Returns, day 1

It's a blues weekend and the fact that I had to renew my membership to the Germo reveals how long it's been since the last one.  Saturday was a show-cum-cover band playing Hendrix and musics of his era, late-'60s, early-'70s.  Hendrix was first up and the band was a trio as expected with plenty of driving bluesy riffs and blaring strat and it was a doozy.  I loved it.  All Hendrix except but with a few SRV tunes towards the end.  Then a short break and more blues.  I'd expected some Led Zep, Cream and the like, but we got perhaps some more SRV blues, ZZ Top, lots of Stones, then even some ACDC and even Stevie Wright's Evie, and it seemed pretty apt in this company.  So heavy on blues and less on the prog-leaning side, but nicely done with committed, searing guitar, two interesting bass solos, one with unison voice, and solid, heavy percussion from a new drummer on his first or second gig with this trio.  For the Hendrix set there was some stage dress, especially from guitarist/singer Steve Edmonds wearing a historical military jacket and scarf which looked great, but the second set reverted to standard blues black.  Nothing unexpected here, but I'd liked the dress-up.  The Hendrix was more for musical appreciation, but the SRV and ZZ Top and Stones had the audience up for the dance floor.  Sound was good with a house PA and busy soundman.  So all round, a great outing with memories, if just a little disappointing to miss the expected Zep and Cream and Deep Purple which were core influences to my earliest bands, but the field of classic rockers is too big for one set.  What's not to like with a power guitar trio ... other than ringing ears?  (PS. Sound did not exceed 90dB)

Steve Edmonds (guitar, vocals) led his trio in a Hendrix tribute at the Harmonie German Club a dn arranged by the Canberra Blues Society.  The other performers were Graham Burns (bass, vocals) and Ben Elliot (drums).