Experts on Chicago Blues

Chicago Blues is Dead?  

I almost laugh when someone claims to be an expert on Chicago Blues, and insists that Chicago Blues music is almost dead.  And then they go on about how they are going to resurrect Chicago Blues.  And then they try to tell you exactly what Chicago Blues is, as if Chicago Blues music is one specific style.   GIVE ME A BREAK.

Chicago Blues has so many different forms and styles that is impossible to say Chicago Blues is any one thing. 

Say What?

You heard me, or, you read that right, there are many different styles of Chicago Blues, not one distinct thing.

Think about some of the great Chicago Blues artists and think about the significant differences in many of their Blues music styles.   Listen to their music. Here is a quick list off the top of my head.
  • Big Bill Broonzy
  • Sonny Boy Williamson (not Rice Miller)
  • Junior Wells
  • Magic Sam
  • Little Walter
  • Bo Diddly
  • Willie Dixon
  • Muddy Waters
  • Hubert Sumlin
  • Howlin Wolf
  • Jimmy Rogers
  • Tampa Red
  • Otis Rush
  • Buddy Guy
  • Luther Allison
  • Lonnie Brooks
  • Ronnie Baker Brooks
  • Paul Butterfield
  • Mike Bloomfield
  • Corky Siegel
  • Jim Schwall
  • Son Seals
  • Wayne Baker Brooks
For a much more detailed list, check out this link on Wikipedia.  Keep in mind that some of the names on the Wikipedia list are Texas Blues and Delta Blues, rather than Chicago Blues.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chicago_blues_musicians

And The Music Plays On!


Today, Chicago Blues is Alive and Well, played by many musicians across the globe, in many countries, in many cities, towns, villages and homes.  

Beyond Chicago Blues, there are so many kinds of blues, like: Texas Blues, Delta Blues, Country Blues, Piedmont Blues, Soul Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Jump Blues, West Coast Blues, Blues Rock, British Blues, and the list goes on.  Plus, a lot of rock is Blues, a lot of rock n roll is Blues, a lot of folk is Blues, a lot of country is Blues, and a lot of jazz is Blues.

More than anything else, Blues is Blues.  Blues is a feeling. 

Enjoy the Music!

Jimmy Haggard

 


 

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