Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 1is the first installment ofVanguard Records definitive three-part series. Recorded in 1965, producer Samuel Charters enlisted nine of the Midwests best blues artists to record a short set showcasing the electric sound ofChicago Blues.Vol. 1includesJ. B. Hutto,Otis Spann, andJunior Wellswith contributions fromBuddy Guy. This LP features ALL-ANALOG mastering from the original stereo tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a tip-on jacket.

First released in 1966,Chicago/The Blues/Today!introduced countless listeners to the blueshelping to popularize the genre in the US, the UK and beyond. These recordings also influenced a host of up-and-coming rock artists, includingThe Animals, Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds, The Rolling Stonesand, later,The Allman Brothers Band. Several artists such asJimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin,andSteppenwolfeven began including songs from the series in their repertoires.

Tracklist:

Side A

1. Help Me (A Tribute To Sonny Boy Williamson) Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band
2. It Hurts Me Too (When Things Go Wrong) Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band
3. Messin With The Kid – Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band
4. Vietcong Blues – Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band
5. All Night Long – Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band
6. Going Ahead J. B. Hutto And His Hawks
7. Please Help – J. B. Hutto And His Hawks

Side B

1. Too Much Alcohol – J. B. Hutto And His Hawks
2. Married Man Blues – J. B. Hutto And His Hawks
3. Thats The Truth – J. B. Hutto And His Hawks
4. Marie Otis Spanns South Side Piano
5. Burning Fire – Otis Spanns South Side Piano
6. S.P. Blues – Otis Spanns South Side Piano
7. Sometimes I Wonder – Otis Spanns South Side Piano
8. Spanns Stomp – Otis Spanns South Side Piano