Mississippi comes to New Bedford

Wepeckett Island Records sponsors a “salon series” of concerts held at the Wamsutta Club the first Saturday of the month. These are in the folk/blues genre and feature performers you may not have heard of but should have. While these are usually evening concerts with table seating and the chance to buy food and drink, the August concert is the exception. It is billed as the Annual Blues and Barbecue Bash and is held outdoors, weather permitting, headlining Sherman Lee Dillon from Mississippi. This month’s Bash had perfect weather, almost Mississippi-like, but with a breeze and the shade of the big oaks. The barbecue came first, and was inside in the air-conditioned Wamsutta bar, featuring all-you-can-eat burgers, chicken wings, salads and watermelon and cookies. We then were invited outside to be serenaded by Sherman Lee backed up by Wepeckett’s own Jack Radcliffe on keyboard (and occasional fiddle) and Don Barry on the bass. Don also ably handled the sound system and sang a couple of songs. One of these was a very touching original song about an elderly couple that surely brought some tears to the eyes of many. Sherman Lee is a perennial Wepeckett favorite. He mixes blues singing with stories about growing up in rural Mississippi, accompanying himself on steel guitar and harmonica, with the occasional banjo thrown in. The bass and keyboard back-up was seamless, and when Sherman Lee needed a breather, Jack filled in with his usual flawless keyboard. Coming up in the rest of 2015 are concerts on Sept 5, Oct 3, Nov 7 and Dec 5. The prices are reasonable, the evening fun and the atmosphere homey. Do yourself a favor and check these out!