I'll write more when I get the chance, but for now all I'll say is: I saw James Cotton, Billy Branch, Sugar Blue, Billy Boy Arnold, Joe Filisko, and Matthew Skoller in the span of two days, for free, all on the festival grounds, and all making exceptionally good music. If I hadn't had several conversations that hung me up, I could have seen Deak Harp, Rob Stone, and Bob Corritore, who also played the Windy City Blues Society stage.
I had a great time hanging out with Joe under the trees, drinking beer and talking shop. His new album, I.C. Special (2009), is exceptional. A whole lot of personality, raw-edged soulfulness, and fierceness. There are a handful of cuts on the album that could only be Joe and nobody else, and telegraph that instantly. He meets the 3-second test. In fact, his best stuff is some of the fiercest playing I've ever heard on the harp. One song about an angry woman. Whew! I played that cut twice in a row on the long drive home.
AG everytime I ever saw you you had you game face on.Then at the HCH when Billy Branch spoke and played the smile you had on your face was like a little kid in a candle store.I bet it was the same smile.Good for you.Wish I was there ---------- Fred HARP (Harmonica Assn 'Round Philly)
oh hum. so you saw some folks who play harp. i wanna hear from some folks that saw YOU, adam!! i hope somebody shot some video of your act. give us a review of buddy's new place, too!
Adam and Deak were both great! I had limited battery life on my video camera by the time Adam's set came around; I wish I'd recorded his version of "The Entertainer" - amazing. If Adam gives permission here I'll post what I did record.
I was there with my father and youngest son (8 yrs old) and attended Joe Filisko's beginning blues harmonica lessons all three days (delta, train and Chicago). Used most of my video battery there so my son could review later. He got a lot out of it and picked up a few pointers myself. ---------- Ozark Rich __________ ##########
Adam, sorry I missed you (I couldn't make it on Saturday.) I was looking for you in the crowd on Sunday when Joe played the Windy City stage. I got a lot of his stuff on my iPhone, and I'll have to post it to YouTube.
It was great to see you adam ... Even though i dident get to see you play either ...but i did one good thing .. i talked to Sugar Blue ... And i got his phone # ... calle me , he is in the states for 2 more weeks then he leaves abroad .......
