Postcards from the Juke Joint Festival #1

Wednesday Night at Po Monkey’s Lounge

Arriving in Clarksdale today for the Juke Joint Festival, I tagged along for a ride to Po Monkey’s Lounge on Wednesday April 8th with Kevin, Art, and Watermelon Slim. As we arrived, Harp Hart and Bones were performing a nice long set. The band is led by singer guitarist Bill Hart who is an encyclopedia of blues history. He explained the historical background of each song. Most of the songs were quite old. Some dated back as far as the 1920s. Watermelon Slim seemed to be just as well informed about blues history. Sitting just off to the side of the band, he joined Bill in between song conversations. They shared interesting facts about different artists and song histories as the set continued. Two of my favorite tunes were “Red River Blues” and “Dust my Broom.” The band had a mellow, acoustic “Hot Tuna” feel with the harmonica (played by ‘Fast Eddie’ Consolmagno) providing just enough hard edges to the songs. Randy ‘da Bones Man’ Seppala played percussion and some melow drumming. Most of his work was on a funky washboard which he played as smooth as silk.

After the set was over, Watermelon Slim sat down and played a couple songs. They were long rambling tunes that gave him plenty of time to play his lap top slide guitar style. He plays with a large ratchet lug for a slide and sings with an off key growl that tends to burst with with power when you least expect it. When Slim finished his songs the band took the stage again but we all headed back to Clarksdale.

---

Previous Post

Beloved Bluesman Robert Belfour has left us.

Next Post

Post Cards from the Juke Joint Festival #2