Customer Reviews

Chicago Blues: The City & the Music

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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This book is one of those 'text' books that reads well. It isn't really a text book but it contains more information about Chicago Blues than I have found in a single book anywhere else. It covers the standard demographic changes and other things that lead to the development of the music, but then it walks you through the artists, big and small, the different labels, big and small. From Muddy Waters to Mighty Joe Young, Chess to Jax. Also included are billboard rating charts, and a very comprehensive discography by artist. The only limitaion I found was that it does not cover the more modern artists, leaving off around the mid seventies. For someone who loves blues and wants to know more, this is a great guidebook for a journey though a great musical tradition.

This is an important book for Blues fans, but it had the opportunity to be so much more in terms of size and detail, as most of the artists mentioned in this book were still alive at its initial publish date in 1973. Though many of the artists are quoted, it appears from the skimpy Source section in Chicago Blues that most of the quotes were obtained from Blues Unlimited magazine or from Mike Leadbitter's book, Nothing But The Blues, which also sources Blues Unlimited.

If author Mike Rowe actually had gone to Chicago, Memphis and various cities in Mississippi to personally interview the artists in this book, Chicago Blues would still be the definitive book on Chicago Blues today. Sadly, all but a handful of the artists referenced in this book are deceased today, thus rendering it impossible for another author to attempt to document first and second hand accounts of the shaping of Blues music in Chicago. Rowe may never have intended this book to be the definitive piece on Chicago Blues music, so it may be a bit unfair of me to chastise him for not taking advantage of the availability of the artists and presenting a greater work.

In addition to my disappointment of what this book could have been, I take exception with some of Rowe's artist assessments. He incorrectly dismisses Billy Boy Arnold as only an "average talent" and tends to gloss over those with exceptional talent. Blues music was at a dreary point in the early 70s and combined with Rowe's personal biases towards or against artists, influenced the tenor of this book.

Though Chicago Blues has its shortcomings, I am going to order a second copy as my 20 year old copy is worn.

one of the best on the subject, a classic standing on its own, many cds sleeve notes and other publications have as their source the stories and information in its pages,Highly Recommended Some books have a built in obsolessence in them as time goes by, this book as all the best works on a given subject will never be less than essential.

This is absolutely one of the all time very best books ever written about our Chicago blues! A real must for all readers who want to learn about this music and it's great musicians. Great rare photos and stories. I have over 200 blues books and this is one of my favorites. Enjoy it! Buy it Read it!
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Chicago blues piano player