http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ZC6ZI8dzQ
By Justin Boldenow,
As we’ve set out here in Nashville to explore the diverse musical amalgam that forms the Middle Tennessee music scene, one of our directives was to find a bad case of the blues. More or less stumbling into that directive, we didn’t exactly walk into blues in the most classic sense. It would seem that in present day music consumerism, blues music has lost a substantial element in its marketability. I don’t know if this is due to independent music thrashing to relinquish the chains of precedence and foundation in search of a truly new scene, but what I do know is that it has not and will not die.
I can remember for some time that whenever a spring time or summer festival took place that showcased the talent of local blues musicians, smiles could be seen throughout an audience. Something about the music makes people feel less blue and allows them to feel something authentic. Its traditional in a sense, almost primal, but for certain it is real. I don’t think that feeling can be escaped.
This time, in another downtown adventure, we quickly sought out a concert featuring a band by the name of the Justin Kalk Orchestra. Ironically they labeled themselves as “Classical Hip Hop Rock.” It would appear that alternative and independent music has realized the futility in escaping its roots because classical hip hop rock had turned out to be blues just the same.
The Justin Kalk Orchestra has a certain Texas-style Stevie Ray Vaughn quality that is unmistakeable. The screaming sincerity of a fender supplemented by rhythmic keys and a dirty jazz sounding drum kit let loose a wailing pain that is therapeutic. It is cathartic. It’s also really fun.
The crowd reveled in the jam-style lyrical guitar solos and hollered in appreciation of talented musicianship. It was summertime and it was traditional.
So now that the sun is high up in the air, the traffic is near unbearable, and the fireworks manufacturers are back to making decent bucks, I suggest getting in on the tradition. Go to your local festivals, watch your local artists, and just enjoy the time that you’re in it. What comes around at this time of year in a community is a spectacular phenomenon. Be part of it.