Bluesfest finds its beast of Burdon at 11th hour
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/bluesfest_finds_its_beast_of_burdon_at_11th_hour_1_589953
By NICOLE REGAN, VIVIENNE PATERSON, MATTHEW BURRELL
27 July 2009
MARYPORT Blues festival found its beast of Burdon when the Sixties
legend stepped in for Taj Mahal at the last minute.
--
His electrifying performance, considered by many to be one of the
greatest in the festival's history, capped a star-laden three days
which saw 30,000 music fans captivated by the enduring talents of
Jethro Tull, John Mayall, Paul Jones and Ruby Turner.
And festival goers could even lap up some glorious sunshine on
Saturday as thousands gathered outside the pubs and venues in the
town to soak up the sounds.
On Saturday The Bles Band gave a terrific set of upbeat blues,
including songs by Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters and the Rolling Stones,
with Paul Jones, familiar to many as the voice behind Manfred Mann's
classic Sixties track Pretty Flamingo, giving a great vocal
performance and showed how versatile the harmonica is as blues instrument.
Then John Mayall, 75-years-old, tall, white haired and pony tailed,
entered the stage alone, as perhaps befits the man who many call the
Godfather of British Blues, before being joined by his band to power
through a breathtaking set.
At the festival finale last night, people expecting Taj Mahal were
disappointed at the last minute when he pulled out but a genius move
saw Eric Burdon and the Animals replace him.
It was quite easily one of the best sets performed in the festival's
history, regular festival-goers were saying.
The stocky white-haired musician had literally just arrived in
Maryport 10 minutes before he appeared on stage. Despite no
soundcheck, the band launched into a first number first song, carried
on going all the way to the encore of We've Got To Get Out Of This
Place and House of the Rising Sun.
Burdon followed by festival favourite Ruby Turner, who has been a
singer for almost 30 years.
If we thought Burdon had the audience with him quickly, Turner knew
the crowd was with her as soon as she walked on stage. Her amazing
voice took us on a journey from blues to gospel to soul.
In the wings listening appreciatively were Paul Jones and Burdon's
bassist surely the sign of a consummate artist is her fans?
More than 40 artists had entertained around 30,000 people at the Festival.
A last minute rush for tickets allayed organisers' fears that the
festival could be badly hit by the recession.
Although not a total sell-out, the number attending was very
encouraging according to publicity officer, Eleanor Carr.
Wrist bands for the trail ran out on Sunday and Friday's bands had to
be reintroduced. Even on Sunday afternoon, when the festival was
nearing its end, people were still buying wrist bands and publicans
said this could be the best Blues ever.
Audiences on the trail and in the marquee were not disappointed. Act
after act had the rousing reception that has given the festival a
reputation amongst artists as well as those who travel from all over
the UK to be here.
On Saturday, in the warm weather, Shipping Brow was packed with
people enjoying the outdoor stage. The street drinking ban was also
lifted for the weekend which brought people out of the pubs and into
the sunshine.
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Animal magic saves the day
Jul 26 2009
by Neil McKay, Sunday Sun
A GEORDIE music legend makes his first appearance in the North for
seven years today.
Eric Burdon, formerly of The Animals, was a last minute booking at
Maryport Blues Festival in Cumbria.
The 68-year-old Walker-born singer is due on stage at 7pm tonight,
and festival spokeswoman Eleanor Carr said he had helped organisers
out following a last minute cancellation.
She explained: "Taj Mahal, the veteran blues legend, had to cancel
for personal reasons and we were left without a headline act.
"We had less than three weeks to find a replacement, then Eric stepped in."
Burdon last played in the North at the Journal Tyne Theatre in
Newcastle in May 2002, when demand for tickets was so high he had to
organise a second gig, on his 61st birthday.
During the sixties he fronted The Animals, a group of Geordies also
comprising Chas Chandler, Alan Price, John Steele and Hilton
Valentine. They cut their teeth at the legendary Club a-go-go in Newcastle.
They went on to enjoy chart success due to their gritty, bluesy sound
and string of hits like "House of the Rising Sun", "Don't Let Me Be
Misunderstood" and "We've Gotta Get Out of this Place".
After they broke up in the late sixties, Eric moved to California
pioneering the San Francisco psychedelic rock scene and then fronted
Eric Burdon and WAR, one of the biggest funk bands of the '70s. He
later recorded with blues legend Jimmy Witherspoon before coming full
circle and reuniting the Animals.
Along the way he has written two volumes of his autobiography,
designed some of his own album covers, written soundtracks, made
guest appearances in feature films, has appeared in more than 100
television and video performances, and was inducted into the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
On Sunday Eric will line up with his latest version of The Animals
comprising Billy Watts on guitar, Red Young on keyboards, and bassist
Terry Wilson and Brannen Temple on drums.
Tickets cost £40 and Ms Carr said they will be available on the door.
Entertainment starts at 2pm with Ryan Shaw followed by Friends of Maryport.
Eric's appearance will be followed by soul singer Ruby Turner.
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