Porretta line up looking good

This year's Porretta Soul festival is getting closer and I am beginning to think that I will be there, all things being equal, as the line up looks pretty good. Headliners are Otis Clay, Syl Johnson, David Hudson, The Bo-Keys, The Bar-Kays, John Gary Williams (from the Mad Lads), The Memphis All Star R&B Band, special guest Tasha Taylor (daughter of Johnnie Taylor), Larry Springfield and The Excitements featuring Koko Jean Davis.

I saw, and very much enjoyed, Otis Clay and the Bo-Keys at the Ponderosa Stomp last year (see photo) and I've seen David Hudson, the Bar-Kays and Syl Johnson quite a few times over the years, so it should be a good show - rather more Hi-orientated than usual. John Gary Williams sounds good and the others might be entertaining as well, depending on what numbers they do. There's always a tendency for acts at Porretta to do covers of Otis Redding material, so I hope there will be a fair amount of original material this time. But it's always a fun, laid-back festival and very enjoyable.