Customer Reviews

Rough Guide to Chicago Blues

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The caption is the opening line from the eight pages of liner notes written by Robin Wise, and it concludes with "Chicago Blues ... a virile and proud new genre." And what you get here from the British-based World Music Network are 21 representative tunes of that form of the Blues, performed by its most famous artists.

The sound quality is excellent, and while I also assign 4 stars rather than the maximum 5, it isn't for the same reason as stated by another reviewer, i.e., the abrupt endings/fading early. That, where it happens, is most likely a result of the original recordings, but even so it isn't distracting to any great degree.

Rather, I deducted 1 star for the simple reason that the liner notes, while telling you the name of the original album from which each selection was culled, only hints at the year of the recording in most cases, and in some doesn't even do that. I suppose, given the album names, one could research the Web and try and determine when the albums were cut, but that's something the producer, Phil Stanton, should have done. Even then, knowing when the album was recorded doesn't necessarily tell you if the track concerned was actually recorded at that time, as it wasn't uncommon to throw in much earlier cuts here and there.

And if it's R&B hits you're seeking, I can tell you that the only track here that was an original hit single is I Can't Quit You Baby by Otis Rush. Indeed, a # 6 R&B in late 1956 on Cobra 5000, and written by Willie Dixon, it was the only charter for this Mississippi-born singer/guitarist. "Dust My Broom" was, of course, a hit for Elmore James (billed then to Elmo James) in 1952 on the Trumpet label, but this version was, according to the notes, recorded for Arhoolie Records "in the 1960's."

If you like the Chicago Blues style you will certainly enjoy this CD.

-that's more than enough to get you through a full slab and your choice of sides (as my friends and i did just this evening!). rough guide generally does exemplary work, and the only reason i'm not giving them 5 stars here is the fact that some songs fade out way early, or simply cut off abruptly. even with this, you've got a collection of pretty much every great chicago blues musician, and the feel of a night on the town. bring me another slab- i'll work it off later!