See some photos of the festival

Having organised three successful festivals so far, the pressure was on the organisers to consolidate this time. How did they fare? Well, I have to confess that, when I saw the line-up for Friday's opening night, it was almost like reading my own wish-list.

It is a truism that festival slots offer merely a snapshot of performers' capabilities. For the first act, there is the added responsibility of engaging the audience who may have arrived direct from a working week; yet to relax into the weekend mood.

Storm Warning proved more than up to this challenge. No average 12-Bar Blues Joes these, they are a band of consummate musicians offering a diverse fusion of styles and preferences. Under the guidance of frontman Stu 'Son' Maxwell's vocals and harp and Bob 'Mad Dog' Moore's guitar, the band played a considered selection from both their new CD Something Real and their original CD Breaking Out. Without question, they made themselves a few new fans before their night's work was done. Deservedly so.

Connie Lush was a delight. I have seen Connie several times in recent years - indeed we introduced her at Tring Festival for the final gig with her Blues Shouter line-up. She was damned good then. But this was Connie Lush re-energised.

Maybe the change in the band has led to a renaissance because Connie Lush was truly magnificent! She gave an impassioned performance which had the crowd spellbound and she was in absolute control of the whole marquee ambience.

Ian Parker is always guaranteed to give value for money. He has a way of involving his audience like co-conspirators in a secret plan. This is achieved, not by speaking to the crowd but by gesture and facial expression. And it works. By the time Ian and his band have concluded a performance, we are all willing participants. And we were.

Dr Feelgood provided exactly what was needed to finish the first night. A band that always rises to the occasion (despite Steve Walwyn suffering from a cold - not feeling good), the Feelgoods did not disappoint.

Offering lots from their extensive repertoire, they are a very mobile band; certain to entertain. My personal preference is to see a performer who brings his act to me and invites my inclusion in the process; a performer who insists on my engagement. Dr Feelgood ticked every box for me.

So, a rainy Friday night wrapped up with a satisfied and really happy crowd anticipating the following day ... which dawned with brilliant sunshine. How the organisers have managed to make the weather perform this volte-face every year to date is astonishing. Maybe they too have made a deal at the Crossroads...

The Tyler Brown Blues Band from West Wales had the responsibility of opening Saturday afternoon's proceedings and did so remarkably well. I've heard their music in the past but this was the first time I'd seen them perform and I really enjoyed their set. Offering a selection of covers and self-written material, they were convincing and their guitarist Gareth Price has more than a touch of early Clapton about him. Bob Bawden led from the front and the whole ensemble gave us a great start to the day.

At last year's Abertillery Festival, I introduced Blue Traffic to the stage. I'd never met them previously although their name had been mentioned frequently.

Their set of covers then led to a huge and enthusiastic response from the festival-goers and it must be for this reason that they were invited to play again. So, it really was back by popular demand!

Dave Williams on guitar and vocals is an exciting and charismatic performer; the fact that he is so adept with his instrument underpins his flamboyance. But the essence of this band goes way beyond fretboard acrobatics - there is a true talent, respect and feel for the music in all three performers.

Subsequently, I have had people opining that Blue Traffic stole the show. I wouldn't argue with this as I believe them to be special. And the crowd loved them. And, as sometimes happens on special occasions with special people, the band received from the crowd.

This was a seminal moment for Blue Traffic. The band had decided, prior to the event, that they would play mainly covers with just one of their own compositions sneaked in. Because of the enthusiastic response of the audience to their first song, they threw away the setlist and played several of their own songs - and the applause and the enthusiasm did not waver.

The shame is that Blue Traffic have yet to complete recording their debut CD (due in the Autumn). If they'd had it with them at Abertillery, they'd have been urgently ordering another pressing on the following Monday. And I'm sure I wasn't the only Welshman filled with hwyl as the band concluded with their Hendrixesque Welsh National Anthem. Did they steal the show? Well, they certainly became 'Wanted' men for a posse of Blues music aficionados.

Samuel James provided us with an acoustic contrast. The man from Maine almost didn't make it to the festival as he was delayed at Cork airport en route to Abertillery. His music is fluid and authentic and he gave a great performance on acoustic and resonator guitars.

The Hard Travellers comprise many well-known names from the history of UK music. To me, any band featuring Zoot Money is worth seeing. Add to this Colin Allen, Dave Sharpe, Henry McCullough and Gary Fletcher and you know you'll be entertained. And we were!

New Orleans' Jon Cleary and his Absolute Monster Gentlemen gave us a good-humoured Crescent City keyboard funk romp en route to the finale. These guys really put the fun in funky!

And then came headliner Robert Cray. I believe that every Blues music fan should get to see Robert Cray once - they owe that to themselves as he has been a consistent and constant for decades. I have enjoyed many of his tracks over the years and here he played a selection very competently and very smoothly; as one would expect from a performer of this calibre.

Overall, this was another slickly-managed festival offering a wide range of musical styles. The crowds are clearly growing year-on-year yet it, somehow, retains its intimacy and friendliness. The organisers are to be congratulated and supported in their experiment with such a diversity of musicians and we can all anticipate the next Abertillery Blues Festival with excitement.

Blues Show Bob - GTFM 107.9

The Blues Show is available live on the web from 10pm till midnight every Monday at www.gtfm.co.uk and on 107.9FM in the Pontypridd area.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites