It’s one thing to understand the sound of rock ‘n roll, but it’s another thing to understand the look of rock ‘n roll. Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz manages to capture both. more ›

(Ed. Note: Art and I were chatting on the phone the other day when he mentioned he'd been reading the "One for the Road" tributes to Muddy Waters and that he had a photo of Waters and his wife. Art once sold a copy of this photo to Billy Corgan from the trunk of his car. Later that day his assistant e-mailed me the photo above. Art and I discussed holding off on posting this until the anniversary of Waters's death on April 30. Cleaning out my inbox last night I received another e-mail from Art that read, "This might be a good time and place to run my Muddy picture." He's right, of course. That photo is amazing on so many levels; it epitomizes cool. It also reminds me that having Art Shay as a regular contributor to Chicagoist is easily one of the high points of my short tenure as editor. — CS) more ›

It only seems fitting that we close out our week-long tribute to Muddy Waters with "Got My Mojo Workin'." Check out the move Muddy breaks out at the 2:36 mark of this clip. more ›

There's no doubt of the influence of Muddy Waters on the British Invasion of the 1960s. Hell, the Rolling Stones early records were straight ripoffs of Waters and the Chess Records stable of artists — remember the 2120 South Michigan Avenue bootleg that was uploaded to the web a few months back? Here is another meeting of the minds between Waters and the Stones, from 1981 at the Checkerboard Lounge back when that club was still in Bronzeville, singing about something that's good for your head and relaxes your body (don't you know). more ›

Today we found on the Youtubes a killer live track from Live at Newport called "Tiger in Your Tank." Muddy isn't singing about Exxon here, but then you probably would have figured that out. more ›

Here's a treat we found Youtubing for Muddy Waters clips today and came across this gem of a clip from a 1970 documentary on Chicago Blues. Not only does this clip include Waters singing "Hoochie Coochie Man" with Buddy Guy on guitar, but there are talking head segments included where Waters not only embraces his status as the founder of the Chicago Blues style, he does so matter-of-fact and without ego. In a second segment near the end of the clip, Waters explains the elements he feels are essential to being a bluesman. Simply an amazing clip. more ›

Today would have been the 98th birthday of McKinley Morganfield, whom we know better as the father of Chicago Blues, Muddy Waters. Not only was Waters the father of the Chicago Blues sound, his music was a major inspiration on the British Invasion of the 1960s (particularly the Rolling Stones). So we're going to do a week's worth of his songs for "One for the Road." Buckle up, because Muddy is a man. Way past 21. more ›

where she will not only take on the role of executive producer but will also star as legendary singer Etta James. No word yet on when she will actually arrive, but we’re certain well know as soon as her private jet lands, as Beyonce buzz travels fast. The film will mainly be shot in New Jersey and Mississippi, but may shoot in Chicago for a few exteriors. more ›

Last week the Polka King, Walter "Li'l Wally" Jagiello, passed away in Miami. Li'l Wally is known for reviving the true sounds of polka with his slower tempo reminiscent of the Eastern European sound. He was the first musician inducted into Chicago's Polka Hall of Fame and his album Polish Feelings was nominated for a Grammy in 1985. more ›

Karen Hanson, Author of Today's Chicago Blues more ›

Biographies adapted for the stage are rarely subject to the same scrutiny as literary bios or memoirs. It’s hard to imagine any playwright getting the James Frey treatment, discredited on national television and the blogosphere for bending the truth. And why should they? We go to the theater to understand the world but also to enjoy ourselves and find some degree of escape. To visit (or revisit) a fascinating life set to song can be a joy, and starting this week three theaters give us this opportunity. more ›

Two pieces of good news this morning for anyone hoping that Chicago becomes a nationally-known mecca for fans of live music: more ›

Bringing a movie about Mississippi blues to Chicago may seem a bit like bringing coal to Newcastle. We Chicagoans are a boastful lot so we’ll be happy to tell our Mississippi friends about our excellent blues scene (that serves both the tourists and the purists) and inform you that we’re the home of one of the premier blues labels—Alligator Records. Of course, your Mississippi friends might just as well turn around and point out that... more ›