Fringe review: A History of Mississippi Blues
The danceable rhythm of Willie Brownâs âRagged and Dirtyâ was a great way for Cal Williams Jrâs trio to usher in a delightful performance of Mississippi blues songs. They hooked the full audience right there and kept them hooked. â â â â â
Williams intersperses songs with brief background stories, often humorous, to set the framework for better understanding the Mississippi blues. For example, he uses Charley Pattonâs âDirt Road Bluesâ to outline how 12-bar blues is arranged, and why the simplicity of this form encouraged many people to play in the south.
Of course, this is never going to be just a lecture. The accent is always on the nightâs music: Williamsâ sterling artistry on acoustic guitar, Kory Horwood on double bass and occasionally tea-chest bass, and Mary TrĂ©Ăšs swapping between various forms of percussion, including washboard, snare-box and tambourine. The band is, as they say, a tight unit and clearly enjoys the show.
Standard tunes are expected and presented but sometimes with a twist, so that Mississippi John Hurtâs âMake Me a Pallet on Your Floorâ is more tender than often encountered. The lyrics to JB Lenoirâs âDown in Mississippiâ are carefully nuanced to emphasise its images of being hunted like rabbits, and subtle inflections are introduced to songs like Tommy McClennanâs âWhiskey Head Womanâ. Robert Johnsonâs âIf I Had Possession Over Judgement Dayâ even gets the skiffle treatment.
Williamsâ introduction to slide guitar is funny and erudite. Used in Mississippi Fred McDowellâs poignant âWrite Me a Few Linesâ, the technique might have wandered a little at first but soon took on a tighter and propulsive shape. There was an expertly rendered âParchman Farmâ (Bukka White), too.
You might like
Mention must be made of Kevin Farrantâs excellent sound engineering; not always easy to achieve in this venue.
A History of Mississippi Blues is a great nightâs musical entertainment.
A History of Mississippi Blues plays again at The Wheatsheaf Hotelâs Tin Shed (39 George Street, Thebarton) on February 28 and March 14.
Read more Adelaide Fringe reviews and previews  here.
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
Free to share
This article may be shared online or in print under a Creative Commons licence