As the autumnal nights draw closer towards winter, the College was delighted to bring some musical cheer by welcoming acclaimed blues performer Michael Roach on Thursday, 20 October for its first ever blues concert in the Hall, organised by Dr Jo Ashbourn, Senior Tutor (Academic Affairs & Programmes).
Michael, originally from Washington, D.C., has conducted numerous workshops throughout the US and Europe over 35 years and has promoted African-American culture through blues music. He is the Director for the annual Blues Week 2000-2022 programme held at a number of UK universities, and he has recorded seven albums.
The audience of over 100 people at St Cross heard Michael perform a programme of songs from throughout the history of blues music with both rousing and toe-tapping numbers that culminated in an impromptu finale with a medley of nursery rhyme blues based on audience suggestions!
The concert video can be viewed here.
The full programme is below:
Got The Blues And I Can't Be Satisfied - Mississippi John Hurt;
Noah - Traditional arrangement by Michael Roach;
What's The Matter Blues - Frank Stokes;
Little Woman, You’re So Sweet - Arrangement by Michael Roach;
Special Rider Blues - Skip James;
I Got The Whiskey - Bo Carter;
Kassie Jones - Traditional arrangement by Michael Roach;
Batman & Bruce Lee Blues - Michael Roach
Little Red Rooster - Howlin' Wolf;
Medley:
Just A Closer Walk With Thee;
Swing Low Sweet Chariot;
You Got To Go Down - Revd. Gary Davis;
Stormy Monday - T Bone Walker;
Minnie The Moocher - Cab Calloway;
I Shall Not Be Moved - Traditional arrangement by Michael Roach;
It Don't Cost Very Much (acapella) - Mahalia Jackson.
