands and brews specials at their locations.
All performances are available to fest-goers. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes for walking and dancing, in addition to bringing a healthy appetite for local eats and brews.
Festivities start Friday at Daddy Jack’s with Hip Joint. Saturday night, The Sidewinders will be there.
Saturday, bands at Art Park include The Chris Leigh Band; Ryan Hartt and The Blues Hearts; Chris Mackay and The Tone Shifters; Ramblin’ Dan Steven and the Fiery Band; and Lucky Peterson.
Sunday’s bands are Franklin Brothers; Paul Gabriel Blues Band; Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez. The Beehive Queen headlines the fest. So join her for a soulful Sunday on the Main Stage at Hygienic Arts Park’s new Frank Loomis Palmer Amphitheater after a full bill. Participating venues on Bank Street will also feature music stages and specials for this great two-day fest. More info at: https://www.hygienic.org/event/2018-blues-brewsfestival/.
FTC Stage One has the Blues Beatles on Wednesday. The name says it all. This band is six Brazilian die-hard Beatles fans who are also experts in the blues. They revive classics of the English quartet with new arrangements and innovative presentation, with guitar, piano, harmonica and improvised solos, all to the contagious rhythm of the blues. The blues aspect of the band is deep-rooted.
Songs such as “Help,” “Ticket to Ride” and “Yesterday” receive new arrangements, in which some outstanding elements are preserved and others modified. The result is an innovative show in which the Beatles’ familiar melodies blend with improvised guitar, Hammond, piano and saxophone solos.
Then Thursday, at the FTC Warehouse, it is Los Lonely Boys with Elliot and The Ghost. Los Lonely Boys are an impressive act. The brothers are a tightly woven unit of masterful musicians who’ve managed to step beyond the Hendrix-Santana roots of their beginnings to create their own unique sonic blend. You can hear the history in what they play, but there is an overlay of style that is subtle, yet a noticeably different mainstream style.
Danny Draher is bringing his Chicago tradition as a guitarist, singer, musical director, consultant and producer to the Parrott Delaney Tavern on Friday. Draher was performing at parties with local bands by age 14 and began his professional life as a guitarist with Otis Rush and Buddy Guy at the Checkerboard Lounge. He recorded his first album at the legendary Chess Studios.
Draher then left Chicago and toured nationally. He moved to New York City and soon became the guitarist, singer and bandleader of choice. He has recorded and toured nationally and internationally with artists such as Dr. John, Etta James, Paul Butterfield and Allen Toussaint.
The Kathy Thompson Band is at Parrott Delaney on Saturday.
Guitar lovers are treated this weekend at Black-Eyed Sally’s: Friday, the explosive power trio Comstock Station hits the stage. Come Saturday, Jeff Pitchell and Texas Flood return.
The Red Hots are opening at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Friday for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Wednesday, it’s Ry Cooder and Thursday, Satisfaction: The International Rolling Stones Show.
The Plainville Citizen had its Best of Awards 2018. For Best Live Music, the number one spot went to Tipping Chair Tavern — well deserved with music 7 days and a healthy mix of blues.