Houston Stackhouse Acoustic Stage
Helena, AR
An article by Gary W. Miller
Not everything that is great is on the Main stage at the King Biscuit Blues Festival. There are over 65 artists, on three stages over this weekend, and they are all people that you need to hear. Blueswax was there.
Friday's lineup was great because it included some people you just don't get to hear anywhere else. Andy Cohen is one great entertainer, and a master on the six strings. Andy is a disciple of the late Rev. Gary Davis, an old-time master of blues/ragtime guitar. He also plays a Dolceola, a tiny piano-autoharp-like instrument that is perfect for street performers. What a sound when it is miked!
Where you gonna hear "Little" Pink Anderson except Helena? He was here and playing some great Blues. Although he plays electric and acoustic, this was a time to show off some Piedmont-style picking that his father, the late Pink Anderson, invented some 80 years ago. Little Pink laid some fine Blues on the crowd and then turned it over to a national treasure by the name of Precious Bryant.
Precious Bryant is "precious". Her down home strumming and front porch style are infectious. She is a great example of the simplicity of real Blues. She just strums-no fancy guitar work here. She sings simple and succinctly, doing what comes naturally. I don't think I have ever heard any Blues player doing Rock and Roll favorites like "Susie Q" and the Contours "Do You Love Me". She makes it all real though, and the crowd loved it. She is always a favorite at Helena. A real Treasure!
Drink Small is another performer that you don't get to hear often. Hailing from South Carolina, he is respected as a fine lyricist and electric guitar payer. Unfortunately, we didn't get to hear him, as the weather was not cooperating.
Saturday and no rain, Thank God. It was a beautiful morning, so when the stage got started with Roy Book Binder, I really was ready for some great music. Bookbinder is a real treasure and mentor to many artists in the music scene. His presentation and knowledge of the blues and folk scene since the early 60s is a wealth of information for any fan. He can tell a story better than most and is a true artist on the guitar. His tales of ex-wives and time on the road reveal the true life of the Blues musician.
Roy kicked off the festivities with some fine picking and singing of "Avalon Blues", by Mississippi John Hurt, and went on to perform songs by Lightnin' Hopkins, Rev. Gary Davis and others of the early music. His personal stories in his songs, "Travelin" Man Blues and the very funny "New Age Woman" got the crowd lightened up for the day. He then introduced one of my favorite musicians, Patrick Sweany.
Patrick Sweany took over the stage, full of energy and bangin' the six-string. He was so psyched up to play for the crowd, his enthusiasm certainly was infectious. He revved it up with some of the finest fingerpickin' and slide playin' we had heard yet. Playing "Chelsea Swing", Bring The Money Home" and "Bad Luck, Bad Luck", he put smiles on many fans faces that had never heard this young cat play. Roy Book Binder said that when he first met Patrick, "He was doing what I had spent thirty years trying to accomplish". That is the ultimate compliment for any musician.
Ernie Hawkins, the Virginia guitar whiz, came on next. He received a grant from the State of Virginia to teach and is considered a state treasure in music. His classic rag styles and Piedmont picking are a studied example of exactly how to do it. He plays Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Willie McTell, Merle Travis and many more styles. Ernie is truly a great scholar of the Blues guitar, and he showed everyone there a great time.
Bob Corritore joined Louisiana Red, who has been missed by many for several years, on harmonica. Bob owns the Rhythm Room, in Phoenix, AZ. He's one hot harp player and a fine musician. He teamed up with Red awhile back, and they just sound really fine together. We enjoyed talking to him and we anxiously await his next CD.
Louisiana Red was spectacular on Delta style guitar, but most everything was electric here. "Alabama Train", "Leavin' Grandma", and "Too Poor To Die" were my favorites. He sounds like a six-piece band by himself, with a great gritty voice and down-home lyrics, his guttural and deep Blues style is terrific. He had them dancing in the aisles.
We really enjoyed these two days on the Houston Stackhouse Acoustic Stage. Don't miss the great performers next year.
