
Blues Unlimited #102 - A Classic Revisited: Chicago/The Blues/Today!
Series: Blues Unlimited
From: Steve Franz
Length: 01:58:59
"Chicago/The Blues/Today!" was a series of 3 LPs that came out on the Vanguard label some 45 years ago. Produced by noted Blues author and scholar Sam Charters, the LPs have not only withstood the test of time, but have come to be regarded as something of a "high water" mark of mid 1960s Chicago Blues. Recording popular artists such as Junior Wells and Otis Rush -- as well some not quite so firmly in the spotlight -- like J.B. Hutto, Johnny Young, Homesick James, and Johnny Shines (who was lured out of 'retirement' for these sessions), the albums displayed a wide cross-section of some of the finest talent that the Windy City had to offer at the time. A classic revisited -- "Chicago/The Blues/Today!" -- on this episode of Blues Unlimited.
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Piece Description
"Chicago/The Blues/Today!" was a series of 3 LPs that came out on the Vanguard label some 45 years ago. Produced by noted Blues author and scholar Sam Charters, the LPs have not only withstood the test of time, but have come to be regarded as something of a "high water" mark of mid 1960s Chicago Blues. Recording popular artists such as Junior Wells and Otis Rush -- as well some not quite so firmly in the spotlight -- like J.B. Hutto, Johnny Young, Homesick James, and Johnny Shines (who was lured out of 'retirement' for these sessions), the albums displayed a wide cross-section of some of the finest talent that the Windy City had to offer at the time. A classic revisited -- "Chicago/The Blues/Today!" -- on this episode of Blues Unlimited.
Broadcast History
First local broadcast on KXCI FM 91.3, January 5, 2011. Repeat broadcast on March 2, 2011.
Timing and Cues
Hour 1: 00:00 - 57:52
In cue: “Welcome to Blues Unlimited...”
Out cue (at 56:22): "...more for you, coming up right after this break."
Break (90 second music bed): 56:22 - 57:52
Hour 2: 57:52 - 1:58:59
In cue: “And continuing on this hour of Blues Unlimited...”
Out cue (at 1:56:07): “...next time, right here on Blues Unlimited.”
Note: from 1:56:07 to 1:58:59, an instrumental by Otis Spann, “S.P. Blues,” closes the show.
Additional Notes:
This episode of Blues Unlimited is compliant with SOUNDEXCHANGE reporting requirements.
Each episode of Blues Unlimited is designed to be a self-contained "evergreen" show, to be run at any time you choose.
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Set A Date | Homesick James | The Great Blues Men. | Vanguard | 02:47 | |
| Messin' With The Kid | Junior Wells | Vanguard Visionaries. | Vanguard | 02:25 | |
| Vietcong Blues | Junior Wells | Vanguard Visionaries. | Vanguard | 05:01 | |
| All Night Long | Junior Wells | Vanguard Visionaries. | Vanguard | 03:48 | |
| Too Much Alcohol | J.B. Hutto | Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 1. | Vanguard | 02:33 | |
| That's The Truth | J.B. Hutto | Frett'n The Blues. | Vanguard | 02:51 | |
| Sometime I Wonder | Otis Spann | Best of the Vanguard Years. | Vanguard | 03:31 | |
| Marie | Otis Spann | Best of the Vanguard Years. | Vanguard | 02:31 | |
| Burning Fire | Otis Spann | Best of the Vanguard Years. | Vanguard | 03:18 | |
| Dynaflow Blues | Johnny Shines | The Great Blues Men. | Vanguard | 02:39 | |
| Mr. Boweevil | Johnny Shines | Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 3. | Vanguard | 03:14 | |
| Cotton Crop Blues | Jimmy Cotton | Blow'n The Blues - Best of the Great Harp Players. | Vanguard | 02:22 | |
| West Helena Blues | Jimmy Cotton | Vanguard Visionaries. | Vanguard | 03:31 | |
| It's A Mean Old World | Otis Rush | Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 2. | Vanguard | 02:25 | |
| I Can't Quit You Baby | Otis Rush | Vanguard Blues Classics Sampler. | Vanguard | 03:17 | |
| Rock | Otis Rush | Frett'n The Blues. | Vanguard | 03:36 | |
| Somebody Been Talkin' | Homesick James | Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 2. | Vanguard | 02:18 | |
| Dust My Broom | Homesick James | Frett'n The Blues. | Vanguard | 03:19 | |
| So Mean To Me | Homesick James | Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 2. | Vanguard | 02:49 | |
| My Black Mare | Johnny Young | Chicago/The Blues/Today! (1999 3 CD Reissue Set). | Vanguard | 03:45 | |
| I Got Mine In Time | Johnny Young | Chicago/The Blues/Today! (1999 3 CD Reissue Set). | Vanguard | 04:22 | |
| Love Me Or Leave Me | Jimmy Cotton | Vanguard Visionaries. | Vanguard | 03:29 | |
| The Blues Keep Falling | Jimmy Cotton | Vanguard Blues Classics Sampler. | Vanguard | 04:04 | |
| Rockin' My Boogie | Walter Horton | Blow'n The Blues - Best of the Great Harp Players. | Vanguard | 03:30 | |
| Hey, Hey | Johnny Shines | Blow'n The Blues - Best of the Great Harp Players. | Vanguard | 02:22 | |
| Black Spider Blues | Johnny Shines | Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 3. | Vanguard | 03:06 | |
| Kid Man Blues | Johnny Young | Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 3. | Vanguard | 03:03 | |
| Tighten Up On It | Johnny Young | The Great Blues Men. | Vanguard | 03:13 | |
| Married Woman Blues | J.B. Hutto | Vanguard Blues Classics Sampler. | Vanguard | 03:10 | |
| Please Help | J.B. Hutto | Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 1. | Vanguard | 02:56 | |
| Help Me (A Tribute to Sonny Boy Williamson) | Junior Wells | Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 1. | Vanguard | 04:09 | |
| S.P. Blues | Otis Spann | Chicago/The Blues/Today! (1999 3 CD Reissue Set). | Vanguard | 02:55 |





