Chenango Blues Fest

Old Doc Skinner · August 21st, 2006, 03:05 PM

The Blues Fest was a hoot, despite a lot of rain Saturday afternoon. A lot of great talent, including a healthy dose of Louisiana music - Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Tab Benoit and Marcia Ball. The big surprise of the day was Slick Ballinger, who absolutely rocked the acoustic tent with his fire-and-brimstone, over-the-top juke joint boogie. But the highlight of the weekend for me was Alvin Youngblood Hart's Muscle Theory, featuring Hook Herrera on bass and harp. They rocked out Friday night, then Alvin did a great solo acoustic set Saturday afternoon, then the trio fired it up again Saturday night at my buddy's pub. Alvin had 5 or 6 guitars with him and unleashed a great variety of tones through his Marshall. The one that blew me away was a '65 SG with P-90's. Amazing - Alvin's a great guy and a genius with a guitar!
Here's Alvin Friday night:

This is Saturday night at the Music Shop Pub:

And here are Johnny Sansone, Wolfman Washington and Tab Benoit jamming after hours at the hotel:

alvis · August 21st, 2006, 04:04 PM

Who's the hack with the Danelectro?
It was a great fest.Really good to meet you and thanks again for the Abe Vigoda shirt.I will wear it proudly

Old Doc Skinner · August 21st, 2006, 04:36 PM

Our great pleasure, Alvin. And don't forget, if you ever want to sell that SG...

Maybe I can get you guys booked here in Blacksburg, if they ever catch this cop-killer and things quiet down a bit.

Old Doc Skinner · August 30th, 2006, 10:37 AM

Hey, Alvin,

Hilary just sent me this shot. It's a good one of you, and a really good one of Abe, too!

That guitar is pretty cool - had a really nice, glassy tone, as I recall. So that's an old Dano - never seen one quite like it.

collinsman · August 30th, 2006, 11:29 AM

Lucky man you are, but Tab playing a Strat ! I've seem him countless times and only with his Tele with the hums in it. Do you know if this switch is for good, just curious - thanks..

Old Doc Skinner · August 30th, 2006, 01:56 PM

That Strat was a Squier that everybody autographed - it was raffled off that night, proceeds to Katrina relief, mostly to a N.O. musicians' fund. He was being a good sport, playing it for the cause, and making it sound pretty darned good, too! It was equally interesting to see Walter Washington playing a Tele (the old butterscotch blonde belonged to Johnny Sansone's guitarist).

I have to admit, I missed most of that jam, because I was over at the pub watching Alvin. I think Alvin and Hook went over to the jam after they finished at the pub, but I was too tired to make it back over there, and it seemed to be winding down when I took the photo.

brillocaster · August 30th, 2006, 02:25 PM

I have already circled my calendar to head up to Charlottesville on 11/7 to see AYH with Bo Diddley. Come on over the mountain, Doc.

Old Doc Skinner · August 30th, 2006, 05:45 PM

Might just have to do that!!

August 21st, 2006, 03:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Old Doc Skinner Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 673	Chenango Blues Fest The Blues Fest was a hoot, despite a lot of rain Saturday afternoon. A lot of great talent, including a healthy dose of Louisiana music - Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Tab Benoit and Marcia Ball. The big surprise of the day was Slick Ballinger, who absolutely rocked the acoustic tent with his fire-and-brimstone, over-the-top juke joint boogie. But the highlight of the weekend for me was Alvin Youngblood Hart's Muscle Theory, featuring Hook Herrera on bass and harp. They rocked out Friday night, then Alvin did a great solo acoustic set Saturday afternoon, then the trio fired it up again Saturday night at my buddy's pub. Alvin had 5 or 6 guitars with him and unleashed a great variety of tones through his Marshall. The one that blew me away was a '65 SG with P-90's. Amazing - Alvin's a great guy and a genius with a guitar! Here's Alvin Friday night: This is Saturday night at the Music Shop Pub: And here are Johnny Sansone, Wolfman Washington and Tab Benoit jamming after hours at the hotel: __________________ There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa

August 21st, 2006, 04:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
alvis Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: TN Posts: 323	Who's the hack with the Danelectro? It was a great fest.Really good to meet you and thanks again for the Abe Vigoda shirt.I will wear it proudly __________________ http://www.myspace.com/alvinyoungbloodhart

August 21st, 2006, 04:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Old Doc Skinner Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 673	Our great pleasure, Alvin. And don't forget, if you ever want to sell that SG... Maybe I can get you guys booked here in Blacksburg, if they ever catch this cop-killer and things quiet down a bit. __________________ There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa

August 30th, 2006, 10:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
Old Doc Skinner Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 673	Hey, Alvin, Hilary just sent me this shot. It's a good one of you, and a really good one of Abe, too! That guitar is pretty cool - had a really nice, glassy tone, as I recall. So that's an old Dano - never seen one quite like it. __________________ There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa

August 30th, 2006, 11:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
collinsman Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2006 Location: " Land Of Ten Thousand Taxes" Posts: 1,119	Lucky man you are, but Tab playing a Strat ! I've seem him countless times and only with his Tele with the hums in it. Do you know if this switch is for good, just curious - thanks.. __________________ The Tele, my favorite axe and I love the Players - Albert Collins, Roy Buchanon, Robben Ford, Danny Gatton, Jerry Donohue, & many others.

August 30th, 2006, 01:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Old Doc Skinner Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 673	That Strat was a Squier that everybody autographed - it was raffled off that night, proceeds to Katrina relief, mostly to a N.O. musicians' fund. He was being a good sport, playing it for the cause, and making it sound pretty darned good, too! It was equally interesting to see Walter Washington playing a Tele (the old butterscotch blonde belonged to Johnny Sansone's guitarist). I have to admit, I missed most of that jam, because I was over at the pub watching Alvin. I think Alvin and Hook went over to the jam after they finished at the pub, but I was too tired to make it back over there, and it seemed to be winding down when I took the photo. __________________ There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa

August 30th, 2006, 02:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
brillocaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 748	I have already circled my calendar to head up to Charlottesville on 11/7 to see AYH with Bo Diddley. Come on over the mountain, Doc.

August 30th, 2006, 05:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
Old Doc Skinner Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 673	Might just have to do that!! __________________ There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa