Rauma Blues 2006
Lockwood, the King of Rauma Blues

The 21st Rauma Blues was held at the brand new ballgame arena named Kukko Areena, charming the guests with its cozy feel. The sounds were perfectly ok and all the necessities functioned in an excellent manner. The music was hearable and seeable throughout the arena all the way back to the vip area. The organizers appreciated the new clean and spacious backstage with dressing rooms and press areas. The crowd of over 2000 enjoyed the atmosphere and the programme line up which satisfied even the most demanding blues freaks.

The musical side of Rauma Blues 2006 presented black music from side to side. Bobby Rush's big-butt-dance-girls-show earned the loudest applause but also the most contradictional opinions. Also Ike Turner's show aroused some conversation, as his skills were highly appreciated but his spouse's, Audrey Madison's, Tina-Turner-look-and-feel-alikeness were not understood. Pepe Ahlqvist, on the other hand, offered a sure set to celebrate his 50th anniversary, and Nick Moss with his skillful band proved that Chicago blues can and will twist and turn to new dimensions in younger hands.

The most amazing performance was given by the 91-year-old Robert Lockwood Jr, who proved to be in the shape of his youth years despite his age. His singing voice had lowered, though, almost to the same level as his speaking voice, but the elastic touch of his guitar playing and the sureness of his jazz-inspired finger patterns knocked the younger challengers out by clean 10-0.