I attended the annual Southern Blues Night Festival in Kerkrade (Holland). Didn't expect much, got my tickets for free, went with my father. As we walked in, a German band was delivering a dull set of slow blues on the main stage. In a smaller area Gene Taylor was starting with his set. Just a piano (Gene), a drummer and a guitarist, both Belgians.
The guitar player, Mark Tee, was an ugly short guy with a dumm hat, but he played ok. Nothing special. But when he took over the mike, it was great. He sang like a psycho-drunk version of BB King, what noone expected. Almost hysterical! So the performance turned out to be memoral one.

One hour later two dutch players and an american drummer took the stage. They played two really fast blues songs before Mojo Bufford came on. Then the party started! I've never seen a blues set that was so thrilling! Mojo is the old Muddy Waters harp player and I immediately recognized his playing from my old Muddy records. Just raw harp power! Really loud blowing.

The man is 78, just sat in a chair, shared the spot with a 8 year old kid for one song and just had a great time! Smiling, giving the band space to solo away, delivering great renditions of Sweet Home Chicago, Hoochie Coochie Man and (offcourse) Got My Mojo Working.



I was literally blown away. Man, I can understand how impressed the young Stones were when the first heard Chicago Blues. I walked home smiling and humming Got My Mojo Working, which, to the dismay of my girl, I still did this morning. Big headache, but a great experience richer.

Odd is, that on several occasions I thought: "would have been cool if some IORR-members were here. They should see this!"

Did any of you ever see Mojo or even went to the same festival yesterday?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2007-03-17 22:52 by mr edward.

saw Buford the last time i saw muddy - he had fired his longtime band and hired some hacks and a couple of old chums, like mojo. honestly didn't know he was still alive.

speaking of old muddy sidekicks - Joe "Pinetop" Perkins is still alive and well - i plan on catching him at the Portland Waterfront Blues Fest this summer - he'll be 93....