Photos by Laura Carbone
Twice a year, the blues takes a vacation with the grandfather of all music cruises, the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise (LRBC), one of the largest floating festivals at sea. This February it celebrated its 30th sailing with 50 bands, over 100 shows, 1500 passengers and a support staff of 1000 on one of Holland Americas largest flagships, the Koningsdam, while the best bands in the blues, rock and soul rotate through its onboard venues. It sells out over a year in advance.
This February’s cruise shipped out from Fort Lauderdale but not without the prerequisite pre-cruise party. There is such a high percentage of returning cruisers that’s people greet each other as long lost beloved family, with a number as to how many cruises taken, or if they are in the awkward position of being a blues cruise virgin. Once on the boat, the music has already started on 5 stages. On several decks, from the large two-story theater, two separate large pool deck stages (why swim when you can dance?), the inner sanction of BB King’s Blues Club, Rocket 88 piano bar and the infamous late night Crow’s Nest where you can see the sun rise as a fantasy jam collaboration is still going strong. A large hand-painted pirate sign hangs from the mast: “OUR CRUISE KICKS BUTT” warning other ships to be wary, as if they could not hear the 24/7 hour music that rocks this boat.
The artist list is long and impressive. Topping the list is multi Grammy Award-winner Taj Mahal, as the King of this cruise, bringing his experienced Trio, with special guest Roger Glenn on vibes. A real treat was to see Taj doing his Caribbean-based songs while being caressed by Island breezes. Add Buddy Guy, Shemekia Copeland, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Nellie Tiger Travis and real-deal Chicago Blues was on da boat! The bayou was represented by the swamp boogie of Kenny Neal with his talented family band including nephew Tyree, Tab Benoit, The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band and Jon Cleary and The Absolute Gentlemen, Vasti Jackson and Charlie Musslewhite. Musical reunions with boat’s favorite Trampled Under Foot as well as the supergroup collaboration of Victor Wainwright, JP Soars and Damian Fowler in Southern Hospitality. Tommy Castro’s popularity has inherited him a regular spot every cruise as well as kicking off the opening night jam. Not to be outrocked, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Walter Trout, Commander Cody and Collin James electrified the boat. Zac Harmon hosted a gospel Brunch. The upcoming generation of blues was represented by old souls but young blues masters Marquise Knox and Quinn Sullivan. Personal favorites included the ever-smiling saxophone, keyboardist and vocalist Deanna Bogart and Canadian Dawn Tyler Watson the International Blues Challenge Winner, who stole hearts across the boat with her vocal ballads and the tight backup of the Ben Racine band. There is also the mix-and-match with artists jumping on stage together, multi- guitar masters mashups, legendary vocal duos to 3 AM mind blowing horn jams.
Even when the ship docks, they bring the bands to local Island bars, beaches or town squares. The Islands on the February cruise, Tortola, Puerto Rico and Grand Turk, were the ones heavily hit by Hurricane Irma and whose local economy needed a shot of blues music as well as tourists. Other activities include theme nights of Give me Back My Wig, Casino Royale, Mardi Gras, Blue Toes and Pajama night where the fans get into the spotlight with parades and competitions. Notable lectures included advice by Grammy-winning producers and artists on How to Produce and Record, a Women in Blues Lecture hosted by Marie Trout and 100 Years of Rufus Thomas, presented radio host DJ Bob Porter, and a finger picking workshop by Reverend Peyton. Other activities included silent auctions of vintage instruments and collectible memorabilia, pro and amateur jams, and an artist autograph/meet-and-greet session. Despite the blues’ humble beginnings, the LRBC cruise includes all the luxuries of cruising, with specialty restaurants, spa, casino, shopping and pampering service. No wonder why most people are return cruisers!
—Laura Carbone
I remember the night like it was yesterday – Jamie Forbes, myself along with The Slickers, whosae song “Johnny Too Bad” was a centerpiece of Taj’s “Mo’ Roots” album of mid 70s — was headlining The Bottom Line – somehow I managed to wrangle us 5 passes and The Slickers, here in the USA for the first time (1978) were dressed to the nines and happily met Taj and the band in the tiny dressing room. Taj said he would bring them out for Johnny …. I was standing off to stage right …. noticing Keith and Stevie Wonder in the crowd …. when Taj hit his National Steel intro to the tune …. and did it in its entirety as The Slickers were ignored. Rather than the escstasy I expected from this, it was a long ride back to Long Island. The next day I managed to reach Taj on the phone at his hotel and he said “Come tonight. I won;t forget them.” But The Slickers, Derrick Crooks, Hylton Beckford and Abraham Green would have no part ot it. This began 40+ years of looking in from the outside. C’est la vie.