The Vinyl Word: Final photos at Porretta

As the memories of this year's Porretta Soul Festival begin to fade I would like to congratulate all the performers on their enthusiasm, professionalism and 100 per cent effort. Of course, there were some acts who I preferred to others as my blog posts will have indicated. But the vast majority were very much to my taste. Particular credit must go to the Anthony Paule band and backing singers who were note perfect throughout and provided wonderful support for the majority of the acts.
Here is a final batch of photos from Saturday, the third evening, and some from daytime events on the Sunday. First, here is New Orleans piano player Davell Crawford, grandson of Sugar Boy Crawford, who opened the Saturday and Sunday shows and also played Hammond in support of many of the Sunday acts.

Vasti Jackson's tribute to Johnnie Taylor was excellent.

D-Mar (Derek Martin), the drummer in the Anthony Paule band, was fantastic, especially when he did his party piece of leaping over his drum kit, running around the stage and drumming on the stage stanchion.

Here's Wee Willie Walker, a superb exponent of deep soul, with Terrie Odabi, a new name to me but someone I will definitely be looking out for in future.

Here's one of Willie during his act.

This is Vaneese Thomas who was excellent.

Vaneese's older sister Carla Thomas was really good both as a solo artist and in duets, including with her sister.

This is Ricky Fante, part of the younger generation of soul singers. His duet with Carla on Tramp was great.

On Sunday morning the bridge across the Reno river was named in honour of Solomon Burke, who appeared in Porretta on four occasions. The plaque unveiling was carried out by Selassie Burke, Solomon's son, who also performed on Saturday and Sunday.

The stars gathered for a photocall on the steps of Helvetia Hotel. In the front row, three from the right, is Graziano Uliani, the man who makes it all possible every year.