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Chicago Blues Guide
HOT shows |
May
18: Dominican University's Blues Divas:
Deitra Farr, Peaches Staten, Nellie "Tiger" Travis (photo),
Sharon Lewis at
Harlem Ave. Lounge,
Berwyn, IL
CLICK for more HOT shows coming this week! |
| UPDATES |
NEWS: Michael "Iron Man" Burks dies at age 54
Alligator recording artist Michael Burks died Sunday, May 6, 2012 of an
apparent heart attack at the Atlanta airport while
returning from a European tour. No further info is
available at this time. Our condolences go out to
his family, friends and fans. We will miss you, Iron
Man. |
NEWS: Blues News You Can Really Use!
We don't usually publish our FREE "subscribers only" newsletter on the
website. But this month's edition is filled with such
great blues news, we wanted to share it with everyone!
News from Elwood Blues, Blues on the Fox Fest schedule, Old Town School's
Blues Series, Dominican University's Blues & The Spirit,
Bob Carter Benefit
and much more!
(Shemekia Copeland: photo Jennifer
Noble) |
LIVE REVIEW: Lee Ritenour at The Mayne Stage
The versatile virtuoso guitarist, along with his ace band, played to a
packed house of devotees. It was a breathtaking show
filled with musical surprises that defied
boundaries. |
LIVE
REVIEW: Mud Morganfield CD release party at Legends
Celebrating his new CD, Son of the Seventh Son,
Muddy's eldest son was joined by Bob Corritore, Rick
Kreher, Kenny Smith, E.G. McDaniel, Harmonica Hinds,
Barrelhouse Chuck, Deitra Farr, Katherine Davis
and the Chicago Blues Angels for a night of pure blues
fun. |
EVENTS: Chicago Blues Festival 2012
June 8 - 10 in Grant Park
This year includes tributes to Lightnin' Hopkins, Hubert
Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins, Honeyboy Edwards, Koko Taylor,
Muddy Waters' band mates and more!
Click
for complete schedule |
FEATURE: Interview with Lee Ritenour
It would be a misnomer to call Lee Ritenour a jazz guitarist. The
acclaimed musician mixes blues, funk, rock, pop and
other genres into his award-winning music.
Ritenour also wants to provide a voice to amateur
musicians with his third annual Six String Theory Global
Music Competition. He expounds on this YouTube
contest, along with other cool topics. See him in
Chicago on April 4. |
LIVE
REVIEW: Delmark's West Side Blues Revue at B.L.U.E.S.
Delmark Records sure knows how to throw a party! They
asked Billy Flynn to host and invite
his friends: James
Wheeler,
Milwaukee Slim, Barrelhouse Chuck, Oscar Wilson, Willie Buck, Mary Lane,
Jody Williams, Elmore James, Jr., Tail Dragger,
Rockin’ Johnny, Bob Stroger, Kenny “Beady Eyes"
Smith
and more performed. Find who
else packed the house on Feb. 26, 2012.
(photo: Elmore James, Jr.) |
FEATURE: Interview with Howard Levy
Evanston's resident harmonica genius, along with bandmates Bela Fleck &
the Flecktones, celebrate their recent Grammy win and
hit the road for a major tour. Levy reflects on his past
projects with stars like Dolly Parton and Paul Simon,
and looks to the future. |

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! |
BLACK
HISTORY MONTH:
A Visit to Maxwell Street
Chicago blues was born on the gritty avenues of the
Maxwell Street Market. Photographer Tom Smith
documented the open-air marketplace for 30 years. Take a
trip back in time to see the vendors, hustlers,
preachers and especially the
musicians of the long gone original Maxwell Street
Market |
FEATURE: Welcome Buddy and Hopkins!
The further misadventures of Buddy and Hopkins
will be 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. |
|
REVIEWS:
CDs:
Junior Wells, James Cotton, Mud Morganfield, Dave Specter, Pinetop Perkins, Dave
Weld, Charlie Musselwhite, Holmes Bros., Nick Moss, Janiva
Magness, Cash Box Kings, Big James, Buckwheat Zydeco, John Nemeth, Buddy Guy, 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.
|
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? |
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. |
FEATURE:
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. |
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. |
|
|

Dave Specter & John Primer
June 6, 2012
SPACE,
Evanston |

Blue Chicago
536 N. Clark
Chicago, IL |
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