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Saturday, 31 July 2004 18:00

St. Louis summers and music. Sitting outside under the stars, drinking ice-cold beer and whiskey on the rocks, patios, festivals, and—oh yeah, the freaking heat that makes sweat creep from every pore, drenching clothes and repelling any chance of acting suave with the opposite sex.

Luckily, heat suits some music better than others. I think it suits blues just fine. This column started as a way to give some personality to St. Louis blues, but we’re going to depart from there a little this issue. Instead, we’re going to supply you with some blues you can use.

Blues Cruises on the Becky Thatcher
The Becky Thatcher has become a sort of blues tradition over the 20 years it’s been cruisin’ the Mississippi. While much of St. Louis’s river-life has been forgotten, you can still go down to the cobblestone under the Arch and hop onto American history. Musicians who have already performed on this year’s two-hour cruise include Big George and the Houserockers, The Bottoms Up Blues Gang, Rondo’s Blues Deluxe, and Bluesdaddy. Coming up this month: August 5, Patti and The Hitmen; August 12, Rondo’s Blues Deluxe; and August 19, Soulard Blues Band. September will bring music from the Rich McDonough Band, Keith Doder, Alvin Jett, and the Oliver Sain Revue. For more info, go to www.gatewayarchriverboats.com or call 314-621-4040. Note: Thursday blues cruises clash with River Splash, so give some extra time for parking.

Blues on the Mississippi
The St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation has created a unique summer blues experience with the Blues on the Mississippi Concert Series at JB Park Amphitheater. This year, Charlie Musselwhite, Michael Burks, Baker-McClaren Band, and Alvin Jett and the Phat Noiz Band have already performed to good-sized crowds. Upcoming August dates include: August 6, The Soulard Blues Band and August 13, Big Jack Johnson (from Clarksdale, Mississippi). The park offers an amazing natural amphitheater setting for your listening pleasure. Bring a blanket, a cooler, and some Off for the bugs. For more info, go to www.stlblues.net.

River Splash
River Splash is the newest addition to St. Louis’s plethora of summer concert series, brought to you by Celebrate 2004. River Splash features all genres of music, but they top off the summer on August 21 with blues legends B.B. King and Dr. John. There is seating on the Arch steps and a “stunning multimedia display of fireworks, lasers, images, and sound” on a 150-by-75-foot water screen. Best part of River Splash, besides the music? It’s free.

Big Muddy Blues Festival
Labor Day Weekend is the one weekend a year blues gets to take over the Landing. (In recent years, blues has been sent running from the Landing by thumping bass and Britney Spears.) It’s a real treat to be able to walk from stage to stage all day long, listening to some of the world’s most accomplished blues musicians—not surprisingly, many of them reside here in St. Louis. This year’s headliners will include Alvin Youngblood Hart, The Holmes Brothers, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Fontella Bass, Mavis Staples, John Mooney, and Bennie Smith and The Urban Blues Express, not to mention the many local blues musicians performing throughout the weekend. For updates and the complete schedule, go to www.bigmuddyblues.com.