Chicago Blues Music You Can’t Miss on YouTube
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Chicago Blues is a music genre with a rich history and vibrant present. Here are five YouTube channels dedicated to keeping the blues alive.
Muddy Waters
It’s impossible to talk about the history of Chicago blues without mentioning Muddy Waters. His music had a profound impact on the development of the blues in the city, and his recordings are still some of the most popular in the genre. If you’re looking for a taste of what Chicago blues is all about, start with Muddy Waters.
“I Can’t Be Satisfied”
The song “I Can’t Be Satisfied” was written and performed by Muddy Waters, a Chicago blues icon. The song was released in 1948 and became one of Waters’ signature tracks. “I Can’t Be Satisfied” is a slow, plaintive blues ballad that features Waters’ deep, soulful voice and his mastery of the slide guitar. The YouTube video of the song has been viewed over five million times.
“Hoochie Coochie Man”
Muddy Waters was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician who is often credited as the “father of modern Chicago blues”. He popularized many songs that became standards of the blues genre, including “Hoochie Coochie Man”, which is one of his most well-known songs.
“Hoochie Coochie Man” is a classic blues song that was written by Waters in 1954. The song is a signature tune for Waters and has been covered by many other artists, including The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton.
Howlin’ Wolf
If you’re looking for some of the best Chicago blues music on YouTube, you have to check out Howlin’ Wolf. He was a hugely influential blues musician who had a huge impact on the development of the genre. His music is still hugely popular today and his YouTube channel is definitely worth a visit.
“Smokestack Lightnin'”
Howlin’ Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightnin'” is one of the most well-known and influential pieces of Chicago blues music. The song was recorded in 1956, and released as a single in 1958. It quickly became a hit, and has been covered by many artists since.
Howlin’ Wolf’s original version of the song is a slow, 12-bar blues that features his growling vocals and sharp guitar playing. The song is about a train coming down the tracks, and the feeling of excitement and anticipation that it evokes. As the train passes by, the track gradually speeds up, culminating in a fast guitar solo.
The song has been covered by a number of different artists, including The Rolling Stones, who recorded their own version of it in 1964. Their version is faster and more upbeat than Howlin’ Wolf’s original, and features Mick Jagger’s distinctive vocals. Other artists who have covered “Smokestack Lightnin'” include Cream, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
“Spoonful”
Howlin’ Wolf is one of the most important figures in the history of Chicago blues, and his song “Spoonful” is a prime example of his signature sound. Originally recorded in 1960, the track features Wolf’s guttural vocals backed by a driving electric guitar and horns. The result is a classic blues tune that has been covered by everyone from Cream to the Grateful Dead.
Willie Dixon
Willie Dixon was a legendary blues musician who was born and raised in Chicago. He is best known for his work as a songwriter, bassist, and singer, but he also played harmonica and guitar. Dixon’s songs have been covered by a wide range of artists, including Muddy Waters, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones.YouTube is a great place to find Dixon’s music, and we’ve put together a list of some of the best videos for you to check out.
“I Just Want to Make Love to You”
Willie Dixon was a prolific American blues songwriter, singer, bassist and producer. He is perhaps best known for his work with Chess Records in the 1950s and 1960s, where he wrote and produced songs for Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and Bo Diddley, among others. He also wrote “Hoochie Coochie Man”, “I Just Want to Make Love to You” and “Back Door Man”, which have become blues standards.
“Hoochie Coochie Man”
Willie Dixon was a big part of the development of the Chicago blues sound. His songs have been recorded by some of the most famous blues and rock musicians of all time, including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Jeff Beck, and Led Zeppelin.
Dixon was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1915. He began playing the violin at an early age but switched to guitar in his teens. He moved to Chicago in 1936 and quickly became a fixture on the city’s blues scene.
Dixon wrote and recorded some of the most seminal blues songs of all time, including “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “I Can’t Quit You Baby,” and “Spoonful.” He also worked as a producer for Chess Records, where he helped to shape the sound of artists like Waters and Wolf.
Dixon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. He passed away in 1992, but his music continues to influence generations of musicians.
Koko Taylor
She is a true legend of the Chicago blues scene, with a career that spanned over 50 years. Her gutsy vocals and stunning stage presence made her one of the most popular blues performers of her generation. Koko Taylor’s recordings are some of the most essential Chicago blues albums of all time. Let’s take a look at some of her best work.
“Wang Dang Doodle”
Koko Taylor’s “Wang Dang Doodle” is a classic example of Chicago blues music. The song features a simple, catchy melody and Taylor’s powerful vocals. It was originally written by Willie Dixon and was first recorded by Howlin’ Wolf in 1960. Taylor’s version, which was recorded in 1966, became a hit on the R&B charts and has been covered by many artists over the years.
“I’m a Woman”
Koko Taylor is a legendary figure in the world of Chicago blues. She is best known for her signature song, “I’m a Woman,” which has been covered by many artists over the years. Taylor was born in Shelby County, Tennessee, and began her musical career in the early 1950s, singing at local clubs and bars. She relocated to Chicago in 1962 and soon became a fixture on the city’s blues scene. In 1966, she released her debut album, King Biscuit Time, which featured “I’m a Woman.” The song became a hit, and Taylor went on to release a string of successful albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s. She was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1983 and received a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2003. Taylor continued to perform and record until her death in 2009.
Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy is a blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was born in Mississippi in 1936 and later moved to Chicago, where he developed his signature style. His YouTube channel is full of great blues songs that you can’t miss.
“Stone Crazy”
There’s no mistaking the sound of Buddy Guy’s guitar. Stone Crazy is one of his most iconic songs, and it’s easy to see why. The raw energy and passion that he puts into his performance is truly unmatched. If you’re a fan of the blues, this is one YouTube video you cannot miss.
“Five Long Years”
Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy has been playing his heart out for over 50 years, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. His signature style of guitar playing – fierce and energetic, yet soulful and lyrical – has influenced generations of guitarists, and his live performances are the stuff of legend. If you’re looking for a taste of the real Chicago blues, Buddy Guy is a must-watch on YouTube.
One of Buddy Guy’s most famous songs is “Five Long Years”, a heart-wrenching tale of love and loss. The song was originally recorded by Eddie Boyd in 1952, but Buddy Guy gives it a unique twist with his own signature style of guitar playing. Check out the video below to see what we mean:
