| Robert Belfour / Lil Brian & The Zydeco Travelers |
Old School
Robert Belfour was the first of three “Fat Possum Tour” musicians on stage June 3rd. Mr. Belfour is a
throw back to real Delta Blues. Listening to his story of growing up at a time when one lived,
sweated, cried and caroused as a black man not given simple equality is evident in his music. At one
point in his career he pondered incorporating R&B into his style. Lucky for us he didn't’t. He began
playing around the age of 6 or 7. Robert did not fully appreciate being a boy until after his father died
when Robert was 13. Who he is now was steeped in rich Mississippi mud. Robert is a native of Holly
Springs and was raised in Red Bank Mississippi. He discovered a talent for 2 artistic expressions,
drawing and music. The influential Howlin Wolf and Muddy Waters took root while he listened to
Memphis radio station WDIA “Mother-Station of the Negroes”. Choosing music over drawing, a
teenage Robert began to play juke joints. Urged on, he matured with the support of a older local
musician "Puddin". To his delight he found out folks liked his playing. His bashfulness and shy nature
receded during his 30’s and Robert began singing. His wife of 40 + years – Norene – has been by his
side since they married on September 12, 1959 (Robert was born on 09-11-40). As he talks about
Norene, it's obvious that he respects her. Because of her advancing diabetes, he is man enough to
step up and handle household chores, like cooking, in support and loyalty to her. That level of
devotion may not seem to be much, but it is rare if one is from Robert and Norene's generation and
deep south culture. He matter of factly told me their only daughter died in 1963. Their childless void
has been filled with nieces and nephews, which is just fine with him. His set at the Garage included a
song written & named for Norene. His latest CD "What's Wrong With You" on Fat Possum records
is sprinkled with sorrow, like on "Black Mattie" he wails "Poor black mattie, girl ain't got a change of
cloths'" On "My Baby's Gone" the lyrics are sad, but a up tempo acoustic guitar with his distinct
timbre raise it above what should be obvious sorrow, to the plateau of "OK, she's gone...next!".
Tonight his cover of the classic “Down Home Blues” was brilliant. He also included John Lee’s “Boogie
Chullin”. Mr. Belfour decides during each performance what songs he will perform. He was briefly
visiting "professor of the blues" at Cornish College of the Arts in Washington State. Given his
temperament and talent, teaching the blues would be a great way to continue the Delta tradition
Robert is a part of. I for one appreciate and respect his contribution to American culture. If you are a
blues fan - no, if you are an original American music fan, you will appreciate this man as well. It was
a genuine pleasure to talk with you sir, may God bless and keep Mr. Belfour.
Nu Skool
Lil’ Brian & The Zydeco Travelers (June 9 & 10) – Damn, Damn, Damn!!!! This is serious Zydeco with
some whoop ass Funk. Props to bands like the Ohio Players, The Wild Magnolias, Funky Meters &
Rockin’ Dopsie - All smoking groups. Lil’ B and crew spontaneously combust! Move all the tables and
chairs, throw back the rug…there’s a party up in here! Don’t even think about staying seated at their
funk fest. The groups “Funky Nation” CD (all original tunes) has by far the zestiest Zydeco heard in
ages. A lil som’em-som’em here and there for you. Try as I might to rank them, I couldn't. I waited……I
quit. The ultimate Zydecofunkalisous band resides in Barrett Station, Texas (B.S.T.). Now, feel free to
start your list with who you think #1 is. Got a hot date? Need to get ready for Saturday night guest?
Do your Saturday morning cleaning to this CD.
All though Lil’ Brian’s mentor is the one and only Buckwheat Zydeco, you get the feeling this young
man would have honed his skills all by his lonesome. The Garage crowd (Reno, Nv.) was bumping all
night. “Funky Nation”, “Thigh Drivin”, “Party” (reminds me of house parties back in Austin) & “807
Magnolia” are serious funk. Want traditional? Texas two step to the blistering “Uncle Cliff”. Want a
smooth tune? Check out the seriously soulful “Question”, then check out “Summer Girl". Pat Terry’s
guitar grabbing “Black Butterfly” is ohhh wee…Z-Funk!! These homies are obviously having big fun on
stage and in the recording studio. Radiating an energy that envelops the audience – hip or square,
ready or not – this Texas tsunami carries a crowd on a wild ride. Winding down a furious set, Brian
and rub board master Mandrell Rideau left the stage. Brian’s brother Pat on lead guitar, bad bass
man Emerson Jackson and the best young drummer anywhere - Tony Stewart remain on stage and
continue the groove. One by one, solo by solo the others leave. Tony remains in the spotlight.
