John Hammond

What a perfect day for an outdoor acoustic blues session - hot sun, cool blues, and a laid back approach to traditionally stark presentation styles made the so-called Acoustic American Stage one of the highlights of the Guinness Blues Festival.

Henry Butler's New Orleans piano riffs made way for Eric Bibb's engaging take on country/gospel blues, and he in turn was followed by

John Hammond, very much the headline act in stature if not in nature.

Hammond's style was low key, his playing a skeletal, very personal approximation of 1920s/'30s folk-blues. Ironically, it was the most full-bodied performance of the afternoon. Hammond imbued his songs of utter loneliness and desperation with a conviction that was impossible to ignore and a delight to listen to.

A line from a song skipped out: "Blues grabbed me at midnight, didn't turn me loose 'til day . . ." Everyone seemed to empathise, despite the relaxed atmosphere and the great weather. Definitely one of those you-should-have-been-there moments. Here's to next year, then?