Halloween, 1997, Chicago B.L.U.E.S. -- My first Chicago blues club, and it's Chicago Blues...Is someone running me through a Blues 101 Class, or what? Anyway, the place is rasty, but friendly...reminds me of a cross between the Central in Seattle, and Eli's Mile High in Oakland...a century's-worth of pix on the wall of all the Chicago and outer-Chicago legends who have crammed onto the stage in the back. The place has a sort of electric over-the-top vibe despite its dirt-wood floors and thrift store decor. The crowd is light, I think due to TV media hype to stay home out of danger and watch our reruns. The first set was politely applauded with a smattering of whoop-whoops--kind of like playing a library or convent. Joanna encouraged everyone to drink heavily. The second set saw the room fill up to about 80% and the crowd responded best to slow blues, so we made sure we ran that into the ground... Everyone seemed to stay until the owner boomed over the PA, "We're happy you came in tonight, but now it's time to leave." Finally got some money after arriving in Chicago a week before with $1.28. Of course, this all has to be sent home before they shut off the water, cable, and/or electricity.