Raspy vocals, smooth notes

Three years ago, in this very space, I had raved about a blueswoman called Ana Popovic. A guitarist and singer, Popovic, 35, began playing the blues in Belgrade as a teenager but is now creating waves in the world of blues in the US and elsewhere in the world. And, last weekend, at the second edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival, Popovic was among the international blues greats who played in Mumbai. Those of you blues-lovers who were lucky enough to have heard her will probably agree with me when I say that she’s a blues artist who is worth tracking. Sadly, I missed the second day of the blues fest when she played, although I caught the first day’s gigs, which included one by the venerable Taj Mahal, now 69, and another by the flamboyant John Lee Hooker Jr., son of the late great John Lee Hooker.

I regret missing the gigs by Popovic and Buddy Guy (who also had the superb steel guitarist Robert Randolph as a guest on his set). And I also missed the Indian band, Soulmate, whose singer, Tipriti Kharbangar, is among the most powerful blues singers that I’ve heard. Of course, I’m sure I can catch Soulmate live soon as they play many gigs across Indian cities. I’d seen Guy the last time he played in India but Randolph I’d have loved to watch—his deliriously speedy riffs on the pedal steel guitar are out of this world. I have a couple of albums by his band, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, including the excellent Live at the Wetlands from 2002 and would strongly recommend his funky, soul infused music. Randolph’s improvisational style has made him a fixture on jam band festivals and won for the former House of God Church guitarist a big following even among fans who’re not really into the blues.

Taj Mahal aka Henry Saint Clair Fredericks delved into original compositions to keep the crowd in thrall

As I said, I didn’t miss the first day of the blues festival and caught both, Taj Mahal and John Lee Hooker Jr. The latter does reach into his late father’s repertoire (who doesn’t?) but that doesn’t mean he tries to clone the famous bluesman’s gritty and rough Delta blues style. Instead, the junior Lee Hooker (he’s 60, by the way, although he looks way younger) adds a modern twist to his blues, with a smoother, urban sound. Along with that there was his practiced stage-presence, including frequent interactions with the audience and lyrics that were peppered with local references—which made him a hit with the crowd. Lee Hooker Jr. began his career as a teenager playing with his father but also got nearly derailed for a couple of decades when drugs and alcohol took over his life. He managed to kick all that and establish himself as a musician, releasing at least albums that got nominated for the Grammys in recent years.

Ana Popovic’s “long and rich career” is unfolding right in front of us

Taj Mahal (real name: Henry Saint Clair Fredericks), of course, was the better known bluesman with his characteristic thumb and middle-finger picking, vocals that can growl and rasp as well as be smooth and polished, and his Caribbean and African music influenced brand of blues. He delved into his huge catalogue of original compositions as well as blues standards to keep the crowd in thrall.

Blues isn’t a very popular genre among music lovers in India but going by the enthusiastic turnout at the second edition of the event in Mumbai, I certainly think the Mahindra Blues Festival is a great step towards popularising the blues in India (honest disclosure: I bought tickets online to go watch the festival!). Of course, the city also makes a big difference. After all, not all Indian cities—and you know the ones I’m referring to–are as conducive to hosting an event such as a blues festival as Mumbai is.

The missing of gigs by Popovic, Guy and Randolph was a void I tried to fill with some retail therapy. I picked up two Ana Popovic albums—2011’s studio album, Unconditional, and 2010’s An evening at Trasimeno Lake. Both are great. In 2008, when I first heard her play, I’d written that I thought Popovic “has a long and rich career ahead of her”. I think we’re now seeing that career unfold.