{"id":7220,"date":"2022-08-18T13:36:57","date_gmt":"2022-08-18T17:36:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nordost.com\/blog\/?p=7220"},"modified":"2022-08-18T13:36:58","modified_gmt":"2022-08-18T17:36:58","slug":"nelson-brill-goes-to-the-chicago-blues-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nordost.com\/blog\/nelson-brill-goes-to-the-chicago-blues-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Nelson Brill Goes to the Chicago Blues Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Real music lovers can find the melody in everything. From the park to the concert hall, our friend Nelson Brill is always on the hunt for great sound. In this blog, Nelson takes us to the oldest free blues festival in the world: The Chicago Blues Festival. Here, he gives us a detailed account of the outstanding performances made throughout the weekend by blues lions, old and young!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL 2022- ROCKING THE DOWN HOME BLUES<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>By Nelson Brill  |  August 5, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/2019-08-24-023-summerdance-celebration_PP16988.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Chicago Blues Festival (\u201cFestival\u201d), the oldest free blues festival in the world, roared back to life this June 9-12th, presenting three days of performances held before thousands of blues fans gathered in&nbsp;<em>Millennium Park<\/em>&nbsp;in downtown Chicago. The non-stop blues action took place at the Festival\u2019s three stages: the spacious outdoor \u201cJay Pritzker Stage\u201d and lawn (\u201c<em>Pavilion<\/em>\u201d), the \u201cMississippi Juke Joint Stage\u201d (\u201c<em>Juke Joint Stage<\/em>\u201d) and at the intimate \u201cRosa\u2019s Lounge Stage\u201d (hosted by&nbsp;<em>Rosa\u2019s Lounge<\/em>&nbsp;legendary owner, Tony Mangiullo, who has presented blues and jazz acts at&nbsp;<em>Rosa\u2019s Lounge<\/em>&nbsp;in Chicago for more than 38 years;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.rosaslounge.com\/\">www.rosaslounge.com<\/a>).&nbsp;<em>Rosa\u2019s Lounge Stage<\/em>&nbsp;was nestled in the area of the Festival called \u201cBlues Village\u201d where several Chicago-based organizations, including&nbsp;<em>Chicago Blues Revival<\/em>&nbsp;[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.chicagobluesrevival.org\/\">www.chicagobluesrevival.org<\/a>&nbsp;a nonprofit supporting blues education and performances in the neighborhoods of Chicago) and the&nbsp;<em>Mojo Museum<\/em>&nbsp;(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mojomuseum.com\/\">www.mojomuseum.com<\/a>&nbsp;working to transform Muddy Waters\u2019 Chicago home into a future blues museum) were soliciting support. The Blues Village was located near the famous outdoor sculpture, \u201cThe Cloud Gate\u201d, (nicknamed \u201cThe \u201cBean\u201d) by British artist, Anish Kapoor, that sits at the heart of&nbsp;<em>Millennium Park<\/em>. A captivating vision of our \u201ctrue America\u201d was captured in strolling past the \u201cThe Bean\u201d during the Festival. While the blues swept through the air, a constant flow of multi-racial, international and multi-generational people strolled (and danced!) in and around The Bean\u2019s metallic surfaces, creating a beautiful vision of humanity intermingling naturally and collectively soaking-up the positive energy of the blues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/CBF2022-D2-2647-Bob-Stroger.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/CBF2022-D2-2647-Bob-Stroger-1024x705.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7244\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Bob Stroger and Billy Flynn \u2013 Roman Sobus photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Every act at this year\u2019s Festival mined its own special vein within the rich soil of Chicago blues, ever-evolving and moving forward. The Festival\u2019s daily&nbsp;<em>Tribute Shows<\/em>&nbsp;held at the&nbsp;<em>Pavilion<\/em>&nbsp;were special treats. On Friday, June 10th, an all-star band paid tribute to legendary bassist, composer and singer, Bob Stroger, (91 years young). Stroger, tucked into a dapper bright blue suit, lead his tight band with glee, his irrepressible grin accompanying his rubbery bass lines and dusky vocals. Guitarist Billy Flynn, an alum of countless Chicago bands, fired-up crisp runs and snappy string bends on his electric guitar while a sly \u201cOne-Take\u201d Will Shackford twirled his chords on his funky keyboard. Formidable drummer Kenny Smith held down all the dancing grooves with combustible force, his big cymbal splashes and tight snare keeping the radiant beat flowing forth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Delmark871_cvr_3000px-1-scaled-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Delmark871_cvr_3000px-1-scaled-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7249\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>With joyful swinging facility, Stroger and his band performed Chicago blues classics mixed with new tunes taken from Stroger\u2019s dynamic new album,&nbsp;<em>That\u2019s My Name<\/em>, (on the legendary Chicago label,&nbsp;<em>Delmark Records<\/em>&nbsp;[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.delmark.com\/\">www.delmark.com<\/a>]. On his new album, Stroger ranges afield with his spirited Brazilian band,&nbsp;<em>The Headcutters<\/em>, in a strutting celebration from Ma Rainey to Eddie Taylor. In addition to new tunes from this album, Stroger\u2019s joyful set at the Festival also delivered classic Chicago blues numbers including as a fiery version of \u201cNothin\u2019 But The Blues!