Rattlebrained

washboards, rhythm bones, drumming & the blues...

Little Joe Ayers.

Blues Rules Crissier 2015

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Looking back a few posts reminds me how little I’ve blogged these last years and how limited my subject matter is these days; my last post of any importance being about the 2013 edition of this great festival. However if this blog is to come back to the world of the living the Blues Rules festival seems as good a place as any to start; in fact better than most!

And start it did last Friday with Sarah Savoy’s Hell-Raising Hayride. She had already played in last years festival (and so did we – Swamp Train – you can read about it here: Blues Rules Heatwave) so I knew what this band puts out; and didn’t what to miss them! Sarah Savoy grew up in a family wholly devoted to Cajun music and she plays some really beautiful Acadian accordions that are handmade by her father. However, like many of the musicians who tread the Blues Rules stage, the traditional in her music remains open to other influences; plus she has a tremendous stage presence and attitude. I really like this band so can only say that if they comes anywhere near you: check them out, please!

Now.., one thing about festivals is that you meet friends, chat over drinks, burgers and hot dogs – sometimes getting big blobs of mayonnaise on your pants – and don’t always give everyone all the attention they deserve… Plus a last minute change of plans meant I left early on Friday, so…


Sarah Savoy's Hell Rising Hayride, Manolo Gonzales, Sarah Savoy, Thomas Bailey.Sarah Savoy and Thomas Bailey.Seeing Little Joe Ayers was such a special event! It doesn't get better than this.I'm a sucker when it comes to kazoos, one man bands and understatement, and so really enjoyed The Dad Horse Experience from Germany.Faris, a Tuareg blues trio, was also a moment of pleasure. A delicate guitarist exploring his Saharan roots and his love of American blues. The Coconut Kings, an enjoyably energetic swiss rockabilly band.Mud Morganfield was appreciated by many.Mud Morganfield and band.Little Joe Ayers.Little Joe Ayers, Wallace Lester and Eric Deaton.Bill Abel was fantastic, it was awesome to get to see him. Thank you Blue Rules!Bill Abel, Wallace Lester and Eric Deaton.Bill AbelScott H. Biram giving it his all!Scott H. Biram, he really riped the place up!Kenny Brown, Wallace Lester and Eric Deaton. Talking about understatement, Kenny Brown is a infectious master who just gets you moving.Kenny Brown and Eric Deaton.Kenny Brown and Wallace Lester. The North Hills Beat!Wallace Lester, Kenny Brown, Eric Deaton and Thomas Bailey. Just great!Alvin Youngblood Hart!!

…a thousand apologies for those I missed or didn’t manage to get a decent picture of… :-(
In any case here’s the list of the bands that played, with links that give as good a description as I can find:

Friday’s lineup:

Sarah Savoy’s Hell-Raising HayrideThe Dad Horse ExperienceFarisThe Coconut KingsBror Gunnar JanssonMud MorganfieldThe TwoChicken Diamond.

Saturday’s lineup:
CheyenneEric DeatonLittle Joe AyersBill AbelLuke Hilly & The CavalryScott H. BiramKenny BrownAlvin Youngblood Hart.


Sarah Savoy's Jambalaya - photo by Christophe Losberger
photo © Christophe Losberger Blues Rules 2015 Selection lots of other great pictures, check them out!

Those who had enough foresight to have signed up and those – like myself – who were able to squeeze in at the last moment, began Saturday with a giant jambalaya cooked up by Sarah Savoy who also entertained the diners with a few tunes! Yum!!
I was then happy to be able to join an impromptu acoustic jam session and do some rhythm bone playing; thank you Thomas, David, Enno and Manolo!


an impromptu acoustic jam session
Thank you Katia for the picture!

Cheyenne, a swiss rock band, opened the day’s festivities followed by Eric Deaton whom I unfortunately didn’t see much of; too much conversation and time slipping away… All the more regrettable since Eric Deaton and Wallace Lester were really something; backing Little Joe Ayers, Bill Abel, Kenny Brown and Alvin Youngblood Hart, they must have played for at least six hours!

Luke Hilly & The Cavalry and Scott H. Biram completed the evening’s line up. Great stuff as well!

Still as much as I enjoyed everyone, getting to hear and see Little Joe Ayers and Bill Abel would already have made for an exceptional day! One of those special moments were every one of my inner sympathetic strings vibrate in tune. And the surrealist feeling of being in two places at once while watching them, as well as every one else who came over for the weekend from the Delta and Mississippi Hills!

And that there is but one of the ingredients that make this festival special. I’ve already mentioned in past posts the conviviality of this venue, and with time it is becoming more and more like a big family; mixing European blues aficionados with bluesmen and musicians, some whom have never come overseas before.

The only thing missing is more space to put your lawn chair or blanket down.., and maybe hot dog relish.


with Little Joe Ayers
Thank you Martine for the picture!

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