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.

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: 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.

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: Otis Clay live at SPACE, Evanston  A master soul and gospel singer, Clay celebrates his 50th year in the music biz with a dynamic, two-set show of beloved songs.

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: Tommy Castro Band at SPACE.  Tommy Castro Band show why they won the BMA for best band with a fun night of solid, versatile musicianship and camaraderie.

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: Chicago Blues Festival 2010 Highlights & photos of the 3 day fest filled with Howlin' Wolf tributes and blues reunions.

REVIEW: Low Down Dirty Blues, a blues musical in Skokie, boasts a stellar cast, nonstop blues from the '20s-'60s, gospel, folk and more.

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: Pat Hall Memorial Concert at the Redline Tap. We lost keyboardist Pat Hall from Coupla Fat Guys on 1/24/10. A Valentine's Day benefit and memorial tribute brought an SRO crowd to a Roger's Park bar for an unforgettable concert by Pat's fellow musicians.

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: Dave Specter & Billy Flynn at SPACE in Evanston. Two blues guitar giants team up for a rare concert full of surprises at North Shore's  hippest new venue.

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: B.B. King live at the Paramount Arts Center, Aurora, IL At age 84, B.B. King shows no signs of slowing down as he captivated the SRO crowd for two solid hours with virtuoso guitar playing, commanding vocals, intimate storytelling and beguiling showmanship.

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: Etta James at the House of Blues, Chicago. The feisty, three-time Grammy winner lets us know that, at age 71, she's one hot, sexy mama with a  voice like finely aged whiskey.

REVIEW: Buddy Guy, Lonnie Brooks & Indigenous at the Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet. Blues royalty holds court in palatial theater filled with devoted fans.

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: Mavis Staples and Booker T. & the MG's reunite for Old Town School benefit at the Harris Theater in Chicago. It was a night to remember, filled with Memphis soul, Chicago style gospel and '60s protest songs.

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!!!