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Widespread Panic |
Diana Ross |
Gary Clark, Jr. |
Review and photos by Mary Andrews This year’s line up was plagued by artists that dropped out including Bob Seger, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Clift, and, on the second week, John Prine. Most of the "MIAs" were due to illness. Elvin Bishop and Robert Randolph were added to the schedule at the last minute to replace Prine.There was still a plethora of legends and new artists to distract fans from those acts missing and revel in the great entertainment presented. It was a weekend of legendary divas that graced the stage. Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, and Chaka Khan performed on the same weekend. They were all amazing but Ross was the clear winner if there was a contest. Ross emerged from a blue tent on the side of the stage dressed in a bright yellow floor-length dress with a smile as bright as her dress. She immediately started singing her hits that included songs from her Supremes and solo career. There were nine wardrobe changes in total during her set. That is a record for any Jazz Festival performance. Gown colors ranged from bright red, gold sequins, silver, and black. Her makeup was impeccable that made it very hard to believe she is 75-years old. This was a performance that was NOT phoned in. Ross was very engaged and responsive to her fans as she noticed what was going on in the crowd. She was relishing the love thrown her way. The packed field of fans were as much a part of the performance as the musicians, background singers, and Ross. In Billboard magazine's Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Artists chart, Ross is ranked 16th as the lead singer of the Supremes and 26th as a solo artist. She is responsible for more that 100,000,000 album sales. It was little wonder that thousands of devotees were so familiar with songs that were the soundtrack of their lives. Ross announced, "This is my Diamond Jubilee. If I can do it, so can you," as she cheered the crowd on to continue clapping and dancing. Ross did it all and went overtime with her set. Gladys Knight thrilled fans the previous day. Folks not only filled the area in front of the stage, but also the track leading to the stage was impassable on both sides of the Congo Stage. Knight was totally in a space to energetically perform her classic hit songs that included "Midnight Train to Georgia." Chaka Khan played to the absolutely packed and scorching Congo Stage opening her set with "This Is My Night," with its bright horns, and "Do You Love What You Feel" and "Tell Me Something Good," two more Rufus songs. Khan followed them with "What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me?" Her soaring vocal runs predominated the set. There was a medley of Rufus songs, including "Stay" and "Sweet Thang." The were many great moments with highly anticipated sets from Kamasi Washington, Ani DiFranco, Chris Stapleton, Mavis Staples, Buddy Guy, Rita Coolidge, Aaron Neville, Trombone Shorty, Dave Matthews Band, Tom Jones, John Fogerty, Herbie Hancock, and many more. It was the most astounding feast of the widest variety of music for everyone to savor. |
Widespread Panic |
Widespread Panic |
Diana Ross |
Diana Ross |
Diana Ross |
Diana Ross |
Gary Clark, Jr. |
Gary Clark, Jr. |
Ani DiFranco |
Buddy Guy |
Buddy Guy |
Buddy Guy |
Buddy Guy |
Buddy Guy |
Chaka Kahn |
Chaka Kahn |
Chaka Kahn |
Chaka Kahn |
Chris Stapleton |
Cyrl Neville |
Gladys Knight |
Gladys Knight |
Gladys Knight |
Gladys Knight |
Tom Jones |
Tom Jones |
Tom Jones |
Tank and Bangas |
Tank and Bangas |
Yvette Landry |
Samantha Fish |
Samantha Fish |
Samantha Fish |
Samantha Fish |
Shirley Caeser |
Shirley Caeser |
Rita Coolidge |
Rita Coolidge |
Mavis Staples |
Mavis Staples |
Little Freddie King |
Marc Broussard |
Bryan Lee |
Big Sam |
Big Sam |
North Mississsippi Allstars |
North Mississippi Allstars |
Little Feat |
Little Feat |
Little Feat |
Kamasi Washington |
Kamasi Washington |
Judith Owen |
John Boutee |
John Boutee |
CJ Chenier |
CJ Chenier |
Anders Osborne |
Anders Osborne |
Aaron Neville |
Aaron Neville |
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