This past Monday turned out to be really great. We were hosting The Deak Harp Blues Band (CD reviewed by James Walker on Blues Blast today - go to www.illinoisblues.com and click on "current issue" to read the review). That was the day that THE FOG CAME DOWN. There were multi-car pileups all around us - we canceled our scheduled board meeting planned for 7pm that night - and at 7:30, THE FOG LIFTED! Unfortunately, many people didn't notice that the fog lifted, and about 8:30 the thunderstorms started. I made it to The Alamo "in the eye of the storm", and was pleased to find that Deak and his band had arrived on time in spite of the horrible weather. I talked to some blues fans who had come in from Champaign (half the band was from the Champaign area and half from the Charleston area) in the dense fog as well. Gradually the room filled. Deak and Company didn't hold back. They couldn't have been more enthusiastic, or more into giving their audience the best performance possible. Deak's harp playing is strongly influenced by James Cotton, who he traveled with and studied with for years. His energy level is really something. I'm reminded somewhat of our own "Bad Bill". It would be fun to watch those two playing dueling harmonicas!! What do you say Bill and Deak?

-- ILLINOIS CENTRAL BLUES CLUB