More than 120 musicians performed at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland this past 4th of July weekend. There were big-name acts such as Maceo Parker, Lucinda Williams, Buddy Guy, and Robert Cray, and the sun-soaked setting along the Willamette River made for a scenic and more than satisfying music-filled experience.
But it wasn’t just the celebrity musicians pleasing the crowds. Talented local musicians also played to much appreciative applause. Even the quirky people mingling in the crowds provided some additional entertainment. Festival-goer Pat desChene, pictured above with “Jimi Hendrix” (Ritchie Rogers), said “Jimi” was one her favorite things about the blues weekend.
The festival grounds were jam-packed by Sunday afternoon, with hardly a bare patch of grass in sight as everyone spread out on the lawn early to await the headlining evening act, Buddy Guy. Fortunately we were able to snag a few seats in the First Tech Federal Credit Union tent. And while we were a ways back, a stage was visible on either side of us, plus a live screen was directly in front, which provided footage of the current acts, up-close-and-personal.
We were first treated to a little bit of Linda Hornbuckle and Janice Scroggins Old Time Gospel Show, which elicited some enthusiastic clapping and shouts from the crowd. Next were Karen Lovely and her band. Karen had some powerful vocals reminiscent of Janis Joplin. Then there was the excellent Curtis Salgado, followed by Patrick Lamb. And finally the great Buddy Guy, recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and winner of six Grammys, bounded onstage.
Guy seemed to revel in all of the attention, grinning and joking with the audience in between his soulful singing and scorching blues guitar playing. He stopped and started songs frequently, saying to the audience with a smile, “aw man, now you’re messin’ me up!” Just when we thought he was forgetting his chops, though, he’d flash a sly grin and launch into a scorching solo. He played “74 Years Young,” from a newer album, and “When You Were Stepping Out, Someone Else Was Stepping In,” from some older material. He finished the night out with blistering samples from “Miss You,” “Boom, Boom,” “Voodoo Child,” and “Strange Brew,” and left the stage with the audience shouting out for more.
The fantastic music festival weekend ended with a spectacular fireworks display on the 4th of July. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday—and hear some great blues.
But the very best thing about it was that 100% of the proceeds will go to the Oregon Food Bank’s mission to stamp out hunger.
Thanks, blues fans!
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