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Saturday, April 02, 2005

Otis Clay hits E-Town

We have an election coming up here in E-Town, beautiful Evanston Illinois. Its a local thang - mayor, school board, aldermen/women, etc. The incumbant mayor, Lorraine Morton, had a benefit at Bill's Blues Bar this afternoon. Now, "her honor" has been warming the mayor's seat for 12 years - she is our version of Ritchie Daley. She has done a pretty good job, and she seems likely to be re-elected again. Heck, I'm voting for her.

This benefit was pretty fabulous. Hecky Powell supplied his excellent barbecue, so we were all chowing down, licking our fingers and drinking beer on a Sunday afternoon, in a funky bar, on a beautiful sunny day. Oh yeah - decadent! And we had LIVE MUSIC!! Not just any live music, but the Mighty, Mighty Otis Clay! Otis is about 62 now, but let me tell ya - he is still a huge presence and full of soul man passion!! The benefit was packed with mostly middle-aged, African American folks and the feeling was intense - serious communication was in progress. "Respect Yourself", "Love and Happiness", "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay", Otis' original tunes, a dash of gospel - this was a very fine show by a great showman,backed by a tight band.

I am 50 years old, and I hope I can be like Otis Clay when I grow up.

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