One, three, three, four. From W bez Chicago and PRX, this is sound opinions. I'm Jim De Regadis.

And I'm Greg Kott. This week, The Chicago Blues. We'll talk with the founder of the Chicago-based blues label Alligator Records as it approaches its 50th anniversary.

A half century end, he says the music hasn't lost its appeal.

I still like records that sound like you're 20 feet from the band and you're in a place

that holds 100 people and there's a hard brick wall right behind the band and another wall

on the other side bouncing with a sound around.

We'll also talk with and hear a live performance from the legendary Buddy Guy.

That's all coming up on sound opinions.

You're listening to sound opinions and today we're dedicating the show to the Chicago Blues.

Moneywaters brought the blues from Mississippi to Chicago in the 40s and ever since it has been an epicenter of that sound around the world.

A little later we're also going to revisit an interview we did with Buddy Guy, the iconic

blues singer and guitarist.

But first, the legacy of Alligator Records. Oh, Allegator Records is a Chicago Blues label that's been around for almost 50 years and while not necessarily a household name

alligator records has captured some of the most potent blues artists Chicago has

offered since 1970 and has always championed a very raw and unvarnished sound, not unlike punk rock in a way.

In 1970, 23 year old Bruce Iglower came to Chicago to work for the Jazz and Blues label

Delmark Records, but quickly decided to stake out on his own. and Blues and

at a time when the Blues was waning in popularity and prominence

Eglau recognized that there were still

an audience for Blues among young rock fans

who are interested in

expanding their musical tastes. So this young white guy assembles a roster of

...