Hi folks! My first US tour with Gb Blues Express has come to an end. We finished up on Beale street in Memphis at the Blues Hall sitting in with Dr.Feelgood Potts Bluesband doing an original to be featured on the upcoming record.
We started off in New Orleans. Geir sat in with Daniel Eriksen and Stig Sjøstrøm doing the old classic "Talking Woman Blues" at the Norwegian Sea Mens Church. A nice gig with lots of blues and gospel. He also sat in with Alton "Big Al" Carson on Bourbon street one of the nigths.
Arriving in Jackson after spending two nights in New Orleans, the band did a gig at the legendary Hal & Mall's. Among other local heroes, King Edward joined on the bands own song "High Horse" singing the lyrics from "The Sky Is Crying". A great moment!
One possible highlight of the tour was playing at the Highway 61 Blues Stage at the Mighty Mississippi Music Festival. The band did a 60 minutes kick-ass set finishing off with the popular boogie of the song "Way Back Home" from the 2012 "Hits You Like A Train" album.
Two night of recording followed arriving in Clarksdale after doing a very unexpected gig at REDS in Clarksdale! But in order to get the gig we had to go around town collecting backline, fix a snare drum and of course promote the gig. The gig was just awsome, and to some in the band, a career highlight! Kåre Amundsen, our drummer, is the reason for this gig to ever happen. A special night indeed, and one to remember for sure!
The first recording session at Juke Joint Chapel was great. Lots of energy and space in that room. The recording was done as a live gig, with an audience, so hopefully the atmosphere of the whole thing will come through in the mix. Ligtnin' Malcolm and Deak Harp joined in on some of the songs.
Due to sickness within the band, day 2 of the recording sessions was a drag, but we finished off nicely! Lightnin' Malcolm joined in on some of the songs, and did his own set prior to the recording. Time will show whether we'll put something out.
After the first night of recording, we headed downtown to do a set at Hambone. This is a Blues/Folk-Art House with a stage an everything. We did a 60 minutes show with Watermelon Slim joining in on 5 or 6 songs. A great time!!
More higlights followed! The number 1 reason for the tour was playing at annual King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas. And so we did! Starting off after our Norwegian friends, Daniel Eriksen and Stig Sjøstrøm, we did a 60 minutes set at the Rising Biscuit Stage in 81 degrees Fahrenheit! What a time!
At the Pinetop Perkins Homecoming party, both Geir and Kåre sat in with various band constellations before going to bed and getting ready for Memphis, and after that home to Norway!
The band would like to thank everyone that contributed to the tour, and especially our dear friend, and US Tour Manager, Rolf Mathisen for supporting us in every possible way!
And most important off all: People of Mississippi: THANK YOU!!!!
