DAY 1 -----
Day
1 of the Chicago Blues Fest was a spectacular kick-off.
The weather window brought balmy breezes off Lake
Michigan, and
as the sounds of legends wafted across Grant Park,
newcomers and veterans alike were irresisistibly drawn
to Chicago, an icon on the Blues map. One of our first
stops, being the 'blues history seeking' music lovers
we are, was the "Centennials Memorial",
with Jim O'Neal, Larry Hoffman, Michael Frank and
Bob Porter.
The topics focused on the lives and andecdotes of
some of the blues partriarch's we've lost recently
-- Henry Townsend, Homesick James, Robert Lockwood
Jr., and many more. As is tradition at STLBlues, we
strive to learn about the bands we haven't heard of.
This year was no exception, as we caught the sounds
of the 'Boogie Woogie Stomp' over at the Louisiana
Bayou Station and Social Club stage.
The evening kept growing in musical momentum, with
the Chicago Jam Station firing up on the 7-11 stage.
A highlight was Ruby Harris and his electric violin
blues - something you must enjoy live to appreciate
what a violin contributes to the Blues. Ending
the evening was Chicago Royalty - the legendary Koko
Taylor. Her signature song 'Wang Dang Doodle' pleased
the Blues lovers on hand, as they witnessed a living
legend practice her craft in a city that absolutely
adores her!
DAY 2 -----
Day 2 featured some of the blues greats, and some
unknowns to STLBlues. Carlos Johnson and the Serious
Blues Band The No Static Blues band featuring Mary
Lynn and Renee Lane, Jimmy 'Duck' Holmes, Johnnie
Mae Dunson, the list goes on and on! Fantastic 75
degree weather and blue skies were made to order for
the setting, as blues fans from everywhere poured
into Grant Park. Blues in the Schools Harpist Billy
Branch, a founder of the Blues in the Schools program,
led a group of Mississippi children who came to Chicago
for a class with him. Other great shows we caught
were The No Static Blues Band featuring Mary, Lynn,
and Renee Lane, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, and
Johnnie Mae Dunson and and Jimi "Prime Time"
Smith (In the 50s and 60s Johnnie Mae Dunson occasionally
wrote songs for Jimmy Reed or drummed in his band,
and today she's still out there leading a band as
a dynamic singer.)
DAY 3 -----
Day 3 continued with great weather and cool blues.
It's great to see the City of Chicago make an event
like this happen year after year. Both Mississippi
and Louisiana were represented by stages showcasing
their talent, with their respective tourism booths
promoting the rich  musical
culture both states are famous for! Multi-instrumentalist,
singer--songwriter, and educator Fruteland Jackson
celebrated his 54th birthday.
Other acts included Elmore James Jr. with Cadillac
Zack, David Dee & Family- known for his song "Going
Fishing," the 'Homemade Jamz' Blues Band - a
family band consists of three siblings out of Tupelo,
Ms., 8, 12, and 15 years old, New Orleans Icon Irma
Thomas & the Professionals, and legendary Magic
Slim and the Teardrops!
DAY 4 -----
Sunday,
Day 4 opened appropriately with some gospel. Melvia
"Chick" Rodgers & Her Gospel Harmonizers
Melvia "Chick" Rodgers was a favorite
on the north-side circuit until a few years ago,
when she left the blues and returned to gospel,
her original inspiration. The 'Harmonizers' were
an absolutely perfect complement to Melvia's talented
vocals.
Other acts were Cephas & Wiggins, who showcased
their Piedmont style of acoustic blues, Mississippi-born
guitarist Zac Harmon, Henry Gray & the Cats
- he recorded as a sideman with Jimmy Reed, Little
Walter, Billy Boy Arnold, and spent 12 years with
Howlin' Wolf, David "Honeyboy" Edwards
- the blues' last living link to Robert Johnson,
Bobby Rush doing a rare solo acoustic set, followed
by his always entertaining big show!
The Chicago Blues Fest remains a jewel in the blues
world, drawing 750,000 fans from all over the world
to the sound of the Blues and the beauty of Grant
Park. Make plans now to attend the 2008 Chicago
Blues Fest, it's truly world-class! |
