Whole Lotta Blues Goin’ On

This year’s Chicago Blues Festival (June 8th to 11th) should be subtitled “Blues From All Over.” In its 23rd year, this is the most diverse lineup yet, showcasing talent from across the map, with special attention paid to Mississippi and New Orleans. Looks like the City Of Chicago is doing its part to support Hurricane Katrina relief by providing work and exposure to a host of Gulf Coast musicians. The newly created Louisiana Bayou Station And Social Club stage will feature performances by guitarist Lil Ray (Raful Neal, Jr.) of the famed Neal family, pianists Eddie Bo and Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Zydeco Joe Mouton, and blues rocker Ronnie Baker Brooks, a Chicagoan whose famous father Lonnie Brooks is originally from Louisiana. (Ronnie also plays the Gibson Guitar Cross Roads stage Saturday afternoon.) Pianist Henry Butler will perform at the Petrillo Music Shell on Friday night, and Walter “Wolfman” Washington And The Roadmasters will headline the Shell Saturday. Wolfman played the first post-Katrina show at the famed Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans, where a diesel generator powered the band’s equipment because electricity had not yet been restored.

Thanks to labels like Fat Possum, which introduced the world to Mississippi hill country music, and the resurgence of acoustic blues in general, Mississippi musicians are garnering more widespread recognition. The Mississippi Juke Joint stage will feature a daily “Mississippi Round Robin” with Jackson-based guitarist Louis “Gearshifter” Youngblood, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, and Ben Wiley Payton. Comic bluesman James “Superchikan” Johnson is featured on various stages throughout the weekend, and Duwayne Burnside (see CD review below), son of the late R.L. Burnside, will appear with his band, The Mississippi Mafia, Friday on the Cross Roads stage.

Criticized in the recent past for a lack of stellar talent, the festival redeems itself this year. Chicago artists Smokey Smothers, Zora Young, Charlie Love, Corky Siegel, and Deitra Farr share the bill with such diverse performers as James “Blood” Ulmer, New York vocalist Catherine Russell (daughter of jazz great Luis Russell), sacred steel masters The Lee Boys, Detroit’s Thornetta Davis, and vocalist Dorothy Moore.

Soul diva Bettye LaVette headlines Thursday night, preceded by blues-rocker Larry McCray, whose guitar prowess and impassioned vocals put him among the heir apparents to Buddy Guy, Freddie King, and Eric Clapton. Another guitar virtuoso to check out is Osee Anderson, formerly with Lonnie Brooks before venturing out on his own. Anderson is a musician who is equally at home playing soulful blues licks or straightahead jazz riffs. He will be performing Thursday at the Cross Roads stage as part of the Lost Treasures Of The Blues set, featuring fellow Chicago musicians John Hill (another guitar phenom), Liz Mandville Greeson, Delores Scott, and Mr. Mean. Sunday’s headliner is the venerable Bobby “Blue” Bland.

MORE BLUES: For those of you who just can’t get enough (of anything?) there’s Aurora’s Blues On The Fox the following weekend (June 16th and 17th). The Fabulous Thunderbirds headline this event, which also features Larry McCray Indigenous, Chubby Carrier, Kenny Neal, and Mavis Staples.

NEW RELEASES: “Happy New Year!” That’s pretty much what you’ll be shouting each time you play the new DVD/CD release, My Heart’s In Texas (Blind Pig), by Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King. Recorded live on New Year’s Eve at J&J Blues Bar in Ft. Worth, Texas, this set captures the ambience of a rollicking night on the town, Texas-roadhouse style. Kubek is a slide guitarist raised on blues and blues rock and played with Freddie King for awhile in the ’70s. King (no relation) is a jazz musician with a sophisticated chording style and a distinctive whisper-to-growl voice. This set rocks from the opener, “Burnin’ To The Ground,” a mellow slide groove, to the closer, “Healthy Mama,” an uptempo Texas stomp. A highlight on the DVD – not included on the CD – is the midtempo “Crazy World.” Kubek and King trade fours for a few bars, then stretch out individually. Kubek’s solo is scorching while King’s jazzy workout is reminiscent of Sun Ra. It’s a daring juxtaposition, and it works.

Under Pressure (B.C.) is the latest release by guitarist and vocalist Duwayne Burnside And The Mississippi Mafia. R.L. Burnside’s son grew up in Senatobia, Mississippi playing guitar with his father and the late Junior Kimbrough. Senatobia isn’t far from Memphis, and Duwyane would often travel to sit in with Albert King, Little Jimmy King, and Bobby “Blue” Bland. Under Pressure is a fusion of raw Mississippi hill country music, soul, R&B, urban blues, and rock. There are nods to Howlin’ Wolf on “She Threw My Clothes Out,” Hendrix on “Hard Candy Part II,” Memphis soul on “Tribute,” and a funky version of Albert King’s “I Got The Blues.”

The Burnsides are also consolidating their musical dynasty with The Record (Lucky 13/BC), by Burnside Exploration. Guitarist Garry Burnside, R.L.’s youngest son, and drummer Cedric, his grandson, are joined by Malcolm Little on bass. Much like Duwayne, the younger Burnsides are keeping the hill country music alive, mixing it with contemporary elements. Burnside Exploration are going for an edgier blues feel on fuzzed out tracks like “Bitch You Lie,” “All By Myself,” and “Intro 8.” They rock on the north Mississippi-inspired “Long Haired Dony” and Willie Cobb’s “You Don’ Love Me.” Burnside Exploration has appeared on the jam band circuit with Widespread Panic and the North Mississippi Allstars. Despite the synthesis of diverse musical styles, there’s nothing here for blues purists to complain about.

– Beverly Zeldin Palmer

Category: Monthly, Sweet Home