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Review: Damon Fowler dazzles at Blues Appetizer concert

Wade Tatangelo
wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com
Damon Fowler playing a gorgeous version of the Dickey Betts-composed Allman Brothers Band instrumental classic "Jessica," part of a searing set of mostly Fowler's smart and melodic roots-rock and Delta blues-style originals. Fowler is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of the Damon Fowler Group that also includes bassist Matt Walker and drummer Justin Headley. The power trio performed in front of a record crowd of 2,500-plus at the fifth annual Bradenton Blues Festival's Blues Appetizer Concert on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. HERALD-TRIBUNE STAFF PHOTO / WADE TATANGELO

On Friday, the fifth annual Bradenton Blues Festival held another free Blues Appetizer Concert on the Riverwalk that found a huge crowd dazzled by a performance from a musician with strong ties to the area. A couple hundred people attended when the annual event debuted. Friday's headliner Damon Fowler, a national blues star, drew an audience estimated at 2,500-plus. 

And Fowler did not disappoint. 

Joined by his top-shelf rhythm section of bassist Matt Walker and drummer Justin Headley; singer, songwriter and guitar great Fowler delivered a searing set of the smart, melodic, Delta blues and roots rock style originals that appear on the three studio albums he made while on famed blues label Blind Pig Records; songs that are probably best represented, though, on Fowler’s latest live album.  

Fowler, who now lives in Lakeland, told the crowd toward the end of his set how much he loves the community and the four years he spent living in Bradenton (actually Bradenton Beach). Fowler mentioned he has been spending most of his time lately playing in co-founding Allman Brother Butch Trucks’ Freight Train Band, and then announced the supergroup now also features Walker. Next, Fowler asked the crowd not to make comparisons to Osprey resident Dickey Betts' playing before performing the guitar legend's classic instrumental composition "Jessica," a song Betts originally recorded with Allman Brothers Band.

I've heard numerous bands play "Jessica" over the years but typically with the keyboard and second guitarist parts heard on the original hit version. I'd never before heard it performed by a power trio. Fowler delivered the major scale guitar licks with skill and aplomb, paying homage to Betts while putting his own stamp on the gorgeous instrumental inspired by a toddler's early steps.   

Fowler's group has opened numerous shows for George Thorogood, one of numerous artists to record Elmore James' good times gem "Shake Your Moneymaker." After leaving the stage for a few minutes, Fowler returned to the stage, took a seat on his stool and made "Shake Your Moneymaker" his own by playing it on lap steel guitar.

Leading the crowd in a call and response sing along, Fowler was all smiles and so were the throng of faces in front of him.  

Sarasota-based Ari and the Alibis opened the show with a relatively short, entertaining set.