Reverend Keith A. Gordon's Instant Chicago Blues Record Collection is as enticing as it sounds: 10 hand-picked albums deliver you to the stoop of the most essential recordings of Chicago blues.
I asked Reverend Keith, who is About.com's Guide to the Blues, if he could share more about his recommendations and how he chose them.
"In creating my Instant Record Collection for the Chicago Blues, I concentrated on the 'Modern Era' of blues music, roughly from 1950 through 1980, and I focused on those artists most closely connected with the style," he told me.
"Although this left out important early Chicago blues pioneers like Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red, and John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson, I feel that these ten albums represent the Chicago blues sound that most fans are familiar with.
"In some instances, as with Little Walter, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Reed, and Otis Rush, these were either 'greatest hits' collections or singles compilations that represented the artist's best work (usually 1950s-era singles for labels like Chess, Checker, and Cobra). Read more...
As hot dog season winds down this Labor Day Weekend, it's as good a time as any to check in on the Chicago hot dog.
Chicagoans know that the true Chicago style hot dog does not make room for ketchup. But, did you also know that there is an NK-17 rule? That is, according to Vienna Beef, the no ketchup rule really kicks in when you turn 17?
This is how Chicagoans divert their kids to the mustard over time and thus protect the tradition over the long haul. That's my theory at least. In case you were wondering.
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Make no mistake: Labor Day Weekend in Chicago is relatively quiet compared to the loads of events happening the rest of the month. Check out our full Chicago Calendar of September Events, and begin penning in a few highlights now. Otherwise, the month will pass you by before you know it. Totally been there.
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You can check the results from today's Chicago Triathlon online at their official results website.
Congratulations to all who crossed the start line. I think it's an amazing event. Grueling. But amazing. Congratulations for even tri-ing. Hope you had a blast.
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