The ninth annual Doheny Beach Blues Festival in Dan Point, California, has a three stage format. The two large stages, and "The Back Porch Stage" created the perfect venue to hear Charlie Musselwhite roll out his new CD, "Delta Hardware."

Charlie's early set on the back porch was a pleasant affair, with Charlie performing solo with guitar and harp. If you've never seen Charlie do his solo show, you've missed some surprisingly fine guitar; with Charlie accompanying himself on harp.

Some of the most entertaining moments are the antidotes Charlie sprinkles in between his classic tunes, such as "Lonesome In My Bedroom" and "In Your Darkest Hour." For as many times as I have seen Charlie perform, I never get tired of his story about Furry Lewis and Spanish tuning. It just gets better every time, as does his opening to "Stingeree," a woman who's real name is Helen Bed. Funny stuff.

Nevertheless, Charlie's solo set is not all for laughs. When he's not shucking the crowd, he plays some damn good Blues. My favorite is "My Road Lies In Darkness."

Now, let's follow Charlie over to the Renaissance stage, where he'll get down with his band to some serious Electric Blues. Don't follow to closely; I hear he bites.

"When I see you dancing, I know I must be doing something right," says Charlie, as he peers down on the happy crowd of festival goers dancing in front of the stage. While the rest of us sat on the grass with the Pacific Ocean at our backs, a balmy breeze blowing from the west, Charlie Musselwhite delivered a stunning sixty minutes of Delta Blues, Chicago style.

Charlie's set was a nice mix of old standards, such as "Just a Feelin" and Sonny Boy's "Help Me,' with a few of his own classics, most notably, "Feel It In Your Heart." Premiering on Charlie's "Rough News" CD, this is Brazilian music, in which Charlie recognized the Blues. Charlie is adept at finding the blue thread in all genres of music.

Charlie is also adept at finding great bands to back him up. Charlie's current band features Chris "Kid" Andersen: guitars, Randy Bermudes: bass and June Core: drums and percussion.

Most of Charlie's set featured tunes from his new CD, "Delta Hardware." (see the review in this issue). These tunes were well represented and well received.

Damned good Blues on a beautiful beach on a gorgeous day. It just doesn't get any better.

http://www.charlie-musselwhite.com