Chicago

Chicago Hard Rock Cafe

Today is not looking promising, it's grey, overcast and cold! We set off for the Big Bus tour and stop to wait outside the largest McDonalds and opposite The Hard Rock Café. The tour is commentated by Isabel with additional quips by Mario, the driver, we pass iconic buildings such as The Wrigley Building, Trump Tower, the Chicago Theatre and Grant Park. The tour stops long enough for Dave to jump off the bus and take a picture of the start of Route 66 before it continues on past Soldiers Field stadium or as the locals call it "The Mistake on the Lake"!, Navy Pier and the Hancock Tower.

Once the tour is finished, we are so cold, despite sitting inside on the bus so fall in to a coffee shop for a hot drink, I take so long to drink it, the management are thinking of charging me rent! Finally, warm enough we walk to Grant Park to see "The Bean", but the rain starts to get heavier, nothing for it, retreat to The Tavern on the Green Bar, then a cab home to get ready for the Blues tonight.

"The Bean"

Another first for me tonight, I have installed the Uber app on my phone and use it for the first time to get us to tonight’s destination. All works well driver arrives on time and delivers us to Buddy Guys Legends Club which is just warming up when we get there, first up is Sonic Soul a four-piece band with a very cool keyboard player. They play a mix of covers and original numbers and a fine rendition of Stevie Wonders “Very Superstitious” really gets the crowd warmed up.

We order drinks and food while we listen, the food and drink here is surprising good and inexpensive maybe it’s because of the $30 cover charge. Then the main event starts, Scott Holt. It’s all sounding good until Scott’s guitar keeps cutting out, while the problem is being sorted, the bass player and drummer continue to play, as Scott says even if you’re in jail just keep on playing. It takes a while to sort out Scots equipment issues with his tour manager and his brother both on stage trying to get it fixed. All the while Scott keeps the audience engaged with witty banter and Memphis drawl, he is a true professional and equipment problems don’t bother him. Finally fixed he gets into his set. Another mix of covers and originals from Scott’s numerous albums. He is a good guitarist with a great voice. A very nice slow version of Voodoo Chile is stand out for me as well as his rendition of “I’d rather go blind” although Dave and I both admit that we preferred Sean Webster’s version that we heard in Sheffield a few weeks ago. All to soon his set comes to an end and it’s time to see if I can operate the Uber app again to get us back to the hotel. All works well and Darius collects us in his Jeep Cherokee and drops us back at the hotel safe and sound.