Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi have probably done more to bring the music of Leon Russell to larger audience than any other artists, at least over the the last few years.Russell's influence has never been very far from the TTB -- from their Mad Dogs & Englishmen tribute (Russell was the musical director on...

Chicago has often described as a city of neighborhoods -- a metropolis whose bustling financial center and larger-than-life cultural landmarks are humbled by the people who come together in smaller communities that surround its core.And though a robust music scene flourishes here, it is driven less by big power brokers like in LA,...

Words / Photos: Howard Greenblatt | Video: Wyatt BrakeThe North Mississippi All-Stars brought Mississippi Hill Country Blues to City Winery Chicago for two shows on Sunday afternoon and evening.Brothers Luther on guitar and vocals and Cody Dickinson on drums and vocals were joined by Dominick Davis on bass.The stage was configured with Luthers Marshall amps...

By: Howard GreenblattPeople walked away happy from FitzGeralds Tuesday whether you were there for an outstanding blues show or you were more interested in cheering the best team in baseball on to victory.FitzGeralds hosted Tom Markers Bluesday Tuesday and set up their patio to feel like Wrigley complete with huge screen...

When Alex made it out Dinosaur Jr. in October (filing this excellent review), we were disappointed that he wasn't able to catch set by opener Steve Gunn, a guitarist who has been dazzling us for some time now.Luckily another contributor was in the house, and even brought his recording gear.  We're happy to...

Words, Photos & Audio: Joel Berk (@pfcdib)Deerhunter brought the second lap of their tour behind 2015s excellent Fading Frontier to Metro on October 21.Built around Bradford Coxs dark-meets- dreamy songs/unorthodoxly melodic guitar playing and Moses Archuletas soundscapes/propulsive drumming, Deerhunters unique strain of ambient psychedelic has been winning over audiences since 2001. Lockett Pundt...

By: Howard GreenblattWillie Dixon smiled down on the Big Head Blues Club from the show stage as he surely does from Blues Heaven.In tribute to Willies music, Todd Mohr (aka Big Head Todd), assembled some of Chicagos finest bluesmen: Mud Morganfield, Billy Branch and Ronnie Baker Brooks, along with Blues belting Erica Brown to...

Photos: Heidi Peters PhotographyWhen writing about the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, I suppose it's important to address the elephant in the room.Only, in this case, it's not exactly an elephant, more like a big black crow.I'm sure it escaped nobody in Thalia Hall on Friday night, that Chris Robinson probably wouldn't be...

Rocktober marches on in Chicago and those looking for live music on Friday, October 14th had no shortage of options.There was an ominoous full moon, the perfect setting for the wild sounds of Moon Hooch (incidentally, Moon Taxi also performed in Chicago that night... whoa).the1stmikec was on hand to capture...

Words & Photos: Carmel O'Farrell | Video: izeoftheworldphotosWith festival season in the rear view mirror, Milwaukee sure gets treated as far as live music goes.Over the last few years, the city has experienced some pretty intense one-on-one shows with many of the jam scene's favorite road warriors. Dopapod, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong,...