Greg Greenspan
My sister and her family were in from out of town. I wasn't planning on going out. After they split, the night was dwindling, but still relatively young so I headed down to the Mojo Lounge for a bit. The music was well underway when I arrived. RJ had already called a couple of folks up to the stage. Jerome Engleberts from Nightmare On Bourbon Street and a keyboard player, Glenn Mandelkern.
The house band for the evening was RJ, Kenny "Blue" Ray, Marc Carino and Marty Dodson. After a couple of songs, RJ brought up Arthur Daugherty. Arthur is a good singer and a very good harp player. Arthur laid down a couple of Lazy Lester tunes and a Muddy Waters tune with Kenny "Blue" Ray demonstrating some excellent guitar work.
Little Junior Crudup was called up for a few tunes. RJ was gracious enough to ask me to join them. How could I say no? Little Junior sang the Otis Rush classic, "I Can't Quit You, Baby" and Bobby Bland's, "Turn On Your Lovelight." In the middle of the first tune, Mark Hummel walked in. After Junior Crudup left the stage to a great deal of applause, RJ came up and did a great version of "Mother-In-Law" Blues.
There was a short break.
The second set began with the vocal debut of Double G, Greg Greenspan. He was performing with Don Yonder, Luke Piro, Marc Carino, Glenn and Lilly Dubois. Double G let loose on a couple of Junior Wells classics. RJ called up Mark Hummel and Kenny "Blue" Ray to replace Greg and Don. Hummel played a fantastic version of a Sonny Boy Williamson tune. (The title is escaping my fading memory at the moment.) He also whipped out a chromatic harp and blew a fabulous version of Little Walter's "Blue and Lonesome."
It was time for a change in guitarists. Blue Ray and Lilly left the stage to be replaced by Mark Hummel and Ryan Eric. Mark Hummel plays some very nice, classic postwar 50's style Chicago Blues on the guitar. Harpman and retired school teacher, David Mandell sang a self penned blues that he wrote for a bunch of sixth graders. He was given a standing ovation by the crowd. He played a short instrumental before leaving the stage.
RJ switched the band around again. Scott Duncan and Bree replaced Mark Hummel and Ryan. Luke Piro tagged out and the electrify E-Rock tagged in. RJ led the band for a couple of rock-n-roll tunes. Bree blew the roof off the place with a fabulous Chuck Berry-influenced guitar solo.
RJ brought up James "Loose" Reed from Mojo Madness for a few tunes. Scott sang a few tunes and then James sang a few. Alvin Draper was in the house and he sang and played a few tunes. James came down. RJ got back up.
It was getting late. I had to get up early in the morning, so I split.
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