But the stars came out for the Phuket All Star Blues Band. The Colin Hill Band, joined by blues shouter Jimmy Fame, were followed by the Rockin’ Angels featuring Latino bassist extraordinaire Andy Gonzalez. Next, Robb Davies & Tony ‘Chainsaw’ Wilson brought their latest version of the Groove Doctors to the party and were joined by George Cordeiro. The spectacular guitar talents of Colin Hill, ‘Singapore Patt’, Robb Davies and George Cordeiro were combined on a raging version of Rockin’ in The Free World. Coming together from every corner of the globe, this all-star congregation made everyone who calls this beautiful island home justly proud.

This reviewer was very fortunate to see Cream in 1967 at the Café Wha? in Greenwich Village. My ears are still ringing from that incredible performance in a club the size of our little local Jammin’ Café. How lucky we were to have Rich Harper and his Cream band Disraeli Gears. Clean, crisp and super tight with music and vocals spot on, this is the closest you’re ever going to get to the real thing – in their heyday. Bravo!

Rock legend Mason Ruffner followed with his unique style of New Orleans syncopated rhythm that got everybody on their feet. Mason’s years of experience performing and touring with the likes of Bob Dylan, Santana and more, was clearly evident as he gave a flawless performance that included the original Runnin – which is so hypnotic that it's virtually impossible to get it out of your head. Not only is Mason a gifted singer-songwriter but he's an amazing electric guitarist to boot!

7-piece Malaysian band AkashA went on to entrance the crowd with their beautiful, extremely unusual world fusion music. The crowd pressed the stage and swayed in time to the melodies. They blended percussion, guitar, sitar and other traditional instruments to playing samba, blues, jazz – you name it. It was impossible to stay still as the rhythms wafted through the night. The audience refused to let them go, but after two encores it was very late.

A great start to a great weekend of music, and not a single drop of rain to spoil the non stop-fun!

Saturday began with Jim Paxton & Stuart Bush who did a great acoustic set of standards and originals.

The Torgny Sandgren Blues Band, or simply ‘The Swedes’, played brilliant, high-energy blues rock – all sung in SWEDISH! These young guys rocked the house and though I don’t know a word they said or the name of a single song – it was excellent!

John Meyer and his Blues Express from Western Australia were next and John plowed right into his brilliant, hot guitar wizardry that we witnessed in 2009 when he was here with KNiKi. Heavily inspired by the late great Jimi Hendrix, the band played a great set of straight ahead, hard-rocking music. Bassist Peter Oates’ vocals complemented John’s guitar perfectly.

The New Machine Plays Pink Floyd was up next and if you're a Floyd fan, we hope you got what you came for. Guitarist and vocalist Mark Emery’s ensemble was nicely filled in with some local lads on drums and keyboards.

Favourites of the 2010 festival, the Norwegian Prodigal Sons opened with their familiar heavy Rolling Stones riffs, and front man Kai once again was outrageously dressed – this time all in green. The relentless rockers got the crowd roaring with them from the start and finished with an extensive rhythm section playing Sympathy for the Devil. No less than ten people were on stage for their finale. Awesome!

During the final break of the night a few moments of seriousness descended on the big crowd as Andy handed over a BIG donation check to members of the Rotary Club of Patong Beach. The money is dedicated to the club’s local children’s education fund.

Curtis Salgado, proved, as expected, to be the perfect headliner for a great festival. He literally 'brought the house down' with his superb showmanship. Opening with the classic Hand Me Down My Walkin’ Cane, he blended songs from his brilliant CD Clean Getaway with home-spun blues, rock, and soul. We thought we heard some pretty good harp last year (and we did!) but Curtis is truly a master of the instrument, infusing his infectious blues with his brilliant licks, constantly trading lines with Rich Harper on guitar and Jimmy Carpenter on sax. His vocals on an old soul ballad evoked memories of the great Otis Redding... He hypnotised the crowd with ten minutes of the unforgettable Cookie Dough. Curtis held the crowd like we've never seen here before. Two encores and we still wanted more, but again – it was very late... but what a night to remember!

And what a great crowd. Both nights were very well attended, but Saturday’s crowd set a new record, not only for size – but pure, unadulterated enthusiasm. They illustrated what a joy it is to get out and hear real live music played by real, live musicians! Rock AND Roll, baby!

Let’s see, just 11 months until next year’s Blues Rock Festival...what to do?

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Go out and see your local bands.