Meeting Son Seals in Elgin, IL on September 18, 1974

"Chicago, Wednesday September 18^th 1974,. ... Just before the Alligators (as they're known – Bruce Iglauer and his wife Jan) and I left their place, Dick Waterman phoned Bruce - I asked how Son House was now, and he said that he plays very little, is forgetful with current events...

It took about an hour (of driving) to get to "The Lottery" club in Elgin, Illinois; Bruce got me in free. Was introduced to the band, and soon they were on stage in this small pub-with-a-stage. Son Seals started on a boogie, with his bass man and (midget) drummer behind him. I sat with Jan in the first set - while Bruce was getting the equipment to sound good - the vocals were coming  through poorly. Son did among others, "The Sky Is Crying", "Evil As A Man Can Be", "Your Love Is Like A Cancer". Great, driving and funky blues.

I spoke to Son in between sets, and to Leo (a harp player, restricted by union rules, who stood in to sing a few numbers in the 2nd & 3rd sets - this is a universal practice with Chicago blues bands, where a friend or fellow musician jams for a while).

These two sets were tremendous - the vocals came through clearly, the band was totally tight & together. They were being recorded (as usual) for a radio show. Son did a few excellent numbers, such as "All Your Love", "I Know you don't love me, You don't love me, this I know", and other outstanding ones, then he brought Leo up - a bigger man, a blues shouter in the best tradition. The 4 of them did great stuff like "Angels of Mercy, will you please look down on me", and a beaut classic introduced by Leo as <If you've ever been in love, you've had the blues>: "Reconsider Baby".

Spoke to and sat next to Son between the sets - he's been playing 17 years, originally comes from Arkansas. Has just returned from Sweden & Finland - and he's going back for a Europe package tour this January! He said he loved it.

He began again with "How Could My Baby Leave Me" and brilliant "Cotton Picking Blues" (on his album - will only buy it tho' back in GB because of my money situ'n). Junior Parker's "Woke Up This Morning With My Baby on my Mind". Leo came on again <Do you like the blues - if you like it let me know, if you don't, tell me so!>. Excellent guitar & vocals on - yes! - "Lucille", "Rock Me Baby", others.

I got a lift back to downtown Chicago with the musicians - so good of them - musician Rick who plays free form is decent too, my age, about. Son Seals gave me his autograph, I thanked them all! They drove home to the South Side."

Son's autograph he gave me that night