April 3 was an over-the-top Oxford day — the Southern Culture Center’s Music Conference, Thacker Mountain, a reception for the blues show at the University Museum, a Mississippi all-star blues concert at the Lamar Lounge.
We took in a lot of it, but the highlight was the blues show at the Lamar.
This was one of those nights that totally establishes that blues is still active and alive here. There were memorable sets from Bud Welch, Vashti Jackson, Kenny Brown, and Terry Bean. But the most memorable by far were from Jesse Robinson, pretty easily the best blues guitarist in Mississippi, and Bobby Rush with Vashti Jackson. All short sets, and very memorable.
If you get any chance to see these folk, particularly Jesse Robinson and Bobby Rush (who says he’s now 80?), see them.
Jimbo Mathus backed the whole show on drums and kept it tight. He and his bass player really tastefully and excellently matched the style of each player who came along.
Editor’s Note: The editor of HottyToddy.com caught the Blues show at Lamar last Thursday night as well and we were thoroughly entertained. The music was jumping with energy and a packed house couldn’t have more engaged and appreciative. We hope that Lamar Lounge will continue these shows and keep on supporting Oxford’s well-earned reputation as a Blues hotbed.
Tom Freeland is a lawyer in Oxford. The subjects of his reports and blogging are, generally, Mississippi law, politics, culture, history, food, music, literature, and anything else that catches either my attention or that of the readers too.
Blues Show at Lamar Lounge Mesmerizes Packed House
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