Caption: The distinctive cover art of "Chicago/The Blues/Today!" --complete with Ann Charters' iconic photo of snow on the El tracks.
The distinctive cover art of "Chicago/The Blues/Today!" --complete with Ann Charters' iconic photo of snow on the El tracks. 

Blues Unlimited #102 - A Classic Revisited: Chicago/The Blues/Today!

Series: Blues Unlimited
From: Steve Franz
Length: 01:58:59

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In this episode, we take a look back at "Chicago/The Blues/Today!" - 3 LPs produced by noted author & scholar Sam Charters in 1965. Read the full description.

Chicago_the_blue_today__v1_small "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

Related Website

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