Once the Chicago blues label Alligator had established itself, the powers that be wanted to come up with a series of releases that would showcase as many of the Windy City's under-recorded artists for widespread consumption. With the help of the European Sonet label, they were able to release a total of six records, introducing thousands of listeners to talent they might have never heard otherwise.

With the advent of the compact disc era, this collection was consolidated into four releases; the first of these CDs, Living Chicago Blues Volume 1, compiles the first LP and part of the second, and features four artists - two of whom would eventually become Alligator artists.

Arguably the (now) best-known performer here is The Jimmy Johnson Blues Band. The four tracks featured here show why Johnson's album Bar Room Preacher not only was eventually released on Alligator, but became beloved on the scene. Johnson and his crew tear through these tracks, keeping the listener hanging on to every note and word on songs like "Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home". Johnson's vocals are as equally smooth as his guitar licks, and he shows why he truly was a blues legend.

Interestingly, though, the next artist featured - Eddie Shaw And The Wolf Gang - make a solid case for claiming the spotlight for themselves, thanks in no small part to the guitar work of one Hubert Sumlin. (How he never got signed to Alligator is a mystery.) Shaw's credentials prior to his inclusion on this set were impressive, having worked for the late Howlin' Wolf. Between Shaw's saxophone and vocals, Sumlin's guitar licks and some tasty keyboards from Johnny "Big Moose" Walker, Shaw and crew leave their mark in their five songs. Whether it's their takes on standards like "Sitting On Top Of The World" or their tongue-in-cheek play on "My Baby's So Ugly" or "Stoop Down, Baby," Shaw and crew leave the listener wanting much, much more.

Similarly, Left Hand Frank And His Blues Band carried a solid resume, Frank having worked with artists like Junior Wells, Little Walter and Hound Dog Taylor. It is regrettable, then, that the four tracks featured here are (to the best information I have found) the only tracks featuring him as the leader of his own band. While they're not quite as strong as the artists preceding him in this collection, he still holds his own well, and makes me wish he had been given more of a chance to record his own music. (In all fairness, though, he often chose to relegate himself to the sideman role... so, maybe this is how he wanted things to be.) To be remembered for tracks like "Linda Lu," "Blues Won't Let Me Be" and "One Room Country Shack" is still not shabby.

Rounding out the collection is an artist who had actually been previously featured on an Alligator release. Carey Bell was a guest performer on Big Walter Horton With Carey Bell, Alligator's second overall release, but with his Blues Harp Band, he was now getting the chance to take front and center - and he makes the most of it with these four songs. Tracks like "Laundromat Blues" and "Woman In Trouble" all showcase how much he learned from artists like Horton, as well as how he made the sound his own. Bell would go on to become an artist in Alligator's roster - as would Lurrie Bell, who adds his guitat work to these songs, and would record the album Second Nature with Carey.

What is unique about Living Chicago Blues, Volume 1 (as well as the subsequent releases) is that each artist is given several songs to showcase their talent, and not forced to put everything into one track. This way, the listener is given the chance to get familiar with each band - and they're certainly left wanting more.

We'll cover the remaining volumes in this set eventually, but for the time being, Living Chicago Blues Volume 1 is a wonderful primer for anyone who wants to discover blues music - or simply wants to be exposed to some artists who, at that time, hadn't been given the opportunity to truly showcase their work.

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