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EVENTS
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Chicago Blues Guide HOT shows
Otis Clay Jan. 28: Otis Clay at FitzGeralds, Berwyn, IL


CLICK for more info and many more HOT shows coming this week
Electro Glide CD art Winter 2012 contest!!!

 Win three outstanding new CDs from the Electro Glide label:

 Marty "Big Dog" Mercer
 Brandon Santini
 The Blues, An Evolution, a sampler of the label's artists.
 ENTER TO WIN

UPDATES
 Staple Singers

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Jubilee Showcase
In Chicago, the sweet sound of gospel music could be heard on Jubilee Showcase, a popular local TV show that ran from 1963 to 1984. A new DVD, Classic Moments in Jubilee Showcase, captures outstanding performances by the most famous gospel artists of all time, including the Staple Singers (photo), Andrae Crouch, Soul Stirrers, Jessy Dixon, Inez Andrews and more!
Buddy & Hopkins comic headshot FEATURE: Welcome Buddy and Hopkins!

The further misadventures of Buddy and  Hopkins will be featured regularly on our website, starting this month, thanks to talented artist Jason Nocera. Click on the photo for the first installment.
Big Llou Johnson FEATURE: Interview with Big Llou Johnson


 "Bringing sexy back to the blues"

 The voice of B.B. King's Bluesville radio network releases his debut blues CD.
Liz Mandeville FEATURE: Inside The Blues with Liz Mandeville

 Liz reviews CDs by Big Ray, Linsey Alexander and Donny Nichilo to give us a taste of three flavors of Chicago Blues.
Buddy GuyLIVE REVIEW: Blues Blast Music Awards 2011

Blues legend Buddy Guy took home three of the eight awards at the all-star festivities held at his club, Legends. He also turned in one of the night's most salacious performances. Chicago Blues Guide's Liz Mandeville was there to get the scoop.
Buddy Guy at Bluestock LIVE REVIEW: Bluestock 2011, Hunter Mt., N.Y.

 The inaugural Bluestock Festival was held the same weekend as Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast. Thanks to diligent planning, the major event went on to the delight of blues fans who came from all over the globe. Our CBG  correspondents braved the elements to enjoy the music and to say "good night, Irene, good night" to the storm.
Honeyboy Edwards FEATURE: So Many Roads, blues poetry
 
Poet George Kalamaras pays tribute to the last of the Mississippi Delta bluesmen, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, upon his recent passing.
Candye Kane FEATURE: Is Candye Kane the "Toughest Girl Alive"?

In this interview with the colorful and outspoken blues belter, songwriter and actress, Candye speaks frankly about her unique life and career.
Jimmie Vaughan LIVE REVIEW: Jimmie Vaughan at SPACE in Evanston

 It's rare to find a musician of Vaughan's stature performing in an intimate club like SPACE, which was SRO, not surprisingly. The famed Texas guitarist was backed by the Tilt-a-Whirl Band, including former Roomful of Blues horn men and singer Lou Ann Barton, for an evening of hot licks and cool music by some of the best in the biz.
Wendell Holmes FEATURE: Interview with the Holmes Brothers

 Wendell Holmes, Sherman Holmes and Popsy Dixon have triumphed over adversity with help from the uplifting music and message they bring to audiences around the world. Was it divine intervention that first brought this band of brothers together and has kept them going for over 40 years?
Tab Benoit B&W FEATURE: Interview with Tab Benoit

 Cajun bluesman Tab Benoit gives voice to the Louisiana wetlands and serves up some Medicine, on his hot new CD.
Kenny Neal LIVE REVIEW: Moulin Blues Festival, Ospel, Netherlands

 Kenny Neal (photo), John Nemeth, Nick Moss, Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Janiva Magness, Los Lonely Boys, Bob Corritore & Dave Riley, Fabulous Thunderbirds & more all performed at this venerable campground fest that was one giant backyard BBQ!

Delmark 55th DVDREVIEWS:

CDs: Junior Wells, James Cotton, Dave Specter, Pinetop Perkins, Dave Weld, Charlie Musselwhite, Holmes Bros., Nick Moss, Janiva Magness, Cash Box Kings, Big James, John Primer, Buckwheat Zydeco, John Nemeth, Buddy Guy, Saffire, Magic Slim & more.

