Review: John Primer And Friends – Tribute To Theresa’s Lounge
John Primer And Friends – Tribute To Theresa’s Lounge
Format: CD – Digital / Label: Blues House Productions LLC
Release: 2026
Text: Tom Wouters
John Primer is a Chicago blues veteran who paid his dues being the bandleader for the likes of Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and Magic Slim. Primer learned to play the blues in the beginning of his career playing seven nights a week from 9 to 1 in the night for seven long years at the infamous Theresa’s Lounge in Chicago. Now, in the twilight of his career, with some of his colleague Chicago blues legends, he is paying tribute to Theresa’s Lounge with an album, aptly titled ‘Tribute To Theresa’s Lounge.’
From the opening (Up In Heah) till the end (Mean Old World) John Primer and his band are in excellent shape, Primer showing off as a great Chicago blues singer/guitarist. In 7 Night For 7 Years he tells the story of learning to play the blues at Theresa’s Lounge. Sugar Sweet features harmonica player Billy Branch and Champagne And Reefer features vocalist Willie Buck and is a real burner.
In She’s Nineteen Years Old it is guitarist/vocalist Carlos Johnson who steals the show. Mary’s Song features the Grand Lady of the West-Side-Blues, Mary Lane and in the ultimate party song Cut You A-Loose Primer himself lead the gang, as he does in Blues Survivalist (Primer is 83, by now!).
And finally Here I Am Knockin’ at Your Door Again features a great promise for the Chicago Blues often playing in Theresa’s Lounge in the 70s and 80s, guitarist/vocalist John Watkins, who eventually moved to Detroit where he put away his guitar and went for a day-time job. But here he shows off a monumental version of Here I Am.
‘Tribute To Theresa’s Lounge’ is an excellent example of good old Chicago Blues being alive as ever.
Tracks:
01. Up In Heah
02. 7 Nights For 7 Years
03. The Blues Is King
04. Sugar Sweet (feat. Billy Branch)
05. Champagne And Reefer (feat. Willie Buck)
06. We All Need Help
07. She’s Nineteen Years Old (feat. Carlos Johnson)
08. Little By Little
09. Mary’s Song (feat. Mary Lane)
10. Cut You A Loose
11. Blues Survivalist
12. Here I Am Knockin’ At Your Door Again (feat. John Watkins)
13. Mean Old World
Website: https://johnprimerblues.com/home