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Chicago Blues Guide
HOT shows |
| No
HOT Shows
to announce at this time due to COVID pandemic |
 NEWS:
Grants & Resources for Musicians impacted by COVID-19
Here's a list of where to turn for help. Keep checking back for
updates. |
| UPDATES |
 FEATURE/
Book Review
Always The Queen: The Denise LaSalle Story
by Denise LaSalle with David Whiteis
LaSalle's autobiography is a compelling page-turner,
full of twists and turns that comprise her fascinating
life and career, which parallel the timeline of music
history and civil rights. Her struggles and
determination are nothing less than inspiring. |
 FEATURE:
John Primer Interview/Part 1
Chicago Blues Hero drops new album
World famous blues star Primer was on top of the world
until the world changed. Keeping the blues alive takes
on new meaning in 2020.
|
 FEATURE:
Mary Lane Interview
Mary Lane has been singing the blues for over 60 years
with little recognition. Now at age 83, it's her turn to
be a star. |
 FEATURE:
Lindsay Beaver Interview
Drummer Lindsay Beaver, Alligator Records' newest
artist, is multi-talented and Tough As Love,
with a little help from her famous friends |
 FEATURE:
Alligator's Bruce Iglauer
was Bitten by The Blues and lived to tell about
it!
Inspired by seeing Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers
at age 23, Bruce Iglauer founded Alligator Records in
1971. In his new memoir, Bitten By The Blues,
the president of the world's largest indie blues label
recalls his 50 years in the business working alongside
many blues legends.
|
LIVE REVIEW: Blues Heaven Festival 2018, Denmark
It may seem strange to find an
international blues fest in northern Denmark, but "Blues
Heaven" just celebrated its 13th anniversary with major
acts like Buddy Guy, Robert Cray,
Don Bryant & The Bo-Keys, Joanna Connor, Walter
Trout, Welch-Ledbetter Connection & more. Check
out our review and photos. |
LIVE REVIEW: European Blues Cruise
2018
Toronzo
Cannon & The Chicago Way, Carl Weathersby, Nora Jean Bruso, Liz
Mandeville, Wayne Baker Brooks, Rip Lee Pryor, Fabrizio
Poggi & more
The Chicago Way meets the Italian Way on board a luxury
liner to cruise the Mediterranean while a nonstop blues
fest ensues.
|
 FEATURE:
Jimmy Nick Interview
His new CD is titled:
Dangerous Decisions and Bad Things
Yet this rising young star's career choices are quite
the opposite! |
 FEATURE:
Mud Morganfield Interview
Like father like son, Mud Morganfield chose an all-star
cast of Chicago blues players for his new CD and release
party on April 5 at SPACE. |
 LIVE
REVIEW:
Buddy Guy & Bobby Rush
The first show of Buddy's annual winter residency 2018
kicked off with some very special guests for a very
special cause. Sparks flew when these ageless icons
combined forces.
|
 BOOK
REVIEW: Survivor: The Benny Turner Story
Benny Turner may not be a
household name, but his older brother the late Freddie
King is a blues legend. Benny's life and story are
forever intertwined with the history of American Blues
and its biggest stars. Benny personally tells us his
story, like we are having a barstool chat. It's a tale
filled with love, poverty, wealth, fame, heartbreak and
survival. |
 LIVE
REVIEW: Ann Arbor Blues Fest 2017
Blues lovers revive this historic festival, begun 50
years ago, with an all-star lineup, including:
Benny Turner (photo), Nick Moss Band,
Norman Jackson Band, Hank Mowery, Eliza Neals & The
Narcotics, Chris Canas, Alabama Slim & more. |
 LIVE
REVIEW:
Chicago Blues Reunion at Arcada Theater
Each time that Nick Gravenites,
Barry Goldberg & Harvey Mandel
reunite for a concert, it's a joyful homecoming and
celebration of the blues. Joined by special guests
Sugar Blue & Rob Stone,
the CBR brought the house down. |
 FEATURE:
The Art of the Blues
The Art of The Blues:
A Visual Treasury of Black Music's Golden Age
by Bill Dahl is a lavish, stunning book that truly lives
up to its title and then some. Read our review. |
 FEATURE:
Ronnie Baker Brooks: The Interview
Greg Easterling caught up with the busy Chicago blues
star, who had just stepped off the Blues Cruise in time
to celebrate his birthday and his new CD, his first in
10 years!
