All in Performance
Meanwhile, the crowd was enjoying a delicious dinner from the catering department, as well as the barbecue on the lower terrace. The figs, Italian meats, and cheese looked particularly tempting. And this was the first evening where the skies were that rich blue color that everyone associates with summer.
The music is very hard to describe. Certainly there were bits of Ravel running throughout it, but I also heard Joe Sample's piano from the Crusaders, some Philip Glass minimalism, and some nice jazz bass solos. If you pushed me, I'd also say that there were strains of Frank Zappa's orchestral music and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, but on a very unamplified basis. Ulery even sang on the second from last number.
Taking Youthful Enthusiasim Under the Arm of Grizzled Experience
First up was Charlie Love. Basic blues, but excellent blues. Charlie called one Steven up from the audience. This Chicago teen had his chops down, performing three or four numbers with a cracker jack band. Steven held his own. And he has the red and orange shirt thing going on for him.
Toward the end of his set, Theo asked if three lovely ladies would join him on stage for some hip shaking. A couple of the women who volunteered knew how to shake their hips. I give a lot of credit to the 89-year old lady who jumped up at the opportunity to join Theo.
"Blow Your Harmonica Son"
The Chicago Blues Festival opened today as temperatures soared above 90 degrees, with the City's streets clogged by pedestrians and vehicles. Even with sirens blaring, the police found themselves stuck in traffic.
Meanwhile, blues music often blared from four stages in Grant Park.
