Blues, Jazz, and Soul in Rotterdam

If you look through my posts here, you might think my musical preference solely lies with post-punk, britpop, indie-rock, and all those terrific young bands like Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, Editors, and the real puppies like The Cinematics, Milburn, and stuff.However, I've got a pretty broad taste in music, and also love blues, and I also like a bit of soul and jazz every now and again.So the annual North Sea Jazz Festival is always on the agenda. Plus it gives me and my dad something to do together. So last Saturday we drove to Rotterdam to see a couple of blues/jazz/soul artists.First up is Joe Bonamassa, a relatively young blues guitarists, though it is more blues rock than blues. Blues guitarists are a rare commoddity these days, but Bonamassa keeps the hope alive with some good guitarplaying. Unfortunately he doesn't have the stage presence of a B.B. King nor the voice of a Buddy Guy, his voice isn't really that good, but his guitar playing keeps you hooked. Surprisingly, when this man goes acoustic (which doesn't mean he starts to play at a low pace, because he keeps that up, up, and away) he is maybe even better than electric.Next up Larry Carlton and Robben Ford. I saw Larry Carlton last year with his band Fourplay (including Nathan East on bass), and I must say he was much better then than this year. Also because Ford isn't my kind of guitar player, and imho overuses the wah-wah panel.Then it's time for India.Arie. I've got her first album, and I think she is very talented and has a great voice. She started kind of shaky, not bad, but just average. She did make a whole show out of it, but her vocals weren't as good as I had expected.And then came the turn around.During her song "Back to the Middle" off of her first album (which songs sounded better than the songs of her second and third albums, but maybe that was because I knew them. ;)) Raul Midon entered the stage, a brilliant musician who can play trumpet without a trumpet, but with his mouth. India.Arie was so happy that during and after that song, she started to sing and play a lot better, ending everything with a riveting performance of "Ready For Love", which was the highlight of the festival. Magical, enthralling, and full with emotion, this song embodies what neo-soul should be about. When she croons "I am ready for love, why are you hiding from me? I'd quickly give my freedom, to be held in your captivity". Fabulous, and no one remembered the shaky start of her set, because this was nothing short of amazing.Then quickly outside to hear the last half of the set by Keb'Mo. This is blues at its finest, blues you imagine you would hear when you were in the 40's or so. Old fashioned blues, played to perfection, and along with B.B. King and Buddy Guy, Keb'Mo might be the flag bearers of traditional blues. He is better than I had expected, and a great way to finish the day. Good guitar play, not to much fancy stuff, just old-fashioned blues like they played it back in the heyday of the genre.All in all, a successful day out, with some brilliant music. Though we were exhausted, my brave dad battling a fierce cold as well, it was all worth it.The youtube thingy, India.Arie playing "Back to the Middle" feat. Raul Midon last saturday at the North Sea Jazz Festival. Ace stuff.