Various Artists – Chicago Slickers 1948-1957– Nighthawk Records NH 102 

Normally, my recommended blues collection reviews are more in-depth, and as such, require quite a bit more words and collective space.  The recording being reviewed today stands so firmly upon its own merits that abundant verbosity is unnecessary. 

As the title suggests, this assemblage of classic Chicago blues hails from that amazingly fertile period between 1948-1957, and embodies works from significant blues artists from the zenith of post-war Chicago blues whose recordings were released on the numerous small independent blues labels that dotted the Chicago blues recording landscape.  The small-budget, but yet now-legendary, Chicago blues labels represented via this excellent compilation include Tempotone, Parkway, Random, amongst other companies now relegated into Chicago blues lore.

This Nighthawk label CD is a reissue of an LP that was originally released in 1976, and excitingly includes eight cuts not initially made available on that LP.  What is astonishing about this collection is that while it exemplifies solid, timeless blues from so many of Chicago’s blues artists from the golden age of post-war blues recording, it scarcely scratches the surface of the abundance of blues talent that one time called Chicago home.  What it must have been like to have been a blues fan in Chicago during this prolific blues period.

Blues artists represented on this astounding collection include, harmonicist and vocalist Little Walter (three selections), guitarist and vocalist Floyd Jones (three selections), harmonicist and vocalist  Forest City Joe (one selection), guitarist and vocalist John Brim (two selections), guitarist and vocalist Earl Hooker (one selection), guitarist and vocalist Johnny Shines (three selections), guitarist and vocalist Homesick James (two selections), pianist Delta Joe aka Sunnyland Slim (one selection), guitarist and vocalist Big Boy Spires (one selection), guitarist and vocalist Robert Nighthawk (two selections), mandolinist, guitarist, and vocalist Man Young aka Johnny Young (two selections), drummer and vocalist Grace Brim (one selection), and drummer and vocalist Willie Nix (two selections). 

There is nothing that fails the test of heightened blues talent here.  During the period represented here, the desire to separate oneself from the dizzying number of blues artists desirous of getting their blues visions recorded was intense, and if one couldn’t make it to the upper echelons of Chicago blues recording (i.e., Chess, Checker and Vee-Jay), the drive to record for any one of the smaller labels was the next best thing.

Almost as mesmerizing as the top-flight blues artists whose works are recorded here are the backing blues musicians on these cuts.  Backing the recorded blues talent here are Muddy Waters, Snooky Pryor, Johnny Williams, Big Crawford, Earnest Lane, Roosevelt Sykes, J.T. Brown, Alfred Wallace, Eddie Taylor, Elgar Edmonds, Moody Jones, Lazy Bill Lucas, Joe Custom, J.B. Hutto, Bob Call, Baby Face Leroy, George Mayweather, “Porkchop”, amid others.  Such was the density of Chicago blues capacity during this rich period.  

I believe that this CD was last released in 2017, but with a bit of detective work, I am confident that a copy of it can be found and obtained (and no doubt, the original LP can most likely be located).  The sheer breadth of Chicago blues aptitude and treasures found here make this set essential in every regard.  The numerous modest independent blues labels that recorded Chicago blues artists during this incredible period played important roles in chronicling the tremendous expanse of blues talent that saturated Chicago.

Without any sort of qualification, this astounding collection will leave the Chicago post-war blues fan speechless, and it comes with the highest recommendation.  Essential, most definitely!