|
 The
13th annual Sparta Blues Fest as
always will be featuring some of finest blues musicians. In 2005, the
heat of the day was matched by only by the intensity of the sounds coming
off the stage from Home Grown Review, as festgoers arriving early heard
covers of 'Walkin By Myself', 'Wrap It Up', a Fabulous Thunderbirds
classic.
Following The Home Grown band to the
stage was the Rich McDonough band, just in from playing the night before
at the Nothing But The  Blues Fest up in Bloomington, Il. Rich is a St.
Louis institution, as much a representation of St. Louis Blues music as
you'll find! Les Moore adds his silky vocals to the act, creating a great
synergy between these two talents, evident in their cover of 'Little Red Rooster'.
Les also brings a N'awlins' flavor to the set, with classics such as 'Iko
Iko' and 'Yellow Moon'. Sharon Foehner mixed in her vocal touch on
"Walk the Dog', a Rufus Thomas standard, as she added her smooth
bass line, and don't forget Joe Pastor keeping a tight backbeat on the
drums.
Very unfortunately, due to a death in
the family of Duke Tumatoe's bass player, they had to cancel their set.
Filling in for them were the 'The Merchandise Tent All-Stars', performing
such standards as 'Sweet Home Chicago. Not bad for an emergency musical
mission!
Following the 'The Merchandise Tent
All-Stars' to the stage was Lew Jetton and 61 South. Lew Jetton, also a meteorologist
for WSPD in Paducah, Jetton and 61 South has performed their critically
acclaimed "Southern Fried Chicago" style of Blues in clubs and
festivals across the Midwest and MidSouth since 1993.
More talent followed in the form of
the Chicago Rhythm & Blues Review - the Sparta Fest's 1st year
headliner, and Roy Rogers, a world reknowned slide guitarist! We missed
these performers, as we were off to the Pageant to cover the 20th
anniversary of Butch Wax and the Hollywoods, and their Johnnie Johnson
tribute - watch for our review of that in the next few days.
|
