The blues has always been as much about joy and resilience as pain and anguish, but that end of the spectrum doesn’t get the same amount of exposure or appreciation as tales of woe and frustration. While slide guitar wizard Lil’ Ed Williams has certainly had his share of tough times (which he freely talks about interviews and profiles), his music has a bounce and vitality that echo the furious, animated style of his mentor and teacher (as well as his uncle) J.B. Hutto. Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials debuted on Alligator in the mid ’80s, and quickly established themselves among the premier attractions on the contemporary blues circuit, while also separating themselves from the ranks of the groups who prefer recycled repertory to original inspiration. Lil’ Ed, his half-brother Pookie Young, and the other Imperials remain a fiery unit, but now they’ve also won their fair share of blues awards (including most recently being voted Band of the Year) and continued issuing some of the hottest discs in any style (their latest Alligator offering is Full Tilt). They return to Nashville Monday.
Mon., Oct. 12, 9 p.m., 2009
