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Not a completely accurate title insofar as Surf Club Live has been presenting live Latin music since the previous live blues show. Kenny Neal headlined with Bad Influence opening for a terrific evening of music.Several folks commented that they had not seen the Surf Club so crowded for a blues show and it was perhaps a reaction to the blues returning after such an absence.
In any event the music was terrific. Bad Influence certainly puts together a strong spin on mostly Chicago styled blues with fine playing from Michael Tash and Roger Edsall (on slide guitar as well as harp) and bassist Bob Mallardi, Edsall and Tash being fine vocalists.
It is easy to take Kenny Neal for granted, but he is such an exceptional singer and guitarist and his band of family members is first-rate that you don't notice how strong and tight they are. Kenny does not blast his blues at you, rather his slightly laid back approach is so effective because of the relaxed intensity he brings. In addition to his wonderful originals like "Let Life Flow," he can take such standards as "The Things I Used to Do," and "Baby What You Want me To Do," and make them his own. It is easy to take him for granted, but blues fans, please don't.
Congrats to the DC Blues Society for producing this show and we are happy blues is part of Surf Club Live's musical menu.
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