Lordy @ Large
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On Sunday evening (7:30 PM) our own Windy City Blues Society will hold the competition finals this Sunday at Buddy Guy’s Legends. The finalists have been chosen from... (more)
I know you were there Thursday night at the famous Buddy Guy’s Legends. I may have missed you because it was sro, but I have no doubt that you... (more)
Boo! Time is almost up for the treasure hunt. A scavenger hunt of sorts for the new electronic age. There have been some key words offered as hints. John Belushi, Robert Cray, highly decorated blues band, and Italian food.... (more)
Buddy Guy’s Legends, Chicago: Singer Tommy McCracken brought his Force of Habit Band to the to Legends. Band leaders and singers in this genre frequently bring... (more)
Our hometown heros Alligator Records have scored a hit with the addition of Tommy Castro to their stable. His recent “Hard Believer” cd shot to top end of Billboard’s charts upon release. In the mid-1990s The Tommy Castro Band served as the house band for three seasons on NBC Television’s ... (more)
Blues is my business and business is ok. I’m usually at home listening to my archives and so I miss a lot of real-world stuff. In this one case however, I may be on to something. I have a feeling that a new blues venue... (more)
Don't get out much? Want to sneak away from work Friday afternoon, before you head home and catch some of the Chicago Blues Fest? Here's a way.
I am most happy to report on a new blues venue in the suburbs. As you know, all the world is a suburb of Chicago, and this one is just a bit over the Cook County line. Cook County and I have had somewhat of an adversarial relationship lately, but ... (more)
It's not too often that I get up to Bill's Blues in Evanston, but Osee Anderson was to record a live show and that would be worth the trip. Evanston is a North suburb of Chicago. It is nestled between Chicago on the South and the Artic circle on the north. Bill Gilmore provides my favorite type of blues venue; a blues bar. The cozy bar is a short walk from the Davis Street stop of the metra and purple line. An additional retro touch was the poor reception on the television, in spite of the rabbit ear antenna. I guess I'm spoiled now by the clear flat panel televisions that have become commonplace.
Osee had to cancel due to a medical emergency involving his brother. As it turns out, my pilgramage deep into Cubs territory was still a worthwhile endeavour, as Mr. G & The Mystery Band would be entertaining. The Mystery Band moniker derives from it being a mystery who's going to be in the band on any particular night. Mr. G is a harp player, singer, songwriter and band leader. While waiting for the band to enter and set up, I met Mr. Orlando Condon. It turned out that he was the mystery bass player. The reason why I didn't know him already, he explains, is because he is all about jazz (as opposed to blues). Jazz is blues, that went to college. I didn't mean it as a compliment, but that's how he took it, so all is good. If you get a chance to view the pictures from this gig, check out Condon's big smile on a jazzy blues tune.
The band fills in as Brian James on keys, Aaron Almon on drums and Mr. Mike Wheeler on guitar and vocals. Don't miss a chance to hear Michael Wheeler play and sing whether as part of the Mystery Band, Big James & The Chicago Playboys or the Mike Wheeler Band. Mr. G. calls out a funky blues in B to get things rolling. A favorite of mine was Somethin' Cookin' in my Baby's House. They vamped through a single chord song, that had my mind in tension, wanting to go the four, and they made it damn interesting. My peripheral vision could barely make out the Olympic gymnastics on the black and white TV-asauras, with the shaky lines running through the picture. What grabbed my attention was that the little girl's floor routine seemed to synch perfectly with the band's drinkin' song in F. I was amazed at the talent. The olympians weren't bad either. Me and My Dog, I Wanna Go it Alone and other songs which Mr. G promises to put on a recording project kept the Olympic fans happy. As the Northwestern University students drifted in for lste night study, the band wound down. As usual, three sets of wonderful live Chicago blues left me wanting more. I'm giving you more than a week's notice that Mr. G & The Mystery Band will be appearing at The Harlem Avenue Lounge on Saturday evening September 20th. Please don't even ask who will be in his band that night, because it is likely that Mr. G. doesn't know yet.
I got to B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted before the band started to insure my seat.
There it was at the corner of the bar closest to the stage. The chrome legs didn’t meet the floor at the same time, and what little stuffing was left in the black cushion was being contained with silver duct tape. It was perfect. The keyboardist, Roosevelt “Hatt” Purifoy and his two keyboards decided not to try to compete for the very limited real estate on the stage riser. I’ve seen many creative ways to fit musicians on this stage, but the one common appointment is the drummer on a higher riser in the back. Pookie Styx, a very popular member of Chicago’s fine blues drummer fraternity, is tonight’s drummer. His rhythm partner is the young Rob Bell. The star of tonight’s show is Carlos Johnson. Carlos plays his right-handed Gibson upside down, having to reach back up under his left arm to adjust his volume and tone knobs. There is no pick involved and the well traveled guitar has a worn but warm finish that reflects the master’s posture.