Displaying a musical maturity well beyond his years (20) he showcased his awesome talent with a
long frenetic but cohesive solo.
Listen up, Lil Bryan & the Zydeco Traveler’s are for real. Don’t miss them if you are ever in the same
town. Other Zydeco bands in their path best step aside or hide. These boy’s ain’t taking no prisoners
and they already buried the wounded. Bad to the bone B.S.T boys representing…“Let your hair hang
down. When you hear Z-Funk…Lil’ Brian is in your town”
******
Gatemouth Brown (May 27) A peer of living legends –Pinetop Perkins,Charlie Musslewhite, BB, Etta
James & John Lee Hooker, Gate gets respect and adulation simply by being who he is. I love his “Born
In Louisiana, Reared On The Texas Side” and the swinging “Okie Dokie Stomp”. Run, don’t walk and
get The Original Peacock Recordings. Brown’s fiddle playing is unrivaled. He rocked the house with
Country, Blues, Big Band and Swing tunes. At one point a young Sax player was invited on stage to
sit in on Count Basie’s “One O’clock Jump”. The young man (Reno’s Ronnie Landris) smoked on his
solo, earning a thumb’s up from Mr. Brown.
RIP: Latin jazz great Tito Puente (who studied at Julliard in the 1940’s) and soul singer Johnnie
Taylor (a protégé of Sam Cooke) both died on Wednesday, May 31, 2000.
Published:
RENO BLUES SOCIETY B.L.U.E.S. NEWS JAZZ & BLUES MAGAZINE…JULY 2000
Robert Belfour was the first of three “Fat Possum Tour” musicians on stage June 3rd. Mr. Belfour is a
throw back to real Delta Blues. Listening to his story of growing up at a time when one lived,
sweated, cried and caroused as a black man not given simple equality is evident in his music. At one
point in his career he pondered incorporating R&B into his style. Lucky for us he didn't’t. He began
playing around the age of 6 or 7. Robert did not fully appreciate being a boy until after his father died
when Robert was 13. Who he is now was steeped in rich Mississippi mud. Robert is a native of Holly
Springs and was raised in Red Bank Mississippi. He discovered a talent for 2 artistic expressions,
drawing and music. The influential Howlin Wolf and Muddy Waters took root while he listened to
Memphis radio station WDIA “Mother-Station of the Negroes”. Choosing music over drawing, a
teenage Robert began to play juke joints. Urged on, he matured with the support of a older local
musician "Puddin". To his delight he found out folks liked his playing. His bashfulness and shy nature
receded during his 30’s and Robert began singing. His wife of 40 + years – Norene – has been by his
side since they married on September 12, 1959 (Robert was born on 09-11-40). As he talks about
Norene, it's obvious that he respects her. Because of her advancing diabetes, he is man enough to
step up and handle household chores, like cooking, in support and loyalty to her. That level of
devotion may not seem to be much, but it is rare if one is from Robert and Norene's generation and
deep south culture. He matter of factly told me their only daughter died in 1963. Their childless void
has been filled with nieces and nephews, which is just fine with him. His set at the Garage included a
song written & named for Norene. His latest CD "What's Wrong With You" on Fat Possum records
is sprinkled with sorrow, like on "Black Mattie" he wails "Poor black mattie, girl ain't got a change of
cloths'" On "My Baby's Gone" the lyrics are sad, but a up tempo acoustic guitar with his distinct
timbre raise it above what should be obvious sorrow, to the plateau of "OK, she's gone...next!".
