Press
Making a Scene Presents our Newsletter for August 10 2022 Issue 379
READ IN OVER 30 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE!
The Nominees for the Independent Blues Awards have been Announced and the Voting has Begun! Get your Votes in NOW!
This week in our newsletter we have interviews with Lauren Glick Band, Megan Bee Music, The Swamp Poets and So Much More!
Prescott Blues Notes Review
Day 1 of the 2nd Annual NAZBA Greater Prescott Blues Festival at the Elk's Theatre on Fri. June 17th featuring The Swamp Poets Duo (Christian Michael Berry & Paul Epoch), Simply Renee (Rice), The Mother Road Trio and Big Pete Pearson by Tom Pallen, June 2022.
Well, first off I think it would be a bit unfair for me to review myself, (Swamp Poets Duo), so Bob Frascone of Chicago Bob and the Blues Squad has volunteered to write that portion of the review.
I want to start out by saying that playing a club gig, playing at a Blues Festival, and playing in a Theater setting are three completely different things! Regardless of the size of the venue In a theater setting you can't just come in and perform the same way you would at a club or festival. It is a 'Theater' and people are there to see an 'intimate' show. The audience is seated and are usually paying rapt attention to almost everything that goes on. Everything you do or say has to be exaggerated and delivered in a highly entertaining fashion. It is one of the hardest things for a working musician to accomplish. You have to work a lot harder to win over and even 'own' the crowd. In a bar setting and even to a certain degree at a festival the crowd is there to have a great time, party, drink, dance etc. They are not usually as "locked on to every little nuance" of the performance.
Having said that, every performer at the Elk's event brought their 'Theatre A Game" and there were many standing ovations throughout the night.
The Swamp Poets Duo, (This portion of the review written by Bob Frascone)
Prescott's own, Swamp Poets Duo, have reached a level most bands aspire to but few ever reach. Their album, Hoodoo Du Voodoo, has been voted "Top 5 Albums of the Year" and "Top 40 Albums Being Played on the Radio in Europe and the UK for 2021" as well as " Album of the Month" (Three times by the Independent Blues Broadcasters Association).
That's exactly why they were one of the headliners at the 2nd Annual Prescott Blues Festival last Friday at the beautiful, iconic Elks Theatre. Christian Berry, founder of the Swamp Poets and outgoing president of the Northern Arizona Blues Alliance, is a bluesman to the core. He and "Taul" Paul Epoch, his blues harmonica playing partner, kicked off the festivities with what Chris calls his "swamp blues." What are swamp blues, you may ask? The best way I can describe it is the feeling I got the first time I heard the great Grammy winning single by Bobbie Gentry, the "Ode to Billie Joe." You don't forget that sound. Chris Berry's guitar and blues man's vocals are delivered in that similar very special mode, especially in one of the many original songs he performed, called "Delta Flood," a song about the Mississippi River wreaking destruction as it overflows its banks. This was my favorite! It's powerful and haunting. The song comes from Chris' soul, as he grew up in Illinois by the great river. His lyrics put you right where he wants you to be. I swear, you can feel the heat, the humidity, and the mud of the dirty Mississippi River water risin'. It's a classic.
While doing the Don Nix song, "Tears Came Rolling," Chris started "scatting" with a surprising skill level reminiscent of the two famous "Louies"... Armstrong and Prima. This was totally unexpected and brought the house DOWN! I even noticed Taul Paul getting a little choked up due to the emotions this song can evoke... even while on stage.
Taul Paul is the perfect blues harp player for this duo. His style of play is quite unique. It's eclectic and keeps their groove flowing like the strong current of that river they sang about. There's nothing "off-the-shelf" to his playing. His "licks" are on-the-spot works of art, as attested to by the ovations he received from an appreciative audience after his artful, creative leads.
Besides their music, both men know how to put their audience in a relaxed, good time, down-home feeling. Chris Berry set his songs up with some interesting stories. Taul Paul was always on the ready to add in some humorous quips. You can tell he's a fun loving guy. They put everyone in a great mood for the excellent acts that followed.
Chris Berry and the Swamp Poets are one of Prescott's many treasures. Their style fits any occasion. Don't be surprised to see the music world open up new opportunities for them, while they continue to retain their deep Prescott hometown roots.