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Some renowned live Chicago blues albums include: “Muddy Waters – AT Newport 1960”, “Living Chicago Blues Vol; 2”, Buddy Guy – “Live at the Checkerboard Lounge”.” Live at Legends” , “Beware of the Dog”, “Drinkin’ TNT, and Smoking Dynomite”, “Live in Chicago”, and Live in Cook County Jail”.
“At Newport 1960” is a live album by Muddy Waters, which captures his electrifying performance at the Newport Jazz Festival on July 3, 1960.
This album is notable for showcasing Waters with his longtime backup band in a live setting, bringing to the forefront the raw energy and powerful presence of his performance.
The tracklist includes iconic songs such as “Tiger In Your Tank,” “I Feel So Good,” and “Got My Mojo Working,” the latter of which has become one of Waters’ most celebrated recordings.
The album is highly regarded for its historical significance in blues music, illustrating the transition from acoustic delta blues to the electric Chicago blues style that Waters pioneered.
Released by Chess Records, “At Newport 1960” has been celebrated for capturing the essence of Muddy Waters’ live performances and for its impact on the blues genre and beyond.
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The album “Muddy ‘Mississippi’ Waters – Live,” was released in January 1979.
This live album by Muddy Waters was recorded during his 1977–78 tour.
It’s celebrated for capturing the raw energy and powerful performance style of Muddy Waters, a legendary figure in the Chicago blues scene.
The album features standout tracks like “Mannish Boy,” “Howling Wolf,” and “Baby Please Don’t Go,” showcasing Waters’ mastery of the blues genre and his ability to engage live audiences with his charismatic stage presence and exceptional guitar-playing.
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The album Living Chicago Blues Vol. 2 is a significant compilation that documents the late 1970s Chicago blues scene.
Released in 1978, it features a collection of artists who were pivotal to the blues genre during this era.
Notable musicians included are Lonnie Brooks, Johnny “Big Moose” Walker, Magic Slim and the Teardrops, and Pinetop Perkins.
This Grammy-nominated album showcases a variety of blues styles, from the two-fisted piano play of Johnny “Big Moose” Walker to the gritty, down-home blues of Magic Slim and the Teardrops, and the legendary piano skills of Pinetop Perkins.
The album is part of a series that aims to capture the essence of Chicago blues, presenting the richness and diversity of the genre through its array of talented artists.
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Live at the Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago 1981″ is a notable concert video and live album featuring performances by Buddy Guy, a legendary figure in the blues genre.
The album showcases Buddy Guy’s exceptional guitar skills and vocals, along with contributions from other renowned artists such as Lefty Dizz and Junior Wells.
Released in 1988, the album captures a great performance recorded at Buddy Guy’s own club, the Checkerboard Lounge, located on Chicago’s south side.
The sound quality of the recording has been praised for its clarity, effectively conveying the intensity of Buddy Guy’s guitar play and his sincere vocal delivery.
This performance is also historically significant due to the participation of Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, and members of the Rolling Stones, highlighting a unique intersection of blues and rock ‘n’ roll on that memorable night in November 1981.
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“Live at Legends” is an album by the renowned blues musician Buddy Guy, released in 2012.
It achieved significant success, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Blues chart and #70 on the Billboard Tastemakers chart.
The album features live performances recorded at Buddy Guy’s famous Chicago blues club, Legends, capturing the vibrant energy and raw emotion characteristic of Guy’s music.
It includes a mix of Buddy Guy’s live favorites, offering a supercharged, funked-out take on classics, including Willie Dixon’s “I Just Want to Make Love to You.
The recording took place in March 1993, showcasing an acoustic set that highlights many classic songs, embodying the essence of the blues genre.
This album is celebrated for its contribution to blues music, showcasing Buddy Guy’s exceptional guitar playing and passionate vocal style.
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“Beware of the Dog” by Hound Dog Taylor is a vibrant showcase of raw energy and high spirits, captured in live club performances.
Released posthumously in 1975, this album is a testament to Taylor’s mastery of the electric blues genre, emphasizing the gritty and unfiltered sound that characterized his career.
The album stands out for its lively performances, showcasing Taylor’s signature slide guitar skills and the cohesive dynamism of The Houserockers.
As a Grammy nominee, it underscores the impact of Hound Dog Taylor’s music, blending traditional blues with a distinct rough-edged sound.
“Beware of the Dog” is not just an album; it’s a historic slice of blues music that captures the essence of live performance, making listeners feel as if they are in the room with the band.
It includes a unique rendition of the old folk song “Comin’ Round The Mountain,” highlighting Taylor’s ability to infuse traditional songs with his electrifying blues style
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“Drinkin’ TNT ‘n’ Smokin’ Dynamite” is a remarkable live album that features the legendary blues musicians Buddy Guy and Junior Wells.
Released in 1982, this album captures the dynamic performance of these two Chicago blues legends at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
It’s known for its electrifying energy, showcasing a blend of raw blues power and soulful expressions through their music.
The album was produced by Bill Wyman, who is famously known for his work with the Rolling Stones, and he also plays bass on this record.
This connection adds a unique rock influence to the blues foundation of the album, creating a memorable listening experience.
The performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival is highlighted by its gritty electric vibe, which emphasizes the powerful live presence of Guy and Wells and their ability to engage with the audience through their music】.
Overall, “Drinkin’ TNT ‘n’ Smokin’ Dynamite” is a must-listen for fans of blues music, offering a glimpse into the sheer talent and stage charisma of Buddy Guy and Junior Wells.
It’s not just an album; it’s a historical document that captures the essence of live blues music at its best.
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“Live in Chicago” by Luther Allison is a celebrated live album recorded in Chicago in 1995 and Nebraska in 1997, showcasing the American blues musician’s extraordinary talent.
Released in 1999, this album captures Allison’s dynamic performance and exceptional guitar skills, making it a significant addition to the blues genre.
The album is particularly noted for its energy and the quality of its live recordings, which bring out the essence of Allison’s music.
It is a 2-disc set that has been highly praised for its jam-packed live performances, including his epic 1995 Chicago appearance.
Fans and newcomers alike will find the 135-minute collection on Alligator Records a thrilling experience, highlighting why Luther Allison was considered a giant in the blues world until his passing.
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“Live in Cook County Jail” is a landmark live album by American blues legend B.B. King, recorded on September 10, 1970, at Cook County Jail in Chicago.
Released in 1971, this album is celebrated not just as a high point in B.B. King’s illustrious career, but also as one of the most iconic live blues recordings of all time.
The album captures B.B. King in a unique setting, performing for inmates at the jail, which adds a profound emotional depth and authenticity to the recording.
Unlike the “good-timey” atmosphere of other prison albums, such as those by Johnny Cash, “Live in Cook County Jail” is marked by a more somber interaction with the audience, offering a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the blues genre and King’s masterful command over his music and audience.
This performance includes some of King’s best-known songs, setting a standard for live blues music and solidifying King’s legacy as a pivotal figure in the blues genre.
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Conclusion
These albums, through their performances and the artists’ connections to Chicago blues, offer a glimpse into the live energy that defines the genre.
. The spirit of live performances is a critical element of the Chicago blues experience, and these albums are essential for any blues enthusiast looking to explore the depth and breadth of this influential genre.