Table Mt Blues Summit Flattens CT Crowd

The Blues is the music of perseverance. No, not Perseverance Tavern. Well, that too. But more a music that speaks of real times, of hard work and of no shortcuts. Meting it out with a vengeance on Saturday night at the Mother City’s annual test of blues loyalty, the Table Mountain Blues Summit had more than just a mellow evening on offer…

Boulevard Blues’ Richard ‘Pebbleman’ Pryor showing ‘em how it’s done.

Perseverance Tavern was, in fact, my first stop of the evening, and I wasted a good 25 minutes driving ‘dazed’ around the same block in Constitution street like a total asshole searching for the event.

But it was more than compensated for, because on arrival, the Tafelberg Tavern in Hope St had managed to totally destroy most of its well-behaved, school hall vibe. By the time young veteran Dan Patlansky clocked in his last chord, the 20- to 80-year-old crowd had pushed back the ridiculous white chairs and claimed back their dancing space with a windmill arm-fuelled air guitar or two…

I’ve seen opening act Acid Blues before, and caught guitarist James Kibby’s eye in the lobby after the show. It was a look of insanity. I managed to circumvent The Lonesharks and Delta Blue on my seventh loop around Hof Street. Next time, for sure.

Boulevard Blues got them going. Mellow in beginning, the Champagne Blues soon upped the tempo and kicked an already-pumped room into overdrive

“I just got one question,” offered leather-throated lead vocalist Dr John in the instrumental break. “Do you wanna get hiiiiiiiiigh…?” Rooaaaar!!!

The aforementioned band, who were behind most of the organising, then unleashed Richard Pryor. Rumour has it that the guy’s left hand just applied for sponsorship with motor oil Q20. Jack Black solo licks from the back room in hell, we tell you.

Dan Patlansky was the other act I was beyond blessed to see. Adorned with warrior tattoos and long, curly hair, the man is obviously something of a sex-beast if he does the job like he plays his weather-beaten red Fender Strat. Not just balls-to-the-wall riffs, but dynamic intuition — when you think he’s gonna blast, he comes in quiet as a mouse’s husband. Do yourself justice if you’re into guitar, and make a plan to see either of these two magicians.

On a sour note, there was a serious drinking problem throughout the evening. There was not enough done. Do not:
a) deprive a man instant, easy access to the bar because the place is packed
b) offer him drinks coupons. It’s like monopoly money.

Seriously, event is gonna have to get a bigger venue with more bar flow next year. By our estimates, a good 15% of the crowd should still be alive by then.

The Table Mountain Blues Summit genuinely did exceed my expectations, but I sense that there’s a way to go. Perhaps, to follow the lead of main event sponsor Marshall Music and get local music off the ground, let’s demonstrate our appreciation for not just the blues, but classic rock, metal, soul and jazz by pitching up next year, huh? To those who made it, hope the kids were sleeping when you got home. Wink wink. Till then, here’s some stuff…

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