BluesWax Special Edition

Live From The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise!

Somewhere in the Caribbean Sea

Roger Naber and his Legendary Krewe have once again taken to the high seas. Heading out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Saturday aboard the Celebrity Summit, our favorite pirates have been to Dominica and are on their way to Martinique with a record number of virgin cruisers. Believe it or not, one of those virgins is Blues Revue Editor Art Tipaldi, who is on his first Blues Cruise. And here’s Art…

The first twelve hours of the October Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise is in the books and what a special half-day it has been. From the afternoon set by Trampled Under Foot an hour after boarding to Bobby Rush donning a chef’s jacket and hosting the first night barbeque to Ruthie Foster leading the sail-away party to Tommy Castro hosting the first night jam, it has been a time to put sleep aside and party with the music. Some fast facts: of the over 2,000 cruisers, there are over 1,100 virgin cruisers; there are 49 Australians, 158 Canadians, and nearly every country from Europe is represented. And the biggest cheer at the virgin cruiser party was for the manager of the ship’s bar services

Here’s a sampling of comments from Blues Cruise veterans, virgins, ship crew, and assorted others.

Mike Hodson, Southern California

“Love the music, love my fellow cruisers, because we all have a common interest, the music; the casual attire is a benefit. We’ve been on cruises where we have to dress up for meals. The passengers are friendly and it’s real easy to start a conversation. There’s lots to do on the ship, too. I’m looking forward to Tommy Castro and Trampled Under Foot.

I had high expectations for what the cruise was gonna be and it’s exceeded them, and that’s primarily because of the people I’ve met so far in less than a day. The people are all here for the same reasons I’m here, the love of this music. And I’m getting exposed to all this music from artists I’ve never heard of.”

Pam Hodson, Southern California

“My favorite performance so far was James Harman last night. I don’t have a preference, I’m following my husband’s choices because he’s the blues person.”

Jorge, Ship Crew

“Rock and roll! This is my first blues cruise. I wish every cruise was like this!

Johan Van De Broeck, Belgium

“This is so overwhelming. Patrick and I cannot believe our eyes. We had a fantastic day yesterday. We stayed up until well into the morning. I didn’t look at the time I went to bed. My big surprise was Trampled Under Foot. I thought this is the band for the future.”

Michael Cloeren, Pennsylvania Blues Festival

“My feeling after the first 12 hours of my first blues cruise is that I’ve already gotten my money’s worth. The scope of the event, coordinating 4-5 stages that are going on at the same time, with sound checks and getting the musicians to the stage and yet everything runs on time. People say is this trio worth it? I say it’s worth every dime.”

Dom Flemmons, Carolina Chocolate Drops

“It’s an amazing time. Getting on the boat and catching all this incredible music. I’m most looking forward to the island stops, especially Martinique. In Martinique, I want to find out more the quadrille music. Martinique has it’s own version of the Creolized European music. I’ve heard old recordings of that so I am interested in finding some of that to bring into what we do.”

Capt. Panos, Ship’s Captain

“ I love this. Last night was my first night and I heard really good music of Ruthie Foster. Then I had to go and drive the ship. You need me as your designated driver. I grew up liking the Blues Brothers and last night I felt like I was in the movie.”

Eddie Angel, England

“I was up until about 4 a.m. last night jamming with Tommy Castro, Samantha Fish, John Nemeth, and everyone else.”

Laurie, New York

“What have I been missing going to Jazzfest! Who didn’t I like, but Taj Mahal took my breath away. My recommendation to everyone reading this at home, come on the next one.”

Todd, Dallas, Texas

“I’m getting to hear all the blues musicians live that until now, I’ve only heard on the radio. I’ve been wanting to go on this for several years, but they are always booked. I had to really plan this a couple of years ahead of time. Because the January one is booked years out, we booked on this fall cruise.

Kevin, Bonita Springs, Florida

“Get off the couch and get here! It wouldn’t matter if we ever left the port, it’s been so much fun. We were out last night until 2 a.m. I want to check out Matt Anderson.

Jennifer, Bonita Springs, Florida

“ We were out a little too late and it’s time for a bloody mary. The jams are awesome.”

Phyllis, Wheeling, West Virginia

“I am really impressed with the cruise ship itself. And we’re surrounded by blues skies, blue water, and blues music. What more could you ask for. I didn’t know what to expect, but it couldn’t be any better.”

Finally this from an 86-year-old woman who is on her 13th blues cruise:

Renee, New York

“They are all special. The wonderful thing about these cruises is that you have all ethnic groups, all ages, and everyone is here because they love the music. I like all music except the heavy metal. My husband and I were dancers. After he died, my friend took me on here for my 80th birthday. At first I thought I didn’t belong, but I grew into it so that by the time I left, I’d already made the deposit on the next one. Everybody on the boat wants to dance with me. My secret? The music.”

Be sure to cruise on over to our Photo Page for a special edition from the Blues Cruise through the lens of award-winning photographer Joseph A. Rosen.