Heritage Music BluesFest
Wheeling West, Virginia
August 15-17

By Gary W. Miller

Once again Gary Miller made the trip to Wheeling for the Heritage Music BluesFest. Be sure to check out his pics on the HOMEPAGE!

After last year, I didn't know what to expect. A Blues festival takes awhile to get off the ground. Some places don't make a good breeding ground for the Blues and Wheeling is no exception. But this year the fest was a gem; a very nice crowd and pretty good weather. That's more than is expected. With a great lineup, this was sure to be a great festival. Rain threatened, but we were lucky-I weren't scared.

Friday's lineup was a warm-up of Little Charlie & The Nightcats, whose straight ahead Blues and great, warm sound got people out of their seats from the beginning. This is a great band. Otis Taylor gave everyone the left turn, with that great, freaky sound of the Blues, just the right turn we couldn't expect from any other artist. He has that mysterious thing going on, with electric cello and strange sounds emanating from the band. Around 8 p.m. Joe Bonamossa kicked ass, just to prove that the Blues wasn't all about snakey, inward stuff. Joe played some Blues that set the crowd into a frenzy and got them up to dance. James Cotton took the stage to remind everyone that the Blues is about the good times and just kickin' back. He took the crowd into the last of the evening, leaving everyone with something to think about. Cotton is just a treasure- you just can't get any better than this. To think that this was the beginning of the Festival is a little hard to imagine.

Teeny Tucker & Drivin' Wheel was just what the doctor ordered for a hangover from Friday night, on Saturday she was beautiful and to the point. Here's a gem in the Blues.  A great band and a delivery of the Blues that warmed the crowd up and put them in the mood. I was glad to see Sean Carney playing guitar for her. Richard Johnston is one dude that can deliver. His set was just a great deal, and the crowd responded like they had already heard the very last act. Debbie Davies was the next prize, with a great soulful piece of guitar playing and vocal that set the crowd on its heels. Davies' soulful guitar and vocal has gotten to the point that she epitomizes the Blues. I always look for great things from Debbie-she's really got what it takes. Corey Harris, next up, gave a special look at some serious Blues. His interpretation of the Delta and early Blues is a wakeup call for a crowd that might have never heard this music. The evening rolled on with the stage being commanded by Walter Trout. I knew that this crowd had never heard him, so I expected them to be astounded by one of the greatest guitar players in the Blues. Walter didn't let anybody down. It was like a crazy barber giving everyone a haircut. People came away from Walter Trout not knowing what hit them. He is spectacular-a driven fire that speaks the truth on the guitar. A scary experience. But even Walter, as big a giant as he is, could only wait for John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers to take the stage. This was the moment that everyone had waited for and I felt like I was in the presence of something holy. I don't get that way very often. Mayall is the Granddaddy of the English Blues and a force that espouses all that is dynamic and truthful in the Blues. That's not an overstatement--John Mayall is a true Master of the Blues.

You haven't seen anything if you are there to see a reunion of Walter Trout and John Mayall. Toss in Debbie Davies on guitar and you've got a real mix. I know that I have never seen any jam that was as exciting and intense as this one. Mayall looked like he had formed the perfect band-finally. It was just too good. I think the crowd got a message-this IS the Blues. It's fun and exciting and moving, just what we're all there for. What's weird is that we still have Sunday to go! What could be better than all the artists so far? Sunday and the Patrick Sweany Band took everybody off on a real mission in the Blues. Pat's ability to use the music to entertain and move the crowd paid off. Actually, these fan people, tired from two days of Blues and whatever, just didn't know that they had anything left in them. HA! The sheer intense Blues doesn't take any prisoners. The more you hear, the mo' better you like it.

 Sugar Ray Norcia is another treasure that must be taken very seriously. Sugar Ray & the Bluestones, featuring Monster Mike Welch are hard at work bringing top-notch Blues to everyone. This is a group that you must see. They Boogie! A perfect setup for Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets featuring Sam Myers. This is the Deal! There is probably no greater thought-out guitar playing than Anson Funderburgh's. He is a study in the art of guitar playing. Sam Myers is the crowd's main man and the leader of a movement that commands attention from the fervent Blues fan. Sam has the answer, and Anson is listening all the time. What will Sam say next? -I love it.

Deborah Coleman ended the whole thing up and she brought the crowd to their feet. Deb has become a real trooper and the crowd loves her. She's sweet and tough, just like the Blues music she plays. What a better way to end the festival.   This is a great festival. Artists actually meet the fans and the whole thing is very laid back. It deserves your attention and support, because you love the Blues, and because it's necessary to stand up for the Blues. Book your rooms early and avoid the rush. It'll be happening around the same time next year. This is always one of the best lineups anywhere in the states. Wheeling gets the best in the Blues, whether it likes it or not.  What's not to like?