This DVD was filmed at Rosa’s, and at Buddy Guy’s Legends, both in Chicago, on successive nights, August 20-21, 2007. The group that Specter surrounds himself with are obviously parts of a longstanding relationship, with a high comfort zone with each others’ styles and mannerisms. They’re so used to one another that they never rehearse. In the rhythm section is Marty Binder on drums, who has played with Junior Wells and Albert Collins; on bass is Harlan Terson, who’s played with Otis Rush and Lonnie Brooks. And on keyboards is Brother John Kattke, who’s played with Otis Rush and Buddy Guy. Brother John also hosts the Monday Night Jam Session at Buddy Guy’s twice monthly, and has his own band, which also plays regularly at Legends.

With this DVD, you’re actually getting the same show twice on the disc, once as a straight performance, the second as the performance with a voiceover by Dave Specter, giving details and information, making the experience very much more interesting.

Dave Specter is a fixture in Chicago’s blues clubs. He’s been playing at Buddy Guy’s place for about 18 years now, as well as various other places around town, and in as far-flung places as Europe. He and his music are influenced by Booker T & the MGs and the Meters, and by guitarists such as Steve Cropper & Leo Nocentelli. He’s rooted in the blues, but his music shows clear signs of jazz, soul, and funk. He mentions that one of his main inspirations is Otis Rush, and in another vignette how Steve Freund took him under his wing and mentored him. Early in his career, he was fortunate enough to land a two-year stint with Son Seals, often playing venues in Greenwich Village, then jumping into a van and driving straight through, back to Chicago for their next gig.

The two segments of this two-part show begin with an instrumental, since Specter doesn’t sing. The remainder of both shows is with vocal guests. After the opening instrumental, Specter brings on Tad Robinson on vocals and harp for several selections. Following Robinson he brings on Jimmy Johnson on guitar and vocals. Watching Jimmy Johnson is almost unbelievable in that the man is 79 years young and plays and sings like somebody less than half that. It's a truly remarkable performance.