When I think of a vacation in the Pocono Mts. during the summer the movie Dirty Dancing comes to mind but that has now changed after attending the 2nd. Annual Pocono Blues Festival July 31 -Aug. 1, 1993 at Big Boulder Ski Area in eastern Pennsylvania.

12 blues-recording artists made this the best blues fest I have ever attended; I have 4 Chicago Blues Festivals under my belt and have played at many others.

Two stages were set up on the Big Boulder Ski Area at the bottom end of the ski slopes. The stages were about 50 yards apart and separated by a grove of trees. This made for continuous music all day long.

The music started with a bang on stage 2 with the Debbie Davies Band. We were a few minutes late getting to the festival site but in the distance I could hear a Fender Strat and amp combination wailin'. As we went around the stage I looked up and there was Debbie Davies, head back, the blues flying from her fingers and singing with great soul. Backing her was a tight band consisting of a 2nd. guitar, bass and drums. Debbie played with Albert Collins as one of the "Icebreakers" and has been in "head-cutting" duels with many of the blues giants of guitar. She has an album coming out and is still on tour, be sure and catch her show.

Around 1:30 p.m. on stage 1 The Jimmy Dawkins Band hit the stage running. Jimmy using the same ES335 for the last 100 years has not lost any of his blistering soulful sounds. I met Jimmy a few years ago and I told him than that I wore out 2 copies of his album Blisterstring learning his "licks". His looked at me and said, "Give me $20". I said "For what?" He replied "For guitar lessons!" and laughed. With his drummer of almost 30 years Ray "Killer" Scott, bassist Cornelious Boyson and Luke Edwards on guitar. The band took the festival crowd to the west side of Chicago. Jimmy has a new CD "KANT SHECK DEES BLUZE" on Earwig Records.

At 3:00 p.m. Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials hit stage 2 flyin'. I haven't seen a Lil' Ed show in about 5 years. Back than it seemed to me he only knew one slide lick. Man, has his inventory increased. His endless energy and vibrant playing made for the first wide spread standing ovation of the festival. The Blues Imperials were equally good as they supported Lil' Ed.

At 4:30 p.m. H-BOMB FERGUSON and the MEDICINE MEN took to stage 1. The four piece MEDICINE MEN (guitar, sax, bass and drums) played two numbers before H-BOMB came on. The crowd still high from Lil' Ed's show was very hard to please but if you have ever had the chance to see H-BOMB FERGUSON you know the Bomb can drop ATOMIC R & B on you and that's what he did. H-BOMB "rapped" between songs and during songs. He soon had the crowd on their feet dancing.

The music started up at 6:00 p.m. on stage 2 with The BIG JACK JOHNSON BAND a last minute replacement for blues man R. L. Burnside, who was ill. Three young men (late teens) came on and played three "rough around the edges" instrumentals. They left me wondering why they were booked. Than BIG JACK JOHNSON from Clarkdale, Miss. grabbed a Strat and took us deep down South with a mixture of country blues (HANG DOWN YOUR HEAD TOM DOOLY) and contemporary blues (THE THRILL IS GONE). He also turned out to be a great crowd pleaser.

The time: 7:30 p.m., stage: 2, the band: MAGIC SLIM & THE TEARDROPS. The TEARDROPS opened with guitarist John Primer playing and singing 3 songs from his new CD. Nick Holt, Slim’s brother was also featured on one song. These guys were great as a trio but when MAGIC SLIM came on he was the icing on the cake. At 6' 3" and 220 odd pounds, his Fender Jazzmaster looked 3/4 size in his hands. I play one and the neck scale is longer than a Strat; in his hands it looked like a toy guitar. For over one and a half-hours MAGIC SLIM & THE TEARDROPS took everyone to the south side of Chicago. At one point I heard him tell bandmates, "Do it just like at the club, fellows."

This was just day 1.

DAY 2

On stage 2 at noon, The CHARLIES SAYLES BAND started Day 2 of the Pocono Blues Festival. We missed half of his show as I was helping Jimmy Dawkins get his band on the road. They were playing in Atlanta, GA that night! Charlie Sayles plays harmonica like no contemporary player around. With his hands waving about and bending those reeds it made for an electrifying performance. His band consisted of guitar, bass and drums.

The CHARLIES SAYLES BAND

At about 1:45 p.m. Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang howled on stage with Lafayette "Shorty" Gilbert on bass, Robert Plunkett on drums and Eddie "Vann" Shaw Jr. on guitar. "Shorty" and Robert were original members of Howlin' Wolf's band along with Eddie Sr. The Wolf Gang came on first and did two numbers with Vaan Shaw singing and playing songs off his new CD. I had heard about Vaan from fellow musicians and what I heard was true. He is phenomenal! His style is that of S.R.V. / Hendrix mixed with south side Chicago. The combination of his blazing speed and finger gymnastics made him quite a few fans. His father came out blazing on sax too. Eddie Shaw's "in your face" playing is the best r&b/blues around. The combination of Eddie and Vaan playing duplicate lines and the tight rhythm section gave the band a full sound.

The next act on stage 2 was Big Time Sarah and The BTS Express. As with the other acts, the BTS Express opened the show first. The musicians (guitar, bass, drums and sax) showed the depth of talent in Chicago. These guys were all new to me and I was impressed. Each one sang great and played great. Big Time Sarah came on after a couple of number by the band. She has the vocal styling of Koko Taylor and an act developed on the Chicago club circuit. She represents the contemporary urban blues sound at its best.

At 4:30 p.m., Anson Funderburgh and The Rockets with Sam Myers brought their style of Texas blues and delta - influenced Chicago harp took to stage 1. I've seen Anson and The Rockets several times over the years and they keep getting better and Sam Myers keeps getting younger.

Around 6:20 p.m. on stage 2, a man that I've only read about in "Living Blues", Roosevelt "Booba" Barnes and The Playboy started up. I had the chance to talk with "Booba" before the show. He was very friendly. He looked to be in his late 60's and he moved kind of slow. I expected him to sit down and play when the time came. I was wrong! Booba Barnes had changed into a tux with gold lapels and he had a huge gold chain around his neck. He strapped on a Strat and started wailing away like he was 19. He played with his teeth, he played behind his back and between legs way better than Jimi ever could! I would not be surprised if Jimi got his act from Booba Barnes, but that's not all folks. He sang in his normal voice and could switch to an uncanny imitation of Howlin' Wolf right down to Wolf's creaky bottomless moan. In fact, he told a story about sneaking down to a "juke joint" to see Wolf as a child and how Wolf befriended him. Just as he could imitate Wolf's vocal style, he played harmonica just like Howlin' Wolf. The Playboys consisted of two guitars, bass, drums and keyboards. Booba called Vaan Shaw up to play on a couple of numbers when he took out his harp. Booba Barnes is the consummate blues entertainer, If you ever the chance to see him don't pass it up.

On stage 1 at 8:00 p.m., Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and band took to the stage. I'm sure many of you have seen him live and know how varied his music can be. Mr. Brown also put on a great show that and closed the 2nd. ANNUAL POCONO BLUES FESTIVAL.

In addition to all the acts, two full length motion pictures directed by Robert Mugge -- Deep Blues a 91-min. film that features the blues of Memphis and Mississippi and Pride and Joy, a tribute to Alligator Records, were shown continuously in the lodge both days. There were also many Blues Societies, B-B-Q'ed foods, clothing and jewelry vendors and Rolling Rock beer (a sponsor) for sale.

Next year's fest will take place July 30 - 31. Plan on a 5 to 6 hour drive. You can call 1-800-468-2442 to be placed on the mailing list.