Review & Photos: Jim Summaria
Concert Review
Stephen Hull Experience
SPACE, Evanston, IL,
February 3, 2025
Review & Photos: By Jim Summaria
L to R: Stephen Hull, Victor Reid, Chano Cruz, Johnny Iguana
It all started for Stephen Hull as a young boy when his dad would play a Milwaukee blues station on the car radio. He loved what he heard and felt. He was hooked. He worked at odd jobs in the neighborhood to make money for a guitar. He saved enough money to buy a green, metallic Squier Stratocaster guitar and taught himself how to play by listening to B.B. King, Albert King and Elmore James. By the age of 15 he was already gigging.
Hull’s love for the blues is evident in his playing and vocals. He feels the blues and he showcased his talent at SPACE in Evanston on Monday, February 3rd. His band is made up of top notch musicians who help push him to great heights in performance. The rhythm section of bassist Chano Cruz and drummer Victor Reid laid down a sweet groove which Hull complemented with beautiful solos. To complete a broader sound to the band, Hull brought in keyboard whiz Johnny Iguana, whose resume is a who's who of blues having played with Junior Wells, Koko Taylor and Lil' Ed Williams to name a few.
Hull's playing is a combination of Chicago and Texas style blues with a touch of soul and funk. His powerful vocals have a Motown influence. He can play with high energy and he knows when to chill. He has a seasoned stage presence with a good sense of humor which makes the show even more enjoyable.
Hull works without a predetermined set list; he just wings it and the band knows what to do. He started off the show with an original composition titled "I Was Wrong." Right off the bat he let Iguana show his talent by playing a mean piano solo. He followed that with the Freddie King song "Big Legged Woman." Here bassist Cruz stretched out with a solo with Hull to follow. He wrote a terrific funk song called "I Wanna Know" which the band had a fun time with. The song could be a hit. By the way he doesn't have a record contract. Someone sign this guy!
Bassist Cruz stepped up with a slapping bass line that led into B.B. King's
"Ask Me No Questions." Iguana showed off more of his chops with a terrific solo. Rock 'n' roll was about to explode on stage when Iguana started off the next very familiar song on piano; he and the band delivered a vigorous rendition of Little Richard’s classic "Lucille." It turned into a great jam with by Iguana and Hull trading solos. Hull's solo added a little "chickin pickin" on the guitar.
It was time to slow it down on "Got To Be Some Changes Made," by Albert King. Hull's vocal was beautiful and soulful. It didn't stay laid back long as the band hit the opening notes to that great jump blues song "Caledonia." Louis Jordan wrote and recorded the song way back in 1945. B.B. King and Muddy Waters among many other recorded the song also. Hull had some fun and went through the crowd playing his guitar. He mentioned he needed a rest so he sat down in an empty seat and played the rest of his solo in the audience.
L to R: Victor Reid, Johnny Iguana, Chano Cruz
It was back to another Albert King song, "Ooh Ee Baby," accompanied by a young man who wailed on the harmonica with Hull. Hull started playing the Little Milton tune "Feel So Bad" but it quickly led into the Surfaris 1963 hit "Wipe Out." This time drummer Reid took control of the stage and performed an awe inspiring, dynamic drum solo. A huge ovation followed his performance.
"Blues Man" has been recorded by many great artists such as B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland and Magic Slim. Hull and the band did the song great justice with a terrific rendition. Iguana was the main attraction on the next song "Got a Thing Goin’" by Albert Collins. He rocked out on this one and had a fun time doing it. The crowd was on its feet wanting one more song and the band delivered. But first Hull had a humorous story.
He said the song they were about to do was titled "I Just Don't Want To Lose Anymore" -- a slow blues song he wrote about his breakup with a long time girlfriend. He was saddened by the break up, but he got a great song out it. His solo was passionate and heartfelt.
Racine, Wisconsin native Stephen Hull has a great career ahead of him. Last year he won 2nd Place Best Guitarist IBC Award and the Jus’ Blues Music “King Of The Blues” Award. For this young (20-something) blues artist, the thrill is not gone, it's just starting.
###
Jim Summaria began professionally photographing rock concerts in 1973 at the age of 19 when he became the staff photographer for the Chicago rock concert promoter Flip Side Productions. Jim's photos have been published in numerous books, magazines and CDs. His rock ‘n’ roll photos have been viewed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum and Hall of Fame on Rt.66 and the Grammy Awards. Jim and writer Mark Plotnick co-authored the books Classic Rock: Photographs From Yesterday & Today and the October 2024 release ‘70s Chicagoland Rock Concerts.
###