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The 2009 Dundee Blues Bonanza has ended and will now be consigned to the pages of history here on the website and also in many of our hearts and minds. We would as always like to pass on our thanks to all those artists, fans and assistants who not only make this weekend possible, but have once again made it a Bonanza to remember. Every venue was packed making for some great afternoons and nights. It was really heartwarming to see so many of the “old faces” and also many of the new at this year’s event. We can only hope to see you all again (artists and fans) at the Dundee Blues Bonanza 2010.
All artists please note, that applications for the 2010 Bonanza are now being taken assuming we (as a small committee with an overwhelming workload) are still able to stand.
HELP Required
If you think that you have skills that may be helpful to the Bonanza Team please contact us, as we would welcome some new faces aboard for the coming year. Simply contact us using the information on our “Contacts” page to discuss things.
Feedback Required
Let us know about your Bonanza experience. Can we as a committee or the venues or Dundee as a City etc improve any areas to further enhance your weekend, because after all the Bonanza !!IS YOURS!! not ours. We are only here to try to make the “machine” work.
Photos Required
Once again we hope that you may find time to submit any photos of Band you went to see at this years event. We will only publish photos from actual bonanza performances, and due to web space constraints, we will only publish one or maybe two photos per act. We also reserve the right to edit the photo size to fit with our website parameters. (See our “Photo Gallery” page for terms and conditions).
Keep watching this space for the latest news and many thanks again to you all.
The Dundee Blues Bonanza Committee
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Well another Blues Bonanza is over and we as a committee hope you all had as much fun as we did. I had so many people asking me if this was the best ever Bonanza, so I guess we touched a few hearts and maybe some ears as well. From a personal perspective, I think this years event has got to be up there among the best musical events I have ever attended. I managed a goodly wander this year and met a number of artists and fans, and even dressed in my kilt for most of the weekend !!. Below I have listed the venues and acts that I was fortunate enough to see. If you want to let me and others know about your Bonanza 15 experience, e-mail me at admin@dundeebluesbonanza.co.uk and I will post your reviews on the website.
Hope You All Had a Great Time
Alan (aka Webby)
Fri Nite at Dexters
Managed to catch Werner and the Flaming Stratmen delivering some 60s/70s style rock blues. I really enjoyed their set, so much so that I gotta dig out all my Hendrix, Trower and Clapton CD's and give them some airplay again. Flaming great guitar and a flaming great rhythm section from one of the bonanza highlights for me.
Next act up in Dexters was Jimmy C and the Blues Dragons who delivered a real rhythm and bluesy helping of the kind of music that is always gonna please the fans. Tasty blues licks (a la Steve Cropper and Peter Green) and a great rhythm section including sax made me feel like I was on the set of The Blues Brothers movies. Once again a big highlight of the weekend for me.
Sat Afternoon at Kokomo's
Got a chance to see one of our regulars, Hollowbody doing what they do best, laid back, tasteful blues. A packed house like me, seemed to be getting into the real easy swing of things. A great sound and a great deal of entertainment as we have come to expect from one of the Bonanza regulars.
Sat Early Evening at Social
I can't imagine a Bonanza weekend without taking in the legendary Wolftrain. These guys keep the blues alive with their usual footstomping, hanclapping, blues, swing and rock n roll extravaganza. Piano, drums, guitars, and a twin sax section keep them driving it all home with the greatest of ease. Once again they had the audience in the palms of their hands and generated the usual high level of audience participation. Loads of talent, professionalism and best of all loads of fun. Looking forward to next year already.
Sat Late at The Nether Inn
Was recommended by a colleague to drop in to catch a band called The Convulsions. Am soooooooooo glad I did. I have never saw anyone playing a harmonica at that speed or anyone play a Hammond organ at that speed. But Ben the lead singer did both AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!. This is a band that puts so much effort into their performance, it simply defies belief. They delivered an astonishing blues and funk mix in a style that I would describe as having a large helping of Dr Feelgood and another of The Ramones. My mate and I both stood there like the rest of the audience, grinning from ear to ear at a jaw dropping performance that kept us there right to the end. The audience were absolutely spellbound by a band that we sincerely hope will be back next year. One of the biggest highlights for me, simply awesome!!!
Sun Evening at Social
Had been hearing some good things about The Gary Johnstone Band so squeezed my way into a packed pub for the start of their set. Then got treated to two hours plus of rocky blues in they styles of SRV, Peter Green and Rory Gallagher. This band for me is what rock/blues is all about, great guitar playing and vocals, ably backed by a great rhythm section and Gary is the consummate showman. When he stepped out into the audience on to a table and began to play slide guitar using a metal pole fixed from table to ceiling, he brought the house down. Fantastic display of talent and a truly great performance from one of Scotland’s rising stars. Definitely one of the biggest highlights for me and a "must see" band for next year.
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