Personnel: Dave Specter (guitar); Jimmy Johnson (vocals, guitar); Tad Robinson (vocals, harmonica); Marty Binder (drums).
Audio Mixers: Dave Katzman; Eric Butkus; Steve Wagner .
Recording information: Buddy Guy's Legends (08/20/2007-08/21/2007); Rosa's Blues Lounge (08/20/2007-08/21/2007).
Photographer: Harvey Tillis.
Guitarist Dave Specter bears the torch for Chicago electric blues, and on LIVE IN CHICAGO the Windy City native gets a chance to strut his stuff. Specter's clean, crisp playing is elegant, but carries enough sting and swing to keep things lively. Joined by a crack band and three guest vocalists, Specter blazes through a mix of originals (some penned by Specter himself, and some by his guests Sharon Lewis and Tad Robinson) that have the hometown crowd hooting and hollering. Chicago blues fans who pick up this disc will be taken back home.
Professional Reviews
Down Beat (p.73) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "These are fascinating performers, moderately vigorous in their attack. The tear shed by Lewis shed by Lewis at the close of her heavy-hearted ballad 'Angel' is a tangible sign of the connection they made with their hearts."
Living Blues (p.65) - "On the opener, 'Boss Funk/Riverside Ride,' Specter brings a rough-hewn tone to his lithe, elegantly weaving lines, and seasons everything with fatback soul chording."