What took Ronnie so long? Read the story to find out.
|
 LIVE
REVIEW: Toronzo Cannon at Buddy
Guy's Legends, w/ opener Jimmy Nick
This rising blues star closed out the year with
a hometown set that showed why he is becoming an
international favorite who can name Buddy Guy among his
fans.
|
 LIVE
REVIEW: 2016 Frederikshavn Blues Festival, Denmark
Now in its 11th year, this major international
blues fest, known as Blues Heaven, easily earns
that title with acts like Ruthie Foster, Corey Harris,
Robben Ford, The Original Chicago Blues All Stars w/Holle
Thee Maxwell, Roy Rogers & more. |
 FEATURE:
Interview with Joanna Connor
Chicago's guitar goddess has played around the world,
recorded for multiple labels and backed everyone from
Jimmy Page to Buddy Guy. Still she remains under the
radar. But a viral video and new CD shine a light on
this remarkable artist. |
 LIVE
REVIEW:
Chicago Blues Party w/ Jeff Stone, Charlie Love
(photo), Tomiko Dixon & guests at Penny
Road Pub
Since he moved back to Chicago, ace harp blower Stone
has been bringing South Side blues to the 'burbs.
Maurice John Vaughn & Demetria Taylor joined the party,
too. |
|
 REVIEWS:
CDs:
Mississippi Heat, Sharon Lewis, Ronnie Baker Brooks, James Cotton, Mud Morganfield, Dave Specter, Dave
Weld, Charlie Musselwhite, Nick Moss Band, Cash Box Kings, Buddy
Guy & more.
DVDs:
Honeyboy Edwards, Muddy Waters, JJ Grey & Mofro, Tail Dragger, Delmark's 55th Anniversary,
Maxwell Street, Son Seals, Jimmy Burns & more.
LIVE
BLUES:
Stevie Wonder, Etta James, B.B. King, Buddy Guy,
Pinetop Perkins, Joss Stone, Ryan Shaw, Mavis Staples, Booker T
& the MGs, John Nemeth, more.
|
 LIVE
REVIEW: Big Head Blues Club w/ Mud
Morganfield, Billy Branch, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Erica
Brown presents: The Songs of Willie Dixon, Nov.
2, 2016, Arcada Theater
What's a blues lover to do when the Cubs are playing
Game 7 of the World Series at the same time as one
of the best shows of the year? Check out our review for
the answer. |
|
LIVE REVIEW: European Blues Cruise 2016
Set sail for a trip around the Mediterranean with
Billy Branch & Sons of the Blues, Carlos
Johnson, Stacy Brooks, Mitch Woods, Bill "Howl-N-Mad"
Perry & Shy Perry and more. Won't you let us
take you on a sea cruise? |
 LIVE
REVIEW:
Holle Thee Maxwell & The Original Chicago Blues
All-Stars at Motor Row Brewing
It's always cause for celebration when a new venue books
authentic blues acts, especially when they are a part of
music history.
|
 LIVE
REVIEW:
Blues on the Fox 2016
The Aurora blues festival celebrated its 20th
anniversary in style with no rain-outs and a stellar
lineup: Robert Cray, Marcia Ball, Tedeschi
Trucks Band, Los Lobos, Larry McCray & Leland.
photo: Jennifer Noble |
 LIVE
REVIEW: Chicago Blues Festival
2016: Tribute To Otis Rush, Ronnie Earl & The
Broadcasters, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater
photo: by Jennifer Noble |
 FEATURE:
Interview with Barry Goldberg
About to embark on a new tour with his bandmates in The
Rides--Stephen Stills and Kenny Wayne Shepherd--
Goldberg keeps Chicago and the blues close to his heart. |
 FEATURE:
Interview with Jorma Kaukonen
The venerable folk-blues-roots guitarist discusses his
new CD, Rev. Gary Davis, John Lee Hooker, Fur Peace
Ranch and Hot Tuna. He pays homage to his recently
departed bandmates from Jefferson Airplane, Paul Kantner
& Signe Anderson. |
 FEATURE:
Interview with Dave Weld
A true blues
survivor, who has done it all and seen it all, Dave Weld
and his band The Imperial Flames are back with a
sophomore CD for Delmark Records. Weld has paid his
blues dues and lived to tell us about it. |
 FEATURE:
Interview with Toronzo Cannon
This rising star just signed with Alligator, plays all
over the world and drives a CTA bus. How does talented
Toronzo manage his seemingly double life?
photo: Jennifer Noble |
 FEATURE:
Interview with Shuggie Otis
Musical prodigy and the son of late legend Johnny Otis,
Shuggie's early music influenced the likes of Prince and
Lenny Kravitz. Always ahead of his time, the
multi-talented artist has been rediscovered and is
hitting the comeback trail. He will perform at City
Winery on July 17. |
NEWS: R.I.P. Riley B. King:
Sept. 16, 1925 - May 14, 2015
Blues fans around the world mourn the passing of the
King of the Blues.
