Kent DuChaine and his 80–year-old slide guitar ‘Leadbessie’ rocked the Lichfield Guildhall for a near capacity audience made up of blues enthusiasts, country lovers and a smattering of those who simply enjoy something different.
DuChaine has been playing the slide guitar for more than 40 years and it was a treat for those of us unfamiliar with the range of this instrument to watch and hear its elongated whines, twangs and added bass applied both to classics like St James Infirmary and originals like Tribute To Muddy (Waters).
He plays Leadbessie in the normal position using a bottleneck slide, metal finger and thumbpicks. This very distinctive sound and stretching of tones is what defines Delta Blues – the distinctive form which originated in Mississippi and enjoyed its greatest popularity in the first half of the 20th century.
DuChaine has included the UK in his touring schedule for over 20 years and has played at The Guildhall several times before.
Blues Forever is the current tagline and his performances are not only entertaining but also an education in the history of the blues. He is comfortable with the audience from the outset and each tune, be it doleful or upbeat, is punctuated by a commentary about those great artists from a bygone era – Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Chester Burnett and Johnny Shines. He actually partnered the latter during the early 90s.
Titles like Come Into My Kitchen, Little Red Rooster and Fifi Bordeaux give a flavour of the evening’s offerings. We laughed, tapped our feet, joined in with the occasional chorus and had a great time.
Lichfield Arts, its organisers and its volunteers, once again brought something special to The Guildhall. Well done!
