Slide guitarist/bluesman kick starts Copia's summer concert series
Friday, June 20, 2003
By L. PIERCE CARSON
Register Staff Writer
One of the nation's foremost blues/slide guitarists, Ron Thompson made his second appearance in as many seasons at Copia earlier in the week.
His foot-stomping, gooseflesh-raising brand of rockin' blues was just what was needed to kick start this summer's "Oh Gosh, It's Monday" four-month-long alfresco concert series.
Crowned by trademark porkpie hat with shiny electric guitar slung over his shoulder, the veteran Bay Area bluesman spent just about two hours delivering audience-pleasing material that ranged from boogie-woogie to rock 'n' roll classics.
His first-class trio included bassist Leonard Gill, a guy who often made B.B. King look good, and drummer Larry Vann, who also acquitted himself quite well as both lead and backup vocalist.
In addition to performing tracks from his latest compact disc, "Magic Touch," Thompson and the Resistors served up both guitar- and keyboard-driven R&B treasures that prompted many in the audience to show off their terpsichorean moves.
Some of the evening's high points, as far as this listener was concerned, turned out to be Thompson's vocal renditions of "Ain't Got No Home" (that Clarence "Frogman" Henry classic), Little Richard's "Tutti-Frutti" and the haunting ballad, "Lonely Arms," which featured Vann on the vocal. Tributes to John Lee Hooker and Fats Domino were also well received as was an R&B classic from the '50s, "WPLJ."
Thompson played both guitars and electronic keyboard -- at one point alternating on both. His blistering slide guitar solos came with a special brand of choreography, more akin to St. Vitus' dance than anything in the dance repertory of modern man.
This master of Delta blues guitar reaches deep down inside for each and every note, his performance style more often than not reminiscent of an exorcism. He's exuberant, he's exciting and, what's more, he's an incredible talent. When you put him together with a couple of other masterful musicians, you can't help but come up a winner.
There's more blues at Copia come Monday night. Born into the blues -- her father was the legendary John Lee Hooker - Zakiya Hooker will appear with her combo, Bluz 4 U at 8 p.m. The American Market Cafe's special concert meal that evening will be collard greens, Hobb's ham hock and buttermilk biscuits, served when the gates open at 7 p.m.
Tickets for Monday night's concert are $20. They can be ordered by calling 259-1600 or logging online at www.copia.org.