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Chicago Blues, help needed

Please name 4-6 popular or typical or popular Chicago Blues songs. This will help me develop a quick understanding of what might be required of me. My hope is, that some walking bass lines will fit at least some of it.
Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,
Wesley R. Lonnquist
 
Blues Bros were almost more Memphis than they were Chicago. Duck Dunn and Steve Cropper, from Booker T and the MG's, were the Stax Records sound out of Memphis. 'Soul Man,' for example, was a Sam and Dave song off Stax and was pure Memphis sound. And 'Sweet Home Chicago' was actually a Robert Johnson song from the deep south, although many Chicago musicians adopted it for obvious reasons.

Norre and Mojo-Man hit on many of the true Chicago legends. Willie Dixon is definitely a key player.
 
Doing a search I saw this was the most current thread with reference to "Soul Man." Our cover band has a show tonight and we are still arguing about the bridge on the Blues Bros. version, right before the song modulates up to F major. MPA has of course banned any tabs to this song.

Has anyone figured out that little progression when the "Grab a rope, and I'll pull you in . . ." bridge ends?

Thanks. There will be about 150 people tonight who paid scads of money for the party, and we seriously are not allowed to stink the joint up.
 
Blues Bros were almost more Memphis than they were Chicago. Duck Dunn and Steve Cropper, from Booker T and the MG's, were the Stax Records sound out of Memphis. 'Soul Man,' for example, was a Sam and Dave song off Stax and was pure Memphis sound. And 'Sweet Home Chicago' was actually a Robert Johnson song from the deep south, although many Chicago musicians adopted it for obvious reasons.

Norre and Mojo-Man hit on many of the true Chicago legends. Willie Dixon is definitely a key player.

+1

If you want to learn Chicago Blues, listen to guys who were actually part of that scene. The Blues Brothers, as much as I love them, aren't the Chicago sound. They are definitely more Memphis, although they had Matt Murphy of Chess records.

There are many great and influential Bluesmen from Chicago, and if you are interested in the Blues I highly recommend listening to them. Modern Rock and Blues wouldn't exist without them.

The Chicago Blues is more driven than swung. It's more Rock than Jazz. The shuffles are hard driving, and the guitars are rockin. The harmonica is the horn section. The bass propels and drives the song forward. Master the 8th note shuffle, and you'll be on your way.

You start out with the Big Three:Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Howlin Wolf
Some good examples of classic Chicago Blues by these guys are: Wang Dang Doodle, Little Red Rooster, Goin Down Slow, Spoonful, Mannish Boy, Hoochie Coochie Man, I Ain't Superstitious, I Just Want to Make Love to You, I'm Ready, Rollin and Tumblin

From there listen to the following:
Buddy Guy, Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Hubert Sumlin, Little Walter, Earl Hooker, Elmore James, Hounddog Taylor, Koko Taylor, and Sonny Boy Williamson.

If you want to get an idea of Modern Chicago Blues, check out artists on the Alligator label.


If you want to learn about Chicago Blues, you gotta start at the source.
 
Great posts, these. I'm heading back home for a few days in March, and I'll definitely be looking forward to a few late nights on North Haslted St., followed by a chow run at The Weiner's Circle. I usually hit B.L.U.E.S., Kingston Mines, and Rosa's (on West Armitage) is also a great little joint. In fact, last time at Rosa's, I saw Big Ray and Chicago's Most Wanted. Absolutely excellent, those guys.

I've heard there is a new place on Western Ave. called The Water Hole. Anybody been there yet? I might try something new this time, and only go to places I haven't been.

Can you Chicagoans give up your favorite joint?