As part of the Masala world music series, Tom Ware and Blues Nation gave a performance at OU that spoke of the plight of American Indians in Oklahoma while entertaining and touching the ethnically diverse audience.

Tom Ware, Dusty Miller, Terry Tsotigh, Sonny Klinekole and Obie Sullivan rocked and wailed for nearly three hours and then stuck around to sign autographs, CDs and T-shirts. Ware spoke often of how thrilled he was to be back on the OU campus.

Ware said he and the band members are longtime, loyal OU fans, and he pointed to a band member's OU cap as proof that they consider OU home.

The music began loud, fast and furious, and the first half of the show maintained the upbeat tempo with few exceptions.

Occasionally, the band slid into renditions of classic blues songs. Most noteworthy was a song dedicated to the "old guys out there" titled "The Thrill is Gone."

Many of Blues Nation's original works seemed more pensive than their rockabilly renditions, with slower beats and drawn-out chords. "The Empty Tee-pee Blues," though, featured an incredibly fast guitar solo that set the crowd clapping in time to the music.

Ware talked about American-Indian children whose fathers now drown their sorrows in alcohol.

His voice trembled with emotion as he wailed to Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come."

Another song, "Armageddon," began with a thundering drum roll that was soon matched by equally loud and skillful guitar playing. The lyrics deplored the state of humanity and warned of impending disaster for the world.

The highlight, though, came immediately after a brief intermission with a song dedicated to Oklahoma City bombing victims.

Called "Amazing," this song featured powerful, poignant solos from flute, harmonica and guitar to the tune of "Amazing Grace."

Gentle chords accompanied the guitar solo in the background, and the final verse combined flute, guitar and keyboard for a beautiful tribute that brought the audience to its feet.

Blues Nation is pure Oklahoma with a universal appeal to fans of rockabilly blues.

For all who missed Saturday night's performance but enjoy great blues songs, keep your ears open for an upcoming show in Oklahoma City.
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