Clifford Antone had it right: “THE BLUES IS SO BIG that no one person could ever learn it in a lifetime.” So, when Antone’s called upon their family of blues legends to put together a four-disc set to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Antone’s Nightclub, Antone’s: 50 Years of the Blues boxed set (New West Records, 2025) – of course they came up with more blues than they could possibly fit into one glorious collection. It soon became clear that this embarrassment of blues riches was the start of their next project.

 

Antone’s 50th Presents Chicago Bound: Honoring Muddy, Cliff & Blue (Blues Till 2 Recording Co. / Select-O-Hits) caps the club’s 50th anniversary celebration while pointing toward its future.  The lead single is “Hangin’ on a Cliff,” by Billy F Gibbons and the BFGs; internationally known as the guitarist, primary songwriter and vocalist of ZZ Top, Gibbons has always had a strong connection to the blues, Antone’s, and its founder, his friend “Cliff.”

 

Live-to-tape recordings produced by Jacob Sciba and Zach Ernst include tracks by blues heavyweights John Primer, Doyle Bramhall II, Kim Wilson & the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Anson Funderburgh, Lurrie Bell, and Lavelle White. Other highlights include a Bobby Bland classic by powerhouse Houston vocalist Kam Franklin and backed by Bobby’s son and drummer Rodd Bland, and a Clifton Chenier deep cut led by Louisiana torchbearers Ivan Neville and CC Adcock along with Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Jimmie Vaughan (the latter on harmonica!).

 

The breadth of talent found across the album’s ten songs is a testament to the enduring legacy of Austin’s Home of the Blues and its beloved founder Clifford Antone, who passed away in June of 2006.