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 The
Big Muddy continued with great weather, as the show opened on Day
2. Cry of the Mighty Gospel Choir shared some Hallelujah with the
gathering crowds, appropriate for a Sunday. Next up was Alvin
Youngblood Hart. A 2003 Handy nominee, Alvin also won
the 1997 W.C Handy Award for Best New Artist, as well as 2 Living
Blues Awards.
Sitting sidestage with Henry
Townsend, Henry shared that "Alvin does everything
great", and that he's been a mentor to Alvin for years. We
asked about his upcoming birthday party at BB's - stay
tuned here for more - and Henry mentioned "I'm having
two! I'll be in Dallas soon for my
other birthday party, along with Honeyboy Edwards and
a few others"!
Fontella
Bass and the Voices of St. Louis' were up next. Fontella
delivered the soulful sounds you'd expect, showcasing her exceptional
vocal prowess. Fontella hit the big time in 1965 with her own song,
Rescue Me, a popular song that made the top five in both charts.
Fontella invited her grandchildren up onstage, to showcase the vocal
abilities that undoubtedly were handed down to them, "the future
of the Blues" as she described.
The Florida hurricane situation was to blame for the cancellation
of John Mooney and Bluesiana. Selected to fill in was none other than
Alvin
Jett and the Phat noiZ blues band. Alvin and his outstanding
band performed some originals, such as "Alone & Drinking',
interspersed between covers of Santana, Hendrix, and SRV. Judging
from the enthusiastic applause, the crowd sure seemed to overlook
the schedule change.
Another stage 'circuit' was in order, to catch the sounds of Rondo,
one of our best Blues 'growlers'. Rondo has been a fixture on the
St. Louis Blues scene for a long time, played the very 1st Blues Fest,
yet until Cryin'
Shame' gave up thier spot, Rondo may not have even been
invited this year - read
more here. Yet there he was, much to the joy of everyone
crowding the streets around his stage. Rondo is a regular on Thursday
nights down at Hammerstones,
in case you just couldn't get enough.
Following that was a stop to catch some of a local legend, Mr. J.R.
Reed, doing what he does best, playing some power guitar to a large
crowd gathered to hear him perform. Afterwards, a long walk followed,
to the President Casino stage - too long a walk, as it was too far
off the beaten path for many of the fest goers we spoke to. But make
the hike we did, as we couldn't miss Mojo Syndrome, featuring 'Southside'
Eric McSpadden - a St. Louis harp master, and Larry Griffin on guitar.
Eric told the loyal fans on hand that 'I don't want much, I just want
a little bit', a fine cover of a Jr. Wells classic!
Ending the evening was Mavis
Staples, of the musically gifted Staples clan.
A Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee, and lead singer of The
Staples Singers, her rich, raspy vocals were a musical signature
of the group and helped provide the spiritual soundtrack of the
1960's civil rights movement. Mavis is always a great show, with
her soulful sounds. A nice, mellow ending to over 20 hours of great
music that is known as the Big Muddy. Thanks for stopping by our
review! Check out 'Big
Muddy Undercurrents', and learn what's happening with
the Big Muddy at the grass roots level. Until next years Big Muddy,
continue to get out and support
live music, and may all your Blues be minor!
For a look back at the 2003 Big Muddy photos,
click here!
Editor
- STLBlues
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