“ What’s a good po’ boy in your part of town -- where should I go next?
” Tom Marker First of all notice the headline is not “Best Po’ Boy in Chicago,” singular.  I’m interest in all of the best po’ boys in Chicago.  And also, this is an audience participation blog.  For me personally, there is no advantage to telling you where I think the best boys in town are.  I want you to tell me.  And I have no interested in ranking, just listing.  Oh yeah, and it’s past my lunchtime as I write this so I might get carried away.

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On Monday, August 30, our Artist of the Week was Robert Cray. See the playlist with notes here.View The Complete Blues Breakers Playlist

With her brand new Jack White produced single, “You Know I’m No Good,” added to her set list Wanda Jackson performed a jaw-dropping set this past Friday night at FitzGerald‘s.Continue Reading

Robert Cray

Watch Video of Blues Breaker’s Artist, Robert Cray

Elsewhere on this page you’ll find a blog by Frank E. Lee that includes a nice video of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, who died 20 years ago today.  I also have a few very clear memories of Stevie and I’l be hosting a one hour radio special about Stevie that will begin at midnight tonight (Friday) on XRT.

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Elton John & Leon Russell

The newest of the of the songs we’ll be playing on New Noise at Nine tonight are by Michal Franti and Spearhead and a collaboration between Elton John and Leon Russell. (Leon is in town tonight, playing a sold-out show at S.P.A.C.E. in Evanston)Find Out What Else We’re Playing

Wanda Jackson, appearing this Friday at FitzGerald’s, has a new record produced by Jack White.  A single, as in a 7″ vinyl record that goes around a turntable at 45rpm and has a big hole in the center.

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I’ve got no news to report here, and no date to commemorate, just a few photos and a thought about Johnny and June inspired by my friend Jill Dolinger.  John and June married in the late winter of 1968,  thirteen years after they first met.  They remained married and continued to work and tour together until June died in the spring of 2003.  Johnny’s death followed four months later.  Their’s is a great love story.

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Mavis Staples, southern soul legend and bona fide gospel queen, will release her new album, You Are Not Alone, on September 13.

Watch Staples and Tweedy perform an acoustic version of CCR’s “A Song For Everyone” and get more information about (and hear a preview from) the upcoming album.

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Tonight on Blues Breakers Billy Boy Arnold (pictured here with Phil Alvin of The Blasters at last month’s American Music Festival at FitzGerald‘s) will be our Artist of the Week for the first time.  We’ll have blues from new albums with guest appearances by Mavis Staples and David Hidalgo.

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