Met Laurence Jones, Ten Years After, Julian Sas, Danny Giles, Emilly Hill, Chicago Blues Duo (Robbert Fossen & Thomas Toussaint), Ralph de Jongh, Richville en Feather & the White.
The festival kicked off with the Chicago blues duo. Robbert Fossen and Thomas Toussaint are the names of this duo, and it turned out to be a perfect opening for the festival. The two experienced musicians know the ropes when it comes to putting down an attractive set. Referring to the rich history of Chicago blues, the acoustic guitar, the harmonica and the dark voice of Robbert complemented each other perfectly.
A disadvantage of three stages is that two “must-see” bands sometimes perform on stage at the same time. For example, the great Dutch blues talent Emily Hill and master guitarist Julian Sas performed at the same time.
I preferred Emily Hill, because I wanted to see if she could live up to the expectations she had raised in me at the Engel Blues Festival in Oss in 2022. She did: in a set that included more of her own songs, the flexibility of her voice and the naturalness with which she moved across the stage were particularly noticeable.
She confirmed that her selection for The Dutch Blues Awards was fully justified. Afterwards, she said she was delighted with this nomination and was really looking forward to her performance in Tivoli. She had even rehearsed new songs.
I am curious to see how that will turn out, because it promises to be spectacular at the Dutch Blues Challenge 2024, with bands such as Emily Hill, Five Dollar Shake, Meryn Bevelander Band and Mojo Hand.
Convinced that Emily Hill will make it, I experienced the last twenty minutes of Julian Sas. With the recordings of his new album in the back of my mind, it was good to see that his guitar playing is still completely intact.
The solo that introduced *Sugar Cup Boogie* was fantastic, and the closing *Hey Joe* was incredibly beautiful. Julian Sas remains a top performer and a calling card for Dutch blues.
It’s embarrassing, but I didn’t know Richville, aka Richard van Bergen, yet. Somehow this singer/guitarist hadn’t appeared on my radar yet. What he, together with guest drummer Gert Servaes (Boogie Beasts), showed, was very good.
The songs were introduced with memories of the rich history of the blues, such as the origin of the famous *Tush* riff by ZZ Top, his introduction to R.L. Burnside. A source of inspiration because his music refers to the bluesman and that blues that swung and grabbed you.
At the end Robbert Fossen and Thomas Toussaint joined the duo for a steaming rendition of Eddie Taylor’s *Bad Boy*. A pleasant introduction to bluesman Richard van Bergen.
In the meantime, Ten Years After had already started in the main hall, with two original members: Chick Churchill (keyboards) and Ric Lee (drums), and the well-known bassist Colin Hodgekinson and singer/guitarist Markus Bonfanti.
The latter carries a large part of the show; he is a perfect replacement for Alvin Lee. His singing and guitar playing almost make you forget Alvin, and his enthusiasm is infectious, just like the Ten Years After classics of yesteryear: *Change the World*, *Hear Me Calling*, *Love Like a Man*, *Little Schoolgirl*, *I Say Yeah* and the inevitable *Going Home*.
In between, there was a small acoustic set with two songs from their first album: *Don’t Want You Woman* and *Losing the Dogs*. The band also played *The Hobbit*, which those in the know know has a drum solo.
Now 79 years old, Ric Lee still holds his own behind the drum kit. After *Going Home* the band returned for an encore in the form of *Choo Choo Mama*.
In the meantime, Ralph de Jongh was already in full swing on the outdoor stage. The tent was packed, so I watched the performance from a distance, but given the reactions and knowing Ralph, it was a party.
Although Ralph far exceeded his playing time, the duo Feather and the White had already started with their gritty blues rock and Laurence Jones. Laurence was in the mood; his band had been reduced to a power trio with Jack Alexander Timmis on bass and Alan Taylor on drums, who guarantee a solid foundation.
The latest album, *Bad Luck & the Blues*, is of the heavy kind, and that was exactly what we were presented with tonight. No fuss, just full throttle.
The rocking *Lonely Road*, with a nod to Status Quo, where he was the support act, received a special mention, because according to Francis Rossi it could have been a Quo song.
There were also moments of rest, such as the all-time Laurence Jones classic *Thunder in the Sky* and his ode to his idol with *Voodoo Child*. A great renewed acquaintance with Laurence Jones.
Bluesfestival Hoogeveen, a festival to definitely come back to. Tightly organized, with a nice varied line-up, a nice hall, good sound and well visited.
