Blazers Get Going With a Bit of Ignition

Maybe they got caught up in the relaxing blanket-and-lawn-chair atmosphere of the art museum’s garden. Or, just back from a European tour, perhaps they were suffering jet lag. But whatever the reason, the Blazers--a normally raucous quartet from East Los Angeles--were musically tardy to their own bash.

Their start of their set at the Long Beach Museum of Art on Wednesday night was tepid and sluggish and further marred by muddled vocals. Boosts of energy and enthusiasm were sorely needed.

Chris Gaffney to the rescue! The pride of Orange County roots rock, who had opened the show, strapped his accordion back on and sauntered to the stage to join the Blazers in the Mexican folk song “Tiburon, Tiburon.”

The next thing anyone knew, soaring four-part harmonizing, guitarist Manuel Gonzales’ fleet-fingered soloing and Gaffney’s spicy accents had shaken the band out of its slumber. And for the set’s remaining hour or so, the Blazers indeed were on fire.

Their appetizing mix of rock, rockabilly, blues and traditional cumbias and nortenos was served up with grace and panache. Particularly impressive was a stretch of hard-driving rockers that began with diminutive singer-guitarist Ruben Guaderrama’s rendition of the zesty, melodic “Mi Ultima Parranda.”

Stinging yet economical guitar solos stole the spotlight during the careening “Dance the Night Away” and “Before I Get Too Old,” a Who-like number sung by bassist Lee Stuart with youthful zeal.

These upbeat tunes certainly inspired the dancers among the overflow crowd of about 500. But several slower-paced ballads, sung in Spanish and English, left a deeper impression. The Spanish-language selections were especially warm and moving, played with confidence and pride. The delightful “Cumbia del Sol” featured a sweet, Santana-like vibe and flavor.

The band ended the 90-minute set with both barrels smoking. A contemporized and souped-up version of Canned Heat’s “Going Up the Country” led into the sing-along silliness of “Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo,” the Jesse Hill R&B; nugget that wrapped things up a wonderfully carefree note. “El Ano Viejo,” the explosive encore, showcased Gonzales and Guaderrama’s tandem vocal and guitar licks.

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Chris Gaffney is one of life’s great mysteries, a hard-working and exceptionally skilled musician who should be headlining arenas instead of toiling in the juke joints he sings about in “Six Nights a Week,” the song with which he opened the concert.

The Costa Mesa resident writes some of the most finely detailed narratives this side of Johnny Cash, and during his hourlong set with his band, the Cold Hard Facts, he wove far-reaching tales about everything from wars overseas to emotional demons.

His blend of rock, country, blues and R&B; was seasoned yet fresh and adventurous. Steel guitarist Doug Livingston and veteran lead guitarist Danny Ott were outstanding.

The only disappointment was that former Blaster guitarist Dave Alvin, who has co-written several songs with Gaffney and who was a smiling observer in the crowd, could not be coaxed into joining the festivities onstage.