Tonight his cover of the classic “Down Home Blues” was brilliant. He also included John Lee’s “Boogie
Chullin”. Mr. Belfour decides during each performance what songs he will perform. He was briefly
visiting "professor of the blues" at Cornish College of the Arts in Washington State. Given his
temperament and talent, teaching the blues would be a great way to continue the Delta tradition
Robert is a part of. I for one appreciate and respect his contribution to American culture. If you are a
blues fan - no, if you are an original American music fan, you will appreciate this man as well. It was
a genuine pleasure to talk with you sir, may God bless and keep Mr. Belfour.
Nu Skool
Lil’ Brian & The Zydeco Travelers (June 9 & 10) – Damn, Damn, Damn!!!! This is serious Zydeco with
some whoop ass Funk. Props to bands like the Ohio Players, The Wild Magnolias, Funky Meters &
Rockin’ Dopsie - All smoking groups. Lil’ B and crew spontaneously combust! Move all the tables and
chairs, throw back the rug…there’s a party up in here! Don’t even think about staying seated at their
funk fest. The groups “Funky Nation” CD (all original tunes) has by far the zestiest Zydeco heard in
ages. A lil som’em-som’em here and there for you. Try as I might to rank them, I couldn't. I waited……I
quit. The ultimate Zydecofunkalisous band resides in Barrett Station, Texas (B.S.T.). Now, feel free to
start your list with who you think #1 is. Got a hot date? Need to get ready for Saturday night guest?
Do your Saturday morning cleaning to this CD.
All though Lil’ Brian’s mentor is the one and only Buckwheat Zydeco, you get the feeling this young
man would have honed his skills all by his lonesome. The Garage crowd (Reno, Nv.) was bumping all
night. “Funky Nation”, “Thigh Drivin”, “Party” (reminds me of house parties back in Austin) & “807
Magnolia” are serious funk. Want traditional? Texas two step to the blistering “Uncle Cliff”. Want a
smooth tune? Check out the seriously soulful “Question”, then check out “Summer Girl". Pat Terry’s
guitar grabbing “Black Butterfly” is ohhh wee…Z-Funk!! These homies are obviously having big fun on
stage and in the recording studio. Radiating an energy that envelops the audience – hip or square,
ready or not – this Texas tsunami carries a crowd on a wild ride. Winding down a furious set, Brian
and rub board master Mandrell Rideau left the stage. Brian’s brother Pat on lead guitar, bad bass
man Emerson Jackson and the best young drummer anywhere - Tony Stewart remain on stage and
continue the groove. One by one, solo by solo the others leave. Tony remains in the spotlight.
Displaying a musical maturity well beyond his years (20) he showcased his awesome talent with a
long frenetic but cohesive solo.
Listen up, Lil Bryan & the Zydeco Traveler’s are for real. Don’t miss them if you are ever in the same
town. Other Zydeco bands in their path best step aside or hide. These boy’s ain’t taking no prisoners
and they already buried the wounded. Bad to the bone B.S.T boys representing…“Let your hair hang
down. When you hear Z-Funk…Lil’ Brian is in your town”
******
Gatemouth Brown (May 27) A peer of living legends –Pinetop Perkins,Charlie Musslewhite, BB, Etta
James & John Lee Hooker, Gate gets respect and adulation simply by being who he is. I love his “Born
In Louisiana, Reared On The Texas Side” and the swinging “Okie Dokie Stomp”. Run, don’t walk and
get The Original Peacock Recordings. Brown’s fiddle playing is unrivaled. He rocked the house with
Country, Blues, Big Band and Swing tunes. At one point a young Sax player was invited on stage to
sit in on Count Basie’s “One O’clock Jump”. The young man (Reno’s Ronnie Landris) smoked on his
solo, earning a thumb’s up from Mr. Brown.
RIP: Latin jazz great Tito Puente (who studied at Julliard in the 1940’s) and soul singer Johnnie
Taylor (a protégé of Sam Cooke) both died on Wednesday, May 31, 2000.
Published:
RENO BLUES SOCIETY B.L.U.E.S. NEWS JAZZ & BLUES MAGAZINE…JULY 2000
Reviews / Columns
 |  |