Koko Taylor and Bruce (Photo by Tom Holek. Thanks to Chicago Blues Guide)
[photogallerylink id=82199 align=left]The Chicago Tribune has named Alligator Records president and founder Bruce Iglauer one of nine 2011 Chicagoans Of The Year. The 2011 celebration kicked off in February with the release of the 2-CD set The Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Collection. “Over the forty years, our definition of “Genuine Houserockin’ Music” has expanded to include not only pure blues artists, but also musicians and songwriters who have taken the spirit of the blues and created their own sounds and styles, sometimes called roots rock or rockabilly or front porch soul or, in a few cases, gospel, the ultimate soul-rockin’ music,” Alligator Records founder Bruce Iglauer.
Bruce made a visit to Blues Breakers in March of this year to talk about the history of the label the newly released collection Alligator Records: 40th Anniversary Collection.
[photogallerylink id=83620]Among the many other highlights of the label’s 40th anniversary, one of the most significant came in June during the Chicago Blues Festival, when Iglauer received a proclamation from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Mayor Emanuel honored Iglauer’s contribution to the city’s musical heritage on a night dedicated to the label’s anniversary, featuring performances by blues icons Lonnie Brooks, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, Michael “Iron Man” Burks, Rick Estrin and Shemekia Copeland.
The Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Collection contains 38 tracks from the likes of Koko Taylor, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Shemekia Copeland, Mavis Staples and more.
Audio: Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Visit To Blues Breakers
Alligator Records To Celebrate 40th Anniversary
Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Track List:
1. Koko Taylor – “I’m A Woman”
2. Albert Collins – “I Ain’t Drunk”
3. Michael Burks – “Strange Feeling”
4. Tommy Castro – “Backup Plan”
5. Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials – “Icicles In My Meatloaf”
6. Guitar Shorty – “We The People”
7. Rick Estrin and the Nightcats – “U B U”
8. Marcia Ball – “The Party’s Still Going On”
9. Roomful Of Blues – “That’s A Pretty Good Love”
10. Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King – “Have Blues, Will Trave”
11. Son Seals – “Going Home”
12. Buddy Guy & Junior Wells – “Give Me My Coat And Shoes”
13. Janiva Magness – “Slipped, Tripped And Fell In Love”
14. Johnny Winter – “Mojo Boogie”
15. Coco Montoya – “Last Dirty Deal”
16. Corey Harris – “Fish Ain’t Bitin’”
17. Luther Allison – “All The King’s Horses”
18. Anders Osborne – “Echoes Of My Sins”
19. Lonnie Mack w/Stevie Ray Vaughn – “Double Whammy”
20. Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland – “T-Bone Shuffle”
21. Lonnie Brooks – “Don’t Take Advantage Of Me”
22. Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater – “A Good Leavin’ Alone”
23. Hound Dog Taylor – “Sitting At Home Alone”
24. Elvin Bishop & Little Smokey Smothers – “Roll Your Moneymaker”
25. James Cotton – “With The Quickness”
26. Shemekia Copeland – “It’s My Own Tears”
27. Professor Longhair – “Red Beans”
28. Charlie Musselwhite – “Where Hwy 61 Runs”
29. Roy Buchanan – “You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover”
30. Mavis Staples – “Step Into The Light”
31. Tinsley Ellis – “Speak No Evil”
32. Eric Lindell – “It’s A Drag”
33. Saffire—The Uppity Blues Women – “Going Down To The River”
34. The Holmes Brothers – “Feed My Soul”
35. Katie Webster – “Two-Fisted Mama”
36. William Clarke – “Daddy Pinocchio”
37. Buckwheat Zydeco – “When The Levee Breaks”
38. JJ Grey & Mofro – “The Sun Is Shining Down”
