Search - Various Artists :: Atlantic Blues: Chicago

Extra Chicago Chess-men Play A Fine Blues Game

Anthony G Pizza | FL | 04/06/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Atlantic Records had some of its finest success in the 60s and 70s with groups carrying and amplifying the blues tradition (Led Zeppelin, Cream/Eric Clapton, even the Rolling Stones' tenure with the label). So it's fitting that they also recorded some influential bluesmen over their 50-year history, gathering them on collections spotlighting guitar, piano, vocals, and this, the Chicago blues style. Several second-generation Anglo/American blues disciples help out. Eric Clapton and Dr. John back Buddy Guy and Junior Wells on three hot tracks including "T-Bone Shuffle." Influential blues guitarist Freddie King gets help from King Curtis and arranger Donny Hathaway on three tracks including the talkin' blues "Play It Cool." (King is again heard on the live "Goin' Down.") Duane Allman contributes solid slide guitar to Otis Rush's renditions of BB King's "Gambler's Blues" and Chuck Wills' "I Feel So Bad" (the Memphis version Elvis always had in him.)The highlights also include live performances from Chess alumni Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Willie Dixon w/Koko Taylor recorded at a 1972 Ann Arbor, MI concert. All passed their creative peak by then but could still rouse a crowd, as Taylor does on her crackling "Wang Dang Doodle."This set (also part of a four-CD box) supplements, but doesn't substitute, for Chess' "The Blues" volumes or the more recent "Best of Chess Blues" samplers. Buy those and best-ofs from your favorites among them before investing here."