The 2007 Phuket International Blues Festival produced reviews like this:

PHUKET Blues Festival was a very worth while event!

Arriving in Phuket for the holiday last week, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the blues festival happening at the Hilton resort on Karon Beach .
We caught most of the acts over the two nights and had a wonderful time enjoying great "blues'n'roll" music; electric blues, acoustic blues and great piano blues with British legend Victor Brox - (who my father insists he saw playing with Jimi Hendrix in London forty years ago) - and some borderline rock'n'roll. Victor Brox sounded a bit huskier than in the old days, but he still is very much on top of his game. Daughter Kyla really impressed us with her clean, powerful voice, and indeed I believe she could be Britain 's number one female blues singer, as advertised.  Filipina Mary of the Blues Machine was not far behind, and her show was spectacular for many reasons.

It was all great performances of various styles of blues, and even a ukulele player filled in during a break. I had no idea that the "mini-guitar" could make sounds like that! However, being a guitarist myself, I especially enjoy listening to great guitar players, and in my opinion there were two that stood out: the young Thai player in Bangkok 's Soi Dog blues band and the headliner, California 's Rich Harper.  A bit of annoying feedback in the beginning of his set threw him off a little, but once that was fixed, Harper took off like a storm and delivered some of the greatest playing I have ever heard. Combined with a bit of showmanship such as running and clowning around and at the same time delivering brilliant, clean playing without missing a beat...incredible. With a rock solid backing by bass and drums, he and his band was indeed the highlight of the show for me. We didn't let them off the stage easly, either!

It was a tremendous event on a perfectly suited venue located safely inside the grounds of the Hilton resort with plenty of security. The stage was expertly lit and the sound mostly perfect; food and drink were plentiful and nothing was missing from making it a perfect weekend of music that is right up my alley.

We also went to Saxophone bar in Patong for the Sunday night jam session and got more of the same great stuff. For the incredibly low price of 800 baht we were entertained beyond expectations for three nights. Last month I saw Eric Clapton in Bangkok for 6,000 baht, and the value was reverse in my opinion. No offence to Mr. Clapton, however. He of course still is one of the greatest.

I understand this was the second annual Phuket blues festival, and we will be back for the third, the fourth, and for every one you stage that delivers this quality entertainment. Pat yourselves on the back for a job very well done, Phuket!

The venue has plenty of room for the festival to grow, and we will help spread the word to make this a music feast for thousands in the future

Eric Li, Hong Kong
ericlihki@hotmail.com