“If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:
THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC”
― Kurt Vonnegut“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
― Bob Marley
Sorry, I’m late posting today. Big night out for me last night, and there are a few more to come! I have a crowded house, and a fantastic Easter filled with live music, groovin’ and living life loud. Why? Bluesfest, of course!
I first discovered blues when the movie The Blues Brothers came out. I was twelve years old, and the soundtrack was a revelation.
I was already in love with jazz thanks to a great teacher at my primary school, so Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Dizzie Gillespie and Duke Ellington were my heroes. Within a short period of time I was listening to some of the blues greats; Bessie Smith, Ray Charles, James Brown, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters.
There was something about blues music that spoke to my soul.
So one of my greatest delights is that we have a world class music festival, Byron Bay Bluesfest, right on my doorstep every Easter.
It’s become a ritual for us.. Music-loving friends arrive on our doorstep to stay for a few days, beds are hastily added to every corner of our small house, and the fridge and pantry groan with extra food and grog. We spend our first dinner together debating the various tents and acts, playing excerpts from the Bluesfest website or our own music collections, and marking up our programs.
A mate who drives the booze bus for the local bowlo (Lawn Bowls Club) acts as our chariot each day, dropping us off and picking us up. So we share rowdy breakfasts together over music at home, or at one of the local cafes in Bangalow, and then head off to Bluesfest for an afternoon and evening of music, dancing, festival food and fun.
Every day there are new musical delights. They fuel the music-filled conversations we’ll have over the next few days.
One of my new favourites? Seth Lakeman. That’s him in the video below. He had us all dancing before the end of the first song, and we danced til the last!
Come Monday we are always wrecked, but in the best of ways.
Each year there are new discoveries. Each year there are some of our old favourites. And each year we laugh, dance and celebrate all that is good about music and friendship.
Last night I also danced my little feet off to the sensational Earth, Wind and Fire who opened with this crowd pleasing classic. And I have to say they were even BETTER than their original version.
Rock me, Baby, until I want no more…
The Blues? Ah, you’re speaking my language, Nicole! Can’t belive that Earth Wind and Fire were there–now THAT’s a festival! I don’t think it’s possible to listen to them and sit still at the same time. And you can’t mean that Eric Clapton and B.B. King were there, too? That would put this fest into fantasy realm, as far as I’m concerned.
Robin, you really need to check one out! Byron Bay Bluesfest is worth the visit. And I’d be happy to show you all the best chai tents! xx
That will be my first stop on my trip around the world. 😉
Hi Nicole, thanks for stopping by the cigar box guitar stall at the bluesfest. It was an amazing weekend – perfect weather and endless cigar box guitar jams!
Nigel, it had to be one of the best Bluesfests yet, and your Cigar Box Guitars stall was one of the highlights for me. Thanks again! 😀
Great post Nicole and I too lurvve the blues – BB King is totally awesome and Eric Clapton on the guitar *sigh* awesome! Wish I was there with you, sounds like magickal bliss ♥
Best weekend I’ve had in ages!!! 😀
How could I leave out Buddy Guy??? Shame on me!!!
Buddy Guy is a legend!
Loved the music. Seth Lakeman and his band sound wonderful! I’ve never heard them before. Thanks for the heads up! Haven’t thought of Earth, Wind, and Fire for years, but I’m sure they’re still just as great as ever. That grouping of Jimmy Vaughan, B. B. King, and Eri Clapton is super, isn’t it?
Great post! Love the blues!!! Sounds like you’re having a blast!
There were so many treasures this year! Another great find was the Melbourne Ska Orchestra. 😀
Sounds fantastic Nicole! Next year for sure for me! Such a lineup this year, need I say enjoy!
xo
Yeah, you’ll love it Annette! ♥
Sounds wonderful!!
It was! 🙂
Sounds like a fantastic weekend!
It sure was! 🙂
Earth Wind & Fire??!!! AWWWWWESOME!!!! 🙂 Go grrl! Boogie ON!
♥ I did, Sal, I did! ♥
Hi Nicole. You won’t see this (hopefully) for a week or so, but I’m in tune with your sentiment: John Lee Hooker and all the old bad boys of blues. “You don’t miss your water ’til the well runs dry”….I like Seth Lakeman. Brought me right up! thanks for sharing from across the Pond….
♥ I had a dance for you!!! ♥
fiddley-dee, thank you!
😀