With the band already in the groove, Bobby Rush struts on stage with a big, mischievous smile. Overjoyed to meet his audience he reached out, shaking hands & instantly bonding. Setting the vibe for the night, he then proceeded to sing She’s So Fine.

Into the song Evil, and What’s Good For The Goose. Rush played his harmonica and as the night progressed he was in full stride. Adding to the swing and sway of his tantalizing blues is the wit and humour of his lyrics.

“Eye for eye, a tit for tat. If you give away your dog I’m gonna give away my cat. She said, hey, Bobby Rush. What you doing never do. She said, “What’s good for the goose Is good for the gander too.”

• What’s Good For The Goose

Enticing with no shortage of double entendre, Rush kept a light hearted banter rolling between the songs. “And I am the oldest blues singer alive. I am ninety years old and will be ninety one on my birthday.” A fan shouted out, “When’s your birthday?” Without missing a beat Rush replied “never you mind.” eliciting laughs as he continued “November 10th. I had to get a little sassy.” 

Then he shared that he had 429 records to his name. “I remember most of them. So get ready to stand on your feet because I am going to do at least three hundred fifty of them tonight.”

Claiming his vitality and prowess Rush sang Hoochie Man. Past the first verse, he improved the lyrics and arrangement of his own story of humble roots. Then ending with a solo harp solo and verse that segued into the slow groove of She’s Nineteen Years Old.

Rush got the house stomping with his jump-blues number Shake Your Money Maker. Especially with the chorus call and response. The next number was from his latest release last fall All My Love For You. It was a reggae-beat titled I’m Free

“I’m free, I’m free, I’m free, Look at me. I got the shackles off my feet, chains off my mind.”

• I’m Free

Going To Wish You Have A Man Like Me kept the groove going right into an extended version of  That Thang. Rush was quick to inform the crowd that he and James Brown were the original rappers before breaking into an impressive and fun scat.

Rush’s singer  Mizz Lowe sang a take on a classic belting out “Can’t Call It Sugar, Sugar Never Was So Sweet.” Then they sang a duet on Take My Love, featuring a hardy dose of Rush on harmonica.

And as he and the band vamped at the end of their closing number, Rush improved The Sly and The Family Stone chorus.” I want to thank you to let me be myself again ….” A nice ending to the evening.

Part of the evening’s enchantment was having such a celebrated living blues legend giving his all as if he had to win over our appreciation.

At a youthful 90 years old, he still has his gift. Past his heyday, Rush has great energy, enthusiasm, a good voice and endurance to blow the harp. Simply the trials of touring overseas have crushed lesser artists. And he shows no signs of slowing down with a full tour schedule.

For blues fans, one can’t help but muse about his story as a notable marker in blues history. The son of a preacher who had a guitar and harmonica. Playing juke joints with Pintop Perkins. Moving to Chicago at the height of electric blues. Playing with Muddy Waters, Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf and Jimmy Reed. Featured in an episode of Scoresse’s The Blues and crowned as The King of The Chitlin’ Circuit by Rolling Stone Magazine. Yet, he has a certain genuineness that is all about us having a good time for a night.

Report by Philip Solomonson

Article copyright 24/7 Valencia

‘Bobby Rush’ photos copyright Phillip Solomonson/ ‘24/7 Valencia’