Stony Plain
Records Signs Blues Hall of Famer Billy Boy Arnold & Will Release His New CD
on October 21
Legendary
Chicago Blues Harmonica Player’s New Album, The Blues Soul of Billy Boy
Arnold, Was Produced by Duke Robillard & Features an All-Star Backing
Band
EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records announces the signing of
legendary Chicago blues harmonica master Billy Boy Arnold, and will release his
new CD, The Blues Soul of Billy Boy Arnold, on October 21.
Produced by Duke Robillard, Arnold’s new CD showcases his talents as a
songwriter, singer and harmonica player, backed by an all-star cast of
musicians, including the Roomful of Blues horns. This is Arnold’s second album
for Stony Plain, joining his highly-acclaimed 2001 release for the label,
Boogie 'n' Shuffle, also produced by Robillard.
Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2013, Arnold ably
demonstrates his credentials on this scintillating set that showcases a number
of original songs, as well as compositions from Joe Tex (“A Mother’s Prayer”),
Ted Taylor (“You Give Me Nothing to Go On”), B.B. King (“Worried Dream”), Chuck
Berry (“Nadine”) and Oscar Brown Junior/Nat Adderley (“Work Song”). As its title
indicates, The Blues Soul of Billy Boy Arnold emphasizes the
soulful side of the Chicago blues master that’s always been a part of his
repertoire. His own songs have been covered over the years by a diverse group of
artists that includes everyone from Bo Diddley and David Bowie to The Yardbirds
and The Blasters.
“Billy Boy Arnold’s talent as a songwriter, singer, harp
master and blues historian is still in full swing here,” says Duke Robillard.
“On this album, he demonstrates his flair and love for many different facets of
the blues. This recording is surely a remarkable achievement.” About the
recording sessions, Billy Boy Arnold adds, “I would like to thank Duke for his
outstanding guitar performances and all the great musicians that made this
project a success.”
William “Billy Boy” Arnold was born in Chicago in 1935 and
became enamored with the blues he heard on jukeboxes, especially the sound of
blues harmonica players such as John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson. One afternoon
accompanied by his childhood friends, he knocked on Sonny Boy’s door and they
were invited in the house. Williamson played for the boys, and that moment
started a spark in Billy Boy’s heart. Before long, he was playing harp in Bo
Diddley’s band and played on Bo’s “I’m a Man,” one of the classic recordings of
Chicago blues.
During some spare time with Bo in the studio for the “I’m a
Man” sessions, Billy Boy got a chance to record his own song, “You Got to Love
Me,” which kick-started his solo career. A number of his own classic Chicago
blues songs followed, including “I Wish You Would,” which has since been
recorded by a long list of artists such as The Yardbirds, John Hammond and David
Bowie. His singles for Chicago’s Vee Jay label from the 1950s have become
highly-prized collectables.
“The chance to work with Billy Boy on this project was
something I jumped on without a moment’s thought,’ writes Duke Robillard in the
album’s liner notes. “Billy wanted to record an album full of songs that he had
always loved, in a few different genres. These 14 songs include some Billy Boy
originals, early R&B songs, blues/jazz standards and some ‘60s and ‘70s rare
soul gems.”
All bear the unmistakable stamp of The Blues Soul of
Billy Boy Arnold
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