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home » festivals » Maryport Blues Festival » Maryport Blues Festival 2010
Robert Cray Band blew everyone else off the stage at Maryport Blues FestivalMaryport Blues Festival 2010 reviewTuesday 27th July 2010 Sunday started with a performance of real quality from Rory Ellis Duo. After a long Saturday, which had been enjoyed to the fullest by all, Ellis was the perfect choice to begin Sunday's proceedings. A veteran of the festival scene, Ellis and his partner in crime Alex Roberts steadily coaxed us from our hangovers with a country-influenced blues set delivered with flair and the deep, hypnotic, stonecarved vocal style that identifies Ellis as a uniquely talented performer. If the crowd were warming up for the evening session they still had performances of real quality and wild variety to come from the stars of the 2009 Maryport Blues Trail Hokie Joint and US veterans The Holmes Brothers. The latter were also returning to Maryport after a successful appearance in 2007 and it was easy to see why there was such a clamour for them to come back this year. With their well-established brand of gospel-influenced blues, The Holmes Brothers delivered a set that drew upon their 30 years experience of creating and playing the highest standard of blues music. After a cancer scare for Wendell in recent times, the close-knit trio are clearly rejuvenated by his recovery and the newer material reflects a fresh energy to their work.
Setting the tone early on with the slow groove 'Anytime', this was soulful blues of the highest degree. Cray's solos, in stark contrast to those of Canned Heat's Harvey Mandel, are all long, hanging notes, punctuated by controlled, funky licks. There was no Rock God stance here, Cray is fully involved in his solos, feeling the despair of every note, telling intricate stories, even knocking on the microphone as he weaves audio-visual narratives. These are the qualities that elevate Cray above his contemporaries. Cray was keen to remind us that "everything we do is funky" and that was evident in tracks such as 'Right Next Door' and 'On'. Everything Cray and his excellent band do is built on the solid grooves that underpin the greatest funk music. It wasn't all funk though. Conscious of the nature of this festival, Cray played to the crowd with 'Don't Ya Even Care?' and blues classic 'Sitting On Top of the World', the latter of which prompted a tipsy reveller to loudly declare in a broad Somerset accent: "I tell you what… this guy is proper! The Real Deal!" Whilst those of us around him may have allowed ourselves a chuckle at his sodden state, none of us could disagree with the sentiment. Cray came to Cumbria this weekend and, quite frankly, blew everyone else off the stage. Joyful unrestrained, soulful blues from start to finish. With that the 2010 Maryport Blues Festival was over for another year. The organisers here have used their experience to carve themselves an outstanding reputation in the British Blues Music Scene and long may it continue. Here's looking forward to 2011. 
review by Neil Borg Olivier photos by Lynsey Hanvey 
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