CD Review: Chicago Blues: A Living History The (R)evolution Continues

By blue barry – smoky mountain blues society

May.2011

What very well could be the Blues CD of the year will be out soon. It is called Chicago Blues: A Living History The (R)evolution Continues. Coming from KL Productions in Nashville, Tennessee, this is the follow up CD to their Grammy nominated Chicago Blues: A Living History. The first one was spectacular in that is covered the Father’s of the Blues, the old guys, their gifts to the genre and celebrating the blues as America’s most famous gift to music. This new double CD featuring Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch, Lurrie Bell, Carlos Johnson, and special guests. This new release just continues that fine music into a new Evolution of where the blues is going. Just how the blues had a baby and they called it Rock and Roll. This CD is a living, moving genesis of today’s best blues performers doing their finest work for our listening enjoyment. Well, our listening amazement as well. Like I said, this may be the best Blues CD of the year. A very strong 2-CD package with 22 cuts. They range from contemporary remakes from 1941 to 1998. Along with the afore mentioned stars we have special guests of the highest caliber in Buddy Guy, James Cotton, and Magic Slim. Keeping the blues alive and bursting into the future are contemporary blues icons Ronnie Baker Brooks, Zora Young, and Mike Avery. They may not be household words in today’s contemporary rock and roll stadiums, but this CD might just make the rest of the music world aware that the blues are still alive, and kicking. The blues can still fill any stage in the world with luminaries of talent, young and old, traditional and brand new. The Living History Band includes Billy Flynn on guitar, Matthew Skoller on blues harp, Johnny Iguana on keyboards, Felton Crews on bass, and Kenny Smith on Drums. Kenny “Beedy-Eyes” Smith that is. This is the largest group of contemporary blues players to every congregate in a studio, to record music at the same time. The 2-CD cover and insert is full of pictures and information, and will no doubt be a historical document one of these days.

The music is explosive and just better than you think it could be. I first listened to CD #2 which opened with Buddy Guy blistering some strings on “The First Time I Met The Blues.” That just set the tone for me. The are several Muddy Waters tunes on here, some Jimmy Rogers, and one of my favorites “Somebody Loan Me A Dime” by Fenton Robinson. I could write for two more hours on how great this CD is. I just love it. Look for it. Buy it, and find out for yourself. It has really improved the quality of a lot of my days getting to listen to it over and over again. Trust me on this one.

THESE ARE BLUES FROM THE PAST, LIVING IN THE PRESENT, AND WALKING INTO THE FUTURE! If you are any kind of a blues enthusiast, or want to try us out, here is your ticket. One Love my friends, and the pleasure was mine……sharing the music, love, and respect with you……..blue barry