Levitt AMP Concert # 4 brings all kinds of hot and cool

Friday’s fourth Levitt AMP concert drew by far the largest crowd so far in the series. There was no rain to mar the day, but there was plenty of heat.

“Tennessee Tumbleweed” Grace Askew was the opening act, bringing her unique mix of blues and country. Askew, who hails from Memphis, has toured for about seven years, receiving a lot of acclaim for both her singing and her songwriting. Rolling Stone referred to her as the “most robbed contestant” when she competed on The Voice. She took the stage at Park-Along-the-River on a hot, humid evening and managed to heat things up even more with her sultry voice and accomplished guitar.

 

Sam Mosley, his Mosley & Johnson Band and the Muscle Shoals Horns were the featured act Friday night at the Park-Along-The-River. The crowd continued to grow during the first several minutes of Sam’s performance, because his fans knew Sam would “bring the cool” to the event. Sam and the Horns entertained with a mammoth serving of their popular “standards,” with several other “oldies, but goodies” thrown in for good measure. As always in Sam Mosley’s performances, everyone got a chance to shine.

Bluesman Mosley, a Grammy Award winner, has long been a local favorite, but Friday night was special for those who admire his talent as a musician and know and love him as a first-rate human being.

 

A year ago, Sam Mosley was unwell, suffering with a serious heart ailment. He faced complex and dangerous heart surgery, the outcome of which was by no means certain. It was a blue time for the bluesman and his friends. Surgeons in Memphis performed the operation late last summer, and, if Sam’s performance Friday night is any indication, the surgery was a major success. His tenor voice was strong and clear and rich in tone.

We understand it was Sam’s first major public performance since his surgery. It was very hot and humid on the river bank, and the temperature under the stage lights was nothing less than cruel. Sam’s own singing and playing on his Gibson, and his direction of the two bands playing together, was perhaps the best we’ve ever seen and heard from him. He was on the steamy stage for more than two hours and didn’t miss a lick.

Welcome back, Sam. It was a great concert, and we hope to hear many more.