When? Fri 22/08/2008 - Sat 23/08/2008
Where? Diverse locaties
Eric Steckel (17) opened the 15th edition of Culemborg Blues with 'Come Into My Kitchen' on the Saturday afternoon. Surrounded by “older gentlemen” he manages to commit the audience to him. He has also outgrown puberty and plays like a grown man. His matured voice adds to this more grown up image. His guitar playing has been a steady factor for years.
The night before Het Betuws Popkoor and Sydney Ellis had opened the anniversary edition by playing in the Grote or Barbara Church. The organisation offered a blast from the past, booking many bands from previous editions. Most of the stages are outside, around the market place and a few in bars, featuring the smaller ensembles. The headliners play on the large stage in front of the historic City Hall.
Julian Sas, who had performed several times with various line-ups, had to settle for a spot early in the evening, making sure the crowd appeared early. He didn't play Hendrix (encore). He left this to Popa Chubby. The Rory Gallagher songs remain his forte. Too bad that Marcus Malone had to play early that night. Many left to get a bite to eat. Nevertheless the newcomer played a funky set, accompanied by excellent musicians.
The Veldman Brothers were also familiar to the festival, they played a solid but a bit overdramatic blues set. The Pine Box Boys from the US stood out this day. A gutsy move by the organisers to present hillbilly country to a predominantly bluesrock audience, featuring acoustic bass and banjo. There were more youngsters than just Eric Steckel. In the afternoon students from De Plantage in Tiel play on a real stage and make their debut under the eyes of all their relatives. The show by Jeremy (16) & The Groovebreakers seemlessly followed this gig. Jeremy Aussems has outgrown the reconnaissance phase and is starting to look like a mature stage act. He gained confidence in the last few years, but remains faithfull to his heroes Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn, mxing in an original every once in a while. We await his debut album now.
Just in front of the Grote or Barbara Church, which is being renovated, familiar band A Cross Roads Deal performs with some well known faces in their midst, that also have their own bands. Robbert Fossen on guitar, vocals and harp en Martijn Schok on the electric keys. Together with their friends they play two entertaining sets based on New Orleans compositions and Robbert preference from the Windy City.
More young guns on the Varkensmarkt stage with Big Blind and The Rhythm Chiefs. My British friend Alan Smith was so impressed by the first of the two that he bought a cd on the spot. His day was made. He loved to hear all those influences in a delicious modern package. The Rhythm Chiefs also get good marks and make a good impression. Alan's judgement on the Ruben Hoeke Band was more negative. They played incoherently, like there had just been a couple of personnel changes. A messy bunch.
The other Betuw formation captain Heartbeat... not Beefheart, as a sweet lady kept calling the soul band, closed the stage. Soul and Chicago sing-alongs, featuring singer Dick Stam.
Barrelhouse expertly fills the gap between Julian Sas and headliner “Big Daddy” Popa Chubby from New York. He was flown in specially for a one-time gig, which topped the organisers wish-list. Chubby went in hard for an hour and a half. This time only two Hendrix songs, “Hey Joe” and “Spanish Castle Magic”. A lot of material from his latest cd “Delivery After Dark” and wonderful remnitions of Neil Young's “Daddy Plays The Guitar” and “Motor Cycle Mama”. No encore this time, because the permit ended at 01.00 hrs.
The organisers can look back contently on a more than successfull edition. Considering the fun, the men and women organisers still have, getting to the 20th edition should not be a problem.
Translation by: Jean-Paul Harreman
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