Blues Vacation

[Azfarrier]

So I'm thinking of taking 3 or 4 days off and thought it would be great to have a blues vacation. Nothing but blues and ice cold beers. As the song says I been to New Orleans I sure had a wonderful time. I like the fact that I can find music all day (and all night) long. Anyplace else you guys can suggest that has the availability of lots of music within walking distance (so I don't have to drive after the beers ) N.O. is always an option just wonder what I might be missing. Thanks for the help.

 

[straightblues]

I would look into one of the blues cruises. Everyone rants and raves about them. They have jam sessions so you could play along as well.

 

[Sweetfinger]

Austin has a lot of stuff within walking distance. Nashville, too, but not so much blues.

 

[I-IV-V]

I used to love going to Beale St. in Memphis. It's 3 blocks (the blues bar part). You could also check out Graceland, Sun Records an other stuff.

 

[GCDEF]

http://bluescruise.com/

 

[markbosko]

Google blues festivals.

 

[Lone Bear]

I was going to suggest staying at the Driskill Hotel in Austin since it sits right on 6th Street but then I found a web site that says it's haunted. I guess I won't be staying there again!

 

[Gas-man]

At first I thought this was going to be about suggesting guitar players take a Blues Vacation and try to not play any blues licks for six months.

Walking into Guitar Center would be such a better experience for me!

 

[NashVox]

Chicago blues festival

 

[musicofanatic5]

So I'm thinking of taking 3 or 4 days off and thought it would be great to have a blues vacation. Nothing but blues and ice cold beers. As the song says I been to New Orleans I sure had a wonderful time. I like the fact that I can find music all day (and all night) long. Anyplace else you guys can suggest that has the availability of lots of music within walking distance (so I don't have to drive after the beers ) N.O. is always an option just wonder what I might be missing. Thanks for the help.

Since you quote J.B. Lenoir, you identify yourself as an appreciator of actual blues music, as opposed to the "Gary More invented blues guitar" ilk. This presents a problem as most "blues scenes" cater to the latter. Austin probably ain't gonna do it; likewise Chicago Blues fest. Boston used to be one of the stronger blues music towns, but like Austin, no more. I would suggest perusing blues festival listings (as published by Blues Revue, f'rinstance) for a festival that features actual blues music artists you like. Good luck!! It's a bitch weeding through the crap!

 

[SGspecial]

I used to love going to Beale St. in Memphis. It's 3 blocks (the blues bar part). You could also check out Graceland, Sun Records an other stuff.

Yep. And if you go this week you can enjoy the International Blues Challenge. Great time.

 

[Azfarrier]

I would look into one of the blues cruises. Everyone rants and raves about them. They have jam sessions so you could play along as well.

I thought about one of these. Unfortunately the next two they have scheduled fall during weeks I already have commitments. They do sound like a lot of fun though. Maybe one day.

I used to love going to Beale St. in Memphis. It's 3 blocks (the blues bar part). You could also check out Graceland, Sun Records an other stuff.

Went to Memphis and Beale St. a few years ago. Picked the worst time possible. We were staying only a few blocks from Beale and they were having miserable weather. Blizzard that pretty much shut Memphis down. Vehicles off the road, ice everywhere. We were walking back to the hotel Saturday night and the trolleys weren't running so we had to walk. Three blocks seemed like it took forever in that storm. I would like to go again just to see what it's like normally.

Thanks for all the suggestions from everyone.

 

[HHB]

Im going to Jackson

 

[blusman]

Chicago blues festival

Just got back from the Chicago Blues Festival and it was a blast! Very hot...free to get in!!!

 

[strayfella]

Memphis or Austin.

Austin has more going on but Memphis has a lot of old school blues players there, though admittedly Austin has it's share of those types as well, it's just not as concentrated.

 

[Scafeets]

Memphis -- great BBQ and music all over Beale. Plus you can tour the Gibson plant. The Memphis Rock and Soul Museum is fantastic.

 

[strayfella]

Yeah, the Gibson factory, just make sure and ask the tour guy "what makes y'all think your top end guitars is worth more than Fenders". Great troll, they take it pretty seriously over there and you'll get a guy ranting on a tangent. More serious though is the prices in their factory stores. Nuts.

But really, it is a cool tour.

 

[Rob E]

There's that 3-day Blues & Brews Festival held up in Telluride coming up sometime this summer.

 

[MR.K]

I believe Morgan Freeman has a club in Clarksdale Miss. I think there are other local Blues clubs as well.