Continued from page 18 spirituals and protest songs , all with blues undertones . A dazzler from her crystal pure vocals to her fiddle and banjo picking , Giddens gripped the crowd with old and new politically charged tunes including “ Birmingham Sunday ” about the 1963 church bombing that killed four little girls and a masterful version of the Staple Singer ’ s “ Freedom Highway .”
Chicago ’ s own Ronnie Baker Brooks returned to the blues fest main stage like a prince claiming the throne . Wearing a t- shirt emblazoned with his late and legendary father Lonnie Brooks who passed away in April , he proceeded to take up the mantle that Lonnie passed to him . Joined by his brother Wayne Baker Brooks , the Brooks family dynasty commanded the crowd with an emotional tribute of Lonnie Brooks classics topped off with a rousing rendition of his signature ‘ Sweet Home Chicago ,” made even more entertaining with a guest harp solo from Billy Branch .
As the link between the orginal post war generation of Chicago blues musicians and those that followed , Branch served as a sort of roving elder statesman for the fest connecting classic blues with newer forms . His Friday show displayed his 40 years of blues dedication , complete with backup singers , horn section and even dancers . Former Sons of the Blues members Lurrie Bell , Carlos Johnson and Freddie Dixon made guest appearances , but it was the appearance of 6th ward alderman Roderick Sawyer , who presented Branch with a proclamation for his 40 years of spreading blues culture , that seemed to surprise him the most . Evoking the days of Theresa ’ s Lounge and Junior Wells , Branch did a medley of hits , including a tribute to the late harp icon James Cotton . His harp playing with fiery and melodic but his most pivotal song at the blues fest wasn ’ t a blues song at all .
Che ’ ‘ Rhymefest ” Smith was a controversial choice as a headliner and his show did nothing to dispel the questions . Strolling out in a linen vest and requisite fedora , he announced , “ My name is Rhymefest and I ’ ll bring something different to the fest .” And that he did . Instead of playing tunes from his rumored collaboration of blues and hip hop , he played a straight hip hop show . His well-crafted and uplifting tunes , including “ Trapped In Heaven ” and “ Jesus Walks ” were engaging but they had no place in a blues fest . It wasn ’ t until he introduced his Grammy-Award-winning song “ Glory ” from the “ Selma ” soundtrack , that a clear connection between hip hop and blues was demonstrated . Billy blasted his harp during the section of the song that John Legend did a piano solo and the hip hop song about injustice , spiritual redemption and protest came together with blues harp riffs , It was a modern blues anthem if there ever was one .
Other highlights included Jarekus Singleton , who lit up the Mississippi Juke Joint Stage with raw , contemporary blues , Big Bill Morganfield caused a stir at the Crossroads stage on Saturday with a voice like Muddy ’ s and and an energetic style all his own , and Chicago Wind with Matthew Skoller and Deitra Farr proved that they ’ ve created a crowd pleasing blues super group .
26 illinoisentertainer . com july 2017