ROCHESTER JAZZ FESTIVAL 2009 BLOG: Day 8: Ryan Shaw, Susan Tedeschi, Taj Mahal

By Frank De Blase on June 20, 2009

Slip me the crimson jimson

Here's the scoop, Bettie Boop

And the low down, Brown

It was back to the Jazz Fest scene feeling young and feeling mean

Ryan Shaw had 'em all gawked in awe

His pipes preached, heaven was reached

Sweet Georgia soul ain't but a jellyroll

It tickled our ribs on East and Gibbs

It ached and it slaked

It stabbed and it grabbed

R&B is back jack, serious as motherf***ing heart attack

The throng was strong

Nut to butt

Hard to get your groove on or your move on

But we beat feet alreet

Make the feast man, over at Eastman

Susan Tedeschi and Taj Mahal, y'all

Packed to the ceiling for some blues with a feeling

Copped a squat, things was gettin' hot

Got a righteous sit in the orchestra pit

Dimmed the light to my delight

The redhead knocked me dead

See, I'm a full-blown chump for a sling-back pump

Stompin' on the wah-wah, I was cryin; for my mama

The blues, the black dress, I was a first-class mess

She played the guitar tight, blues in the night

Chuck Campbell added to the scramble

All thriller, all killer, no filler

But in fact this was just the first act

Taj Mahal was having a ball

Shakin' his hips and lickin' his lips

Mean, mean tone cut to the bone

A throaty roar, Howlin' Wolf at the door

Finger-picked real slick

Tickled the keys, pretty as he pleased

Visited the motherland and any other land

Where the blues got its cues

Other shows attended, I intended

But I was tore up from the floor up

Beat up from the feet up

Tore down to the ground

After this show, I didn't wanna know

Nothing could top the master's snap, crackle, and pop

I had a natural ball with Taj Mahal