Chicago Blues Fest 2009 - Top Picks

I asked About.com's Blues Guide, Reverend Keith A. Gordon, who he'd put at the top of his list to see at Chicago Blues Fest if he were lucky enough to get to town for it. Here are Reverend Keith's picks followed by links to some of his great Chicago blues resources. I intend to follow as much of his enticing ear map as I can and hope to stumble upon a few discoveries of my own.

Chicago Blues Fest Fast Facts & Schedule

Reverend Keith's Chicago Blues Fest - Top Picks:

• Charlie Musselwhite - Friday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. on Front Porch Stage
  Notes: Musselwhite makes Rev. Keith's list of 6 Influential Blues Harmonic Players and ranks at the top of his Chicago Blues Fest recommendations.
  
  
• Eden Brent - Saturday, June 13 at 2 p.m. on the Mississippi Juke Joint Stage
  Notes: Brent won two Blues Music Awards this year, one for "Acoustic Artist of the Year" and "Acoustic Album of the Year" for her debut, Mississippi Number One.
  
  
• Lurrie Bell - Saturday, June 13 at noon on the Gibson Guitar Crossroads Stage
  Notes: "I wouldn't miss Lurrie Bell, the son of the late Chicago blues great Carey Bell." Also playing on Saturday night at Rosa's Lounge.
  
  
• Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials - Saturday, June 13 at 5 p.m. on the Front Porch Stage
  Notes: Lil' Ed just won a Blues Music Award as "Band of the Year." Also playing on Sunday night at Rosa's Lounge.
  
  
• David "Honeyboy" Edwards - Sunday, June 14 at 3:30 p.m. on the Mississippi Juke Joint Stage
  Notes: One of the last of the original Mississippi Delta bluesmen.

Reverend Keith's Chicago Blues Resources:

• Instant Record Collection - Chicago Blues
  Find Rev. Keith's 10 essential Chicago blues albums that will launch your collection and turn you into a cool cat.
  
  
• Koko Taylor
  What a shame that we lost this Chicago legend and that she passed just a week before Blues Fest. Read more about Koko Taylor's life and legacy.
  
  
• Big Bill Broonzy - Profile
  Broonzy helped define Chicago's early blues sound.
  
  
• Buddy Guy - Profile See also: Buddy Guys' Legends
  One of Chicago's living blues icons and legendary blues guitarist.
  
  
• Howlin' Wolf - Profile
  The late Howlin' Wolf pounded out the blues like nobody else and enjoyed a rivalry with Muddy Waters.
  
  
• Muddy Waters - Profile
  Muddy Waters ruled the Chicago blues scene for more than 30 years and left a long shadow behind.
  
  
• Son Seals - Profile
  Another late great of Chicago who was perhaps best known for his powerful guitar riffs.
  
  
• Tampa Red - Profile
  Six-string player Tampa Red helped provide the link between country and urban blues.