June 10, 2012
I was at the Chicago Blues Festival today. I specifically went because I saw that Lurrie Bell was performing.
From 1980 to 1985 I ran a jazz club on the north side of Chicago, but on Sunday nights, the music was blues. The band was called The Sons of the Blues and it featured harmonica player Billy Branch and guitarist Lurrie Bell, son of the legendary blues harmonica player Carey Bell.
Lurrie was a most amazing young blues guitarist and I thought for certain that he would be the next Buddy Guy. Most memorable about Lurrie was his performance of the WAR song Slippin into Darkness. It was the first time I heard Lurrie sing. The emotion he expressed in his voice is more than I can describe in words, he seemed to have such a deep understanding of the words and what they conveyed, the fear and the ease of slipping into darkness.
Years after I had left that business, I wondered whatever happed to Lurrie. On a Sunday morning, reading a Chicago newspaper, I saw a very long article about Lurrie and his battle with mental illness. I thought about the possibility of producing a documentary about him. I researched and found that he was married to a woman named Susan, who had brought him back from the darkness and helped him regain his life. After speaking to Susan, who was very protective of Lurrie, she said that they had recently lost a child and she feared Lurrie might be too fragile to relive certain parts of his life.
Lurrie didn’t perform the blues on Sunday, he said, I’ve been playing the blues since I was five and will play it until I die, today I would like to play Gospel, is that alright? After the first couple of songs he checked with the audience again to see if it was okay that he was playing Gospel. He said it was his way of praising the Lord for all that he has been given. The Gospel songs are on his latest recording The Devil Ain’t Got No Music http://www.lurrie.com
Susan Greenberg, Lurrie’s wife, died of cancer in 2007. Not only has he found a way to move on, but has enabled his music to lift his pain, and he has found peace, beauty and the strength to grow.
It’s been a long journey since the days of The Piano Man Club on north side Chicago, watching Lurrie on stage at the Chicago Blues Festival reminded me of my own travels through the years. We’re both gray, overweight, perhaps even wrought with sorrow but we have found a way to compartmentalize and find joy in producing our work.
All of this made me curious about another musician I had not seen in many years, Jeanne Carroll, the First Lady of Chicago Blues. Armed with the Internet I found that Jeanne died of a heart attack in 2011 while performing in Brussels, but that’s a story for another day.
abrasho 
Al, I love the way you find people’s deeper stories and bring them to light. Thanks for introducing me to Lurrie Bell.
Very cool story, Al! You should approach Lurrie again about documenting his life. Sounds like a great story that could be an inspiration to a lot of people.
great photo!!! Congrats on your blog. Jill
Good one, Al. I haven’t thought about the ol Piano Man days for a long time, too.
Miss em.
You brought back some great memories for me! Sunday evenings at the Piano Man-Listening to Lurrie playing lead guitar with his distinct soulful style and premier blues harmonica being belted out by Billy Branch when they were the original “Sons of Blues”!
They had a chemistry together. I remember how disappointed the crowd was if Lurrie couldn’t make the gig! Seemed even the best fill-in guitarist couldn’t match the magic of Lurrie!
I wonder if there are any recordings of that early SOB-band?
If not then the blues-world is deprived of some great music!
Sitting here in Washington square park in the village – reading your blog on Bell – listening to some good live jazz – it just doesn’t get any better – so glad you are doing this
Dan
My God, thank you for introducing me to a wonderful blues singer. Aside from hip hop, blues is my favorite genre, but I don’t know where to start looking. I love Lurrie’s voice! Your story is beautifully written and brings good emotions to my heart, because for one, I love Chicago and hearing its tales never gets old. I am just in love with that city as I am with music. Then also, this reminded me of THE SOLOIST, the book (not the movie), about Nathaniel Anthony, the homeless man who kept playing music throughout his life. Keep writing, my man.
So glad you are doing a blog now Al! I look forward to reading more.
good story…didn’t know the Piano Man was your place..i remember it….what st. was it on? i was waitressing barefoot at the Kingston Mines on Lincoln in 1976 and saw some amazing blues folks, like when i stopped serving beer to watch Jimmy Reed perform…but don’t think i ever caught Lurrie..
The Piano Man was at 3801 N. Clark St.-One block North of Wrigley Field. It featured live Blues and jazz every night and matinees on weekends until it was sold in 1984! While it retains the name-I think it’s a sports-bar now.
I worked with Al during his time at the Piano Man. He brought in some great talent from the Chicago scene. Many were just getting started on their way to notable careers.
Al knew the Chicago music scene and had a knack for finding very talented groups who were underexposed or just beginning their blossoming rise.
Some of you may remember Frank Lee who had a show on the old WXFM jazz radio-station. He nicknamed Al-“Al of the Universe” referring to his universal-eclectic talent and intellect and would speak oh him on the air as he knew Al well.
AL is a man of many talents and I was privileged to have worked with him! Those of us who experience his talents are all privileged!
Bravo Al! Glad to see your still sharing with us!
You continue to amaze me with your interesting life and accomplishments.. I did not know that in addition to all your photo and film talents, you were a writer as well. Your story brought a tear to my eye. Thank you
Hi Al,
Writing about music. A medium I think you share your soul with.
This man surfaced because of the incredible memories you have in those 5 years, every singer, guitar player, trumpeter that passed through.
I never heard of Lurrie till I read this. A blues man in an art form that connected not only with sounds and thoughts but of heritage.
Thanks Al.
This is fantastic Al! This is a great story on someone I wasn’t familiar with. I know you’re passionate about music and I love discovering new music through other people. We all have things to share- glad you’re doing it! Hope you’re well
Hi Al…thanks for remembering my mom…she would be so pleased……Karen Carroll
Sorry to hear of Jeanne’s passing. She always graced the stage when she performed-both with her voice and her elegance!
I hope Al does a story on her!
I recall that Al brought her in in to perform at the Piano Man in it’s inception. She packed the place and put it on the map as a serious blues & jazz club! She will be missed but always remembered!
HI Karen,
I just posted another blog https://abrasho.wordpress.com/ about the death of my friend Rick, who was the guitar player with the band with your mother. I also posted a photo of us.