A half-century of Los Lobos, collaborations and Lil’ Ed close a chilly Chicago Blues Festival

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

It’s always a shame when the weather doesn’t cooperate with an event planned for the great outdoors, but the Chicago Blues Festival nonetheless soldiered on and fans filled up most of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

Had the sun been shining as opposed to unseasonably chilly temperatures and mist, they probably would’ve had to turn people away, not only because it’s the genre’s primary global destination, but given the fact the headliners were Los Lobos, who are in the midst of celebrating exactly a half-century together.

Technically speaking, the troupe from East Los Angeles doesn’t center itself around the blues, but rather, merely incorporates periodic elements into a Latin-flavored roots rock meets Tex Mex approach.

Nonetheless, with the occasion at hand, co-singer/guitarists David Hidalgo, Cesar Rosas and company skewed towards the style, albeit not necessarily going the retrospective route that would typically touch on “La Bamba,” “Will the Wolf Survive?” or “Kiko And The Lavender Moon” to summarize the milestone occasion.

While those will have to wait for hopefully another visit on the “50th Anniversary” Tour, the bravely bundled audience was nonetheless treated to 75-minutes of experimentation and collaborations, all completely free of charge thanks to a grant from the National Museum Of Mexican Art.

In any case, Los Lobos was ready for anything on fire the whole evening, charging through “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Georgia Slop,” “Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes” and “Down On The Riverbed,” amongst many others.

Rosas introduced “Love Special Delivery,” off the group’s newest album “Native Sons,” as an old blues turned dance tune, which was exactly the case at it leapt to further liveliness courtesy of Steve Berlin’s saxophone.

Older favorites included “Evangeline” and “Chains Of Love,” though Los Lobos especially let loose for a series of jams with fellow sax man Frank Catalano, guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks and harmonica player Billy Branch, while the improvisational spirit could’ve stretched out endlessly thanks to their instant connection had a curfew not been looming around the corner.

Right before the headliners, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials warmed everyone up with a time capsule through their treasured Alligator Records catalogue, all driven by the front man’s soulful vocals, fierce licks and dazzling showmanship.

For additional information on Los Lobos and Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, visit LosLobos.org and LilEdBlues.com.

For upcoming Chicago Blues Festival announcements, visit ChicagoBluesFestival.US