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GuitarSite.com Guitar News Weekly Edition #43 - June 7, 1999 |
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1999 RIVERHEAD BLUES FESTIVAL
www.riverheadli.com/bluesfest The saga of the Riverhead Downtown Arts District continues to unfold with some keynotes of the music world taking notice... I had the pleasure of accompanying the man they call "The Prince of the Blues" gold record recording artist Sam Taylor and drummer Mario Richards around the downtown area recently in a search for studio space. Seems Taylor (who has published over 135 songs and written for everybody from Elvis to the Rolling Stones) is looking to re-relocate to Riverhead. Sam lived there until about '63 before moving out west. Sam wants to set up shop and produce recordings with other artists and do some music teaching. If you have never had the distinct pleasure of hearing Sam Taylor and his dynamite band featuring Heather Hardy on her wild electric violin, read on. Taylor could move here just in time to be able to walk to work at the First Annual Riverhead Blues Festival taking place on the riverfront. This long talked about event is going to happen. The series scheduled for August 27, 28 and 29 features a different line-up of music artist on each date. The Friday eve, Saturday eve, Sunday afternoon formats will start off with acoustic blues sets and wrap up with high-powered blues bands. There will be a little something for everybody from Delta Blues to Rhythm and Blues presented by top blues musicians. In addition to three days of entertainment the programming will include an educational component as well. Many rock n' rollers out there don't realize that blues is the root of rock music. As Muddy Waters said, "the blues had a baby and they called it rock and roll". The presenters will be giving the occasional anecdote about the history and evolution of blues music. From the pentatonic scales origins on the west coast of Africa, to its adaptation to work songs sung by slaves in the south and the part that "church music" (which as we now know gospel) played, up through the sounds of Chicago and Rhythm and Blues. Blues tunes are certainly a product of our culture, cooked up in the melting pot of America and have presented us with some of the finest music personalities ever known. Scheduling for what acts on what dates has not been cemented in place yet, so stay tuned. The best part is, admission to this audio feast is free. Bring a beach chair, but be ready to get up and boogie once the beat gets going. Check out the event web site www.riverheadli.com/bluesfest or, to be on the up to the minute news list via e-mail, drop me a line at tgahan@suffolk.lib.ny.us Also happening on the Peconic River is a concert for the high school kids being sponsored by the Riverhead B.I.D. The date is June 4 with a rain date of June 5 and will feature two local bands, "42" and "No Cause". If all goes well, look for an ongoing series of youth oriented music programs on the riverfront.
by Thomas W.Gahan More Blues links:
BB King
Buddy Guy |
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