Carlos starts by advising us that we can let or hair down, or take it off for that matter. Feel free to take the band to the bar or the car. Carlos sits against a stool, much like mine, but leans down to reach his microphone. His voice is warm and engaging. His rousing version or “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” featured every player in turn and caused more than a few party goers to re-open their tabs.
Carlos sometimes takes off in a jazzier direction with complete trust that Hatt will stay the song with the keys. They have been playing together literally since childhood. “I’ll Play the Blues for You” made famous by another lefty upside down player, featured a wonderful saxophone solo. I know synthesizers can sometimes give a convincing horn blast, and some six stringers can conjure up a B-3 sound, but Hatt Purifoy had the sax nailed with his keyboard. The attack, the envelope, timbre, sustain, and phrasing.
Carlos Johnson plays like Carlos Johnson. He is a good showman and a very good singer. I look forward to the next time our paths cross.
It was standing room only so maybe I just didn’t see you there. Don’t worry you can catch him soon in Lithuania and Italy (both Eastern suburbs of Chicago). If you’re on a short leash be sure to see Carlos at Buddy Guy’s Legends on July 31.
Let’s get it out in the open. I am prejudice. I prefer live Chicago blues by Chicago musicians. The band named Mississippi Heat recently had their CD release party at Buddy Guy’s Legends. Mississippi Heat does not sound like a Chicago name to me, and frankly the name conjures discomfort. They must be valid because at least they’re playing at Legends, but the leader’s name is Pierre LaCocque. After hearing that he was born in Europe (an Eastern suburb of Chicago) and not Bronzeville, you would think I would have left. No way.
I made it a special point to attend this show. Mississippi Heat is international in its fame and influence, and is Chicago blues in its sound. They have released about eight CDs including a 2005 DVD on Delmark. Tonight’s party was for the release of Hattiesburg Blues on Delmark. Since the bands birth in 1991, the list of great alumni is impressive. In the past few years, Carl Weathersby and Lurrie Bell have contributed their considerable talents both live and in the studio. I am here, as usual, to tell you what happened live, but I did buy Hattiesburg Blues and it is on regular rotation in my bluesmobile.
Pierre LaCocque has varied and very interesting background. He can draw from a mix of cultures, educations and locations. He can draw from his harp and express this rich background with the style, passion and virtuosity of the Walters (Big and Little). As the band introduced songs from their new cd it was obvious that Pierre is an accomplished songwriter. You can’t get more Chicago than drummer Kenny Smith, who teams of with bassist Stephen Howard to form the tight and tasteful rhythm section. I found Howard’s bass to be interesting. It looked old, real old. I came to find out it is new and designed to be vintage looking, feeling and sounding. When he first picked it up, he felt as though he had been playing it for years.
Giles Corey is an excellent and passionate young guitar player about town, and has fit perfectly in this mix for over two years. Soon, like tonight’s stage mates Carl Weathersby and Chris “Hambone” Cameron, he will need no introduction. Hambone is on keyboards and the great Carl Weathersby of course is guitar and vocals. Most vocal leads are handled convincingly by Pierre and Inetta Visor.
Inetta has been in Heat since 2001 (you know what I mean).
This was a great night of live music. You missed your chance to catch Pierre LaCocque and MH for a while as they head for Canada to spread the (Chicago) blues. Chicago label Delmark’s most recent Mississippi Heat effort includes our friends Lurrie Bell and The Chicago Horns perhaps as a consolation for not hearing this band live. As I did this time, I will let you know when Mississippi Heat hits town again. I expect to see you there.
Biscuit is back! After several years of touring with Anthony Gomes, Biscuit Miller put a band back together and is poised for prime time. Biscuit & The Mix took the stage at Harlem Avenue Lounge on this fun night, while I commandeered the most Northwest barstool. I first met Biscuit in an earlier pre-Gomes incarnation of the band at The Slippery Noodle in Indy. I sometimes take good music as a given, but even then his showmanship and charisma were memorable. Now years later, his smile is amped up a few more watts and his energy level is at buzz level. So enough about the smiling stick of dynamite playing the bass, how about the band? Paxton Norris, Biscuits frequent partner is joined by another great young player Jordan Lunardini (I love that name). Paxton, Jordan and Biscuit reside in some Eastern suburbs of Chicago (Michigan and Indiana). These two young fret masters have set up their rigs and their playing to provide two distinct, but complimentary guitar voices. Given their turn, each comes up with interesting song supporting parts. Myron’s in the house. Veteran drummer Myron Robinson, with too much energy of his own, manages to keep this troupe very tight and on the one. Paxton Norris, Jordan Lunardini, Myron Robinson and Biscuit Miller all sing well, in solo or harmony. To close the final set, each showcased their instrumental talent and left the stage in turn. This left Biscuit alone for a final entertaining bass blessing.
Biscuit & the Mix are now on the road for a busy tour covering many of our United States. They are booked as late as February 2009 when they will join the Chubby Carrier Party Cruise. If you have the opportunity, check them out. If the venue allows, bring your camera and send in a copy of your best Biscuit picture. The man is so photogenic that it’s difficult to get a bad picture of him. Peace.