Saint Louis’ longstanding Bluesweek festival moved from the busy streets of it’s downtown to the more relaxed, lush camaraderie of it’s Chesterfield suburb — a short drive from the city. With it, they brought the best in the blues, from Royal Southern Brotherhood to Otis Clay. The green fields, picturesque statues and landscaped deep blue streams and lakes provided a perfect relaxed stage for a powerful blues show on Memorial Day Weekend. The best in Saint Louis blues brought their horns, guitars, vocals, and energy across a mighty amphitheater stage.
With exciting special guests, roaring guitar, heart-piercing soul, and the kings of the world-renown Saint Louis Blues, the 2014 Bluesweek on Memorial Day weekend was not to be missed. Thousands of fans filled up the ampitheater, dancing or eating sweet sauce-covered saint louis ribs while local favorite Billy Peek ripped customized Chuck Berry licks from his Flying V and duck walked across the stage. Big George Brock walked to the stage, his cape flowing behind him and a harmonica in his giant hands. The blues master belted out several blues and gospel standards and his own songs and effortlessly proving why he’s blues royalty.
One of the most compelling acts of the festival was Chicago blues extraordinaire Ronnie Baker Brooks. The son of blues great Lonnie Brooks attacked his guitar, closing his eyes and bringing his piercing, soul-lifting blues to life.
Genius musical outfit Royal Southern Brotherhood headlined Saturday’s festival. The gig is something of a homecoming for guitarists Devon Allman and Mike Zito, both of whom lived in Saint Louis, working together at a local music store before going on to take part in the renown RSB band. Sunday night, the soul blues great Otis Clay brought a full band, backup singers, lead guitarists and a powerful horn section.
See the Saint Louis Bluesweek festivities:
