Oregon Blues stars at Honeyboy Edwards tribute and benefit (w/videos)

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Oregon Blues stars at Honeyboy Edwards tribute and benefit
November 15, 2011
by Tom D'Anton
Oregon Music News

Many of Oregon’s greatest Blues musicians were at the Alberta Rose Theater on Sunday, November 13 for the “Tribute and Fundraiser Concert” for Honeyboy Edwards with proceeds going to the Honeyboy Edwards Memorial Fund for the Blues at the National Blues Museumto be built in St. Louis.

Edwards, who died at 96 on August 29 of this year, was the last living human known to have played with Robert Johnson and his death broke the last living link to the original Delta Blues.s.

The concert was produced by Delta Music Experience’s Amanda Gresham and her mom, Barbara Hammerman of the Hammerman Philanthopic Partners.

Alan Hager and Curtis Salgado

The lineup of Oregon Blues stars was staggering: Curtis Salgado & Alan Hager, Karen Lovely, Lloyd Jones, Terry Robb, D.K. Stewart, Joe McMurrian, Mary Flower, Peter Dammann, Dave Kahl, Jerry Zybach, Hawkeye Herman, Steve Cheseborough, Don Campbell, Dave Kahl, Kenzil & Hyde, Johnny Ward, Kelly Dunn and Dave Meylan.

The sets were short, about fifteen minutes each. The musicians mixed and matched throughout the evening. There were some stunning moments: Joe McMurrian’s furious Delta slide, Mary Flower’s elegant work on the acoustic guitar and that fabulous lap steel that every other guitarist in the place drooling. There was a rocking set led by DK Stewart….oh hell, why don’t I just re-list all the names. It was Blues perfection from front to back.

BUT…Curtis Salgado was the star. He always is. As great as all of the other musicians are and were, Curtis Salgado’s fire burns brightly (and has for so long). Sometimes, because he’s been around so long,

and we have a chance to see him more than most, we have a tendency to take him for granted. That is, until he opens his mouth and we re-discover what makes him great.

And he was inspired this night. How many times have you heard Muddy Waters’ “Hoochie Coochie Man?” Really. Maybe hearing Muddy do it is still a wonderful experience, but anyone else? It’s a cliche in anyone else’s hands. Except Curtis Salgado who sings it with such power and conviction you’d think Muddy’s hand was on his shoulder, leaning down and whispering, “Go on witcha Curtis. Play that thing.”

The recent news that Salgado has signed with Alligator Records and will have a new album out in the Spring signals a major upswing in his already tour-packed career.

Enough money came in through ticket sales and a silent auction to fund two scholarships to workshops, internships and camps at the Blues Museum.

Bassist Dave Kahl, fresh from winning Best Bass player at the recent Cascade Blues Association’sMuddy Awards, spoke with OMN prior to the show.