Kathmandu:

The blues is the foundation, and it’s got to carry the top. The other part of the scene, the rock and roll and the jazz, are the walls of the blues.” — Luther Allison

‘Good bye’ is the hardest word to say and that was proved on September 10 when the five-day long event of ‘Himalayan Blues Festival 2007’ came to an end. The last day of the festival was held at the Nuchhe’s Organic Kitchen, Baluwatar. The venue choice for the finale was just perfect due its décor. The thatched hut, the green lawn and the fresh surrounding made it look like a small farm situated in the concrete jungle. Further the perfect mood for the blues music was set by the people and the place. Unlike the previous nights, the audience this time consisted of families, who had come to enjoy the music.

The first gig was presented by the Finnish band Black River Bluesman and the Croaking Lizard. There were youngsters seated at the back loosing themselves in the trance of the music being played. Couples were enjoying the music relishing the delicious food and children were running here and there stopping at times in front of the musicians amused to see them play such lively music. The second performance was supposed to be by JL Stiles and Pax Armada. However, Looza took on the stage since the band had not arrived at the venue on time. With Pooja Shrestha on vocals, the band was successful to keep the evening alive. At last Pax Armada entertained the audience with their Ragtime act and fabulous music. The last day of the festival came to an end earlier than the previous nights. “ It was a very good show, musicians were happy, audience were happy and the sponsors were happy, all in all it was a successful event,” said Shamik Kharel, organiser of the festival.

“We brought international Blues artistes and bands so were pretty confident it would work

for us. I am very much thankful to everyone involved in this event, sponsors, sound system providers, musicians and audience. This festival was listed among the international blues festival and was well received by all, we have set a benchmark and we will work even harder for blues festival next year and hope it will be even better and bigger,” added Kharel.

May be its not the time to bid goodbye, they are just taking a break. As the organisers promise to be back next year with other artistes for the second ‘Himalayan Blues Festival’, till then lets cherish the musical memories of the festival. The festival was organised by Rockmandu.com in association with Blues room, a blues music society in Nepal.