The 2008 edition of the Houston International Festival started on Saturday, April 19th with headliner Buddy Guy, and other intriguing acts like "The Great Lady of Soul" Bettye Lavette, Houston's own D.R.U.M., and Austinites/Prince collaborators Grupo Fantasma.

Read more about the first day of iFest after the jump

We were not at the festival until the middle of the day, so unfortunately we didn't get the chance to check out Grupo Fantasma, or several other smaller (mostly from Louisiana) bluegrass, blues and zydeco acts. We did make it in time to see local bluesman/elf Little Joe Washington on the Chron.com Houston Stage. His sound is very similar to many of your old-time bluesmen like Muddy Waters or the evening's headliner Buddy Guy. His difference from them is that he does not use a pick to play his guitar, he only uses his thumb to pick and strum. I have been wanting to check Washington and his band out since first hearing about him last year, but I have never had the opportunity. It was a great way to start our evening that was already planned to be full of great rhythm and blues.

Little Joe Washington

After leaving my father (Rooster) at the Little Joe Washington show, we wandered around the festival shopping and taking in the sights. One thing I love about the Houston International Festival is how it encourages diversity by spotlighting different countries and global areas each year. This year's theme was "Out of Africa" which highlights the African continent, and its influences on many other nations. The festival includes numerous different booths and vendors peddling their wares and teaching the festival-goers more about their native lands. The main center-point of the festival is the WaMu Center Stage. It features many different cultural dances, music, and activities, and is surrounded by varied cuisine from around the world.

After a nice walk around the festival grounds, including a brief interlude with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, we made it over to the World Music Stage just in time for the start of Bettye LaVette's set. Lately, there has been a resurgence of popularity amongst female soul singers in the music market. Amy Winehouse helped introduce the sound to this generation, while other soul-sters, like Sharon Jones and LaVette, have been making huge strides to help bring back those funky sounds of the 60's and 70's. LaVette showed why she is at the forefront of this movement. Singing originals and covers, her voice was as strong as can be. Her backing band laid down a solid foundation, while LaVette took the time to wow the older, mostly seated crowd.

Carolina Chocolate Drops

Bettye LaVette

Up next were local world music favorites D.R.U.M. I was looking forward to this set as we missed their performance earlier on the World Music Stage. I've been told by Cereal several times that I need to check out D.R.U.M. whenever they were playing. After several failed attempts, I finally had the opportunity at iFest. Their brand of reggae-infused afro-beat is unlike any other Houston band around. They do not perform that often, so it is somewhat of an event when they do. I was more than happy to sit front row and enjoy the spirited performance by these musicians. It was also good to see Frank Zwebeck in another Houston project. He is always so passionate about his playing, whether it be the guitar in D.R.U.M and Zwee, or the bass in skyblue72. After a short set from D.R.U.M., it left me wanting more. I am more than thankful that they will be performing May 10th at Last Concert Cafe with Zwee.

D.R.U.M.

I first saw Buddy Guy in 2005 with Toast at Austin City Limits. This guy knows how to perform. Over the years he has perfected his craft. Not only is he an amazing blues-guitar player, but he is also a ladies man, a storyteller, a joke maker, and an overall showman. He is one of the main influences for Eric Clapton which was apparent in the crowd that showed up to watch him perform. I like to call them Claptonites; they are generally between the ages of 45 and 60, they are white, male, and like to drink beer and scotch. They are also self-anointed blues music aficionados. There is nothing wrong with this group of individuals, but be prepared to see them at shows featuring Clapton collaborators like Steve Winwood or Buddy Guy. I digress. Buddy Guy performed through many of his hits and several blues standards like Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man". The best part of the night for me was getting to bring my father (who also happens to fall into that Claptonite category) into the press pit with me to take some pictures. I could tell it was a pretty big highlight for him as well!

Buddy Guy

We left the photo pit after about 45 minutes of the set. After a few more songs Buddy Guy decided to take his wireless guitar into the crowd to let everybody get up-close-and-personal. Some of my favorite moments at concerts have come from bands or musicians doing this (Ozomatli comes to mind!). Guy took his time traversing the large crowd that still remained towards the end of the day's events. He even at one point stopped and let a young girl, who seemed thrilled to be in his presence, play his guitar.

The show ended with instrumental versions of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile" and Cream's "Sunshine Of Your Love". It was the perfect way to end a great day at the Houston International Festival. The "Out of Africa" theme stayed true with what we experienced all day. From the World flair of D.R.U.M., soul sounds of Bettye LaVette, or Buddy Guy's straight blues attack, African music was well represented on the first of this four day festival.

We were there on Sunday as well, which featured great performances by the Wailers among several others, but more on that later. The festival picks back up again next weekend with performances from The Neville Brothers, Taj Mahal, Habib Koite, Shemekia Copeland, Soul Rebels Brass Band and Plump, among many more.

Check out a great video that Rooster took from the Buddy Guy show:

Eat Your Damn Breakfast!

-Eggs