Sun. Sept. 23 

 It’s supposed to be a damn delightful weekend – weather-wise at least – and this might just put you in the mood for the blues. The blues, you say? On a sunny day? “The blues is about good times,” says Jo Lily, once known as Sam Deluxe of Duke and the Drivers. Lily sings and plays guitar for the Mystix, which plays the second day of this weekend’s Boston Blues Festival at the Hatch Shell. “Even from the old juke joints,” continues Lily, “people went out to party, even with the slow sad songs. It’s good-time music if it’s got that bit of ju-ju, that little jump feel. I don’t think of a blues festival of a list of depressing songs.” As to his own band, Lily says, “We are not a pure blues band, but have enough of a blues edge, to be able to connect with the audience. It should be a really fun afternoon.” (Lily notes his band’s drummer, Marty Richards, will be playing with every act, and his bassist Marty Ballou, with many.
    Lily hasn’t heard all the acts, so he’s reluctant to pick a highlight but does note Sir Mack Rice (in photo) – who plays Sunday –  “is legendary. He wrote ‘Mustang Sally,’ and he had a cool tune, ‘I’ll Be Your Coal Man’ which was  one of our standards when I played in Duke and the Drivers. On Sir Mack, there’s a lot of buzz about the musicians. He’s not that well-known, but he’s kind of an icon. 
    The two-day festival wraps up today, Sunday Sept. 23, with Sir Mack Rice, Chicago Bob Nelson, the Mystix, Chris Stovall Brown, Madelaine Hall and Jeremy Lyons. Starts at noon, ends at six. Rain or shine, free.

Hatch Shell, Storrow Drive, www.bluestrust.com