Lydia's List: with Band Descriptions
Our very own Lydia Breen, curator of the Chicago Live Blues Appreciaton club has exhaustively researched the bands performing at the Bluest Festival and is providing her recommendations below. These listings are where members of CUBE will be convening and enjoying the tunes.
Thursday
11:30-1:00US Cellular Front Porch:
Blues in the Schools: Erwin Helfer, Katherine Davis, and Eric Noden with the Stone Academy All Stars
Should be cute because of the kids, not sure how far along the kids will be in their blues. However, Erwin Helfer is a great old blues pianist who was the teacher of Yoko Noge, a long-time favorite blues musican of swing and blues dancers in Chicago. Eric Noden is a great acoustic guitar player with a raspy authentic-sounding voice, and Katherine Davis is a blues singer who we've heard in several bands in the past - she used to sing with Misissippi Heat, our Friday night band.
1:30-2:30US Cellular Front Porch:
Aaron Moore
This guy sounds great. A classic Chicago piano blues sound, should be very danceable if he sounds like he does on his CDs.
2:30-3:00 (actually starts at 2:00)Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club:
Bob Hall
An acclaimed British boogie woogie pianist.
* This stage will be having boogie woogie piano all afternoon, so if you want something different, you could see John Primer at 2:30 instead, at the Miss. Juke Joint Stage. John Primer is a staple of the Chicago blues scene, a well-esteemed guitarist. Good, not amazing. Definitely danceable.
3:30-4:30Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club:
Boogie Woogie Stomp: Renauld Patigny
Another boogie-woogie blues/jazz pianist.
4:30-5:0 (actually starts at 4:00 and ends at 5:30)Gibson Guitar Crossroads:
Hoochie Coochie Boys: Muddy’s side men featuring George Mojo Buford, John Primer, Rick Kreher, Ray Killer Allison, Calvin Fuzz Jones, Barrelhouse Chuck, and introducing Larry Williams, a son of Muddy Waters.
Again, if we get tired of so much boogie woogie, the Hoochie Coochie Boys are another option this afternoon. They could be good or just ok. Depending on our mood, we may see them for longer than half an hour. Or we may stay at the Louisiana stage for most of the time if we like it better there.
These are musicians who were in the final version of Muddy Waters' band plus Larry Williams, Muddy's oldest son. They call him Muddy Jr., and we saw him play recently - he was ok, not amazing, but does look like his father. The harp player, George Mojo Buford is apparently a legend, but I haven't heard him. Ray Killer Allison played later with Buddy Guy. Barrelhouse Chuck is a blues piano player who we've danced to before. John Primer is described above, and Rick Kreher is supposed to be a great guitar player. Calvin Fuzz Jones is desribed here:
"Jones has been a long time collaborator with drummer Willie Smith. The two spent nearly two decades with Muddy Waters' band, a legacy they continued in The Legendary Blues Band. Jones' rhythm, and Smith's traditional "shuffle" style helped shape "the Chicago Blues sound" as it is known today." (from Severn Records website)
5:00-6:00 (we may not see much of this, if we are standing in line for the Petrillo hand-stamp)Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club:
Boogie Woogie Stomp Part 2: Carl Sonny Leyland and Lila Ammons
Sonny Leyland is a British pianist and an authority on the history of blues and boogie woogie piano. Lila Ammons is the granddaughter of Albert Ammons, a famous boogie woogie guy. She is a singer, started out classical, then became jazz singer.
****Don’t Forget!!! The sound is much better inside the fence at the main stage, and that’s where we’ll all be dancing tonight. There’s a large space in the back near the fence, where they let us dance. But you need to get your hand stamped well in advance of the start time. Otherwise, they may fill up and you will no longer be able to get in. Once you get your hand stamped, you can come and go as you please. And it costs nothing!****
Petrillo Music Shell (the main stage) (See above note! Line-up to get your hand stamped by 5:30 because Koko Taylor may draw a larger crowd than usual for Thursday!!!)6:00-7:10
Willie Clayton
Willie Clayton plays more soul than blues. Not our favorite for dancing. I would actually recommend going to the Mississippi Juke Joint stage for the Jam Session with Dave Spector, Aron Burton, and Kenny Smith, all musicians we've danced to and liked - but only after you've gotten your hand stamped! And come back by 7:20, because the next show will be great! (Now would also be a great time to grab some food.)
7:20-8:20Jimmy Dawkins
This guy sounds great, should be very danceable.
8:30-9:30Koko Taylor and the Blues Machine
The "Queen of the Blues", Koko is truly a legend in Chicago blues. She’s kinda old now, but she still has that unmistakeable voice. She will be amazing.
Friday
11:00-12:00US Cellular Front Porch:
Blues in the Schools: Billy Branch and the children of Delta Blues Museum
Should be cute because of the kids. Billy Branch is a well-known Chicago harp player and singer. See below (Petrillo Music Shell, Main Stage) for more info on him.
