SO BLOGGING’S BEEN KIND OF LIGHT because last night I went up to Cincinnati to see my brother. His band opened for Jason Ricci and New Blood, at a benefit concert in Cold Spring. We had a good time, and 46 Long (named for their jacket sizes; both my brother and Blake are big guys — and, actually, that’s my size, too) did their usual great job. I’d never seen Jason Ricci, though, and his reputation as the Stevie Ray Vaughan of the blues harp is entirely justified. He was terrific, and not just in a way that impressed the harmonica geeks (“Whoa — he’s overblowing in third position! Awesome!”) but in a way that was like a force of nature. I remember the first time I saw Stevie Ray live, and it was a similar feeling. You can hear some tunes here. It was also kind of cool when a gaggle of biker chicks formed a spontaneous chorus on “Take a Walk on the Wild Side.”

Jason’s also a really nice guy; he even stepped in to run sound for my brother, which was awfully nice for the frontman of the headline act. I’d have been tireder than him, as I hear he’s doing 300 gigs a year. But you can tell he’s a true professional — the van had excellent tires. As Webb Wilder says, “Take care of the van and the van will take care of you.” There’s always an Econoline rolling to a gig somewhere . . . .

Ricci’s also got a hell of a stompbox rig for a harp player. (See below).

There’s actually a huge ferment of new techniques and equipment among blues harmonica players, mostly started by Ricci. My brother’s harpist, Blake Taylor, is also part of this movement. It’s kind of cool to see after years of things staying pretty much the same. And I think it says good things about America that an openly gay white guy with pink hair can be a blues god.

Anyway, if you get a chance, check out Ricci’s act. With 300 shows a year, there’s a good chance he’ll be in your neighborhood sooner or later. Or both!