Catch 'em while you can

The steady stream of music deaths comes as a reminder, if one were needed, to catch them performing while they are still around. Over the last few years I've seen James Brown, Bo Diddley, Albert King, Ruth Brown, Ernie K-Doe, Alton Ellis, Ike Turner, Robert Ward and many more who are now no longer with us. It's not always possible to see those who are left of course, but it's no good cursing those missed opportunities once they've passed on.

Sadly it seems that Pinetop Perkins has cancelled his UK shows, including the Ace Cafe. At the age of 95 you have to wonder if we will see him again. The last time I saw him was at the Hopson Plantation in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 2005. But as it was a Sunday he didn't perform. His pappy told him that he should never play on a Sunday and he always did what his pappy told him. But there a number of blues men appearing at festivals around the UK this year, including a good line up at the Burnley Blues Festival at Easter, and B B King is touring in June. Thanks to Alan for passing this link to me; http://www.earlyblues.com/uk%20blues%20festivals%202009.htm#pinetop

Another legend, Solomon Burke, has been added to the already excellent soul bill at Porretta (alongside Spencer Wiggins, Oscar Toney Jr, Carl Sims and David Hudson). I've see Solomon many times - the last time was at the Barbican - and each time I marvel that he's still able to perform despite his vast size. Again, you wonder if this might be the last time.