via//chicago

np: "long distance call" - muddy waters

i've said before and i'll say it again right now, there is no better way to expereince the blues than by seeing them performed live. especially when you've got amazingly talented bluesmen like John Primer, formerly a Muddy Waters sideman, leading things. the girlfriend gave me a Valentine's Day surprise by taking me to the legendary Chicago blues club, Kingston Mines, where we saw the aforementioned guitarist and a host of others. it was a Blue Monday Blues Jam, which kicked off with an excellent quartet tearing through blues standards with lots of ad-libbing before amateurs of all ages took to the stage to throw down. we left shortly after the wannabes took the stage, but more due to fatigue after a long day of driving rather than a comment on the talent on stage. it wasn't a very crowded house, but those that were there seemed to be pretty into it and i am definitely looking forward to returning soon. if you like in the Chicago area, or plan on being here sometime soon, it is well worth a visit.

while i was in Michigan, i had the fortune of being in Ann Arbor with someone who could show me where all the cool record shops are, so i got to do quite a bit of browsing. didn't pick up a whole lot, but i did get Operation Ivy's Energy and Palace Brothers' There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You on vinyl and Bright Eyes' A Collection of Songs: 1995-1997 on compact disc. next time i'm up there i will definitely be returning to Schoolkids, Encore, and Wazoo (good hip-hop selection) among others. as should you.