The Chicago Blues: Buddy Guy & Alligator Records

Sound Opinions

Music, Society & Culture, Arts

4.3 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 2 August 2024

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot explore the history and legacy of the 50+ year-old Chicago blues label, Alligator Records, with its founder Bruce Iglauer. They'll talk to him about his new book Bitten By the Blues: The Alligator Records Story and discuss some of the landmark artists who came through, from Koko Taylor to Albert Collins. They also revisit a conversation and live performance with Buddy Guy.

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Featured Songs:

Koko Taylor, "I'm A Woman," The Earthshaker, Alligator , 1978

The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club, Parlophone, 1967

Albert Collins, "Honey Hush! (Talking Woman Blues)," Ice Pickin', Alligator , 1978

Mississippi Fred McDowell, "You Got to Move," You Gotta Move, Arhoolie, 1965

Hound Dog Taylor & The Houserockers, "Walking the Ceiling," Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers, Alligator , 1971

Hound Dog Taylor & The Houserockers, "Give Me Back My Wig," Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers, Alligator, 1971

Hound Dog Taylor & The Houserockers, "Phillips' Theme," Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers, Alligator, 1971

B.B. King, "The Thrill Is Gone," Completely Well, Alligator, 1969

Hound Dog Taylor & The Houserockers, "Wild About You Baby," Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers, Alligator, 1971

Koko Taylor, "Wang Dang Doodle," Wang Dang Doodle (Single), Chess, 1966

Koko Taylor, "That's Why I'm Crying," I Got What It Takes, Alligator, 1975

Koko Taylor, "I Got What It Takes," I Got What It Takes, Alligator, 1975

Albert Collins, "I Ain't Drunk," Cold Snap, Alligator, 1986

Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, Robert Cray, "The Moon Is Full," Showdown!, Alligator, 1985

Toronzo Cannon, "Walk It Off," The Chicago Way, Alligator, 2016

Toronzo Cannon, "Bad Contract," The Chicago Way, Alligator, 2016

Shemekia Copeland, "Would You Take My Blood," America's Child, Alligator, 2018

Shemekia Copeland, "Ain't Got Time For Hate," America's Child, Alligator, 2018

A.C. Reed, "She's Fine (feat. Bonnie Raitt)," I'm In the Wrong Business!, Alligator, 1987

Buddy Guy, "Baby Please Don't Leave Me," Sweet Tea, Silvertone, 2001

B.B. King, "Don't Answer the Door," Don't Answer The Door (single), ABC, 1966

Buddy Guy, "Good Morning Schoolgirl," Hoodoo Blues Man (Live On Sound Opinions), Delmark, 2007

Cream, "Strange Brew," Strange Brew (single), Reaction, 1967

Buddy Guy, "First Time I Met The Blues," I Got My Eyes On You (single), Chess, 1960

Shawnna, "Can't Break Me (feat. Buddy Guy)," Block Music, Disturbing Tha Peace, 2006

Buddy Guy, "I've Got Dreams to Remember," Bring 'Em In (Live On Sound Opinions), Silvertone, 2007

Lou Reed, "Coney Island Baby," Coney Island Baby, RCA Victor, 1976

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey there if you're listening to this and you this week we dive into the history.
0:21.0	You're listening to sound opinions and this week we dive into the history of
0:25.2	Chicago Blues. I'm Jim De Regattis and I'm Greg Kott. We'll revisit a
0:30.2	conversation we had with Buddy Guy as well as a live performance but first the
0:35.0	legacy of alligator records sound opinions is supported by Goose Island since
0:39.5	1988 Goose Island's been brewing beers in the spirit of Chicago.
0:44.5	You can find 3.12, Weedale, big juicy beer hug, and so many other limited releases
0:50.5	at either of Goose's locations in Chicago, Goose Island Beer Company, Chicago's
0:56.1	Beer. And then. And the... Allegator Records is a blues label that's been around for more than 50 years.
1:22.0	Well not necessarily a household name,
1:24.7	alligator has captured some of the realist and most memorable blues artist Chicago
1:30.1	has ever offered since 1970 and its championed a raw and unvarnished sound.
1:37.9	Not unlike punk in that way.
1:39.7	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.
1:48.0	At a time when the blues was waning in popularity and prominence, Iglower recognized that there were still an audience for blues among young rock fans
1:56.0	who are interested in expanding their musical tastes.
1:59.0	So this young white guy assembles a roster of some of the most iconic artists of the genre.
2:03.0	We're talking about people like Albert Collins and Coco Taylor and got people excited
2:07.0	about the music again.
2:08.6	In his recent book, Bitten By the Blues, The Allegator record story, Bruce Iglower along with co-writer Patrick A Roberts, tells the story of the evolution of Alligator, its landmark artists and its importance in music history.
2:21.0	Bruce, welcome to sound opinions.
2:22.5	Thanks, I've been listening for years.
	...

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