Music Review: Magnolia Blue

Few things are more fun in life that a free barbecue and free beer. On Saturday I was lucky enough to be invited by my father-in-law to join him at a neighbor’s house for a block party. So in addition to great pulled pork, awesome baked beans and excellent beer from an iced keg, we were treated to a free concert by local Jam Blues Band, Magnolia Blue.

Magnolia Blue is a cover band, and they mostly play classic rock and jam band anthems. Their set list consists of the Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton and Van Morrison. Neil Holcomb plays guitar and provides most of the vocals, and he has a raspier voice to lend a great bluesy feeling to most of the songs. Awesome percussion is provided by Chris Murray, and some of the liveliest keyboards were performed by Dean Shires.

One of the best performers in the band is Chris Givens on vocals and the Saxophone. He has a higher voice than Neil and can really wail on his sax. Magnolia Blue plays at several venues in the Fairfax and Northern Virginia region, and if you get a chance to attend one of their concerts, you should really check them out. But you have to bring your own barbecue and beer.