Concert Review
Eddie Shaw and Hubert Sumlin
June 11, 2010 @ Chicago Blues Festival
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Otis Taylor and Anne Harris
June 11, 2010 @ Chicago Blues Festival
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James Cotton and Matt "Guitar" Murphy
June 11, 2010 @ Chicago Blues Festival
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Hubert Sumlin and Zora Young
June 11, 2010 @ Chicago Blues Festival
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By Dave Miller
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Eddie Shaw made it clear who was in the spotlight.
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“It ain’t about me,” Shaw said from the Petrillo Music Shell stage Friday evening at the 27th annual Chicago Blues Festival. “It ain’t about the band. It’s about Howlin’ Wolf.”
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The opening set on the big stage featured a tribute to the late, great bluesman, who would have been 100 this week. Shaw and his Wolf Gang band were joined by featured players Jody Williams, Sam Lay, Henry Gray, Abb Locke, Corky Siegel and special guest Hubert Sumlin. Williams’ guitar and the saxophones of Shaw and Locke were early highlights. The set picked up when Sumlin took a seat and injected his guitar into the proceedings. “Sittin’ on Top of the World,” “I Ain’t Superstitious” and “Howlin’ for My Darlin’” were among the songs howled in tribute to Wolf. Shaw introduced Wolf’s daughters, who watched from the wings of the stage. After the first set, it was announced that the National Recording Registry was added “Smokestack Lightning,” which Sumlin helped Wolf record in 1956.
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Otis Taylor showed why he’s regarded as one of the most relevant contemporary blues artists. Not only does he a terrific songwriter, but he presents his material in a series of surprised. He began the set playing banjo before later turning to a couple electric guitars and a harmonica. Anne Harris was a striking presence dressed in white as she added her mojo and fiddle, while pedal-steel guitarist Chuck Campbell aided the band’s trance blues sound. Taylor said he doesn’t like doing a lot of covers because he’s a songwriter, then lauched into a thrilling version of “Hey Joe” with Harris in particular channeling her inner Hendrix. “Hambone” featured a Bo Diddley beat. While the blues might be best imagined in a dive bar or juke joint, Taylor had no trouble translating his music to a festival venue. The crowd responded to his commanding presence onstage.
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Next came the James Cotton Blues Band with special guest Matt “Guitar” Murphy. Throat issues have turned Cotton’s voice raspy so he can’t sing anymore, but he blew his blues harp powerfully. Murphy is best known for his role in The Blues Brothers, but he played with Howlin’ Wolf as early as 1948. His sharp, piercing licks played beautifully off Cotton’s harp. “Rocket 88” and “Got My Mojo Workin’” were among the songs as Shaw enjoyed the set from the side of the stage. Cotton and Murphy played together in the 1970s and their camaraderie and playing were tight.
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Zora Young closed the first of the festival’s three days with her powerhouse vocals rooted in gospel. Her band featured a piano, horns and Sumlin, who sat for most of the night next to a tank of oxygen, but felt inspired enough to stand while reeling off some notes. Young is a distant relative of Howlin’ Wolf and was mentored by the late blues piano player and singer Sunnyland Slim. She belted out “It Ain’t Over” and “Back Track Record” before Sumlin sang “Sittin’ On Top of the World.” Young returned for an encore of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
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Chicago doesn’t have the budget to attract a roster of big names for the festival, but blues fans had to be pleased with what they heard Friday. The performances were first rate and inspired. Music fans are lucky to be able to attend such a festival for free. A walk around the festival before the music started at Petrillo enabled one to see good performances on every stage. A great vibe was in the air, too, no doubt boosted by those celebrating the Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup. As night descended on Grant Park, festgoers were treated to a wonderful lighted skyline with some buildings sporting their Hawks designs, seemingly wrapping its arms around the park.
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