It’s Sweet Home Chicago at the Santa Monica Pier

By Lookout Staff

July 21 -- The sounds of 60s blues will electrify the Santa Monica Pier when a collaborative of Chicago music legends from the psychedelic generation takes the stage for another free Twilight Dance series concert Thursday night.

For lovers of electric blues-influenced rock, the Chicago Blues Reunion is a who’s who of the genre -- Barry Goldberg, Nick “The Greek” Gravenites, Harvey “The Snake” Mandel, Tracy Nelson, Sam Lay, Corky Siegel with backing by a band of top flight pros including Gary Mallaber, Rick Reed and Zach Wagner.

The banner crop of musicians who helped forge the historic transition from acoustic folk to electric blues-influenced rock continue to inspire younger generations that followed their trail-blazing path.

The bands two-disc set “Buried Alive In The Blues,” was released this month as a CD and DVD and is being touted as a lasting document of the member's musical and cultural legacy. The disc showcases a blazing 2004 performance recorded live at a legendary blues and rock venue in a Chicago suburb.

“This album is full of all the things that make Chicago blues great: big guitars, harmonica, piano and organ,” read a review of the CD on Rocknworld. “Not to mention, songs about drinking, lost love, Muddy Waters and trucks.

“Nick Gravenites at times sounds like Eric Clapton and at other times sounds more like Charlie Musselwhite ("Drinking Wine"),” the reviewer wrote. “The vocals aren't lacking, no matter who sings on a given track.”

The free concerts -- which start at 7:30 p.m. -- are held for ten consecutive Thursday nights on the historic pier.

For information visit www.santamonicapier.org or www.twilightdance.org or (310) 458-8900.