When? Sat 28/06/2008
Where? Burgemeestershuis Lommel
It was a real rainy weather, when I opened the bedroom curtains on Saturday morning. A nasty drizzle came falling down and it didn’t promise much good for the rest of the day. But in the afternoon the sky turned blue and the sun appeared in full glory. A good omen for the Parkblues festival in Lommel. If prices are awarded for cosiness, I’m sure this festival will qualify high. The location is one to be jealous of.
Well, we didn’t come for the cosiness, but for the music. No Belgium opening act this year, but a very young British band, named Tantrum. Probably still wet behind their ears. We got served bluesrock, which was more than hefty. Young guitar violence from Manchester, led by Jamie Walker, who was able to the job. The rhythm section, with Torsten Christensen on bass and Luke Paget on drums, also were fierce. For me it was just a bit too much British rock instead of British blues and certainly not my cup of tea. When we speak of opening acts, this was one of the weakest I’ve seen here.
Then over to The Bluescrowns. This Dutch band is especially known as backing band for amongst others Liz Mandeville and Lynwood Slim. To my opinion they are at their best, when they can do their own thing. All real class musicians and with a front man like Daan Prevoo, not much can go wrong. This man impresses on as well as off stage and he sure can handle the saxophone and bluesharp. This band is real together and we heard very good guitar playing by Paul Voestermans. The rhythm section of Arno Vervest (upright bass) and Hupie Scheel (drums) was well-matched and on top that there was the firm sound of keyboard player Joost Janssen. All in the spirit of the West Coast jump and swing of the 40’s. Something that perfectly matched with the fine weather. We were treated on a lot of good stuff like ‘I Quit’, ‘Pablito’s Special’, ‘100 Miles’, ‘Rocket To The Moon’ and the inevitable ‘Be Good Or Be Gone’. In brief, it was fingerlicking good.
After having quenched my thirst I could prepare for the next band in line. Namely the old guards of The Juke Joints. These men are on stage for over 25 years and really need no further introduction. A lot of experience from Peter Kempe (drums) and his gang who treated us on a good portion of rock and rollin’ blues. A leading part is there for guitar wizard Boogie Mike. On the other side of the stage Sonny Boy is blowing his Mississippi saxophone like in his younger days and bass player Peter van Merode is ever looking “cool”. And a party it is when Sonny Boy hangs on the accordion and treats us on a spicy Zydeco tune. That they are big Rory Gallagher fans we know for a long time and we got to hear a beautiful version of ‘Going To My Hometown’ again. The set was closed with ‘So Long Baby Goodbye’ of The Blasters. Party time … to be impressed by and most people in the audience were. Everybody was having a blast.
Time for the last band and what a miracle, something that seldom happens, a Belgian band! Yes, you read it right: D-Tale was allowed to close this 4th edition. This four piece roots- and bluesband is built around Mario Pesic. Then there is keyboard magician Niels Verhees, jack-of-all-trades Steve “Dynamite” Wouters on drums and veteran Jan Meyers on bass. In fact slimmed version of Bass Papa, but with a completely different repertoire. Firm and well balanced with measured guitar and Hammond solo’s. ‘Voodoo Daddy’, ‘Here I Am Baby’ and John Hiatt’s ‘Memphis In The Mean Time’. A beautiful performance, which sure did appeal to me. However, due to the late hour a lot of people were on their way home already. Something we did too, because we still had a long way to go.
The organizers can look back on a successful edition. Beautiful weather, a large crowd and a good atmosphere from an early hour already. Plenty of reasons to look longing forward to the lustrum in 2009. Well speaking for myself, I’ll be there.
Translation by: Ton Kok
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