New Orleans soul queen Irma Thomas has been recording for almost six decades—and singing at the Blues Festival since 1989.
Tag: Vol. 45 No. 35
Issue of Jun. 9 – 15, 2016
Posted inMusic
The Reader’s guide to the 2016 Chicago Blues Festival
This year’s Chicago Blues Festival bustles with a diversity of traditions and talents—including Irma Thomas, Lazy Lester, Wee Willie Walker, John Primer, and tributes to Otis Rush and Otis Clay.
Posted inMusic
Twin Cities soul veteran Wee Willie Walker makes his overdue Chicago debut
Twin Cities soul veteran Wee Willie Walker finally plays Chicago on the strength of last year’s If Nothing Ever Changes.
Posted inMusic
Lazy Lester helped invent the swamp-blues sound half a century ago
Lazy Lester helped invent the swamp-blues sound half a century ago.
Posted inMusic
Otis Clay recorded some of the world’s most enduring deep soul and gospel
This tribute set to Chicago soul legend Otis Clay, anchored by his final working band, features Cicero Blake, Theo Huff, Willie Rogers of the Soul Stirrers, and more.
Posted inMusic
Otis Rush recorded the harrowing blues that established his legacy 50 years ago in Chicago
Blues great Otis Rush been sidelined by a stroke, but more than 25 musicians will pay tribute to him at this year’s festival.
Posted inMusic
John Primer sustains the living heritage of the blues
Chicago guitarist John Primer honors his mentors—including Muddy Waters and Magic Slim—by serving as a role model for young musicians.
Posted inBlogs
What to see at Printers Row 2016: Marilynne Robinson, Seymour Hersh, and much more
A list of some of the most exciting-sounding presentations for this weekend’s Printers Row book fair.
Posted inBlogs
Tribune shareholders aren’t wild about Michael Ferro
Support for the brains behind tronc was tepid.
Posted inBlogs
The Empty Bottle is possessed by evil blobs on the gig poster of the week
This week’s gig poster was designed by local artist Josh Davis.
Posted inBlogs
Mark Kirk drops Trump endorsement ‘after much consideration,’ and other Chicago news
Also, the police department hires an official to help implement reforms.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
Airbnb reminds Chicago why Rahm’s nicknamed Mayor 1 Percent
The home-sharing company accuses the mayor of siding with his Gold Coast base at the expense of the “little guys.”
Posted inMusic
Queer-friendly occult-themed monthly party Switches of Eastwick launches at the Whistler
Queer-friendly monthly party Switches of Eastwick launches at the Whistler, first-generation Chicago punks Silver Abuse celebrate a new album, and more.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
A contentious appointment pits Rauner against Illinois’s academics
Critics say cybersecurity expert John Bambenek wouldn’t even count as faculty at most colleges.
Posted inArts & Culture
The trials after exoneration
In Exoneree Diaries, journalist Alison Flowers documents the struggles of four murder convicts who were absolved and freed.