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BLUES
BLIND
LEMON PLEDGE A
DIFFERENT FLAVOR OF BLUES
By David Pell
 The
Blues genre offers
many styles that are often based on regional sounds. Texas, Chicago,
the Delta, and the Piedmont all have nuances that make them unique.
So, what if these regional styles are blended together? You might
end up with a band like Blind Lemon Pledge, a Wilmington-based blues
outfit that is currently playing around the area.
Like Wilmington demographics in the 21st century, the
members of Blind Lemon Pledge are a potpourri of musical and
cultural influences. This diverse geographical mix makes for a
unique sound. “It gives us a different flavor of the blues than the
local sound,” states Jim Nelson, keyboardist. “This makes us stand
out.”
The band is fronted by Cia Leen on vocals, guitarist
Mark Scott, “Big” Dave Corey on bass, drummer David Toma and Nelson.
“We all bring collective experiences to the band,” explains Corey.
“We work as a team, all egos are parked at the door and we focus on
making great music. Nobody will remember the name of your band if
the music isn’t good.”
Together for only about six months, BLP met at local
blues jams and through introductions by mutual friends. Original
songs are on the horizon, but at the present time they are
concentrating on tightening up their set list. “Most of our blues is
not the typical aggressive SRV clone-like sound,” explains guitarist
Scott. “Although we do a few, you can expect to hear anything from
Freddie, Albert or B.B King, to Glen Miller and Los Straightjackets.
We even throw in a tad of AC/DC, The Knack, and Rick Springfield in
the middle of an old Freddie King instrumental.”
All seasoned musicians, except for their vocalist Cia,
the boys in the band are quick to point out however, that despite
her lack of experience, “She has a great love for the blues.” “This
is my first band,” Cia states. “I come from a theatrical background
and learning to sing the blues verses [by] listening to it has
focused me in a different way. The guys are great at coaching my
vocals, and I learn something at every rehearsal.”
Take a dynamic vocalist, backed by dedicated and
accomplished musicians, playing mixed styles of blues, with a few
other musical genres thrown in, and the result is a blend as
exciting and unique as, well, Blind Lemon Pledge. |
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