Rough Guide to Chicago Blues

Performers include: John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton, Billy Boy Arnold, Elvin Bishop, Elmore James, Nolan Struck, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Little Walter, Magic Sam, Roosevelt Sykes, Johnnie Jones, Koko Taylor, Robert Taylor, Robert Nighthawk, Otis Spann, John Littlejohn.
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