There's a Hungarian expression which comes to mind when mentioning the number nineteen: twenty but one. Although this saying usually has a pejorative undertone like "one is as good as the other", this year's festival will prove that improvement and progress are counterparts of an annual festival, even if it’s well beyond the start.
Well, the organizers took a hit after nineteen and contrary to worldwide negative tendencies, they succeeded to come forward with - as with the previous events – a high standard lineup.
As the previous years proved, good music, savoury food and delicious wine attract crowds, regardless of age or sex. The presence of families is a special characteristic of Gastroblues Festivals, several acquaintances, friendships and even loves formed between guests over the nineteen years.
With the help of our sponsors – who are generously provide us, even in this tough economical climate -, this year we can welcome alongside English, Irish and local performers, a Spanish blues musician on the stage of ESZI sports hall. Guitarist Javier Vargas' international recognition can't be proved better than his Blues Latino titled composition was featured on the set list of the emblematic figure of latin rock, Carlos Santana. The appearance of Javier's international band, Vargas Blues Band counts as a guaranteed delicacy.
A couple of years ago blues-rock fans were somewhat disappointed upon hearing the "face" of the band, Alvin Lee's departure from Ten Years After. However, his replacement, the young Joe Gooch instantly became a favourite of the hungarian audience. This time he arrives with his own trio, named Hundred Seventy Split. His bass guitarist is former TYA member, Leo Lyons. In 1969 Lyons appeared in one of the most important milestones in rock history, Woodstock. Another Woodstock vet, Miller Anderson - had been in Paks two times before -, will appear also. Back then Anderson was a member of Keef Hartley Band, then here he played with Spencer Davis Group and later the British Blues Quintet. Now he's in ex-Deep Purple keyboardist, legendary Jon Lord's band, a UK based blues group with members who have played here with the aforementioned British Blues Quintet and Spencer Davis Group.
Early this year the death of Gary Moore shocked blues and rock fans. His younger brother Cliff earlier became a fan favourite in Paks with his music and informal behaviour. This year we can welcome him again with his blues-rock and jazz quartet, Saffron Monkey.
Familiar faces will also be on the stage. Members of Ismerős Arcok (Familiar Faces) have played in Gastroblues Festival as musicians of Udvari Bolondok and $texas.
After a year's break the audience can shout again "Bill's the king Bill's the king!". Speaking of familiar faces, we can cheer for a beloved singer of the sixties, Ray Phillips who'll be here as a guest of Animals + Friends.
There's only two precedent in our festival's history for cancellation of an announced show due to illness. Last year János Varga had to skip it - not on his own accord. However this year Varga János Project will compensate the crowd, leading with singer Jamie Winchester. This set list of performers is of course not complete, it just serves as a preview for the musical events.
Faithful to our traditions, the church concert will be held on Saturday forenoon, then in Sunday, ESZI Park will be crowded with participants of the cooking contest. While the food is being cooked, popular bands will serve the music, like the reformed Kormorán or Tűzkerék xT, beloved by Paks guests.
Naturally the familiar and most popular wine houses won't be missing, amongst them there will be the wine-maker of 2010 Ottó Légli, Ferenc Takler, Zsolt Tiffán and their friends. So everything is ready for a wonderful July weekend in the beginning of the third millenium's second decade. If everything is according to plan, the guests, contributors and the organizers surely won't get a 19th nervous breakdown. Except if they listen to Rolling Stone's 1966 song, 19th Nervous Breakdown, which we forgot a long time ago, although it was a number one hit in England for a couple of weeks.