Rough Guide to Chicago Blues

by Rough Guide To Chicago Blues / Various

Overview

Ah, the Chicago blues. While it very much has its own identity, developed from the '30s on, it's the direct descendent of the Delta blues of Mississippi, gussied up in city clothes and given a bit of a polish -- but never too much of one. The Rough Guide to Chicago Blues compilation proves to be one of the best at uncovering the city and its style. Most of the big names are here -- Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Otis Spann, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, John Lee Hooker, and others (although, curiously, no Howlin' Wolf). But it also goes a bit below the surface and comes up with far lesser-known, but equally good, names like John Littlejohn and Johnny Jones & Billy Boy Arnold, making for something that's satisfying and more than just the obvious. It also illustrates that Chicago was more than just gutbucket harmonica and driving electric guitar -- although there's plenty of that, too. But piano was equally important, as shown from the leadoff cut, a version of "Sweet Home Chicago" by Roosevelt Sykes (the song bookends the disc, appearing again in Magic Sam's style). Although this focuses on the glory days of the Windy City, from the late '40s to the early '70s, the development of the sound is apparent, and continues to this day. Bonus points for including the marvelous Hound Dog Taylor, who was a city treasure. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	11/05/2021
Label:	World Music Network
UPC:	0605633140842
Rank:	95767

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Johnny Jones   Primary Artist
Paul Butterfield   Primary Artist
Sonny Boy Williamson II   Primary Artist
Billy Boy Arnold   Primary Artist
James Cotton   Primary Artist
Elmore James   Primary Artist
Magic Sam   Primary Artist
Nolan Struck   Primary Artist
Otis Spann   Primary Artist
Muddy Waters   Primary Artist
Eddy Clearwater   Primary Artist
Elvin Bishop   Primary Artist
John Lee Hooker   Primary Artist
Robert Lockwood, Jr.   Primary Artist
Otis Rush   Primary Artist
Buddy Guy   Primary Artist
Junior Wells   Primary Artist
Johnnie Jones   Primary Artist
John Little John   Primary Artist
Little Johnny Walter   Primary Artist
Charlie Musselwhite   Primary Artist
Hound Dog Taylor   Primary Artist
Robert Nighthawk   Primary Artist
Roosevelt Sykes   Primary Artist
Valerie Wellington   Primary Artist
Koko Taylor   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Phil Stanton   Audio Production,Producer,Series Producer
Robert Nighthawk   Composer
Paul Butterfield   Adaptation,Arranger
Traditional   Composer
Berry Gordy, Jr.   Composer
Big Maceo Merriweather   Composer
Ike Turner   Composer
Billy Boy Arnold   Composer
Janie Bradford   Composer
Elmore James   Composer
Walter Jacobs   Composer
McKinley Morganfield   Composer
Otis Spann   Composer
Edwin Williams   Composer
Greg Roberts   Photography
Walter Williams   Composer
Robert Johnson   Composer
Buddy Guy   Composer
Willie Dixon   Composer
Junior Wells   Composer
Lawrence Cedar   Mastering
Robin Wise   Liner Notes
Rita Weigand   Cover Image
Rick Gershater   Images
Duncan Baker   Coordination
Wildcat   Design,Artwork
Richard Cummins   Back Cover
Charlie Musselwhite   Composer
Hound Dog Taylor   Composer
Louise Mitton   Coordination