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Larry McCray, Cash Box Kings

Fri., March 19, 9 p.m.

It's hardly revolutionary for contemporary blues artists to graft 12-bar changes and backstreet-noir lyrics onto a framework borrowed from mainstream rock—rock bands have been working the same territory for decades, albeit from a different starting point—but few are as deft and imaginative about it as Larry McCray. From a big-picture point of view, McCray isn't particularly original: in his guitar work he takes after B.B. King and his string-bending disciples, his band tends to crunch and slog as much as it shuffles or swings, and his meaty, straightforward songs collide classic electric blues with Joe Walsh-style swagger, a touch of Clapton, and some of the poppy soulfulness of the Doobie Brothers. But he redeems himself in the details. He contructs his fiery but mercifully understated solos with unerring precision and impeccable note choices, usually limiting himself to brief, rigorous statements slotted between sung verses—and even when he stretches out, he seldom if ever repeats himself. On his latest, a self-titled 2007 outing on his own Magnolia label, McCray showcases not just his guitar playing but his storytelling: whether delivering a kiss-off to a failed relationship ("No More"), celebrating the joys of a good one ("You Are the One"), or offering last-ditch advice on how to escape from evil thoughts and unraveling social bonds (the Springsteen-esque "Run"), he animates his narratives with vivid imagery and unimpeachable emotional commitment. Sam Lay plays a free acoustic set from 5:30-8 PM. —David Whiteis

$15

Buddy Guy's Legends (map)
754 S. Wabash Ave.
South Loop
phone 312-427-1190

Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues

Sat., March 20, 7 p.m.

Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues Walking the line between Beethoven and B.B. King and armed with the creative genius and instrumental prowess that have defined his career for nearly four decades, Corky has pioneered an original, genre-busting Chamber blues - a fresh, innovative sound capturing the sparkling qualities of classical music merged with the emotional melodic style of blues, all within an intimate chamber setting. Under Corky's lead, The West End String Quartet and percussionist Frank Donaldson complete the Chamber Blues Band.

Space (map)
1245 Chicago Avenue
Other Illinois
SPACE (map)
1245 Chicago Ave.
Evanston
phone 847-492-8860

Electro Glide Records Cd Release and Showcase

Sat., March 20, 8 p.m.

Electro Glide Records Cd Release and Showcase March 20 8:00 PM Record Release and Label Showcase. 5 bands from all over the US. Raffle of Fender Guitar and performance of Jimmy Warren Band. www.jimmywarrenband.com $10 cover 4660 west 147th street Midlothian, Illinois Al Stone, Danny and The Devils, Catch Blues band, David Gerald

Nellie "Tiger" Travis Blues Band

Fri., March 19, 9 p.m. and Sat., March 20, 9 p.m.
Blue Chicago (map)
536 N. Clark St.
River North
phone 312-661-0100

Duke Tumatoe, Linsey Alexander

Fri., March 19, 9 p.m. and Sat., March 20, 9 p.m.
Kingston Mines (map)
2548 N. Halsted St.
Lincoln Park
phone 773-477-4646
B.L.U.E.S. (map)
2519 N. Halsted St.
Lincoln Park
phone 773-528-1012

Guy King's Little Big Band

Fri., March 19, 9:30 p.m. and Sat., March 20, 9:30 p.m.
Andy's (map)
11 E. Hubbard St.
River North
phone 312-642-6805
House of Blues Back Porch Stage (map)
329 N. Dearborn St.
River North
phone 312-923-2000 or 312-559-1212

Melvin Taylor & the Slack Band

Fri., March 19, 10 p.m. and Sat., March 20, 10 p.m.
Rosa's Lounge (map)
3420 W. Armitage Ave.
Logan Square
phone 773-342-0452

J. Hollins “The Soul Renaissance” LP Listening Party

Thu., March 25, 7 p.m.

J. Hollins “The Soul Renaissance” LP Listening Party Scheduled for March 25, 2010 at Between Boutique Café & Lounge March 25, 2010 7-10 pm Between Boutique Café & Lounge (1324 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL 60642) “Playboy's Paradise,” an exclusive listening party for J. Hollins' new LP, "The Soul Renaissance LP". Join us as we celebrate the release of “The Soul Renaissance” with music, drinks, and the ultimate “Playboy’s Paradise” experience. Brought to you by Ten20 Chicago J. Hollins - http://www.jhollinsmusic.com/ “The Soul Renaissance LP” – Download now at: http://music.jhollinsmusic.com/

Between Lounge (map)
1324 N Milwaukee Ave
Wicker Park/Bucktown

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