At his recent appearance in San Francisco, Jerry Ricks performed a solo
acoustic set which evolved into a blues history and life lesson. Ricks migrated
to Europe and remained for almost two decades recording and performing.
Prior to that, he honed his craft alongside such blues legends as Mississippi
John Hurt, Lightnin' Hopkins and Brownie McGhee, to name a few. Ricks is
now celebrating the release of his second American recording Many Miles
of Blues. Ricks is a consummate artist whose performance embodied the
blues as a living art form making the audience part of the show with his
genial repertoire of stories.
Ricks (photo at right) played acoustic guitar and with smooth vocals imparting a subtle message throughout. Chicago-style blues was represented in a sensitive rendering of "Sitting on Top of the World." a tune associated with Robert Jr. Lockwood. Ricks payed homage to Bessie Smith on the tune, "Down and Out."
This was an evening of great interplay with the audience and at one point, Ricks did a rhythm routine where he slapped his face and body to generate percussive sounds. Ricks proved to be one of the most charismatic performers recently seen in these parts and those of us who were lucky enough to be a part of it await his return with great anticipation.
Smokin' Joe Kubek
and Bnois King (photo at right) arrived at Biscuits & Blues in San Francisco
after a long road trip from Yucca Valley in the desert at about show starting
time and within half an hour, the drums and equipment were set up. The band
was ready to go and they hit the stage performing like they had had a full
nightís rest! Recently signed by Blind Pig Records, the group was
celebrating the release of their first CD Roadhouse Research on the
label which consists of all original tunes.
With
his blazing blues/rock style Kubek (photo at left) is an awesome guitarist
balanced by King's smooth Jazz guitar stylings and soul-tinged vocals. The
first set consisted of tunes from the new CD starting off with an intense
"Better Be Getting It On." King slowed the pace down on "Runniní
Blind" with his emotional vocal styling. Kubeck's stoic demeanor belies
his frenzied effects and technique on guitar while King is expressive and
exuberant on stage even at one point playing the guitar with his teeth.
Although constantly touring, this was the group's first trip to San Francisco in about two years and it was great to once again see these incredible artists perform their craft.
Mae
Jackson Blues vocalist Mae Jackson (photo at left) recently appeared at the Sunday
Blues & Jazz Club with her band in what turned out to be a jammin' session.
Jackson's vocal style is rough and ready and this lady has some pipes! On
"Kansas City," Jackson got in some spirited shouting. This was
a solid blues show with fellow blues performers Willie G, Barbara Gainer,
Beverly Watson and Lisa Carr (photo below) joining in on a medley starting
with "Stormy Monday." Ms. Jackson will be performing at this year's
Monterey Bay Blues Festival and if you are there, be sure to catch this
talented lady. 
photos and article by Dorothy L. Hill, Blues Editor
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