When listening to the blues, there are many different
variables to consider. For example, when it comes to choosing a
car, do you want the finely tuned stylings of a BMW or the
classic look of an American
Cadillac? When looking for blues shows to see, you could
choose the classic sounds of B.B. King, or something more
contemporary like Joss Stone and Ryan
Shaw.
Picking the correct
BMW parts
to fine tune your vehicle's performance is like picking the type
of band to listen to. Do you want to hear a big blues band with
many members or find an acoustic solo performance to enjoy? A
restored
Mercedes may have different
Mercedes parts from all over the world, like a blues
collaboration may bring musical genres together to jam, like
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival. Read
our reviews and take a musical
test drive through the blues!
LIVE 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. |
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. |
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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. |
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. |
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! |
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. |
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. |
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. |
REVIEW:
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. |
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 during the IBC semi-finals in
Memphis. Like a giant earth moving machine, Rob and Big
Otis rolled over the comp |
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. |
REVIEW:
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. |
REVIEW: Lucerne, Switzerland Blues Festival 2010.
Picturesque Lucerne was the spectacular setting for the 16th annual Blues
Festival in this Swiss mountain city. We have complete coverage
of the 4-day fest which included sets by Mavis Staples (photo),
Ronnie Baker Brooks, Lou Pride, Dave Specter, Sharon Lewis,
Super Chikan, Guy Davis, Bryan Lee, Kid Ramos, The Nighthawks &
more! |
REVIEW: Blues Blast Music Awards 2010
Blues people from all over the country came to Buddy Guy's new
Legends club for the third annual awards show. We have full
coverage and photos of the nearly 7 hour blues party! |
REVIEW: Ruthie Foster brings the blues and
gospel spirit to SPACE in Evanston.
The Texas songbird's astonishing voice rose to the rafters as
she took the crowd on a rapturous ride with soulful roots music. |
REVIEW: Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar
Festival 2010.
We take you to the nearly 12-hour marathon of nonstop music with
performances by Sonny Landreth
(photo by Jennifer Wheeler), Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, Robert Cray, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Buddy
Guy, B.B. King, John Mayer, Keb Mo', Los Lobos, Jonny
Lang, Steve Winwood, Z.Z. Top and many more, plus
surprises! |
REVIEW: Nothin' But The Blues, is a
tribute to Theresa's Lounge and a blues musical by Black
Ensemble Theater. It sizzles with barroom characters, romance,
calamity and a smokin' cast beltin' the blues. |
REVIEW:
Dave Specter & Jimmy Johnson at SPACE in Evanston.
Two kindred spirits of the blues joined together for a
musical journey that took the rapt audience to a transcendent
meeting of the minds between guru and disciple. |
REVIEW: Chico Banks Tribute & Birthday Bash at B.L.U.E.S.
It was a night to pay tribute, celebrate and remember a shining talent
that the blues community lost too soon. The North Side club was
packed as musicians, fans, friends and family shared music,
memories, Martell shots and birthday cake in Chico's honor. |
REVIEW: Mose Allison at the Jazz Showcase, Chicago.
At 82 years young, the witty pianist has influenced generations
of all musical genres. Like a bridge connecting sophisticate
jazz with rural blues, Allison's unique influence on modern
music remains relevant. His intimate performance showed him to
be a timeless talent for the ages. |
REVIEW: Blues Blast Music Awards 2009 at
Buddy Guy's Legends.
It was a star-filled night with outstanding performances from
soul survivors, vibrant veterans and next-generation blues
heroes. It also was filled with tearful, touching and triumphant
moments. We have coverage and photos of the entire awards
ceremony. |
REVIEW:
Blues on the Fox Fest
June 19-20, 2009. Highlights and photos by Eric Steiner.
Storms shut down Friday's show. It turned into summer on Saturday for
blazing sets by Sugar Blue(photo), Los Lobos, Watermelon
Slim, Two Man Wrecking Crew, Henry Butler & Hix
Brothers' Junior All-Stars. |
REVIEW:
Chicago Blues Festival, June 12-14, 2009.
Highlights and photos.
It was a weekend of soul revues, ladies sing the blues and more.
(photo: Sharon Jones) |
REVIEW: Chicago Blues Tour
For two decades, this bus trip to the city's remote blues bars
has given tourists a slice of real deal blues and R&B served up
like the South and West Siders like it.
Come along as we take you on the journey to see:
Tail Dragger (photo)at Rooster's, Fantastic
L-Roy at Linda's Place, Vance Kelly at the New
Checkerboard and more. |
REVIEW:
Pinetop Perkins, Bob Stroger, Willie "Big Eyes"
Smith
bring classic Chicago blues to sweet home Seattle.
Even at age 95, the blues piano legend still tickles the ivories
and touches fans' hearts. |
REVIEW: John Nemeth at Buddy Guy's Legends, Chicago.
It only happens about every other decade -- a fresh young talent whose
star power can't be denied comes along to take the blues by
storm. John Nemeth has got what it takes to reach a major
audience. Buddy Guy, who sat in, would agree. |
REVIEW:
All-star jam at IBC with Shemekia Copeland, Toronzo
Cannon, Russell Green and more.
Chicago talent shines at Ground Zero for this year's
International Blues Challenge weekend in Memphis, TN. |
REVIEW:
Ronnie Baker Brooks put on a show full of
surprises at Buddy Guy's Legends. Highlights included
superstar guests: Buddy Guy, Lonnie Brooks and Shemekia
Copeland. |
REVIEW:
Blues Blast Music Awards 2008 at Buddy Guy's
club. Blue musicians and fans from all over the country
traveled to Chicago for the debut of the awards show.
And the winners are... |

REVIEW: Two Buddy Guy Special Events
Tribute concert & awards in the park, plus CD release party in
the club with special guests, all in one night.

REVIEW:
Joss Stone & Ryan Shaw at Taste of Chicago
Joss Stone and Ryan Shaw have the kind of
sensuous, passionate and soulful voices that can make you swoon,
break your heart or shake your booty.
REVIEW:
Stevie Wonder At Taste of Chicago
The superstar drew massive crowds to Grant
Park for a free concert that lasted nearly three hours, with 30
songs and some surprises. It was a musical, political and
cultural event, and a great party, too.
SOLID
BLUES: With Mavis Staples, Charlie Musselwhite,
North Mississippi
Allstars and Joe Krown
Friday, November 2, 2007--
McAninch
Arts
Center
at College
of DuPage
Glen
Ellyn,
IL
Eric
Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007
Starring: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood, Buddy Guy, Johnny
Winter, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Robert Cray, Los
Lobos, Sonny Landreth, Allison Kraus, John Mayer, Sheryl
Crowe, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Albert Lee, Vince
Gill and more. Read a full account of the entire 11-hour
concert!!! |
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