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UPPER LAKE – Sometimes what you get onstage is two things in one. I observed this phenomenon many concerts ago.
Sometimes musicians, for various reasons have to perform at the same venue under different names. I’m not making this up. When, as a teenager I went to a concert to see Bob and Earl (The Harlem Shuffle) and Jackie Lee (The Duck), it turned out the Earl, and Jackie Lee were the same person.
And so, dear readers, bluesologist that I am, equipped with the foreknowledge that the Mighty Mike Schermer Band and the Maria Muldaur Red Hot Bluesiana Band were the same musicians, I skipped the first set Saturday night at the Blue Wing Blues Festival, confident that I would still garner a healthy dose of both. (Plus, I had a prior commitment.)
Mike Schermer’s credentials are solid and authentic. His latest release, “Right Hand Man,” is peopled with R&B, blues and pop stalwarts like Howard Tate, Earl Thomas, Marcia Ball, John Nemeth, Elvin Bishop, Angela Strehli, Marcia Ball, Sista Monica Parker and Maria Muldaur. You can’t assemble a cast like and produce a great record unless you yourself have what it takes. Check it out for yourself.
Maria Muldaur just released her 35th album in 40 or so years of being at the cutting edge of American music. Maria and Mike Schermer have shared the stage and studio on many occasions though as Schermer’s career has ascended, they don’t work together as often as they once did.
Muldaur hit the stage at 8 p.m. sharp Saturday night and confessed to the crowd that since she wouldn’t be making it to church on Sunday they might as well have it at the Blue Wing on Saturday night. Her Gospel selection, “Getting’ Ready To Go Back Home,” lifted the spirits of the crowd right away.
She introduced the crowd to selections from her new album, “Yes we can!”, which, incidentally, features folks like Odetta, Joan Baez, Bonnie Raitt, Phoebe Snow and The Women’s Voices For Peace Choir.
Muldaur’s Red Hot Bluesiana Band consisted of Mike Schermer on guitar, Chris Burns on keys and David Tucker on drums. These musicians came to play and did so nonstop for more than 90 minutes. They covered material by Leadbelly, Memphis Minnie, Marvin Gaye, The Neville Brothers and of course Maria’s own originals. When she sang Marvin Gaye’s politically charged, “Inner City Blues,” she commented, “It’s a pity we still have to sing this song 40 years later.”
Muldaur and the band kept the energy up and the crowd danced until the end. At about one hour into the show, she asked the crowd, “Are you having fun?” An uproarious “YESSS” was the collective response. Muldaur quipped, “Well, I guess we’ll keep on playing.” They did so for another 30 minutes.
Maria Muldaur closed her exuberant set with her most requested numbers, “It Ain’t The Meat, It’s The Motion,” “ Midnight At The Oasis” and “Don’t You Feel My Leg.” They finished to a standing ovation.
Afterwards Muldaur and Schermer graciously signed CDs until everyone was satisfied.
The length of the performance and the willingness of the performers to please the crowd made Maria Muldaur and Ret Hot Bluesiana Band the perfect closer to the second annual Blue Wing Blues Festival.
See all you blues lovers next year. Or maybe next Monday.
T. Watts writes on arts and culture for Lake County News.
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