The blue note was queen last night, with a non stop streaming of prestigious bluesmen... Pianist and vocalist Dr John [Mack Rebennack aka the Voodoo Doctor], bewitching with his "voodoo-blues" from New Orleans; John Trudell, ex leader of the AIM (American Indians Mouvement) and commited poet, was present on the Arenes stage, while the French harmonicist Jean-Jacques Milteau followed by the electric Poppa Chubby (watch out for your ears) were performing at Matisse... and to conclude the evening, the great guitarist vocalist Little Milton in the Arènes, and B.B. King in the garden, with a very special guest : Jimmy Cliff !
A comercially succesfull evening. Many blues fans were indeed present at the festival.



JOHN TRUDELL & THE BAD DOG

John Trudell is a poet who recites his texts in rhythm, on a music with blues, country, folk, rock... inspirations. A "spoken word" artist, he awakes our conscience asleep over the daily reality of a world in need of spirituality. Ex-political activist commited to the defense of the rights of the American Indians, he prefers today to express his thoughts throught art and music, accompanied by his band, "Bad Dog".

Listen to his last album, "Bone Days" [Asitis Productions].



JEAN-JACQUES MILTEAU

The French harmonicist and "showman" Jean-Jacques Milteau took us on a mostly blues ballad, with a few Irish and country turns.
Surrounded by very good musicians : Manu Galvin, on guitar, imposing by his strength and his feeling; Benoït Sourisse distributing the bass lines, and the burning sheet of sounds of the Hammond organ, and André Charlier, a grooving drummer.

A warm and popular show.
Jean-Jacques Milteau, the experimented, the charismatic storyteller... has once more delighted us with his little instrument, the harmonica Marine Band.

To discover, "Memphis" [Universal], his last album...

Review : [@ pepito@jazzbreak.com]