12:00-1:00State of Missippi Juke Joint:
Jimmy Duck Holmes
We’ve never heard him before, but listen to these song clips. Great voice, sounds danceable. Amplified acoustic guitar, nice authentic sound, delta or "country" blues. His Dad owned one of the first Mississippi juke joints, the Blue Front Café, and Duck still runs it. "Duck is one of the roughest, rawest country blues men left in the game" (says Broke and Hungry Records).
1:30-2:30State of Missippi Juke Joint:
Terry "T" Williams and Wesley Jefferson
Two Clarksdale, Mississippi legends. "Real-deal juke blues masters" (per Broke and Hungry Records). Listen to the song clips and I think you'll agree! T Williams is the vocalist and guitarist, Wesley Jefferson is the bass guitarist. A very rich, emotional vocal quality. Should be some great blues dancing to these guys.
2:30-3:00 (actually ends at 3:30, but we're leaving to see another show)U.S. Cellular Front Porch:
Vernon and Joe Harrington with special guest James Kinds
We don’t know anything about the Harringtons. James Kinds sounds pretty good on his myspace page, but he’s backed by a different band. This guy used to play in Chicago, was born in Mississippi but now lives in Iowa. His voice has kind of a wailing quality to it. We may not have time before the 3:00 show at Louisiana, but let’s see, maybe they’ll be good enough to stay until 3:30.
3:00-4:00State of Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club:
Ariyo
Japanese piano blues player, plays with Billy Branch and the Son’s of the Blues (see mainstage below). Plays often at Rosas, a local blues bar we dance at, with the James Wheeler blues jam and other bands. Likely danceable, but it doesn’t say who else is playing with him.
4:00-5:30 (We need to start thinking about lining up for the Petrillo hand-stamp during this!)U.S. Cellular Front Porch:
Lurrie Bell Blues Band
Son of the late famous Carey Bell, Lurrie is a well-known blues guitarist and singer. His music is usually all danceable. Lurrie also plays during the Buddy Guys blues brunch tomorrow morning.
Petrillo Music Shell (the main stage) (likely need to line-up by 5:00 or 5:30)6:00-7:05
Johnnie Mae Dunson and son Jimmie "Prime Time" Smith
This lady is very old, but still belts out the blues! She's this little old lady who comes out in a wheelchair wearing a huge sun-hat and crazy southern-belle clothing, but then she opens her mouth and wow! She's got a lot of spunk! Described as "the symbol of the grit and tenacity of Maxwell Street". She comes from the Maxwell Street legacy and was an integral part in the demonstrations for the preservation of what remains of the old market area in Chicago where many old blues musicians played. Her son, Jimi, is a blues guitar player, taught by Jimmy Reed.
7:15-9:30Billy Branch's Sons of the Blues 30th Anniversary Reunion
Billy Branch is one of our favorites for dancing. He is a very versatile blues harp player. This show will include many guests of local blues musicians who have played with the Sons of the Blues in the past. It should be great.
Saturday
11:00 AMBuffet breakfast at Buddy Guy's Legends:
Lurrie Bell
Lurrie Bell will be playing. No cover. Cost for breakfast was $15 last year, should be the same this year.
11:30-12:00 (actually goes until 1:00, but we shouldn’t miss the 12 pm show at Gibson)U.S. Cellular Front Porch:
Fruteland Jackson's Birthday Party
Fruteland might possibly be the strongest vocalist you'll hear all weekend. He is a local blues acoustic guitar player, harp player, and singer, who is heavily involved in teaching blues, both at the college and grade-school level. Fruteland told us that this set will include classical musicians playing alongside him - a viola, a grand piano, and I forget what else he said. It will sound most like his most recent CD. Expect him to talk a lot, and some songs won't be danceable, but he's still really really good.
12:00-1:15Gibson Guitar Crossroads:
Elmore James Jr. with Cadillac Zack
The son of a major figure in blues history, Elmore James. He actually sounds kind of like him, vocally. We don't know much about Cadillac Zack or his connection to Elmore. He's a guitarist from L.A.
1:30-2:30State of Missippi Juke Joint:
Homemade Jamz Blues Band
This is literally a "homemade" band - made up of 3 siblings, ages 8, 12, and 15! They won second place in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis this year. The youngest girl plays drums, the middle boy plays bass, and the oldest boy plays guitar and sings.
2:30-4:00State of Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club:
Drink Small
With a name like that, we have to check him out, if only for a few minutes. Known for "the deepest voice in the blues", plays slide guitar, from South Carolina. Sounds like he talks a lot, tells stories to go with his songs. I'm not entirely sure he can sing, but it sounds like he plays well.
3:00-3:30Food break!
