(Sorry it's taking me so long to get these pix & reviews up. I'm extremely busy with my "day job" right now.)Friday afternoon, Mary Lane's Blues All Stars hit the Gibson Crossroads stage. I always enjoy hearing Mary Lane sing. Her voice is smooth yet forceful, with a West Side flair that takes you way back. The "Blues All Stars" turned out to include some of the best blues musicians in Chicago. Lurrie Bell, Rockin' Johnny Burgin and Matthew Skoller are each headliners in their own right.
Before Mary took the stage, the band played several songs, giving each man a turn at the lead.
Lurrie Bell, whose been a busy guy lately between promoting his own CD, Let's Talk About Love
, and guest starring on Nick Moss and the Flip Tops' CD, Live At Chans - Combo Platter No. 2
, sang a couple of songs, including, "Don't You Lie to Me." I love Lurrie's fingerpicked traditional blues guitar.
And, as I reported recently, Rockin' Johnny is back, and in a big way. I didn't know or can't remember what songs he sang, but I can tell you the crowd loved it. Even the photographers in the photo pit were dancing. OK, I confess I was one of them.
On harp was another of my favorites, Matthew Skoller. His style of harp is high energy, but in a traditional style. I've seen him play with Lurrie Bell many times. The two of them have great synergy together.
The bass player was also very talented and a lot of fun to watch.
This was my favorite set of the festival, hands down, but it's exactly the kind of modern take on old-school blues that I love.
I have lots more pix, which I'll try to get up within the next couple of days. I'll be finishing my big work after tomorrow.
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