Chicago Blues Challenge Round Two

Blues the Muse ©
By Paul Barile

Go Big or Go Home
Windy City Blues Society
Chicago Blues Challenge Round Two

The tension filled the air – trickling in through the unseasonably warm autumn weather swirling around the legendary Checkerboard Lounge in Hyde Park. The message was clear – seven emerging blues artists would compete, but only three would make it on to the finals in November.

Time to put on the big-boy pants and play like it’s your last gig.

The esteemed judges for the event included; Earwig Music’s Michael Frank, Blues DJ Clarence Stevens, Blues Legend Koko Taytor’s daughter Joyce “Cookie” Threatt, and Tom Holland of the Shuffle Kings. The table held a veritable who’s who of Chicago Blues music raising the stakes much higher than an average Sunday night gig.

The numbers were drawn and the order was set. The rules were given and the anxious crowd sat back to enjoy an evening of eclectic electric Blues in one of Chicago’s most storied Blues institutions.

Youngblood Will Jacobs led off – and after surmounting a mammoth technical issue (not of his doing), he turned into a blazing set of neo-traditional music. The youngest player of the evening alternated between his own music and a classic or two. The crowd was wowed to say the least.

K Jazz & the K1 Band was up next. Smooth and sultry, they laid down a Jazz-flavored Blues including a powerful rendition of “Ain’t No Sunshine.” They took their music into new and interesting places.

Charlie Love and the Silky Smooth Band was the third group of the evening. They surely brought the excitement – they pushed the energy through the roof. Charlie Love is all flash and finery. He seems to use his charisma as an instrument much the way he uses his guitar.

Next comes (my favorite of the evening) Danny and the Devils. A little bit funky and whole lot of spunky this slightly anachronistic trio romped and rolled through Danny Baron’s rocking blues numbers. The matching clothes and the bare-bones arrangements brought back favorites of days past. Baron’s energy was boundless.

(It was later learned that the bass playing Devil – known as Kramer- was sick throughout the set – but he never let on and he played his heart out.)

Pistol Pete took the stage next and seemed as if he might implode with energy – as I was writing the words “looks like he’s about to jump off the stage” Pistol Pete jumped off the stage. He worked the room like a carnival barker hybrid with an old-school Vegas showman. He overcame a technical issue (of his own doing) to go on and shred his way into the heart of the judges and the fans alike.

The Voodoo Pilots were up. The waning audience – it was Sunday night after all – seemed to appreciate their Phish-like take on the blues.

The evening ended with Blues Walk. The quartet physically resembles teachers sneaking away from academia for a night of the blues. Don’t let the looks fool you, they can romp and stomp with the best of them.

When the final bell had tolled the winners were announced to the intimate crowd who stayed to see this evening to its inevitable end.

Charlie Love and company took third place and secured their spot at the finals. Will Jacobs locked up second place. The winner of the evening was the-high-flying-beer-drinking-oft-gesticulating Pistol Pete.

As the last remaining guests headed out into the crisp late autumn evening – they may have argued the merits of the winners versus the losers – they may have questioned the judges decisions – they may have even debated who the best player of the night is. The one thing they all agreed on is you are rarely going to find seven bands of this quality for ten bucks.