Final photos from the US trip

Here are a final batch of photos from our US music trip.
After leaving New Orleans we went to Crowley, Louisiana, for a swamp blues show at the historic Rice Theatre. Carol Fran was one of a number of blues artists taking part in the show.

Another was guitarist Rudy Richard, seen here with C C Adcock.

Guitar Gable appeared on stage but didn't play due to ill health.

Here's Warren Storm - like C C Adcock, a member of the Lil Band of Gold.

Back in Memphis we caught the North Mississippi All Stars at the Levitt Shell in Overton Park, where a young Elvis once sang.

The last few photos were taken at various stages of our trip. Here's the Gateway Arch in St Louis. Lee and I rode to the top in a tiny tram type compartment, from where there are views of the Mississippi river on one side and the city on the other.

Here are Dave, Lee and Dave in a bar in Springfield.

Dave C poses under the original Stax sign which now sits in the Rum Boogie Cafe on Beale Street, Memphis.

Lee found himself suddenly propositioned by a lady (?) at Wild Bill's in Memphis.

We met up with other Woodies at the Michael Hurtt gig in New Orleans. Here's Alan Lloyd with Dave T and Lee.

Ken, Jay, Paul and Ian were among other Woodies at the show.

Here's me with Paul and his friend Paige at the Ponderosa Stomp.

Martin, Lee and Dave C take a break at the Stomp.

Dave T, Mark (another UK visitor) and me at the theatre in Crowley.

Finally, Lee takes a snap of yet another Memphis recording studio - the Sam Phillips studio on Madison.

Ponderosa Stomp photos - Day two

Day two of the Stomp kicked off with bluesman Little Freddie King. On the small stage Rudy Richard (pictured), former guitarist with Slim Harpo, was playing alongside Lazy Lester.

Miss Lavelle White, blues and soul singer with Duke Records in the 50s and 60s.

This is Clifford Curry, best known for She Shot A Hole In My Soul.

Here's sax honker Big Jay McNeely making his way through the crowd at the start of his set.

Arch Hall Jr played an undistinguished set with his band the Archers.

Billy Boy Arnold - most famous for I Wish You Would.

Here is Louisiana rockabilly singer Joe Clay.

This is Lady Bo.

Ben Cauley and Skip Pitts of the Bo-Keys.

Sir Mack Rice, who wrote Mustang Sally.

Stax recording artist Eddie Floyd, whose Knock On Wood remains a soul favourite.

An anguished looking Otis Clay, who made some great records for One-Derful and Hi, among other record labels.

William Bell, still looking great 50 years on from his first hit You Don't Miss Your Water.

Ponderosa Stomp photos - Day one

Here is a selection of photos from day one of the Ponderosa Stomp. It was an action packed day, with a huge number of acts, so plenty of pictures. First one is of the Soul Chicken man, Bobby Allen. This is zydeco artist Clayton Sampy.

Louisiana bluesman Classie Ballou.

Swamp pop and blues together in the form of Warren Storm and Lazy Lester.

Songwriter, composer, producer, pianist - he is, of course, the great Allen Toussaint.

The Barefootin' man - Robert Parker.

Famous for Mr Big Stuff and My Toot Toot, here's Jean Knight.

This is Lloyd Price's brother - Little Leo.

Al 'Carnival Time' Johnson with dancing girls (well, ladies).

This is Earl Stanley, formerly with Roger and the Gypsies.

Swamp crooner G G Shinn - the Louisiana Liberace.

New Orleans carriage driver and soul singer Tony Owens.

David Battiste, formerly with the Gladiators (New Orleans vocal group).

Mr Sea Cruise himself - Frankie Ford.

Country flavoured Louisiana singer Jay Chevalier.

Swamp pop artist Jivin' Gene - appearing at the Rhythm Riot in the UK this autumn.

More photos from the US trip

Here's the second batch of photos from our US trip. There was a big British contingent at the Ponderosa Stomp and here are a few of them lined up outside the Howlin' Wolf club: (left to right) Dave C, Dave T, Lee, Seamus, Seamus's son, Dickie Tapp, John Broven, an American friend. Photos of the Stomp itself next time. In the meantime here are some more pix of the days leading up to it.

This is Michael Hurtt and the Haunted Hearts at their record launch show at Mimi's in the Marigny in New Orleans. There were quite a few Woodies at the show, including Paul Waring, who for some reason started dancing with a chair. Don't ask me why.

I went to some of the Ponderosa Stomp conference events at the Renaissance Arts Hotel on one of the days. Here is Carol Fran being interviewed there.

And here is Bobby Rush at the same event.

On our first evening in New Orleans we went to see the Joe Krown band at the Rock 'n' Bowl.

Big Sam's Funky Nation were playing for free at Lafayette Square in New Orleans the day we arrived. This was the first of a series of free gigs taking place there during the autumn (fall I should say).

Doe's Eat Place in Greenville, Mississippi, attracts people from all around because of its excellent steaks. Even Bill Clinton has eaten there.

What they don't tell you when you look at the menu is the price. Two of us opted for the fillet steak and were a bit shocked when we saw the price - 36 dollars. The steak was delicious though.

The Highway 61 Blues Museum in Leland, Mississippi, is worth checking out. While we were there blues singer Pat Thomas drew some folk art cartoon cats. Here's a photo of him with the group.

Another museum worth visiting is the new B B King Museum in his home town, Indianola. A lot of money has been spent on making this a really excellent place to go.

Club Ebony in Indianola - one of the most famous juke joints in the south - is now owned by B B King.

Here's me in Tutwiler, Mississippi, where W C Handy 'discovered' the blues. Sonny Boy Williamson's grave is nearby.

Finally, for Dave C, here's a photo of the Ground Floor blues band at Beale on Broadway in St Louis.