Darling Harbour Jazz & Blues Fest
C.W Stoneking...
I had been dying to see this man since I first heard his music, unfortunately his gigs always landed on nights I had already made plans. So I was happy that I was able to see him this weekend and that it was free, what's not to love about a free show. CW is consider by many a blues and Jazz artist but I'm sure he will add to those genres.
King Hokum is the album and I was thrilled that he performed Dodo Blues and Don't Go Dancin Down The Darktown Strutter's Ball. I'm not normally a fan of singers talking about there songs but CW gave us the story behind the songs and gave them weight. For Don't go dancin he spoke about a friend who had visited a psychic before his wedding and she told to stay away from a bar called Strutter's Ball, of course this guy when he goes back outside, sees the bar and goes in, and 6 months CW sees him on a corner in a dress unable to speak about what happened to him at Strutter's Ball. CW sings the song in monotone voice that plods along and when he is joined by the trumpet, trombone and doublebass it's a sad and wary figure that comes to mind walking down a deary street.
Now for Dodo Blues he explains opens in a market with two sellers and a Dodo bird, it's the voices that CW uses for each character in the songs that gives it charm.
I urge you to listen to this album or if you have the opportunity go see him. The man is a fantastic songwriter and his music is delightful and I can't wait til Jungle Music comes out.
So I have to thank the organisers of the Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues fest because I may have had to wait many more months before I saw him at a gig.
I had been dying to see this man since I first heard his music, unfortunately his gigs always landed on nights I had already made plans. So I was happy that I was able to see him this weekend and that it was free, what's not to love about a free show. CW is consider by many a blues and Jazz artist but I'm sure he will add to those genres.
King Hokum is the album and I was thrilled that he performed Dodo Blues and Don't Go Dancin Down The Darktown Strutter's Ball. I'm not normally a fan of singers talking about there songs but CW gave us the story behind the songs and gave them weight. For Don't go dancin he spoke about a friend who had visited a psychic before his wedding and she told to stay away from a bar called Strutter's Ball, of course this guy when he goes back outside, sees the bar and goes in, and 6 months CW sees him on a corner in a dress unable to speak about what happened to him at Strutter's Ball. CW sings the song in monotone voice that plods along and when he is joined by the trumpet, trombone and doublebass it's a sad and wary figure that comes to mind walking down a deary street.
Now for Dodo Blues he explains opens in a market with two sellers and a Dodo bird, it's the voices that CW uses for each character in the songs that gives it charm.
I urge you to listen to this album or if you have the opportunity go see him. The man is a fantastic songwriter and his music is delightful and I can't wait til Jungle Music comes out.
So I have to thank the organisers of the Darling Harbour Jazz and Blues fest because I may have had to wait many more months before I saw him at a gig.