Down Home Blues Chicago is THE definitive collection of blues music from Chicago-based musicians from the late 1940s to the late 1950s. Features 41 artists who were influential in developing the Chicago blues scene, including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers and many more Five CD set, packaged in a deluxe digipak with an outer slip case, featuring 134 rare tracks, all digitally remastered, some of which have never been previously available Also includes an 88 page book featuring an essay on the origins of Chicago music by renowned blues researcher and historian Mike Rowe, complete with rare photos, tracklisting and full sessionography. The period from the end of World War II until the dawn of the 1960s, the blues scene in Chicago can rightfully be described as one of its golden ages. This 5CD set features a collection of 134 extraordinary performances from this golden era of down home blues. Some by most famous blues stars like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and Jimmy Rogers - with several lesser known artistes. Many of these tracks were unissued at the time, others are alternate takes of issued songs, but are equally as fine. There are included some ultra-rare gems. Included is an 88 page book written by Mike Rowe, blues historian and the author of Chicago Blues, first published as Chicago Breakdown, the definitive works on the history and the thriving times of its blues scene. Fully illustrated including rare photographs, graphics and sessionography. The perfect companion album to Wienerworld's Detroit Special (WNRCD5095) - the definitive 3CD introduction to the down home Detroit blues scene. Review Handsomely illustrated, essential 5-CD box set from '40s and '50s Chicago. The key words are Down Home: this is old-school Chicago, before Buddy Guy and Magic Sam. Some cuts are unreconstructed Southern blues, like Rambling Johnny Shines reimagining Robert Johnson or early sides by Muddy Waters, while others have the polish of '30s/40s studio work, since they're by musicians from that world: Sunnyland Slim, Memphis Minnie, Robert Nighthawk, Big Maceo. Of 134 tracks, two-fifths are by the big beasts: Muddy, Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, Sonny Boy Williamson II, the invariably impressive Jimmy Rogers; among the others, Snooky Pryor, Baby Face Leroy, J. B. Lenoir, rare sightings of Gray Haired Bill, 'Blues Boy Bill and Mildred White. Remarkably, over 80 are alternate takes or unissued; even devotees will find music they've never heard. -- 5 Stars Mojo - Tony Russell