BLUES N'AT

    This weekend is the 45th anniversary of Woodstock, 3 Days of Peace & Music. Most people associate the music of Woodstock as hippy, dippy, trippy psychedelic music. In reality, blues left its footprint all over Woodstock.

    In between raindrops and dropped acid, there was music and in that music was the blues. They came from came from near and far and they trucked up to Yasgur's farm. It was 1969. Change was in the air and it was happening at Woodstock.  Performers such as Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Janis Joplin, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Canned Heat, Santana and 10 Years After brought more than flowers in their hair and tie-dye on their backs. They brought the blues.

    19 year old Carlos Santana lead his band through a scorching "Soul Sacrifice". Canned Heat brought the "Woodstock Boogie". The Grateful Dead closed their set by turning on the crowd to Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Turn On Your Lovelight". Creedence Clearwater Revival performed a haunting version of Sreamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell On You".

    Of course, some artist's sets were more colored in blues music, than others. Janis Joplin brought the Kozmic Blues Band with her. Joe Cocker  invited the crowd to "Let's Go Get Stoned", covering the popular Ray Charles hit. Alvin Lee with Ten Years After and Johnny Winter, both riveted the audience with their manic blues licks. And, of course, Jimi Hendrix brought down the stage for the throngs that stayed until that Monday morning to hear the frenetic fretwork of the guitar master.

    Sadly, many of these performers are no longer with us. They helped introduce blues music to an audience that may not have otherwise been exposed to the wonderful world of the blues. All that remains are the memories and the music.

    Until next time, boys and girls. Keep It Bluesy!