\u201d and a bold version of Robert Johnson\u2019s nugget, \u201cSweet Home Chicago\u201d, taken at a locomotive pace with Stroger twirling in circles with his bass in giddy celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/homepage_large_f3968db8-bd61-4776-8865-168bfa5748cd.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/homepage_large_f3968db8-bd61-4776-8865-168bfa5748cd-1024x768.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7260\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Cicero Blake \u2013 Marmoset Music<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A second&nbsp;<em>Tribute Show<\/em>&nbsp;-held at the&nbsp;<em>Pavilion<\/em>&nbsp;on Saturday- was the \u201cChicago Soul Tribute\u201d that featured a number of legendary Chicago blues singers backed by the swashbuckling&nbsp;<em>Big Bad Blues Band<\/em>, conducted by esteemed bluesman, Willie Henderson. One highlight from this rousing show was the appearance of Chicago\u2019s elder statesman, Cicero Blake, singing with great charisma in his butterscotch-melting voice. Blake sang one of his famous tunes, \u201cDip My Dipper\u201d (\u201cI\u2019d love to dip my dipper into someone else\u2019s dipper!\u201d) carousing his honeyed vocals in duet with the band\u2019s trombone section, who added their romping low honks and soars to Blake\u2019s sweet and sly vocals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/CBF2022-D4-Women-in-Blues-Peaches-Statten-4749.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/CBF2022-D4-Women-in-Blues-Peaches-Statten-4749-1024x706.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7246\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Peaches Staten \u2013 Roman Sobus photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>On Sunday, a final&nbsp;<em>Tribute Show<\/em>&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<em>Pavillion<\/em>&nbsp;featured another delectable treat: a celebration of Chicago\u2019s great blues women artists in tribute to legendary performer, Mary Lane. Hosted by vivacious blues singer and entertainer, Lynne Jordan, the show ignited with a swinging all-women\u2019s band playing a rollicking Memphis Minnie tune highlighted by Anne Harris\u2019 fiery violin, a hot washboard solo by Peaches Staten and a burning slide guitar solo by the great Donna Herula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/CBF2022-D4-Women-in-Blues-Shirley-Johnson-5135.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/CBF2022-D4-Women-in-Blues-Shirley-Johnson-5135-723x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7247\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Shirley Johnson \u2013 Roman Sobus photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Vocalist extraordinaire Nora Jean Wallace, took to the stage in her flowing gown and belted out a sly blues ballad which, towards its conclusion, had Wallace shuffling wordless vocals in the deep recesses of her cheeks that created a soulful earthy edge to her powerful performance. The celebration continued with a bold Demetria Taylor (walloping a Koko Taylor-inspired \u201cStay Calm\u201d) and an elegant Shirley Johnson, smoothly caressing a swinging version of \u201cTake A Chance!\u201d as the crowd sung and danced along to her glittering sway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/gettyimages-611040866-2048x2048-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/gettyimages-611040866-2048x2048-1-1024x693.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7250\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Lurrie Bell \u2013 Photo by Jack Vartoogian\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>On its other stages, the Festival delivered astonishing treats from blues lions \u2013 old and young. One unforgettable highlight was the performance \u2013 on early Sunday morning at the&nbsp;<em>Juke Joint Stage<\/em>&nbsp;\u2013 by legendary Chicago bluesman, Lurrie Bell, accompanied by his two brothers \u2013 Jamie Bell on drums and Steve Bell on harp- accompanied by \u201cHarry C\u201d on bass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/LURRIE-BELL-BY-KURT-SWANSON-scaled.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/LURRIE-BELL-BY-KURT-SWANSON-680x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7251\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Lurrie Bell- photo Kurt Swanson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>From their first note of BB King\u2019s \u201cEveryday I Have The Blues\u201d, Lurrie and his stellar band held the capacity audience transfixed. Lurrie played his electric guitar with effortless dazzle and soul. Its as f he pulled from the air, like an expert juggler, amazingly lithe and expressive twirls, runs and searing blasts on his guitar, instinctively knowing the placement of each note in his boogie blues or soulful blues ballad pacing. His fleshy touch on the chugging \u201cCall Me On The Phone Sometime\u201d was pungent and grooving, his husky vocals inhabiting his tunes with ease. The band ripped through heated versions of Muddy Waters and Junior Wells tunes with strident force with Lurrie scattering his alighting runs and propulsive bent strings in devilish glee. (At one point, he stung and hung onto a single high note for a full minute or more as it melted and swayed in the hot air). Steve Bell added his volcanic harp at every turn, utilizing his amazing circular breathing to expand and pound-down his bluster. At one point, he ventured into the crowd with his blasting harp, encouraged by the crowds surrounding him to search for the highest searing notes with raw tremulous power. In concluding their volcanic set, the band blasted away on a rocking version of \u201cSweet Home Chicago\u201d and then tore up Jimmy Smith\u2019s classic, \u201cGot My Mojo Working!