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Concert Mon Jul 02 2012
Review: Fitzgerald's American Music Festival, 6/29/12
By Davis Inman
Bill Fitzgerald is still reeling from when John Prine sprung a surprise visit to his club last Sunday for the Earl of Old Town tribute show. He pulled out his smartphone to show a picture he took of his wife basking in the great man's glory.
John Prine. The name conjures up images of the best of Chicago's folk music history — the scene Fitzgerald's has helped foster and promote for 32 years. Incidentally, that's the same number of years they've been putting on the annual American Music Festival.
Fitzgerald's American Music Festival (photos by Davis Inman)
In keeping with the patriotic theme, American flags dotted almost every inch of Fitzgerald's during the pre-Fourth of July celebration. Nearly every hand cradled a red, white, and blue can of High Life beer.
Modeled in part on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Fitzgerald's has long brought Louisiana acts like Marcia Ball to the fest. Caterer Tom Cimm's "cochon de lait" po' boy might even rival the real thing.
Robbie Fulks (photos by Davis Inman)
On Friday, there was a strong lineup of legacy acts like Texas blues master Dave Alvin and Chicago jack-of-all-trades Robbie Fulks, as well as emerging roots acts like Austin's Sons of Fathers and Chicago's Go Long Mule.
Sons of Fathers (photos by Davis Inman)
The band Sons of Fathers play a tight brand of heartfelt Southern soul that sometimes veers more towards Memphis than Austin — though they do a mean Texas boogie a la early Guy Clark.
Go Long Mule (photos by Davis Inman)
Named after an old blues tune, Go Long Mule has been building their reputation as a versatile rock and roll outfit in Chicago. Singer-songwriter-guitarist Ryan Anderson can do deep Nola funky like Dr. John — but it's mostly pure rock and roll rave-ups with a touch of Chicago twang.
"This is an American music festival, so we're gonna play lots of American music," said Anderson before launching into a cover of Gillian Welch's "Annabelle."
By the end of their third set, I was convinced Go Long Mule might be one of the best bands in Chicago.
I was also pretty sure Fitzgerald's hosts one of Chicago's best parties of the year.
Maybe next year John Prine will even show.