DVDs: 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.
Shemekia Copeland crowned and group REVIEW: Chicago Blues Fest 2011

Chicago Blues Fest's theme this year was Sweet Home Chicago: A Centennial Celebration of Robert Johnson.
The venerable fest found itself in a state of transition, with a new mayor and major changes, including budget cuts, resulting in a scaled back Blues Fest
which featured mostly local acts.
Sadly, two blues elders cancelled their appearances due to health issues.
Still, there were many highlights, including Shemekia Copeland's being crowned the new Queen of the Blues, Alligator Records' 40th Anniversary Showcase and more.
Holle Thee Maxwell small FEATURE: Interview with Holle Thee Maxwell

 Combining sexiness with sass, this Chicago blues/R&B diva commands the stage in her own unique style.

Catch her at two shows during Chicago Blues Fest week.
Ronnie Baker Brooks small FEATURE: Interview with Ronnie Baker Brooks

Carrying the torch and infusing new energy into the blues, the son of blues legend Lonnie Brooks is featured on a heralded new tribute album.

Catch the Brooks family at two major events during Blues Festival week in Chicago.
Andre WilliamsFEATURE: Interview with Andre Williams

 Chicago music icon to give FREE concert at Milliennum Park May 30. Whether he's urging you to "Shake a Tailfeather" or get greasy with "Bacon Fat," Andre Williams is first and foremost an entertainer for all seasons.
Marcia Ball FEATURE: Interview with Marcia Ball

The party's still going on for veteran blues/boogie pianist Marcia Ball. The Louisiana native brings her "Roadside Attractions" to Chicago for an intimate show.
Wendell Holmes REVIEW: Holmes Brothers at SPACE in Evanston
 
 From the Beatles to the blues,  Wendell and Sherman Holmes plus Popsy Dixon put their unique spin on roots music that spans genres. The trio's concise harmonies, downhome charm and gospel spirit captivated the crowd for a very special, intimate show.
Chris Thomas King REVIEW: Chris Thomas King at SPACE in Evanston

 Highly regarded as a blues artist, King easily moves between genres. On a frigid February night, the multi-talented King performed acoustic Delta blues, electric Chicago blues, blues-rock, R&B, country, a touch of hip-hop, and even a Middle-Eastern flavored number. He also paid tribute to Ray Charles and Lindsay Lohan.
Robert Johnson REVIEW: Blues at the Crossroads: Robert Johnson Centennial Concert

 Orchestra Hall, home of The Chicago Symphony, provided a classic, elegant setting for a tribute to music that is equally classic and timeless. Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcom, Honeyboy Edwards and Hubert Sumlin feted the legendary Delta icon, and gave a nod to Sweet Home Chicago artists, too.
Eddie ShawREVIEW: Beautiful Swamp Blues Festival, Calais, France
 
For three days each November, this historic French border town comes alive with the blues. This year a mini-Chicago Blues Fest starred Eddie Shaw (photo), Maurice John Vaughn, Zora Young and more. Many acts from all over the U.S. performed to enthused Europeans all weekend.
Rob Blaine small REVIEW: Rob Blaine's Big Otis Blues in Memphis

 Liz Mandeville describes all the action during  the Chicago band's blazing set at the Hard Rock Cafe for the IBC semi-finals in Memphis. Like a giant earth moving machine, Rob and  Big Otis rolled over the competition to move on to the finals.
Kenny Smith FEATURES: Kenny Smith talks about Louisiana Swamp Stomp

 Chicago blues drummer Kenny Smith co-produced the talent-filled benefit CD, Louisiana Swamp Stomp, a collaboration between New Orleans and Chicago musicians. All those involved in the project donated their time and talent to this worthy cause.
Ruthie Foster, Eric Bibb REVIEW: Ruthie Foster & Eric Bibb at College of DuPage / The Mac

The show’s theme was “Thanks For The Joy.” Both artists served up that blissful feeling by the truckload. They even made songs about death seem cheery.
Buddy Guy small REVIEW: Buddy Guy at Legends with Larry McCray

We take you to Buddy's club to see him in action during his month-long residency. On this night he was  "raucous, mellow, sentimental and, of course, brilliant." Buddy and Larry McCray cheered up broken-hearted Bears fans, too.
B.B. KingREVIEW: B. B. King at the Paramount Theater, Aurora

It was a royal night with three Kings who performed at the palatial, historic theater.
B.B. King, daughter Shirley King and Chicago bluesman Guy King put on a classy show that was uplifting and memorable.
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