Sure I would have liked to have seen Guitar Shorty do summersaults on stage, the Lee Brothers and of course the Waco Brothers, but four days would have been a bit much, so I rested up on Friday night.
Headed over to get the early bird discount on Saturday. Took a book and sat read on the bleachers while the square dance band that Lawrence Peters plays in played in the tent.
Since I had a few hours to kill before Sleepy LaBeef's set(s) I headed over to my folks house in Stickney. Grabbed a couple of hotdogs, and read the newspaper before making the trek down Oak Park Avenue to Fitzgerald's.
I heard zydeco music as I crossed Roosevelt Road after parking in the People's Republic of Oak Park. Terrance Simien's Creole for Kids was cookin in the tent. Stopped to take a few photos before heading in the club for Sleepy LaBeef. Sleepy looked good for the big ol' dog he is. He doesn't shake the stage on "Mystery Train" like he had a few years ago, but he sounded just fine. He did the usual human jukebox thang. Spoke to a woman who was a huge Waylon Jennings fan. She even knew about Hank III's feud w/Scooter, I mean Shooter Jennings.
Stayed in the club for Nappy Brown's set. Nappy was backed by "Steady Rollin'" Bob Margolin, Mookie Brill, and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Classic Chicago Blues. Nappy reminded me a bit of Andre Williams w/o all the raunch, although he did hit the deck to make love to the stage during, "Night Time, is the Right Time."
Finally the main event, Tony Joe White. Since I took my handle from his most famous song, I was really looking forward to seeing Tony. I had never seen him before and he did not disappoint. It was just Tony his guitar and harmonica. Sure his tone was a little distorted but I finally got to hear him sing "Polk Salad Annie."
ok, so I never finished this one, someday...
