MONAGHAN RHYTHM & BLUES FESTIVAL: GREAT ACTS FOR ACOUSTIC STAGE, MARKET HOUSE
Some great acoustic blues acts will be entertaining the discerning crowds at the Acoustic Stage, Market House, Monaghan over the weekend of the Harvest Time Festival on Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September.
The artists will be appearing in varying orders in slots from 7pm–10pm on the Friday and from 2–5pm and 7pm–9pm on the Saturday and Sunday (see www.harvestblues.com/Acoustic-Stage for full details).
Ticket prices for the Market House Acoustic Stage are €12 Friday night and €15 for Saturday and Sunday. The performers will finish up at 10pm to facilitate those who wish to check in on the Blues Trail or mosey on down to the Marquee.
Steve James
Austin, Texas
Described as an underground legend in his home state of Texas, Steve is widely recognised as Austin’s prime exponent of acoustic roots/blues music.
As one reviewer put it: “The specific excitement of his performances ought to be enough to convince anyone that there is something real, something unrefined, something vital in the hands and throat of a master like James.”
Otis Gibbs
Indiana
Otis Gibbs first stepped on the stage at the age of four when he sang Jimmie Rodgers’ ‘Waiting for a Train’ at a neighbourhood honky tonk, and has been hooked since. Some people refer to him as a folk artist, but that is a simplistic way to describe this man who has slept in hobo jungles, walked with nomadic shepherds in the Carpathian Mountains, been strip searched by dirty cops in Detroit, and has an FBI file.
“There is an authenticity and dedication in Gibbs’ delivery which is somehow cleansing in its purity.”
Otis Taylor
Denver, Colorado
“Otis is arguably the most relevant blues artist of our time.” Taylor’s music is where he makes his most direct and personal statement about the African-Americans. He addresses the lynching of his great grandfather and the brutal murder of his uncle. Though he discusses these heavyweight issues and others like homelessness, tyranny, and injustice, his personal style is light-hearted.
“I’m good at dark, but I’m not a particularly unhappy person. I’d just like to make enough money to buy a Porsche.”
Watermelon Slim
Oklahoma
He was described by Jerry Wexler as a “one-of-a-kind pickin’n’singing Okie dynamo.” Slim has been a truck driver, forklift operator, sawmiller, collection agent, funeral officiator and a small time criminal. The latter career move resulted in him being forced to flee Boston. Now Slim lives in Oklahoma farming watermelons, hence the stage name.
“I’ve lived a fuller life than most people could in two. I’ve lived on three continents, and I’ve played music with a bunch of immortal blues players. I’ve fought in a war, and against a war. I’ve seen an awful lot and I’ve done an awful lot.”
The Blues
Trail
Meanwhile, no Harvest Time Blues can be complete without the support from the seven venues in town who are the partners in bringing this festival together. Entry to any of these venues is free of charge, and they will have host nearly 40 gigs at these venues by the time we head to back work on Monday the 5th.
The Blues Trail bands are the Dana Dixon Band, Edinburgh, Scotland, Wildcards, South Devon, England, Dr Brown & the Groovecats, Newcastle, Gráinne Duffy Band, Monaghan, Norman Beaker Band, Manchester, England, The Robin BiBi Band, London, England, Ronnie Greer Band, Antrim, Ireland, River Devils, Edinburgh, Scotland, The Roy Fulton Band, Belfast, and Blues Jam, Monaghan.
The venues are Master Deery’s, Westenra Hotel, An Poc Fada, Squealing Pig, Terrys, Brewery Bar (McKenna’s Upstairs ) and Anchor Bar (McKenna’s Downstairs).
More on the Blues Trail and other aspects of the Harvest Time Festival in upcoming issues; also, check www.harvestblues.com/Blues-Trail-2011.
