Get Down on the Bayou

On Thursday, August 13, two blues legends came to Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach.

James Cotton's Superharp Band started the night. I didn't know that Cotton underwent throat surgery in 1994 making it difficult to understand him when he spoke between songs, but vocals aren't what make Cotton a living blues legend. He sat on a chair center stage through the hour-plus set blowing the entire crowd away with his harp playing. Anytime he wasn't playing, Cotton had a huge smile on his face and seemed as if he were checking out the crowd, making sure we were all having a good time.

Dr. John from New Orleans took the stage next. Something about an older man decked out in a bright purple suit, sunglasses, alligator tooth necklace, and pimp hat gets you hyped for what's about to come. Between the colors he was wearing and the colors from the stage lights I'm guessing half the crowd thought they were having a flashback. There was a black grand piano center stage with a voodoo skull placed on top, which completed the Bayou vibe. John's set was fly and funky -- a perfect combination for any music fan.