My friend Robert “Bumble Bee Bob” Novak died this week. “Bee,” as he was known to friends and fans alike, was a bluesman to the core. As a musician, on guitar, harp and vocals, he played with all the greats — B.B & Freddie King, Sunnyland Slim and the great Muddy Waters.
Author Archives: Val Camilletti
Back in the last century, Val wrote a column for the Wednesday Journal called VOYEUR. It evolved from the realization that whenever she attended any kind of performance anywhere in the country, from punk to theater to ballet, she found herself squinting up at a stage and recognizing someone from Oak Park. That's how she sees this blog, as almost an extension of that early column -- the way the past and present tie together, the way art, in all of its forms weaves its way through communities and through generations. Val's day job is as the owner of Val's halla Records, an Oak Park institution. After almost four decades in its original home on South Blvd., Val relocated to the Arts District of Oak Park to 239 Harrison Street in 2006. Val's halla serves up every musical genre in every format. Find a smattering of new vinyl (not a lot, most vinyl is used), an extensive selection of CDs and cassettes from complete operas to rap and from world music to local Chicago artists. If Val doesn't have it in stock, she can usually have it in 24 to 48 hours.Our specialty is our experience.