(Or Alvin Youngblood Hart at Miss. Juke Joint for listening, not dancing)
3:30-5:30 (please note - we'll probably need to line-up for hand-stamp at the Petrillo at 4:00!)
U.S. Cellular Front Porch:
Chicago Harmonica Project Part II featuring Little Arthur Duncan, Charlie Love, Big D, Jeffery Taylor, Mervyn "Harmonica Hinds", Reginald Cooper supported by Rick Kreher, E. G. McDaniel, Mark Brumbach, Twist Turner, and Illinois Slim
Rick Kreher, Mark Brumbach, and Twist Turner are called the "Chicago Bluesmasters". They have a CD from 2004 in which they brought together several old blues harp legends and recorded them. It sounds like they're doing it again. Rick Kreher is a great blues guitarist who played with Muddy Waters; we just recently heard him backing Little Arthur Duncan at Buddy Guy's Legends. Mark Brumbach plays piano, and Twist Turner plays drums.
Little Arthur Duncan is truly a blues legend, with so much spunk for 73! Great passionate harp playing and singing. Not to be missed.
Petrillo Music Shell (the main stage) (line-up for hand-stamp by 4:00 or so)5:00-6:00
Nellie Tiger Travis
May not be that great for dancing, more soul-blues than straight blues. We should go back to see the end of the Harmonica Project at U.S. Cellular, and then grab some food before the 6:10 show.
6:10-7:05Big Jay McNeely with Jesse Scinto
Both sax players, these guys make a crazy wonderful sound together. Most of it is danceable.
7:15-8:20Irma Thomas and the Professionals
They call her "The Soul Queen of New Orleans", but I wouldn't classify her as only soul. She's highly talented and has a long history of really not to be missed. This year she won "Female Soul Blues Artist of the Year" at the Blues Awards, and her CD was named "Soul Blues Album of the Year". The album also won a grammy for "Best Contemporary Blues Album". I think a lot of her stuff will be danceable by blues-dancing standards.
8:30-9:30Magic Slim and the Tear Drops
A good solid Chicago blues band. Should be very danceable. Definitely a band we seek out when we want good blues for dancing!
Sunday
10:00-12:00Blues Brunch at Jazz Record Mart (25 E. Illinois):
FREE FOOD AND MUSIC!
No dancer to my knowledge has ever made it to this (last year we all slept through it, but it's raved about by any serious blues fan in Chicago.
12:30-1:30State of Luisiana Bayou Station and Social Club:
Henry Gray and the Cats
A blues pianist from Baton Rouge, but played in Chicago back in the day. He played last year during CUBE and we loved him!
1:45-3:00Gibson Guitar Crossroads:
Katherine Davis BLues Ensemble
Katherine has been a friend to swing and blues dancers for a long time. She plays with several musicians that we have enjoyed dancing to. She also used to sing with Mississippi Heat, our Friday night band. This is likely to be more jazzy-blues.
3:30-5:00 (we need to get our hand stamped during this)U.S. Cellular Field Front Porch:
James Cotton
A very famous harp player, played with Muddy Waters for many years. He learned from Sonny Boy Williamson. Apparently, he doesn't sound like he used to vocally, due to throat problems, but his harmonica skills are still exquisite.
2:30-4:00State of Louisiana Bayou Station and Social Club:
Drink Small
With a name like that, we have to check him out, if only for a few minutes. Known for "the deepest voice in the blues", plays slide guitar, from South Carolina. Sounds like he talks a lot, tells stories to go with his songs. I'm not entirely sure he can sing, but it sounds like he plays well.
Petrillo Music Shell (the main stage) (line-up for hand-stamp by 4:00 or so)5:00-7:05
Nellie Tiger Travis
May not be that great for dancing, more soul-blues than straight blues. We should go back to see the end of the Harmonica Project at U.S. Cellular, and then grab some food before the 6:10 show.
6:10-7:05The Disciples Playing for Sunnyland: Sam Burkhardt leads Steve Freund, Bob Stroger, Barrlehouse Chuck, Billy Flynn, Kenny Smith, Calvin Jones, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Kenny Barker with Big Time Sarah and Deitra Farr
This is going to be awesome! It’s the 100th Anniversary of Sunnyland Slim, one of the most influential blues pianists in history. These musicans are almost all excellent.
7:15-8:15Tribute to Wolf featuring James Cotton, Hubert Sumlin, Eddie Shaw, Abb Locke, Henry Gray, Jody Williams, Smokey Smothers with Lafayette "Shorty" Gilbert, and Willie Smith
Should also be awesome. Hubert Sumlin was Howlin' Wolf's guitar player and is a hero to many famous guitarists. Eddie Shaw and Abb Locke are legendary saxophonists.
8:25-9:30Bobby Rush
They call his style "folk-funk". More R&B than blues. May not be great for dancing.