Even More Blues From Ealing
More images from a fab Festival weekend
(Blues evening at Walpole Park - Roger Green)
The Ealing Blues Festival was started 32 years ago by Mr Blues himself.. Robert Salmons, better known as Bob Hokum.
(Robert Hokum revue: Bob Hokum guitar & vocals, Sam Willoughby bass & vocals, David Stone guitar & vocals, Niall Brennan drums)
The Robert Hokum Revue gave a thundering performance to the loyal and mostly local crowd - but also amazed visitors who had never heard them before. There were many compliments heard following their energetic set.
(Bob Hokum and Sam Willoughby photo Liz Jenner)
Speaking after the festival Robert Hokum told Ealing Today, ''Once again, the Ealing Blues Festival re-enforced Mojo Magazine's quote that 'Ealing is the Cradle of British Rock Music.'
This year the age range of the performers spanned over 60 years. From 15 year old guitar genius, Marcus Praestgaard Stevens of Crossfire Blues, to the musicians of The Eel Pie All Stars, who were there at the beginning in the early '60s - all united by a common love of music.
''32 years on, still going strong, and able to attract artists of the stature of Nick Lowe but still provide a showcase for local talent whilst maintaining it's ethos of celebrating Ealing's unique music heritage - all for £10 (plus booking fee). How many other Festivals can claim that?''
(Nick Lowe -photo Roger Green)
Local boy, musician/producer/general legend, Nick Lowe, packed the main tent on the Sunday and joked to the crowd about how nice it was to be able to get a bus to the festival.
Saturday's headline acts were equally amazing.
Son of Dave gave a one man show like no other. When the crowd joins in a conga and then a huge blow up gorilla appears on stage and Son of Dave does a version of 'Whole Lotta Rosie' like no other you will ever hear - you're on to a winner.
Sadly my photo does not do him or the experience any justice at all ( & if you have one with the gorilla please do send me and will remove this) but believe me, he was both hilarious and very talented.
Having been at Walpole since the afternoon I was somewhat tired by the headline act of Kyla Brox and a bit far away - but what an amazing voice and chilled out vibe.
Whilst the main tent staged the headliners and attracted massive amounts of people, the Bar and South Stages had their own enthusiastic audiences and with the weather being so good ,being outdoors listening to such great music it didn't take long before people were up and boogying.
And of course no local festival is complete without the dancing twins who always enjoy the music.
( Big Mama's Door photo Liz Jenner)
Well done to all involved, performers (obviously), but applause for the tech people who made them all sound their absolute best and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make it all happen.
I watched Glastonbury on TV and had felt envious and wanted to be there - but after such a fantastic and great value festival weekend on my home soil I am no longer green and actually more than content.
We are a borough full of talent and can really put on a great show - ok it may not be on the Glasto scale - but who cares! I'm really proud of Ealing. Hope you all enjoyed it as much.
Annemarie Flanagan
(NB The Sunday headline band ''Who's Next'' were phenomenal - photos of their set will follow on another page.)
The Ealing Jazz Festival is next weekend 27/28 July
NB: If you are interested in British Blues music and why the founding of the Ealing Blues Club as Britain's first dedicated electric blues club is so important Ealing Blues Festival Founder and Artistic Director, Robert Hokum, will be giving a talk at Gunnersbury House on 18 September as part of The Chiswick Literary Festival.
23 July 2019