2026 – Blues House Productions
Release Date : June 5, 2026
By Phillip
Smith; June
27, 2026
Tribute to Theresa’s Lounge from John
Primer and Friends is one of those records blues fans will fall in love with
from right the beginning. Founded by Theresa
Needham in 1955 and located in the basement of an apartment building on South
Indiana Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, Theresa’s Lounge would
become a hotbed for blues music and a sanctuary for blues musicians. The bar once hosted the best bluesmen in the
world: Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy
Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Span, and Hound Dog Taylor
just to name a few. The establishment permanently
closed in 1986, and Needham passed away a few years later at the age of
eighty in 1992. John Primer, who got
his first gig at Theresa’s Lounge in the 1970’s, brings together a group
of legendary blues artists who also had the experience of playing at Theresa’s
to join him in making this wonderful thirteen-song tribute. Along with Primer (guitar/vocals) on
this recording are his friends Billy Branch (harmonica/vocals), Bob
Stroger (bass), Mary Lane (vocals), Willie Buck (vocals), Carlos
Johnson (guitar/vocals), John Watkins (guitar/vocals), Harmonica
Hinds (harmonica), Twist Turner (drums), Tony Mangiullo
(drums), and Jeff Brinkman (bass).
Primer gets the party started and sweeps me off my feet by rippin’ it up on the Junior Wells classic “Up in Heah”. Following up next is “7 Nights For 7 Years”, written by Primer, this homage to Teresa’s Lounge song grabs me with its intoxicating rhythm and autobiographical lyrics. With Billy Branch on harp and vocals, it’s great to hear the Muddy Waters classic “Sugar Sweet” from Muddy’s 1969 double album Fathers and Sons. The performance of “Cut You A-Loose” is riveting and features more searing harmonica from Billy Branch. As a song which landed at number 20 on the Billboard R&B charts in 1963 for Ricky Allen, this recording absolutely cooks. Served low and slow “Blues Survivalist”, another original from Primer, hits deep and cuts to the bone as he sings about keeping the blues alive. The listening experience heats up with “Here I am Knocking on Your Door Again” the title-track from Watkins’ 1985 album Here I Am. Watkins on lead vocals and guitar along with Hinds on harmonica, this one sure raises the roof.
John Primer and Friends’ Tribute to Theresa’s Lounge is a must-hear for blues fans. This is what the blues is all about.
Check out past PhillyCheeze reviews and articles featuring John Primer
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/?q=john+primer
For more information about John
Primer visit https://johnprimerblues.com/