In the second segment, from Rosa’s, he calls on Sharon Lewis, aka “Texas Fire,” who puts on a noteworthy performance, even bringing a tear to her own eyes with a beautiful, touching final selection, “Angel.” She pumps new life into the band when she comes on, she’s got so much of whatever it is that brings an audience, the musicians and the entire club to life. She and Specter finished up a European tour shortly before this disc was recorded, which may account for the tightness of the group with her vocals. Whatever the reason, they’re a well-oiled machine, chugging along relentlessly, with no glitches, stutters, or hiccups.

It’s a mark of how much these musicians are appreciated when one considers that the performances were on a Monday and Tuesday, notably the slowest nights of the week. Rosa’s is small and intimate, and Buddy Guy’s is markedly larger, and the musicians command respectable showings in both locations. Rosa’s, in fact, is usually closed on Mondays, so having this group pull in the crowd they did on a Monday is quite an accomplishment.

Bob Koester’s Delmark Records, who produced this disc, and Dave Specter are both longtime stalwarts of the Chicago blues scene. Koester and Delmark recently celebrated their 55th year in business, while Specter and his partners recently opened a brand spanking new music and events venue, recording studio, and restaurant in the heart of Evanston. Delmark is also the oldest indie label under original ownership in existence. Specter, meanwhile, spends some of his time giving private guitar lessons, as well as teaching at the Old Town School of Folk Music, which recently celebrated its 50th year in business, and putting on workshops overseas.

Each of the two segments times out at 77:51, giving about two and a half hours of superb, solid, Chicago Blues.