Finale concert hits the spot
By Leah Seator
It was then through to the function room, where the event we’d all been waiting for, the Grand Finale Concert, was about to kick off.
Featuring a line-up of five acts, this was sure to be a hit with the crowds.
Glasgow's very own Bob Dylan - Peter Nardini. Picture Tom O'Brien.
Peter Nardini took the stage first, and the festival suddenly took on a different guise. Peter had played at the Gable End Theatre on Friday night, and said it had been a great experience.
Born and bred in Glasgow, this singer/songwriter, come artist, delivered a lengthy set of his own music, on acoustic guitar, with harmonica.
Someone had previously described him as “Dylanesque.” This was very apparent, but Peter sang all of his songs in a broad Glaswegian accent, adding a heavy sense of realism to the collection.
His songs were based heavily on the life of a Glasgow man, and often using humour.
While I wouldn’t necessarily call him a blues man, perhaps he is better described as a folk/blues player, telling stories with imagery, rather than wailing his blues away.
Keith Christmas in action. Picture Tom O'Brien.
Next up was acoustic guitarist, Keith Christmas, who boasted a slot on David Bowie’s first album, Space Oddity, in 1969.
He has definitely honed his talent in all those years, and played a set of everything from old Mississippi delta songs, to some more bluegrassy numbers, and some beautiful ballads of his own.
One had been finished in his hotel room on Friday morning, The Words that will Never be Spoken. The silence in the room indicated that this was a mesmerised audience, and Keith was applauded no end for his endearing set.
Blue Rooster's Jon Adams (left), Pete Phillips, on drums, and Ian Cooper on guitar. Picture Tom O'Brien.
Blue Rooster had been billed to play last, but their slot had been changed.
The only local band on the bill, they had wowed crowds at last year’s event and were highly anticipated.
Blues/rock was back, and the audience started to liven up, almost instantly, as guitarist Ian Cooper, bass player Jon Adams and drummer Pete Phillips took to the stage.
Those who remember Blue Mother will be no stranger to the talents of Coop, who spent eight years playing in the local pubs, with the band.
Many of Blue Rooster’s songs were borrowed from this set list, and the band blew the audience away.
Coop is undoubtedly one of Orkney’s finest guitarists, and it was a pleasure to hear him play the likes of Hendrix’s Little Wing, Cream’s White Room, and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Pride and Joy.
Jon and Pete have created a rhythm section that is so reminiscent of the British blues/rock movement in the mid-60s, it’s scary!
Pete is a fantastic, unpredictable drummer, and the trio worked wonders together on these old blues crowd-pleasers.
Stevey Hay and the Reyvons brought a touch of "Double Trouble" to the festival. Picture Tom O'Brien.
Stevey Hay and the Rayvons were on next and this was a band with a boogie-woogie feel! Perfect for dancing then…
You might have imagined they were an eight-piece band, their sound was so huge, but it was made by merely four musicians.
Stevey has captured his hero, the late Mr Ray Vaughan’s unique sound, and of course, the sound of the hammond organ gave this band a special touch – a perfect replica of Double Trouble.
Although not strictly a tribute band, these guys did pay homage by playing a few Stevie numbers, such as Texas Flood.
Others in the set were Bad to the Bone, Rock Me Baby and Born Under a Bad Sign. It was a hit, and there was more to come.
Son Henry, Kevin Oliphant and Dean Stewart blew the crowds away at the Blues Weekend. Picture Tom O'Brien.
Son Henry is no stranger to blues fans in Orkney, having visited two or three times. He supported Peter Green, with a solo performance, in Fusion, in 2005, and has had a passion for playing in the county ever since.
It was fitting, then, that he should round off the proceedings of the Orkney Blues Weekend with his new band.
I have to say, I love this Alaskan man’s work, and I could have happily watched him perform by himself all night, on his lap steel guitar.
But the addition of a backing band was a bonus, and as the trio burst on to the stage, it was time for one last blast of hardcore blues at its best.
Son’s cowboy hat and shades soon disappeared and they rattled out some fantastic songs. His great blues voice lilted through the number naturally, and his own songs sent shivers up my spine.
The band were a huge hit, and as always, Son went down a storm.
It had been a blast and there is no doubt, everyone had a ball.
The weekend had been a success, and no doubt there is more to come from this relatively new blues committee, who should be commended for their hard work.
All of the fundraising is done by them alone, and with only one ticketed event in the programme, folk in Orkney were spoiled.
Well done, to all concerned – I can’t wait until next year.
Tags: Review