Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans.My 2006 concert reviews starts
with a bang.On Saturday night I attended THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION OF WOLFE COMMUNICATIONS in Jackson,Tennessee.It was a
festive atmosphere and a night of firsts for me.The lineup included
Luther Lackey,Karen Wolfe,Big Cynthia,J.Blackfoot,T.K.Soul and The
Queen,Denise Lasalle.The show was held at The Carl Perkins Civic
Center.
Luther Lackey came on first and this was my first time seeing him
perform.He must have been a comedian before he turned to singing.He
had the crowd laughing with his so called one-liners.He opened the
show with a country song titled "I Found Jesus In The County
Jail".Before singing it he asked the crowd did they mind him singing
a country song and the crowd gave mixed responses.Some didn't care
but some made it pretty clear,"hell no" they replied.Never the less
he did it and it really wasn't bad at all.He didn't have a band with
him but his music could be heard from backstage but his vocals were
live and I was really suprised by his powerful voice.He performed
several of his songs from his cd."Two Minute Man" and "Scared of
Getting Caught" got the most response from the crowd.Before he left
the stage he acknoweledge to everyone that he was O.B. Buchana's
older brother.True blues and southern soul fans already knew this.
Karen Wolfe came on next and this was also my first time seeing her
perform.She has an amazing voice.She opened up with Destiny
Childs"Soldier" and the crowd loved it.The girl can sing and
dance.Next she did a Rolls Royce classic"I'm Going Down" and by this
time she had the entire place on their feet.She performed her
hit "Back Door Love Affair" and everyone was very receptive to it.Her
background singers are a large part of her performance and her son
got a roaring ovation from the crowd with his dance moves.This young
lady is well on her way and I expect to be seeing and hearing bigger
and better things from her in the future.
Big Cynthia came on next and once again this was my first time seeing
her perform.I've listened to her music and read about her alot but I
became a big fan Saturday night..She is the daughter of the late
Motown Soul Singer Junior Walker.She gave a hell of a performance.She
performed the Gene Chandler classic"Rainbow" and the place
erupted.I've never heard a female perform that song and I don't think
another female can pull it off either.She mixed her own little lines
to go along with the classic lines and it was absolutely a thing of
beauty.I wish she could get permission to record that song.She was
explicit and raw with her show and that reminded me of Denise
Lasalle.The crowd was loving it too.She excited the crowd with her
new hit single "Eating Ain't Cheating".This woman is something
serious.I had to go and take a picture with her after her
performance.She is Big Woman with an even BIGGER HEART.She and I are
living proof that sometimes BIGGER IS BETTER.She is a terrifc singer
and one great performer.I became a big fan Saturday night.
One of my favorite artist came on next and believe it or not this was
also my first time seeing him perform.I was like a little kid at
Christmas time.My uncles and aunts were big fans of The Soul Children
so I've been listening to Mr. Blackfoot a long time.To see him was
truly a exciting moment for me.His stage presence was a very strong
one.I couldn't help but to start thinking about our beloved Tyrone
Davis.I was amazed by his powerful voice also.He started the show
with "Just Got Paid" and the crowd was already feeling it.He
performed a favorite of mine "After Tone".He got a thunderous ovation
when he performed "Just One Lifetime" whom he dedicated to Homer
Banks.Of course what would a J.Blackfoot performance be without the
hit that propelled him to superstardom."Taxi" sounded so good live.He
closed the show with "Your Man Is Home Tonight".
Up next was my man T.K. SOUL.Its amazing how I have seen his show a
few times now but it only gets better and better.The minute he hit
the stage all the women rushed down front to get close to him.He
always show the female gathering much love with his performance.I'm
certain that he touches every hand thats extended to him.His dance
moves are very entertaining for all to see.He went into a Micheal
Jackson routine and the crowd loved every minute of it.He gave a
dynamic performance.The best part of the show was when he left the
stage and walked through the crowd.I really love to see the artists
of this genre allowing their fans to get close to them.The women
enjoyed it very much. "My Kind Of Girl","Where Jody Stay",and
Cheating And Lying got the biggest ovation from the crowd.I was
looking forward to hearing my personal favorite " My Life" but time
would not allow it.Once again my boy didn't disappoint.He is truly a
major player on the Blues and Southern Soul scene.
The last performance of the night was performed by my favorite female
artist,Denise Lasalle.As always The Queen was terrific.She opened the
show with "Lady In The Street" followed by my personal
favorite "Trapped By This Thing Called Love".I can listen to her sing
this song forever.The crowd in attendance all gave a very nice
applause throughout her performance.After all of these years in the
business up and down many highways she stills performs at a high
level.Its truly an honor for me to witness this Living Legend.I know
she has lost a few of her close friends in this business but her will
to give the audience their money worth remains the same.I hope and
pray that I can continue to enjoy this Blues Legend for lots and lots
of years to come.She's simply THE BEST.I know that I'm not alone when
I say that I love this woman and LONG LIVE THE QUEEN.
After the show there was an after party at Denise Lasalle's Blues
Room.By now it was 2:00 a.m. and the gin and juice was hitting me
hard.I sat at the bar and talked to a few of the locals and even had
the chance to meet Denise Lasalle's son(Ray).I was able to eat
breakfast at the club which was provided to all at no charge and I
took a photo with my favorite female artist.I hate to put Jackson,TN
business out there but I got ready to leave and the time was 4:15
a.m.
They were still charging admission at the door and the damn club was
still packed.I don't know what time those people left but Da Big Dawg
had to get back to the hotel and rest.I had a wonderful time and as
always I just wanted to share it with the fans of this blues and
southern soul thang.
