By Cornbread

CHICAGO BLUES: A LIVING HISTORY
RAISIN' MUSIC - APRIL 21, 2009

"Chicago Blues: A Living History" is a 21 track, 2-CD set that features new recordings of Chicago Blues from 1940 to the present performed by two generations of Chicago's greatest living traditionalists: Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch and Lurrie Bell with The Living History Band: Billy Flynn - guitar, Felton Crews - bass, Kenny Smith - drums, Johnny Iguana - keyboards, Matthew Skoller - harmonica and special guests Carlos Johnson and Mike Avery.

The album fittingly pays homage to the original Chicago Blues architects and the sound innovators John Lee ''Sonny Boy'' Williamson, Tampa Red, Big Broonzy, Big Maceo, Memphis Slim, Billy Boy Arnold, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, Rice Miller, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, Earl Hooker, Junior Wells, James Cotton and Buddy Guy.

Songs:

My Little Machine - Billy Boy Arnold
She's Love Crazy - Billy Boy Arnold
Night Watchman Blues - Billy Boy Arnold
Chicago Breakdown - Johnny Iguana
Feel Like Going Home - John Primer
I Believe - Lurrie Bell
Moanin at Midnight - John Primer
Three O clock Blues - Billy Boy Arnold
Memphis Slim USA - Billy Boy Arnold
Hate To See You Go - Billy Branch
Sugar Sweet - John Primer
Cant Stand To You Go - John Primer
I Wish You Would - Billy Boy Arnold
Your Imagination - John Primer
My Love Will Never Die - Lurrie Bell
Hoodoo Man Blues - Billy Branch
Hooking It - Billy Flynn
Out of Bad Luck - Mike Avery
One More Mile - Billy Branch
The Healer - Carlos Johnson
Damn Right, I Got The Blues - Lurrie Bell & Carlos Johnson

This CD is a delightful musical voyage through the evolving Chicago sound from 40's up to the present. "Chicago Blues: A Living History" gives witness to the history of the blues in its most exemplary form as the artists performing on the recording are the bridge between the originators of the genre and the Chicago Blues of today--through them Chicago Blues remains a living tradition, and STLBlues proudly salutes them on this stellar effort.