betsygee

On Monday, February 4, a below-freezing night in Minneapolis, The Guthrie Theater hosted a hot session of “Blues at the Crossroads II: Muddy and the Wolf” featuring legends Jody Williams and James Cotton along with Tinsley Ellis, Bob Margolin and The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson. It was a tribute concert to Muddy Waters, known for blues-busting greats including “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man,” and “Rollin’ Stone” (the inspiration for The Rolling Stones’ band name) and Howlin’ Wolf (“Wang Dang Doodle,” “Spoonful” (aka that spoon, that spoon, that spoooo-ooon), and “Back Door Man). Both Wolf and Waters were masterful blues players and writers, long standing friends, and held a friendly fight challenge over who reigned supreme over Chicago blues. 

Luísa Maita, hailed by NPR as “The New Voice of Brazil,” kicked off her 2012 North American summer tour on Thursday, July 19 at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis. This summer may be one of the hottest on record, but Maita and her band kicked it up to sultry that night. Perhaps that explains an overheard conversation that included this inspired quote: “I play this music for those who come to my bed.” Ahh, heat!