Don't know about rock'n'roll, but it looks like the blues is here to stay. If you want to get a witness, ask one the 30,000 punters who packed into numerous venues in Dublin for the weekend's Guinness Blues Festival.
The fun began on Friday with Louisiana bluesman Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges and the legendary Screaming Jay Hawkins, and ended last night with guitarist Robben Ford and Chicago soulman Terry Callier.
In between was the headline concert at the Point Theatre by the Fiery Godmother of Soul, Nina Simone.
The 66-year-old diva didn't disappoint her fans, delivering a commanding set which included jazz standard I Loves You Porgy, and her 1987 smash hit, My Baby Just Cares For Me.
Also onstage was her daughter, Lisa, a formidable talent in her own right.
Yesterday afternoon The Blind Boys of Alabama entertained the brunch bunch with some gospel soul at the Hot Press Hall of Fame, while on Friday night roots rocker Ben Harper attracted a large and devoted crowd to Vicar Street, some of whom travelled from abroad to see this cult artist. With more than 50 acts performing in 30 different venues, this year's festival was the most successful yet, said Ms Lisa Tinley, who, along with Ms Una Johnston, has been organising the annual event since its inception.
It used to be called the Temple Bar Blues Festival, but the celebrations have expanded beyond Dublin's left bank, and spread to such venues as Vicar Street in the Liberties and HQ in Abbey Street. The Guinness Rhythm Route, however, still includes nearly every pub in the Temple Bar area.
One feature of the festival which has been abandoned in recent years is the free outdoor show in College Green, which often attracted up to 15,000 people.
"Dropping the big outdoor show has given us the freedom to do a variety of indoor shows with more big names," said Ms Tinley. "Besides, this kind of music is more suited to intimate venues."
Blues is too narrow a term to describe the range of musical styles on offer, Ms Tinley agreed. "Every act is connected to the blues in some way, but they're also playing soul, rhythm and blues, folk and rock'n'roll. I think audiences are looking for diversity, and blues doesn't cover the scope of what's on offer here. We may have to come up with another name for it soon."
