If you're a blues aficionado who lives in the Bay area, certainly you are familiar with the Blues Jam every Wednesday night at The Little Fox in Redwood City. And you'd also have probably seen or definitely heard of The Ford Blues Band.

The Ford Blues Band originally was known as The Charles Ford Band, as brothers Robben Ford (guitar, vocals), Patrick Ford (drums) and Mark Ford (harmonica, vocals) honored their musician Father in the title. The outfit has existed since the 1970's but now plays together only sporadically. Originally from the northern California of Ukiah, the brothers shared an early love for the music of the legendary Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

While Robben was not around this evening, I knew that if Pat and Mark were on board with the special guests as advertised, this was going to be one smoking show. I was not disappointed.
And what special guests they were: Garth Webber (guitar) and long-time Ford Blues Band member Andy Just (harmonica). Mark Ford and Andy Just have not always shared their harmonica talents together, this band has often featured only one or the other although at times both.

The first set was the current Ford Blues Band lineup: Patrick, Mark, along with Dewayne Pate (six string bass) and Volker Strifler (guitar). I could best describe that set as swampy Bay area blues. These guys have a precise feel for what they do, they play the blues with a ton of feeling and a ton of musicianship. But the key is, with a LOT of restraint thrown in. They know what they are doing, they know pretty much what each other are going to do. There is never a need for anyone to try and be the star, they play to each other and to the song. They throw in a lot of different tempos, a lot of different blues styles. But it's always restrained, and so, so sweet, varied and listenable.

Having seen The Ford Blues Band in several different configurations, I've always thought that whatever the personnel, Pat Ford's drumming is the centerpiece of this outfit. I'm guessing Pat's in his late 50's, if not his 60's, and his powerhouse hard-hitting style has not diminished at all. He is a dynamo blues engine upon which these other Blues Masters build their soloing around. Musicians know it, as evidenced last night. Webber at one point commented into the mike, "How about Pat Ford on drums? There are not many drummers who know how to play the blues like this guy." I really could not agree more. Pat does not try to take over, he doesn't try to be flashy. He is a powerful driving engine that commands the machine and his varied timekeeping, tailored to many different tempos, is unmatched. I just love listening to him play. Brother Mark said during the show, "How many people know who Pat Ford is?" Unfortunately, not too many.

As good as that first set was, things went up a notch in the second set, as Webber on guitar and Just on harmonica joined the other four to form a six piece blues orchestra that would be hard to match anywhere. Mark Ford and Andy Just did some harmonious wailing on the harp, but never tried to outdo each other and never tried to become the focal point. The song is the focal point in this band. Volker Strifler has been a Ford Blues Band member for many years, I've seen him in the band several times when Robben Ford was playing guitar alongside him. I shouldn't have to tell any blues fan anything more than that about Volker Strifler. He's got serious chops, often with a heavy R&B bent, is a great soloist and not a bad vocalist to boot. Catch a Volker Strifler Band show if you get a chance, you'll be as blown away as I have been.

If you'd like to get a picture of Mark Ford's ability on the blues harp, I point to The Charles Ford Band's "A Reunion Live". Inspired by the show, I put on the nearly seven minute opener, "The Cotton Creeper" this morning. It would be hard to find any hotter harmonica playing anywhere. And Mark really surprised me with his vocals. His voice sounded really smooth and reminded me a lot of brother Robben. Unfortunately, after checking at www.bluerockit.com, I see that "A Reunion Live" is out of print. But you can go to the same website for many Ford Blues Band releases. Let me recommend my personal favorite, "A Tribute To Paul Butterfield." "In Memory of Michael Bloomfield" is another good one.

Garth Webber is somewhat of a legend to Bay area blues fans. His resume includes replacing Robben Ford on a Miles Davis tour in 1989 when Ford had to leave due to a recording contract. As usual, Webber's fiery lead playing garnered ooohs and aaahs all night. But Webber is every bit as hot a rhythm guitarist as he is a lead player. It would be hard to name a genre of music that Webber could not play.........but then again, didn't I just say he added Miles to his resume 25 years ago? Dewayne Pate added a sterling long solo on six string bass. An incredible musician, I was glad that guys gave Pate some room to shine rather than just let him hang in the pocket with Patrick all night.

I'm really glad I had the good sense to make it out to The Little Fox on 12/3. And a lot of great local musicians felt the same, as I noticed Tony Lindsey (Santana), Daniel Castro and Sammy Varela in the crowd, among others. They weren't there to play, they were there to hang and listen, no different than I. And the jam set in between the two Ford sets was even better than usual. For me anyway, it was the Wednesday night of the year at The Little Fox.

[Edited on 12/9/2014 by robslob]