CHICAGO BLUES ALL-STARS

Red, Hot & Blue

2014-05-14

The Chicago Blues All-Stars are not what you'd expect. Usually an "all stars" performance means putting together a bunch of famous musicians who haven't worked with each other, and letting them each take solos to show off their chops. These All-Stars are different. They're a bunch of working pros who joined together on Tuesday nights for regular jam sessions. Over the years they built up a core crew with a cohesive sound and they perform as a unit, not as individuals. At last they've got an album.

Five different musicians hop in on vocals: Anji Brooks, guitarist "Killer" Ray Allison, guitarist and physician Daniel "Chicago Slim" Ivankovich, harp (harmonica) artist Scott Dirks, and keyboardist  Roosevelt "Mad Hatter" Purifoy.  Add in Johnny B. Gayden on bass, Jerry Porter on drums, and horns by Johnny Cotton, Garrick Patten, and Kenny Anderson to make one fine performing unit. All the songs have been previously written and performed by others, but you'll hear new takes on all of them.

--Gerald Etkind

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Blues

  • reviewed 12/1969

    The Billy Gibson Band
    Live at Rum Boogie Cafe

  • reviewed 01/2021

    JOYANN PARKER
    OUT OF THE DARK

  • reviewed 04/2012

    JAMIE MCCLEAN BAND
    Sunday Morning

  • reviewed 05/2009

    SHIRLEY JOHNSON
    Blues Attack

  • reviewed 03/2017

    JOHN MAYALL
    TALK ABOUT THAT

  • reviewed 10/2015

    Anthony Geraci and The Boston Blues All Stars
    Fifty Shades Of Blue

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.