VA - Chicago, The Blues, Today! Vol. 1 - 3 [1966]

 

Compiled by Sam Charters, a well known blues historian and fan, recorded in Chicago in 65', these records showcase the cream of the second generation of Chicago electric blues. The highlight of this series must be Junior Wells, but the rest is also brilliant and the quality of the music stays uniform across the three volumes.

These discs are properly the most important releases in the history of the blues scene in Chicago,apart from the Chess catalogue and they still sound awesome 43 years later. Another must for any serious Blues collector.


CD-1 Recorded in 1965

The Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band
01 - Help Me (A Tribute to Sonny Boy Williamson) (4:09)
02 - It Hurts Me Too (When Things Go Wrong) (2:48)
03 - Messin' With The Kid (2:25)
04 - Vietcong Blues (5:01)
05 - All Night Long (3:48)
J. B. Hutto & His Hawks
06 - Going Ahead (2:07)
07 - Please Help (2:56)
08 - Too Much Alcohol (2:33)
09 - Married Woman Blues (3:10)
10 - That's The Truth (2:51)
Otis Spann's South Side Piano 
11 - Marie (2:31)
12 - Burning Fire (3:18)
13 - S.P. Blues (2:55)
14 - Sometime I Wonder (3:31)
15 - Spann's Stomp (2:20)


CD-2 Recorded in 1965

The James Cotton Blues Band
01 - Cotton Crop Blues (2:22)
02 - The Blues Keep Falling (4:05)
03 - Love Me or Leave (3:29)
04 - Rocket 88 (2:06)
05 - West Helena Blues (3:31)
The Otis Rush Blues Band
06 - Everything's Going to Turn Out Alright (3:56)
07 - It's A Mean Old World (2:25)
08 - I Can't Quit You Baby (3:18)
09 - Rock (3:36)
10 - It's My Own Fault (5:59)
Homesick James and His Dusters
11 - Dust My Broom (3:19)
12 - Somebody Been Talkin' (2:18)
13 - Set A Date (2:47)
14 - So Mean to Me (2:49)

CD-3 Recorded in 1965

Johnny Young's South Side Blues Band
01 - One More Time (2:30)
02 - Kid Man Blues (3:03)
03 - My Black Mare (3:45)
04 - Stealin' Back (3:21)
05 - I Got Mine In Time (4:22)
06 - Tighten Up On It (3:13)
The Johnny Shines Blues Band
07 - Dynaflow Blues (2:39)
08 - Black Spider Blues (3:06)
09 - Layin' Down My Shoes And Clothes (2:27)
10 - If I Get Lucky (3:27)
Big Walter Horton's Blues Harp Band
11 - Rockin' My Boogie (3:30)
The Johnny Shines Blues Band
12 - Mr. Boweevil (3:14)
13 - Hey, Hey (2:22)