By Mike O’Cull

Blues Flash is one of the newest blues bands playing the Chicago bar  circuit. Together a scant two months,  the band  has  put together an evenings' worth of rocking, infectious blues material. The current lineup (guitarists Jerry Knight and Tim Ogden, bassist Steve Brandwein and drummer Jim DiSpirito) performs with an obvious experience in this style of music, yet they maintain an enthusiasm that is refreshing.
    
Their show that I attended at Dugan's contained a few unique elements. They began the night not by launching into their swinginest shuffle to  announce their presence, but with guitarist/vocalist Tim Ogden playing a  credible solo acoustic version of Robert Johnson's "Walking Blues". Each song  thereafter brought another band member to the stage.  It was a nice way to ease into the evening, one that didn't resort to typical bar band tactics. Also, the bar left its two giant front hinged windows open right behind where the band was set up, silhouetting them against the city skyline on a cool, clear October night. The effect was quite picturesque.
    
Once everyone was on stage, the band proceeded to play a tight, entertaining set. Guitarist Knight proved to be the instrumental muscleman of the group and his tone and phrasing never faltered. Another highlight was Tim Ogden's very Clapton-ish singing voice. Ogden is a very soulful vocalist, and never resorts to the shouting style seen all too frequently in the bars. Their material choices leaned heavily on standards ("The Thrill is Gone", "T-Bone Shuffle", "Tore Down") but the substantial crowd assembled didn't seem to mind hearing them again, at least the way they were played that night. On the whole, I would say Blues Flash pulled it off. Nothing revolutionary happened, but they were good, solid, and entertaining. Sometimes that's enough.       


More ChicagoGigs.com Reviews

Chicago Music Discussion Board