AmericanaFest in full swing

Americanafest got into full swing on Thursday with a multi artist session at Roberts Western World which was cramped and crowded. Each act did two numbers and the atmosphere was noisy and uncomfortable but good musically. Artists of note included Jim Lauderdale 49 Winchester, Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel with Brennen Leigh, Joshua Ray Walker (a big guy and popular with the locals it seems), Alex Williams and Kelsey Waldon. The final act that we stayed for was Tommy McLain who played keyboard facing one way while CC Adcock faced the other. He did a couple of numbers from his new album 'I Ran Down Every Dream' plus his 1966 hit 'Sweet Dreams'. The evening was spent at 3rd & Lindsley which featured the music of Arkansas. First up was Larry McCray, a bluesman I haven't seen since the nineties whose singing and playing on his flying V guitar was excellent. Numbers included 'Arkansas', 'No More Crying' and 'Down To The Bottom'. He has a new album out called 'Blues Without You' which is surely worth a listen. Next up was Bonnie Montgomery, a country singer , who was followed by country rock artist Rev Greg Spradlin who was very good. The rest of the evening was spent on a tribute to Arkansas native Levon Helm with a succession of artists singing one solo or The Band song each. These included Allen Thompson, Webb Wilder ('W C Walcott Medicine Show'), Shannon McNally ('Up On Cripple Creek'), Jim Lauderdale ('Rag Mama Rag') and Mike Farris ('The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down'). Other artists included J D Clayton Lee Roy Parnell Lisa Morales and Allison Moorer. We were expecting someone to sing 'The Weight' but the wait was too long so we left around 12.30. Friday took us back to Roberts for boogie woogie piano player Jason D Williams. His act is very much in the style of Jerry Lee Lewis and was wild as he played with his fists, heel, backside and anything else available. Numbers included 'Little Queenie', 'Crazy Arms' and bits of 'Hi Heel Sneakers', 'Drinking Wine Spodie Odie' 'Great Balls Of Fire' and 'Sea Cruise'. It was exciting and exhausting even for the audience. From there we went to the much less frenetic atmosphere of the Riverside Revival to see Tommy McLain do a full set with C C Adcock. This was swamp pop at its best with songs including 'Roses Don't Grow Here Any More', 'Juke Box Songs' 'I Ran Down Every Dream' and, of course the Woodies anthem 'Before I Grow Too Old'. We stayed on for Josh Rouse who turned out to be a so-so singer/songwriter. The final night of the festival was an all female one at the Station Inn and a brilliant one it was too. Folliwing a five women folk group called Sister Sadie we saw the McCrary Sisters, Ann, Regina and Alfreda, who provided some fantastic gospel soul numbers including a version of 'Amazing Grace' which they dedicated to fourth sister Deborah who died recently, 'Come On', 'Train' and 'Ill Take You There'. They were due to be at Porretta a couple of years back but their trip was cancelled because of Covid. Let's hope they are invited back. The final act was a trio of female singer songwriters Brennen Leigh Kelly Willis and Melissa Carper. Each of them sang their own numbers with superb harmony from the others and were highly enjoyable. We will be back in London kn Tuesday, skilfully avoiding the Queen's funeral, and I will post photos then.