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Kenny Neal and family set the bar ridiculously high for Blues Week on Wednesday night at Buddy Stewart’s Rhythm Museum. Kenny was already sending out his almost subliminal form of the blues when I arrived at 8. Each of the surviving guitarists in the extremely talented Neal family has such a distinctive style. Kenny has a perfect touch, where you feel like his guitar lines almost grew there in how they integrate perfectly with the killer rhythm section of Frederic “Red” Neal on keys and Darnell Neal (who incidentally has the world’s biggest smile) on bass. Lil Ray Neal did not make an appearance, but young Tyree Neal, who plays his guitar upside-down ala Hendrix and possesses a more pyrotechnic, aggressive style of guitar virtuosity than his older relatives, was on for most of the evening as well. Both have a certain way with the blues where they will catch you on one of their incendiary guitar lines, so potent you get lost in it, and then stop on a dime, practically leaving you hanging in mid-air.

One of the many high points of the evening was when Kenny’s daughter, Syreeta, along with the twins, Charlene and Darlene, delivered a devastating take on the late Jackie Neal’s ‘That’s the Way We Roll.” It also included a rap by Jackie’s son, Bro Bro. Her tragic absence was palpable in the air that night, especially when Charlene shouted “There’s Neal in the house tonight – that’s what Jackie would’ve said right now”, but the family showed how one can channel such pain and lamentation into joyous transcendence. And to be sure, the line dancing that came during the intermission was another high point – watching that much booty move in unsion verges on a religious experience. But honestly, the dance floor belonged to Joe Peyton, the 80+ year-old owner of Peyton’s Place on Acadian, and master of sartorial splendor, who continued to out-dance people a third his age for most of the night.

Another treat was a rare Louisiana appearance by blues legend Lazy Lester, who now resides in California, but came back for blues week. His lonesome howl and runaway train harmonica have only gotten more powerful with age. Lester hits you like a hammer, where the vocals seem to erupt out of him, and you’d think he’s part coyote the way he can make that harmonica cut through the night. It was amazing stuff. Talking to Teddy Johnson of Teddy’s Juke Joint that night, he said, “I’m the type that just doesn’t take no for an answer,” and that applies to everyone in attendance that evening. With all the losses the Neal family has endured over the last couple years, they appeared as strong and resolute as ever.

Two more surprise guests took to the stage after midnight when the Neal finished off four hours of blues. The first of which were three soul-gospel numbers by Jeffery “Big” Poole, whose unassuming presence behind the keyboards vanished when he opened his mouth. If you are a fan of American Idol and the like, but want to know how a real singer belts out a song, Big Poole is your man. Also, local soul tigress Nukie Miller tore up her upcoming singles as well, with her sexy distinctive growl. This concert, more than just about any other I’ve attended, demonstrated that the blues is not an anachronism or a museum piece, but a living breathing art form that still has a lot to offer.

Thursday evening I went back to my regularly scheduled programming of indie rock with 2CV and Rainer Maria at the Red Star. This is my second time seeing 2CV live, and I there are definitely starting to gel on their twin-guitar (Lee Barbier and Dave Quinlan) take of the circadian rhythms and gearlock melodies of their songs. All things come full-circle – more and more indie bands are looking back to the classic 4AD cannon for inspiration. The difference here is 2CV’s rhythm section of drummer Creighton Durrant and bassist John Sullivan offer some swing to sway, a groove to augment the chill. They have my full support – until the eyeliner and trenchcoats start to appear, then they’ve taken things too far.

Madison, WI’s Rainer Maria always registered in the nebulous emo category, but now that the guitarist Kyle Fischer keeps his trap shut and sticks to extra-awesome rock star guitar struts and licks to radiate his torment, they have transmogrified into a right catchy female voiced power-pop band. Caithlin De Marrais has just the right mix of sex appeal and vocal force to carry the high teen drama in their lyrics. The songs themselves were not that memorable, since they all seemed to follow a no-fail arc of quiet to loud with big catchy hooks, but that’s OK. A rock show should be about the moment, and this lineup made for a very good night of moments.

THE HAPPENINGS FOR THE WEEK

Thrus May 4: DJ Logic, records spinner of choice for Medeski Martin and Wood will be appearing with our own transcendental organ grinders Righteous Buddha at SoGo.

Fri May 5: Singer-songwriter Ken Gaines appears at the Red Dragon early in the evening. and Happy Cinqo de Mayo, y'all. The margaritas are on you.

Sat May 6: The arty intricacy of Epic intermingles with the raunch-n-roll of the Way High Men to make a great rock baby at Spanish Moon, and Landmines, Baby! has their CD release party at the Darkroom with Torn Apart By Horses, Julie Odell, Subject Optional and Passing Japan in tow. Jodi Hates The World, Secret Annexe, The Rape of Nanjing ock it up at the North Gate Tavern.

Mon May 8: Bru Bruser and his Hi-Life Rescue Dance Band bring their exquistie jazz funk to a free showcase at Chelsea's. Its the smartest music you can still shake your rump to.