Since Mikey Junior resurrected the Bucks County Blues Festival, each year it has gotten better, and despite some early unfavorable weather, this year surpassed expectations again. Under a light rain, which JSJBF member Gene Iadanza were prepared for, the day started with some bluegrass and country blues by Dave Kline & The Mountain Folk Band. With Dave on guitar, Kenny Gehret on fiddle, Mike Hertzog on banjo and Rick Schmehl on bass, the band brought back memories from the turn of the century, with the title tune from the movie, “Brother Where Art Thou?”. The highlight of the set for me was an authentic take on “St. James Infirmary.”
Next up were old friends Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones, a Florida based band that hadn’t played this festival in ten years, and it’s been was even longer since they played a JSJBF event. It was nice catching up with guitarist Doug, and bass player Andrew Gohman, as well as meeting drummer Sam Farmer. They got the crowd up immediately when they launched into the Fats Domino chestnut, “I’m Ready.” Several originals, including “Momma Didn’t Raise No Fool,” and “It’s A Complicated Mess,” were sandwiched around the Wynonie Harris classic, “Bloodshot Eyes,” which kept this set rocking throughout.
After a couple of acoustic tunes, including a fun version of “Ice Cream Man,” by old friends out of Staten Island, Big Frank Mirra & Mike Smith on guitar and harp respectively, Skyler Saufley and his band from Phenix City, Alabama took the stage. Another powerhouse trio, Skyler is an old soul trapped in a 30-year-old body, who plays guitar and harp like it was 1960. With Josh Minucci on bass and Peter Maier on drums, they tore through a set that included terrific versions of Pee Wee Crayton’s “You Know, Yeah,” Slim Harpo’s “Scratch My Back,” and “Lovin’ Machine,” by Wynonie Harris.
Another change over break, was filled with some nice acoustic tunes courtesy of Jonny Never on guitar and his partner, John Colgen-Davis on harp. A tribute to Georgie Bonds followed with his nephew Andrew on guitar and vocals leading a band comprised of Matt Daniels, Mark Margolies, Neil Taylor, and original band member Billy Baltera on guitar. They were backed up by Jimmy Prichard on bass, Joey “Hot Box” Simon on harp and Scott Stump on drums. Georgie, who passed earlier this year, was the elder statesman of the blues, and a fixture at this event. Sometimes referred to as “The Concrete Cowboy,” he was honored in the band’s version of the song, “Stuck in Traffic,” and “Hole in the Wall,” was performed in joyful appreciation by the band.
Our good friend Dave Keyes, who will be playing with Peter Karp next month at the Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival, brought his band, with John Putnam on guitar, Steve Count on bass, Frank Pagano on drums, and someone he has known for 40 years but was playing with them for the first time, Haran Bakr, on percussion. They opened with some of Daves patented boogie woogie piano that led into one of his originals, “That’s What the Blues Are For.” The next song, “Fess and the Doctor,” was written as a tribute to two of Daves biggest influences, Professor Longhair and Doctor John, and highlighted some wonderful piano, along with some scintillating slide from John, over a great bed of rhythm from Frank, Steve and Haran. “It’s 7 O’clock Somewhere,” was Dave’s song of appreciation to those in the medical profession who gave their all during the pandemic. A real treat happened when Rob Paparozzi jumped up on stage to blow some mean harp on Robert Johnson’s “Hellhound on My Trail.” They closed with Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s “Didn’t It Rain,” which by then, had thankfully stopped.
Out of Pittsburg, Billy the Kid & The Regulators brought their rocking blues to the stage, with Billy on guitar and vocals, Willy Franklin on bass, Jeffrey Attakorah on drums, Fred Delu on the keys, and recent addition, Derick “Philadelphia Slim” Madison, on harp and vocals. Speaking about women asking him to write a song about them, he said “be careful what you wish for,” then launched into the raucous and hysterically funny “Bullshit Barbie.” Slim then took the mic for a strong original song about his joining the band called “Take A little Trip,” with Billy supplying some fiery leads against Slim’s terrific harp playing. “Steel” was written about Billy’s long road to recovery, and very uplifting. They finished with and extended version of Freddy King’s “Boogie Funk,” which had everyone up and dancing.
After a short acoustic interlude with Dave Orban on guitar and vocals, and Jim Quinlan’s stylings on harmonica, the stage was set for Mikey Junior’s Blues Harmonica Party. With Mikey’s band members, Matt Daniels, “Filthy Rich McPherson, and Zack Leeds on guitar, Jimmy Prichard on bass, and Scott Stump on drums, they were joined by Jud Neilson on keys, and one of Mikey’s biggest influences, “Big Daddy” Al Lamberson on the Mississippi saxophone. He was joined by another fine local player Charlie Barath and after two numbers, “Big Daddy” gave way to “Smokin Mo” Ledezma and he and Charlie proceeded to have a cutting contest that ended in a draw! Next up was local legend Steve Guyger who showed why he earned that distinction with a rousing version of Roy Brown’s “Good Rockin’ Tonight.” You can catch a full night of Steve and his band at the Red Bank Woman’s Club on Friday night. Next it was Rob Paparozzi’s turn on the harp, and he didn’t disappoint, with great versions of Jimmy Witherspoon’s “Times Gettin’ Tougher Than Tough,” and Guitar Slim’s “Things That I Used to Do,” in his mini set.
They were followed with a short set by Mikey’s dad and step mom, Michael & Robin Hudak’s Family Band.
A previous engagement precluded us from staying until the end, but my sources told me both Dave Keller and Lonnie Shields sets were dynamite. Another great day of blues for all.