LONG BEACH BLUES FESTIVAL
1987

As I first mentioned, this was the first year they allowed the audience to take photos. Of course, at that time I couldn't think of putting these pictures on the web in the future, nor could I think that these photos would be made widely public. So just an amateur level of photos, but nevertheless, it's pretty interesting to look back and see shots like these from years back.

The highlights of this year probably would go to Snooks Eaglin who debuted in the West Coast area with this set, and wonderful acoustic blues by John Cephas & Harmonica Phil Wiggins.

Snooks originally was announced to appear with New Orleans' versatile piano player Henry Butler, but that didn't come true for some reasons. Anyway, he did put on a powerful show. I had had very little knowledge about Snooks at that time, but he totally blew me away! He just sat there quitely while playing the instrument, but those licks he played were something else! It was a moment to remember.

Jeannie & Jimmy Cheatham and the Sweet Baby Blues Band put a a good set. I like their Kansas City swing type of blues. Though they have many releases from Concord Jazz label, their music is really more towards blues than most of the swing jazz artists. That's what makes them unique, but probably some of the hard core blues fans haven't tried hearing them thinking they are a jazz band. I would like to encourage every blues fan to listen to them. They have covered songs of Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed to Big Bill Broonzy and Percy Mayfield, and featured guest stars Eddie Cleanhead Vinson and Gatemouth Brown on their albums.