Thursday, July 15, 2010

North Atlantic Blues Festival July 10th and 11th, 2010

The North Atlantic Blues Festival took place in Rockland, Maine, once again, on July 10th and 11th. This year's main stage performers were Preston Shannon, Biscuit Miller and the Mix, John Nemeth, Bryan Lee, Johnny Rawls, James Cotton, Shakura S'Aida, Moreland & Arbuckle, Michael Burks, Shemekia Copeland and Keb' Mo'. Lydia Warren and Cole Downing alternated providing music at the side stage, between sets on the main stage.

The rain held off for most of Saturday, with only a few minutes of steady sprinkling coming down in Rockland Harbor Park while areas as near as Thomaston got some heavy downpours. We weren't so lucky on Sunday. Much of the day was spent trying to stay as dry as possible while being as immersed as possible in the blues magic going on just a few feet from Rockland Harbor on the Atlantic Ocean.

It was a wonderful weekend of Blues, despite the rain. Highlights were many, but if I had to pick I'd say that Shakura S'Aida's Sunday morning opening performance and the impromptu jam at The Strand on Saturday night (hosted by local Poke Chop with Biscuit Miller, Preston Shannon and members of their bands joining in) topped everything.

Here's some of the weekend in photographs.

Photos by Michael & Jennifer Murphy


The Preston Shannon Band











Lydia Warren




Biscuit Miller and The Mix




















Cole Downing





John Nemeth










Bryan Lee



(with Pat Pepin sitting in for a couple of songs)






Johnny Rawls

















James Cotton and his band









Jammin' at the Strand Saturday Night

(with members of Preston Shannon's band, members of Biscuit Miller's band, some locals and Shakura S'Aida)




















Shakura S'Aida






















Moreland & Arbuckle






Michael Burks









Shemekia Copeland







Keb' Mo'




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