Doheney Blues festival 2010-Review, parking and seating.

Wow, almost 2 weeks since the festival.  I have been busy busy busy.  But finally, here is my short write up.
First of all I want to talk about the venue in regards to seating or lack of when arriving late.  As I said I have always gone VIP.  I did buy my VIP's for Sunday, but this year I decided to hit Saturday afternoon as well just to go see the Black Crowes.  "LOVE THEM".  Now this is the  1st time I have ever arrived to the festival in the latter part of the day.  I am not sorry I went because my Crowes tore it up.  I think I am still shaking my money maker.  It will however be the last time as it was a bit of a mess. 1st of all parking is pretty much gone.  We had to park about 4 miles a way and be shuttled in.  When we got into festival it was wall to wall chairs without an open space to sit.  I guess it has always been like this but I am there early enough to secure my spot and have never noticed.  After wondering around with my 1st glass of wine to calm my nerves from the parking ordeal we finally met up with friends in VIP who snuck us in carefully.  Sorry, can't tell my secret there.  It was all good after that as I was at the stage where I am happiest, but I did miss the Fabulous Thunderbirds in all the ruckus, and that is just wrong! 
OK, so Saturday-  Black Crowes.  All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Everytime I see this band I am in awe. Chris Robinson-Vocal and his Brother Rich Robinson Guitar are the original band members since 1989 and you have to have both to make this band work, as they are dynamic together. The band has had some turnover but Adam Macdougell-keyboard, Luther Dickenson-Guitar, and Steve Gorman-Drums were as tight as it gets. Sadness!  After over 20 years together the band is taking a very lengthy hiatus.  So I am so glad I didn't miss them. I would go through parking hell anytime for these guys, and they will be missed.  Hurry back guys. (See my previous posts to read what Chris & Rich Robinson wrote as a farewell  and to watch an incredible video. "It just makes me want to cry"
So now it is Sunday and I am up at 6:00 am to leave as I normally do for Doheney.  With excitement for the day I hid my 2 bottles of Chardonnay in my blanket-in-a-tote, and headed out. "That's right, I sneak in my wine as it is better then anything you can get out there and does not cost $12.00 a glass".
This year my group decided to stay overnight on Sunday at the Doubletree Hotel across the street. This I highly recommend as you pull right up to hotel, they take your car immediately and send you on your way.  The walk is short and if you get tired of the elements during the day you can sneak off and go watch a Lakers game at the bar for a while, as some of our group did.
OK, enough of the Logistics.  Lets talk music.  The day was just OK in regards to the bands.  I have seen better and worse.  Crosby Stills and Nash closed and they were solid.  I was actually pleasantly surprised.  I am only going to write about two others as they, in my opinion made the day.

    John Nemeth-Harmonica player of riveting intensity and vocals that have a funky soulful feeling.  The first time I heard John was last years Festival but he was just a mere guest appearance on Elvin Bishop's stage. They have even recorded a few songs together. Not that I don't love Elvin Bishop, but I remember saying to myself, "I could just listen to this guy all day".  Well, he finally got his own stage this year. It  was not the main stage but you just watch, by next year it will be or he will just be too big for this festival. Check him out, you won't be sorry!

     Now the first performance out on the main stage on Sunday was Nathan James with Kim Wilson.  I had never heard these two before and I cant believe that because they were absolutely awesome.  My whole group was in agreement as well as all my fellow blues peeps around us. Nathan on guitar and vocal has been gigging since he was 18.  I don't know how old he is now, maybe 30? But he sounds like he has been doing it for a hundred years, yet still playing a fresh sound.

Kim-A front man for the Faboulous Thunderbirds, (Damn I wish I wouldn't have missed them) is an amazing Harmonica player and his vocals are rich, slightly scarred, and never in a hurry.
You put these two together and you don't want it to end.
I would say overall, even with the bad, the festival was an enjoyment as it always is.  Met new great people.  Hung out with old friends, and danced danced danced.
FYI The event was sold out both days.