RR LogoThe 2nd Annual Charleston Blues Festival (South Carolina)

Millie Jackson Photo OneThe 2nd Annual Charleston Blues Festival was a resounding success with a sold out house (approximately 2,000) at the North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center on Friday February 15th. To call this a Blues festival is selling it a bit short, as the night featured traditional Blues and also included excellent R&B and Soul music, by The Klass Band, Theodis Ealey, TK Soul, Latimore, Mel Waiters and Millie Jackson.  Co-host Edward “Big Mac” Jones had the audience laughing all night long as he talked and entertained between sets.

Although all of the performers were good it was Millie Jackson, dressed in a full length black sequin jacket with fringed epaulets, black leather pants, black heels and wearing a black choker about her neck with a pendant at the front, who demonstrated that she still has the ability to send an electric current through the audience when she takes to the stage.  The sixty-eight year old Ms. Jackson, who cut her first record in 1970 still, has powerful vocals and she can still turn a phrase emotively, evidenced by her singing of “It Hurts So Good,” a song that went to # 3 on the American R&B charts 1973.  Listening to her sing “If You’re Not Back In Love By Monday,” one wonders why the song fell just short of the top forty. Written and originally recorded by Merle Haggard, Millie Jackson presents beautifully the picture of a couple who have reached the crossroads in their relationship and it is either time to get back on track or to go their separate ways. Millie Jackson introduced “Loving Arms,” as dedicating it to her ex-husband, wherever he is now.  If you have ever wished for a second chance at love that somehow escaped you, the words “If I could hold you now / Just for a while / If I could really make you mine / Just for a moment  turn back the hands of time / If I could only hold you now,” sent a shiver through you.

San Antonio, Texas born R&B singer Mel Waiters preceded Millie Jackson singing his signature songs “Got My Whiskey,” a mid-tempo, upbeat tune, and the R&B, hip swiveling “Hole In The Wall.” One of the things that stood out about the artists who performed on this evening is even though they have been doing this for decades, they are still passionate about their music, bring honesty to their performance and they all know how to stir an audience up. Some of today’s more plastic and over rehearsed performers would do well to pay attention.

Opening the evening was the movin’ and groovin’ Klass Band Brotherhood with lead singer Nelson Curry leading the way, as he sang the South Carolina Beach tune “Sugaa Shack.” Curry walked out onto the stage wearing a black sequined cape, a grey three- piece suit, complimented by a red tie with white polka dots and a matching puff. He had a white shirt with French cuffs and topped it off with a black fedora. The band also performed the risqué “Honey Hole,” and Curry’s rich vocals sent up reminders of groups like The Stylistics on the romantic “My Angel.”

Atlanta, Georgia’s Blues guitarist and singer Theodis Ealey followed the Klass Band Brotherhood and unfortunately the lyrics were often too explicit to mention much about the songs in this space. That is too bad, because the lyrics overshadow a very talented guitarist who has a good voice. Theodis Ealey performed his “Stand Up In It,” and the beautiful “Please Let Me In,” about a man asking for a second chance. “I’m The Man You Need,” got people up on their feet dancing.

Louisiana’s TK Soul was electric with the soulful “Superwoman Superman,” and he romanced the ladies in the audience with “Try Me.” TK Soul is a man who knows how to work the stage and how to work the crowd and the best part is you love it! He is always smiling and he is obviously is having the time of his life when he is performing. The man can move his feet and move his hips as he danced his way back and forth across the stage. Riveting Riffs Magazine would strongly suggest if you get the chance to take in a TK Soul concert that you do so.

Sandwiched in between the opening acts and Mel Waiters and Millie Jackson was Latimore. The Charleston, Tennessee native son’s career peaked in 1973 with a Jazz cover of T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday,” (#27 R&B chart) and in 1974 “Let’s Straighten It Out,” went to # 1 on the R&B Chart and #31 on the Billboard Hot 100.  His vocals were outstanding as he performed “Let’s Straighten It Out,” and you had to love Latimore’s ability to paint the picture of a man standing before his woman and hearing her say “My Give A Damn Gave Out (A Long Time Ago).” He is standing outside pleading for her to let him in and once again promising “I will never do this again.” She tells him “I’m tired of crying / And I’m tired of your lies / I’m tired of giving you another chance / I forgave you over and over and over again.

The 2nd Annual Charleston Blues Festival in South Carolina was a night to remember. Riveting Riffs Magazine would like to express our gratitude to Alan Coker of the North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center and to Jacqueline Pope Lewis of the Heritage Entertainment Group for making it possible for us to review these wonderful artists. We would also like to thank the people of Charleston for making us feel welcome and loved in your beautiful city.

Review by Joe Montague, February 2013   Photo of Millie Jackson by Cyndee Kaule, protected by copyright © All Rights Reserved  Return to the front page    

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