There’s a lot of good blues music going on in the LB/OC area these days. And like a hurricane, at the center of things is Bluespower, the power trio consisting of Kenny “Big Daddy” Williams on guitar, Joe Dolci on bass and Rich Smith on drums. Coming off two great performances at Long Beach’s New Blues Festival 2, Bluespower will be featured at the upcoming Real Blues Festival of Orange County. The Real Blues Festival, sponsored by the Orange County Blues Society, will be filling Malone’s in Santa Ana with several great local blues bands on Sunday, September 13.
Bluespower will definitely be a highlight of the upcoming festival, playing covers of tunes by Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and others, while cranking up the action with some hot new originals that have been recorded for Bluespower’s upcoming debut album, currently being recorded at the 17th Street Recording Studio in Costa Mesa, famous for also recording Sublime’s first single and album.
Bluespower has gone through several changes over the years, but Kenny Williams is thrilled to be getting back to the basics now. “Bluespower was actually formed back in 1988 in Pasadena,” explains Williams, “but after our harp player (Brian Brazil) left for Philly, we put the band on hold. Our philosophy back then was to stick to our Blues roots and try to take it to another level. Now, we’re back, and this time, for good”.After the sparkling performances at the Long Beach New Blues Festival 2, it is easy to see that this combination really clicks. The rhythm section is tight and “Big Daddy” is one of those guitarists whose showmanship comes naturally.
Bluespower will be performing this weekend at the Real Blues Festival of Orange County 6 at Malone’s in Santa Ana, Sunday, September 13. Log onto www.bluespower.band or www.facebook.com/BigDaddyRockinBlues for more info.
