Some things in life are constant: the power of good music, the satisfaction of spicy food, the cathartic effect of a plainly told story. The annual Japan Blues Carnival will bring all that wrapped up in the blues for two great, long outdoor shows, plus three gigs at smaller indoor venues.
Chicago is where the acoustic country blues of the Delta was transformed into a potent, inspiring electric style that is expressive, immediate and very human. Otis Rush, Hubert Sumlin and Magic Slim all helped hone this style alongside the better-known Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and other postwar urban bluesmen.
Rush (left) is a major contributor to Chicago blues guitar. His distinctive, vibrato style complements his shiver-inducing vocals. Live, he comes out swinging, slashing lick after lick across a solid foundation of hard-driving rhythms, making sure nothing's lost in the communication. His live CDs, recorded on little-known labels, capture the intensity he brings to the blues.