Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage photos
“I’ve got plenty of time to sleep when I die.” — Dennis Jones
Between songs during a rousing Bluesdays show, the bandleader put things in perspective.
“This is not just about the Dennis Jones Band,” he said. “It’s about live music. There’s more to life than sitting behind a computer and talking on a cellphone. Life is going by. Get out there and mingle.”
And so the audience mingled, danced and savored a masterful performance. Jones is a bluesman who clearly is influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Robin Trower. Veins on his arms bulged as he bent strings on his Stratocaster with his fingers and barred them with his thumb.
It was the third appearance in The Village at Squaw Valley in four years for the Los Angeles-based trio. Jones was accompanied by his longtime drummer Raymond Johnson and bassist Corney Mims.
The set included a heavy dose of “We3,” a recent live album. Highlights included Jones’ originals “When I Die,” “Big Black Cat,” “Enjoy The Ride,” “Blue Over You,” “Passion For The Blues.” The band also played “Born Under a Bad Sign,” written for Albert King by William Bell and Lake Tahoe resident Booker T. Jones when they were with Stax Records in Memphis.
Next Tuesday, the Honey Island Swamp Band will play Bluesdays. The summer finale will be Popa Chubby on Sept. 3.
— Tim Parsons
Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
