Chicago Blues

Psalm 51:12 -- "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me."

Dan Aykroyd, Ray Charles, John Belushi

The year was 1980 and for some reason yet to be truly understood, the strange twangy shiny sound with a bazaar electric rhythm [aka Disco] was king. Music everywhere began to have a glitter-ball-hanging-from-the-ceiling feel to it. Even old R&B great, Cab Calloway tuned his classic "Minnie The Moocher" to the drum of this strange beat.

Then there were the conversions of  the works from orchestral masters like Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach put to the disco beat on an album entitled "Hooked On Classics". A personal favorite and one that would actually have a single that hit the top of the Billboard charts in 1981.

Everything from movie scoring [like an adaptation of the Star Wars Theme] to hit radio top ten lists covered this unique - if not a little crazy - authentically American sound.

Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Cab Calloway

And yet, as boogie bathed in high-wasted jeans with bell-bottomed legs and overly floral prints, a beautiful, soul gripping and also authentically American part of music history was dying out.

Associated with the Bible Belt and the Mississippi Delta, Blues phenoms like Aretha Franklin, James Brown, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters found themselves a dying breed, and out of work. That distinct southern sound was all but gone in the media main-stream.

Until . . . a little movie called "The Blues Brothers" hit theaters on June 20, 1980. Some movie goers [myself included] were introduced to the amazing sound of Delta Blues for the first time, while others were reunited with the sound of soul after a long hiatus. The cool thing is, with a brilliant understanding of music theory and a deep respect for unique sound, one Dan Aykroyd hatched the idea to take the Delta Blues and add in a touch of Chicago - and viola! The Blues Brothers was born.

Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Aretha Franklin

Ears across America perked up as young and old started tapping their feet to soul. The Blues greats, including the wonderful Aretha Franklin, credit Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi with an industry-wide revival. The City of Chicago credits this two-man team of best buds with putting them on the tourism map.

Revival, thy name is "Blues Brothers". At leas it was in 1980.

Today, reading sad tid-bits from the local news papers and catching streamers on my internet home page gives me cause to believe that passion for Jesus and an energy for life is all but dying out. What we need, is a good 'ole fashion revival that sweeps across the entire nation. Nay, the entire GLOBE!

So bogged down with horrible national politics, rising crime rates, and an un-employment all-time-high, I find myself deep in the blues without the benefit of a soul-lifting beat and energetic mouth harp. As I read Psalm 51:12 I prayed the words of the verse out loud. I need a "Blues Brothers" to hit my own personal theater. I pray dear Lord, that you restore to me the joy of my salvation. Take me back to the wonderful musical sound of my first years as your child -with the passion and energy that resonated through my every fiber - and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.

Ya know what's totally awesome?! My sweet, amazing Jesus can do just that!