SAM LAY AT THE CHESSMATE
Saturday night some very good things were happening at The Chessmate Coffee House as Sam Lay and his Chicago Blues Band played some of the best and most together Blues I’ve ever heard. I’ve been a fan of Sam’s fine blues drumming and melodic singing since his days with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.
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SAM LAY AT THE CHESSMATE
Saturday night some very good things were happening at The Chessmate Coffee House as Sam Lay and his Chicago Blues Band played some of the best and most together Blues I’ve ever heard. I’ve been a fan of Sam’s fine blues drumming and melodic singing since his days with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Sam has had several, bands since then but none to compare ydth this. .
There are few if any rhythm sections in blues today to compare with this one. Sam On drums of course, Ed Taylor on thythm guitar and sometimes playing very nice leads., Boots Hamilton, playing the finest and strongest electric piano I’Ve ever heard and John Sauder on bass, along with the piano, combine to keep the group very tight.
Leads were very well done by Jeff Carp on harmonica and a very fine, lead guitarist by the name of Paul Asbell. , Jeffs leads on Harmonica got better and better as the night wore on and his vocals were a fine contrast to Sam’s and Ed Taylor’s, who I enjoyed the most for their strength and richness and traditional quality.
This band doesn’t mess around; They played blues in the finest Chicago tradition with great power and got straight to the point: the blues. The next time they’re in town, if you’re a fan of the blues I strongly suggest you catch them in the club, atmosphere provided by the Chessmate and just listen to this fine, fine band.
