FEBRUARY 7,2006 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. Big K9