Photo:
Dianne Bruce Dunklau captured a tender moment with B.B.
King holding Peter Frampton's hand at RiverEdge Park,
Aurora in 2013 for Frampton's Guitar Circus Concert. |
 FEATURE:
Interview with Devon Allman
Although his tenure with Royal Southern Brotherhood
winds down after four years, Allman has plenty in store
as he returns to his solo career. His new CD, Ragged
& Dirty, displays his "love affair" with Chicago
and the blues. |
 LIVE
REVIEW:
Jarekus Singleton at SPACE
What makes this rising young star so special that
Alligator Records snatched him up? Roving reporter Liz
Mandeville scoped out this uniquely talented artist to
find the answer.
|
 FEATURE:
Winter in July
Indiana's poet laureate George Kalamaras pays tribute to
the late Johnny Winter. Exclusive photos! |
 FEATURE:
Interview with Dave Specter
Specter spent his youth learning and performing with
blues legends. His new Delmark CD features one of them,
Otis Clay. "Spec" recalls the lessons he learned from
teachers Hubert Sumlin, Sam Lay and more. |
 FEATURE:
Interview with Tom Marker
WXRT DJ and Blues Breakers host has been
keeping the blues alive since 1984. Tom explains how the
blues bug first bit him and recalls legends he's met
over the years.
|
 FEATURE:
Interview with Bobby Rush
The ever youthful soul-blues legend tells the truth
about his life in show biz along with tall tales about
preachin', sellin' cotton, playin' the chit'lin'
circuit, Chicken Heads, other heads, shady record deals
and the list goes on...
PART 2 |
 FEATURE:
Interview with Donald Kinsey
From Gary to Jamaica and back, musician Donald Kinsey
keeps the music moving forward. The celebrated artist
talks about his family band, Big Daddy, Bob Marley,
Peter Tosh, Albert King and more. |
 FEATURE:
Interview with Joanne Shaw Taylor
British blues-rock artist Joanne Shaw Taylor is
currently touring as part of Ruf Records Blues Caravan
Tour.
The multi-talented young lady talks about her dream
career so far, with more to come.
|
 FEATURE:
Interview with Liz Mandeville
Renaissance woman Liz Mandeville was inducted into the
Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2013. A year, prior she
started her own record label and began a new path in her
career
as a blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, record label
owner, author, speaker and painter. |
 FEATURE:
Interview with Mississippi Heat's Pierre Lacocque
Miss. Heat founder and harp
player Lacocque isn't your typical blues man. He's lived
all over the world, but never felt at home until he
discovered the blues in Chicago. The band celebrates its
20th anniversary with a new CD on Delmark, and sets at
Blues Fest 2013 and Delmark's annual Blues Brunch. |
FEATURE: Welcome Buddy and Hopkins!
The further misadventures of Buddy and Hopkins are
featured regularly on our website, thanks to talented
artist
Jason Nocera.
Click on
the photo to find out what kind of trouble they get into
this month. |
|
|
Get the party started!
Book a blues band & more with
Cain's Music
Connection |
Dave Specter's Blues & Roots
PODCAST
|
Hambone's
Blues Party on
WDCB 90.9 FM |
+ |
NEWS:
Chicago's Blues Clubs face uncertain future
Fall
2020 CD REVIEWS
CD
REVIEWS: Red Hot 'n Blues Reviews
FEATURE/
Book Review
FEATURE/
Book Review
FEATURE:
John Primer Interview/Part 2
LIVE
REVIEW: Tedeschi Trucks Band
FEATURE:
Billy Branch Interview
FEATURE:
Magic Dick & Shun Ng Interview
FEATURE:
Matthew Skoller Interview
LIVE
REVIEW: Mike Wheeler Band at FitzGerald's
FEATURE:
Interview with John Mayall
LIVE
REVIEW: Blues on the Fox 2015
FEATURE:
Interview with Lazer Lloyd
LIVE
REVIEW: I'll Take You There: Celebrating 75 Years of
Mavis Staples
LIVE
REVIEW -- Nick Moss Band, Kevin Purcell & The
Nightburners
FEATURE:
Interview with Selwyn Birchwood
FEATURE:
The Blues Doctor is in! Good guys wear black.
FEATURE:
Interview with Big Bill Morganfield
LIVE
REVIEW: A Night For Magic -- A Tribute to Magic Slim
FEATURE: Interview with Big Llou Johnson