\u201d with Lurrie a pell-mell frenzy on his glowing frets and his wiry brother, James, concussing the radiant boogie with his crisp hits of cymbals and dollops of huge bass drum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/513I76x03nS._SX300_SY300_QL70_ML2_.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/513I76x03nS._SX300_SY300_QL70_ML2_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7239\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Talking about great versions of \u201cGot My Mojo Working\u201d, I recommend a new CD release from the Muddy Waters legacy of recordings,&nbsp;<em>Muddy Waters The Montreux Years<\/em>&nbsp;[BMG]. Here\u2019s a fabulous live recording that captures Waters and his stellar band at their raw rocking best. From the roguish \u201cNobody Knows Chicago Like I Do\u201d to the fiery \u201cMojo Working\u201d to a powerful \u201cSame Thing\u201d, this live nugget takes you into Waters and his great bands\u2019 boogie and charms with tactile heat and a physical presence that begs for toe-tapping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/CBF2022-D2-3180-Billy-Branch.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/CBF2022-D2-3180-Billy-Branch-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7245\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Billy Branch \u2013 Roman Sobus photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Back at the Festival, Steve Bell\u2019s blustering harp was not the only harp on fire. The legendary harp master, Billy Branch, recipient of a&nbsp;<em>Living Legend Award&nbsp;<\/em>by the storied&nbsp;<em>Blues Foundation<\/em>&nbsp;(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.blues.org\/\">www.blues.org<\/a>], hit the&nbsp;<em>Pavilion<\/em>&nbsp;on Friday night with his&nbsp;<em>Sons of Blues Band<\/em>&nbsp;and rocked with a whiplash boogie focus. He presented some classic gems as well as tunes gleaned from his&nbsp;<em>Roots and Branches \u2013 Songs of Little Walter<\/em>&nbsp;album, a superb collection of powerhouse Chicago blues recorded on the legendary Chicago blues label,&nbsp;<em>Alligator Records<\/em>&nbsp;[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.alligator.com\/\">www.alligator.com<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/61YnytqepDL._SX300_SY300_QL70_ML2_.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/61YnytqepDL._SX300_SY300_QL70_ML2_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7237\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>His version of \u201cBoom, Boom Out Go the Lights\u201d \u2013 taken from&nbsp;<em>Roots and Branches<\/em>\u2013 was a thrill with Branch\u2019s harp shimmering and shaking up to its highest squall (Branch using his great circular breathing and his fingers clasped around the very tip of his tiny harp to squeeze his highest climb) while his swanking keyboardist, Sumito Ariyoshi, brewed funky flourishes and colorful chord changes. Branch\u2019s vocals were strong and confident, partnered buoyantly with his harp in its tender moments, (such as on the swaying ballad \u201cDown In The Deep Blue Sea\u201d), and in its seismic bursts on the blistering \u201cBlues Shock\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Banner-4.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Banner-4-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7242\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Rob Stone \u2013 makingascene.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Another young lion on the harp was Chicago\u2019s own Rob Stone, who was performing at&nbsp;<em>Rosa\u2019s Lounge<\/em>&nbsp;<em>Stage<\/em>, along with Andrew Diehl on guitar, E.G. McDaniel on bass and Willy \u201cthe Touch\u2019 Hayes on drums. With his tight-knit band in tow, Stone\u2019s jump blues and swagger were a dancing wonder. He cradled his harp in a circular dance, bowing and raising, to work the fast and slurry groove. The band achieved a swinging irresistible attack that had the crowd dancing and shaking their limbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/71fsHMLRxDL._SY355_.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/71fsHMLRxDL._SY355_.