Friday, Sept. 29 was the musical opener for the 2017 Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival, held at Stephens Lake Park. Although Gary Clark Jr. was the headliner and highlight of the night for some guests, these bands also made their mark Friday evening.
####Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
Robert “Big Sandy” Williams and his band kicked off Friday night of the festival with their self-described “undiluted joyful music.” A mixture of boogie, folk and throwback country, the California band has been making music for over 25 years.
The band kicked off its set with “Heaven Is The Other Way” from its 2003 album _It’s Time_. Although the band mostly stood in place, the crowd swayed and clapped energetically.
The band had not played the festival before, but Big Sandy commented on how he likes Columbia and is currently en route back to California.
“It’s been too long since we’ve been here,” Big Sandy said. “We missed you!”
The personal references continued as Big Sandy identified fans in the crowd.
Big Sandy also took time to thank the crew for helping set up. He told the audience their bus was late and had only arrived shortly before the band’s set time, although the band did take the stage on time.
Instrumental breaks were abundant and showcased the roots of the band’s music. Guitarist and mandolin player Ashley Kingman has been with the band for over 20 years, and his playing showed it — it was precise and technical, but also relaxed enough to keep the laid-back atmosphere. He also sported a pair of round vintage sunglasses and a cigarette, though the band joked it wasn’t actually a cigarette.
These small elements like style of clothing further demonstrated the down-home feel of the band’s music. They didn’t try to be anything they weren’t — a respected group in a world full of musical copycats. Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys kicked off Roots and Blues music with a huge dose of nostalgia.
The Suffers
On the The Suffers’ official website, members of the Houston group are sprawled across the page in photographs, looking energetic while singing, posing and playing instruments. This same energy was conveyed brilliantly in their performance Friday night.
Before the band even started singing, this enthusiasm was evident when the band all threw their hands in the air and yelled. The pre-show ritual was only the beginning of a fun time ahead.
A majority of the songs were horn heavy, evoking the “Gulf Coast soul” label the band gives its music. Lead singer Kam Franklin used her powerhouse voice that leaked emotion and passion, while the band passionately backed each vocal statement. The audience was inclined to dance, sway and clap; the audience for The Suffers was the most involved of the three bands.
An emotional and vocal highlight came from the song “Do Whatever Feels Right.” Franklin dedicated it “to the dreamers.” She also discussed the effect of Hurricane Harvey on the band’s hometown and how the city would rebound.
“We come from a great city of strong people,” Franklin said.
Festival merchandise clerk Emily Wright understood how powerful music can be.
“It brings together a lot of different people in the community,” Wright said.
“Do Whatever Feels Right” sounds like a laid-back name for a song, and that’s how it played, too. An upbeat trombone solo with the later addition of a trumpet added a unique sound. Coupled with strong vocals, the song was one of the best from their set.
Having never heard The Suffers live before the set, they would be a band to see at an individual show. A widely influenced sound, strong vocals and musical personality made The Suffers stand out.
Lee Fields & The Expressions
Lee Fields & The Expressions drew in a large crowd for their soul and R&B sounds. Of the three bands, they displayed the most musical variety from song to song.
Lead singer Fields is often compared to the late James Brown on sound and looks, too. To be compared to such a legend is honorable, and this resemblance likely helped him relate to the audience during his set. His throwback blue-green jacket and pants fit the part he was trying to play.
“Special Night,” the title track of the band’s 2016 album, was the song that most invoked artists like Brown. The sultry lyrics and smooth sounds sound like those of a classic R&B love song, such as Brown’s “Prisoner Of Love.”
Another memorable song was “Just Can’t Win” off the 2015 album _Emma Jean_. Fields talked about his trips to casinos and although he enjoyed them, he said he always lost his money; this was the inspiration for the song.
The crowd related to this song well — they laughed as Fields explained the background and waved their hands during its performance. Even people who had never heard the band’s music started singing, “You keep trying / But you just can’t win.”
The most honest way to describe the band’s set was old school. Everything was old fashioned: the interaction with the audience, the music and even the suit. It is understandable why Lee Fields & The Expressions captivated a large audience and made them remember the way music used to be: authentic and smooth.
Festival volunteer Kim Kelly was a first-time attendee but recognized the importance of the festival in the community.
“I think Columbia is known for three things: Mizzou, True/False and Roots N Blues,” Kelly said.
Roots N Blues N BBQ is a festival with diversity in food, music and attendees. That Friday night was one of three days showcasing musical performances from a variety of styles, including soul, boogie, country and R&B.
_Edited by Claire Colby | ccolby@themaneater.com_