Remember the “Insane Asylum” post? Five days ago? Originally that was going to be mapped to the old Chess Records studio in Chicago because it sounds like a Chess studios recording. Instead it had to go down where that unfortunate rake got a touch of the sniffles from his lady love.¹

But this week should really drop a pin on that little box on Michigan Ave, because so many of the recordings made there sound like they were made there, sound like they were made in a real, identifiable place. Almost all of the Chess recordings are of that period where the recordings sound like people who are in a room, playing, but Chess’ in particular sound real and alive and you can hear it on tape cuz actual badass muthafuxkas got together, sorted out what to do, and did it on-mic (and then slap-echoed the living hell out of it). Revisit Insane Asylum if you want a big, tall sound, but this one, “Walkin’ the Blues,” will suffice. Never mind that it feels like a bit of a throwaway, and never mind that right around the 2:43 mark it devolves even further into a dumb mother-in-law joke, but focus on the piano and bass throughout and you’ll almost be able to see a couplea dudes in that little near-square in Chicago.

MAPPING IT

The definitive Chess location has to be the 2120 building. If for no other reason than its very address was ripped dafuxk off by – surprise! – blues legends The Rolling Stones as well as by –- well, whaddya know! – blues legend George Thorogood. That little place in Chicago (technically one of several Chess locations) still stands.

HEARING IT