Blues Historian Review: Dave Spector, Live In Chicago

Delmark records has yet another great DVD in what is a series of live club shows of blues artists in Chicago. The latest is Dave Specter: Live In Chicago. Since I have been having one of those crazy summers, I haven't had the time to watch this, but in the last week I got the opportunity to watch it twice, and I was glad I did. Dave Specter is a great guitarist who's band backs up three different artists at Buddy Guy's Legends, and the legendary Rosa's Blues Lounge. The Dvd starts out with Dave and the band doing the instrumental Boss Funk/ Riverside Ride. The band is tight and Specter has the tone of a master. Then What Love Did To Me, How I Got To Memphis, and What's Your Angle feature the vocals and harmonica playing of Tad Robinson. I like Robinson's vocals and his harp playing fit the band like a glove. The band then plays the instrumental Texas Top, before the legendary Jimmy Johnson closes out the set at Buddy Guy's legend with Out On The Road, Feel So Bad, and You Don't Love Me. Johnson still has the magic, and the band really makes him look great. The show then moves to Rosa's and starts with Specter and the band playing The Hollywood Park Shuffle, and Is What It Is. The Sharon Lewis comes on and smokes on her set of In Too Deep, Every Goodbye Ain't Gone, and Angel.

I really enjoyed this DVD, Specter has a tight band and I like how he makes he guests sound great. Backing up different artists is one of the great pleasures of being a bluesman. In fact, I believe that is what really set apart blues performers from other artists. In all my years of playing I have seen younger players backing up older performers, and making them look good, and if an elder blues player walks in the door, he is always welcome to come on stage. There is this respect and love of older players that is unlike any other type of music. In other forms of music the players are so concerned about their own careers, and fans, that they have no time for the elders of their music. Dave understands the blues and what is going on when he plays with other players, and in my book this disc is a treasure.

To buy the DVD Click HERE.

For the CD of the same show Click HERE.

Delmark Update

Another update from Delmark.

* Dave Specter, Live in Chicago, on Delmark DVD- 1794 and CD - DE 794, with special guests Jimmy Johnson, Tad Robinson, and Sharon Lewis - www.davespecter.org , www.tadrobinson.com , www.sharonlewisblues.com
- Specter is definitely one of Chicago's best guitarists- blues, jazz, funk, soul.- heavy grooves!! (You like Otis Rush, Kenny Burrell, and early Leo Nocentelli?) Not only do you get Dave's signature heavy instrumentals, the new release has not one or two, but 3 special guests! The ageless Jimmy "Bar Room Preacher" Johnson and Specter sound so great together- you can tell they really feed off each other's unique styles. Vocalist/harp player Tad "Mr. Blue-Eyed Soul" Robinson is one of the best soul/blues singers anywhere and he and Dave have worked together for years. If you don't already know Sharon "Texas Fire" Lewis, you won't forget her after hearing/seeing her original performances (esp. the moving "Angel") on this fantastic new release- one of Chicago's best female blues singers. Check out the new Specter Blues DVD trailer on our web page, along with other new ones, including Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble! http://www.delmark.com/delmark.bluevid.htm Dave Specter's "Live in Chicago" DVD/CD Release Parties!
Wed, May 21: Buddy Guy's Legends, 9:30-1:00, Featuring Tad Robinson & many special guests.
Thurs, May 22: SPACE (Dave's new club!) Featuring Tad Robinson & many special guests., 9:00-?, SPACE = Society for Preservation of Arts & Culture in Evanston, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL

* MISSISSIPPI HEAT, Hattiesburg Blues, (Delmark CD - DE 795), with special guests Lurrie Bell and Carl Weathersby -
www.mississippiheat.net , www.lurrie.com , www.carlweathersby.org , www.gilescorey.us
This very underrated Chicago blues band is led by harp innovator/ band leader Pierre LaCocque and dynamic female vocalist Inetta Visor, along with their fantastic new guitarist Giles Corey (check out his guitar and vocals on his spotlight song "Say Something Good!") Chris "Hambone" Cameron on keys (including clavinet) and the ubiquitous all star drummer Kenny Smith. Special guests besides heavies Lurrie Bell (singing a new Chicago Blues anthem "Chicago Is My Home!") and Carl Weathersby ("Hell and Back") are guest vocalist, Devin Thompson (Chicago Catz, Rico), and latin percussionist Ruben Alvarez (Howard Levy's Chevere) and the Chicago Horns (Willie Henderson, Hank Ford, Bill McFarland, and Kenny Anderson) - making for a very full sounding (but not cluttered) blues recording, with some unique twists!

You can listen to sound samples of this at http://www.mississippiheat.net/disc/hattiesburg.html

DELMARK CD release party for Mississippi Heat's "Hattiesburg Blues"
FRIDAY, MAY 30TH, BUDDY GUY'S LEGENDS with special guest Carl Weathersby!! 754 S. Wabash, @10pm



Also, check out these two Delmark related Blues Fests, one at Dave Specter's new club in Evanston, and another held at Chicago's newest music venue on the near south side.
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SPACE 1st Annual Blues Festival!
June 4th - June 7th, 2008

-Wednesday June 4th: "Blues on the North Shore" with David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Eddy Clearwater, Barrelhouse Chuck & special guests.
A Tribute to Chicago/Delta blues legend & 2008 Grammy Award winner David 'Honeyboy' Edwards. A celebration of his life, legacy and music.
8:00pm $25

-Thursday June 5th: Jimmy Johnson & Dave Specter
The legendary Bar Room Preacher meets Specter and his soulful, blues-drenched guitar. Featured together at Millennium Park and on Specter's "Live in Chicago" DVD & CD on Delmark Records.
9:00pm $10



-Friday June 6th: Jimmy Burns
Jimmy Burns' musical resume reads like a history of blues and R&B from the last fifty years - a charismatic performer with an expressive, soulful voice and a melodic guitar style to match.
9:30pm $10

-Saturday June 7th: Syl Johnson with Morris Jennings and Bernard Reed
Syl Johnson is one of the unsung heroes of Black American popular music and is a triple threat legend in blues and soul; he's a gritty blues harp man, a stellar R&B/Blues guitarist, and most importantly,
one of the finest soul singers on the planet.
9:30pm $20

1245 Chicago Ave. 847-492-8860
www.evanstonspace.com



**Fri, Sat, June 6, 7 2008- CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL - American Blues Legends Revue @ Reggie’s Music Joint 2105 S. State Street, CHICAGO, Illinois 60616, $15, 312-949-0120. www.reggieslive.com American Blues Legends Management Presents - Heroes of Chicago Blues Allstar Blues Festival Performance - Hosted by Rick Kreher and Cadillac Zack. Performances by Jody Williams, Eddie C. Campbell, Elmore James, Jr., Byther Smith, Tail Dragger, and many special guests!!!! Do NOT Miss This One!