I'm feeling a bit melancholy, now that the festival is over, and I imagine that others may be, as well. However, Chicago is a mecca for this musical genre, and you can hear blues in the clubs, seven nights a week. Here is a short, but handy guide to some great clubs in Chicagoland where you can dance, sob into your beer, and do other fun things.
BLUES ON HALSTED
2519 N. Halsted
www.chicagobluesbar.com
This tiny club can get so packed that I once had an agoraphobia attack in there, and had to grip my beer tightly to keep from falling off my seat. However, I was young then, and I'm made of sterner stuff now. I'm sure that anyone still reading this blog is, as well. BLUES rocks until the wee hours, seven days a week. Open since 1979, It retains its neighborhood feel, offering free cover to everyone who lives in nearby zip codes 60614 and 60657 on Tuesday nights. Also, on Sundays, admission to BLUES scores you free cover to Kingston Mines, located across the street. Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues, whom I reviewed in my Friday post, will play there on June 30th. Don't miss these guys; they rocked the Festival.
THE NEW CHECKERBOARD LOUNGE
5201 S Harper Ct
Not to be confused with the old Checkerboard Lounge, which closed in 2003, due to code violations. I remember the older location, which was located in a sinister-looking building on the south side. I only had the chance to visit the old location once, and I heard some scorching blues. When the guitarist hit the stage, a fellow jumped up from the crowd to join him. Without skipping a beat, the guitarist scooped him up by the collar, placed him back on the floor, and continued playing. I have no idea whether such shenanigans go on at the new location, which is located at the Harper Court Mall in Hyde Park. I am told that the new place retains much of the feel of the old, and this comforts me. It's a non-smoking venue, and is probably a lot cleaner, but the blues are as gritty as ever.
BUDDY GUY'S LEGENDS
754 S Wabash
www.buddyguys.com
Buddy's has been open since June of 1989, and has hosted such luminaries as Dr John, the Rolling Stones, and David Bowie. It's a rarity for Buddy to play here, but I'm told it does happen occasionally. If you want to catch Buddy, you have to go some place else. This incredible singer and guitar player, whom Eric Clapton lists as a major influence, came to Chicago from Louisiana in 1957. He made his first guitar from a piece of wood when he was seven, and has been playing ever since. Needless to say, he knows how to pick the best musicians for his club. Don't miss Guitar Shorty on Friday, June 22.
This is just a handful of the incredible offerings of the Chicago blues scene. Get out there and walk around the streets, pick up a copy of the Reader, and investigate for yourself. If you find someone amazing, let me know.