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7238\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For more blues harp heaven, check out the fantastic recordings by harp master Bob Corritore, in particular, his 2018 CD,&nbsp;<em>Don\u2019t Let The Devil Ride<\/em>, [Vizztone Group Records;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.vizztone.com\/\">www.vizztone.com<\/a>] where Corritore is joined by a stellar group of musicians recorded in several studios over the years. The recording is suffused with the ambient heat of these recording sessions where brilliant musicianship is captured in its comradely give and take. For instance, take a listen to \u201cThe Glide\u201d, (with Sugarray Rayford at the vocal helm and Junior Watson on the guitar), for a bolt of great roadhouse blues or check out Big Jon Atkinson\u2019s expressive heated guitar on any number of other great tunes on this recording. All the vocalists on this record are sensational, digging deep with their individual vocal styles and expressive power into the narratives of each song. Carritore\u2019s glittering harp sings and soars through out, laying down bright and gutsy soul in all his creative blues paths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/06f6ae_949a25bd0538452dac66e1f6180462dcmv2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/06f6ae_949a25bd0538452dac66e1f6180462dcmv2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7234\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Ronnie Baker Brooks -Chicago Blues Guide<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, so many great guitarists, both young and seasoned, graced the stages of this year\u2019s Festival. Guitarist extraordinaire Dexter Allen performed a searing display of guitar wizardry on Saturday at the&nbsp;<em>Juke Joint Stage<\/em>, hurling funky glory and vocal charisma (\u201cPut Your Blues On Me!) and earth-shaking pulse (on his burning version of Albert King\u2019s \u201cBorn Under A Bad Sign\u201d). Rico McFarland and Ronnie Baker Brooks commanded the&nbsp;<em>Pavilion&nbsp;<\/em>with their assured tightly grooving bands, each player lightning quick in their guitar mastery. Both bands had the capacity audiences dancing in the aisles to their effortlessly spun melodies, rambunctious grooves and sway with their gutsy vocals \u2013 a perfect partner to their searing guitar creations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/06f6ae_afb47740b9d149b0a6b34af4edbd5df8mv2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/06f6ae_afb47740b9d149b0a6b34af4edbd5df8mv2-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7235\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Melody Angel \u2013 Chicago Blues Guide<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>And then there was the sensational performance given by the young Melody Angel, at the Pavilion late Saturday afternoon. This was the first time Angel had played before such a large audience and she was clearly inspired the moment she hit the stage. She played her electric guitar with an emblem of Jimi Hendrix blazed on its front and her version of \u201cHey Joe\u201d was a volcanic treat. She strode to the sides of the stage; went down to her knees; plied her guitar with a wide grin and hurled each searing note into the air with total abandon and glee. On her version of Big Mama Thornton\u2019s \u201cBall and Chain\u201d, Angel pounced with gusto, her vocals strong and determined. Her band mates joined her perfectly with tight bass lines and cauldron drums with Angel\u2019s mother contributed soulful backup vocals. Angel\u2019s urgent \u201cDance With Me Baby!\u201d and her dynamic version of Howlin\u2019 Wolf\u2019s \u201cSpoonful\u201d (\u201cI\u2019m doing it my way!\u201d) were earthy and powerful statements, highlighting the staccato lightness of her rhythm guitar skill and her creative use of wah-wah pedals and electronic effects to augment the emotional punch of her music. In the capacity crowds\u2019 roaring ovations, you could tell that this young talented artist had connected with her audience in a special way: a shared exuberant moment in the glory and healing power of the blues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/06f6ae_cc2efacea2c04c9a826ee7c91a1a6171mv2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/bostonconcertreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/06f6ae_cc2efacea2c04c9a826ee7c91a1a6171mv2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7236\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Melody Angel- Chicago Blues Guide<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read more of Nelson\u2019s concert reviews at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bostonconcertreviews.com\/\">www.bostonconcertreviews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Real music lovers can find the melody in everything. From the park to the concert hall, our friend Nelson Brill is always on the hunt for great sound. In this &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/nordost.com\/blog\/nelson-brill-goes-to-the-chicago-blues-festival\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Nelson Brill Goes to the Chicago Blues Festival&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7220","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-music"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Nelson Brill Goes to the Chicago Blues Festival - Nordost Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nordost.com\/blog\/nelson-brill-goes-to-the-chicago-blues-festival\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Nelson Brill Goes to the Chicago Blues Festival - Nordost Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Real music lovers can find the melody in everything. 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