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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Strong Like That, from The Fabulous Thunderbirds and I really like it. Opening with Temptations classic, (I Know) I'm Losing You, TFT have melded a track that has been done by everyone from Rare Earth to Rod Stewart and with spicy steel guitar work of Roosevelt Collier and the funky beat of Wes Watkins created a cool new sound. Kim Wilson is upfront on vocal and harp and Steve Gomes lays down a solid bass riff along with Kevin Anker on keys. Very cool! Stepping off like Curtis Mayfield on Don't Burn Me, Wilson delivers a really soulful vocal line. Anson Funderburgh lends an artful hand to this soulful mix with tasty guitar riffs and with Christal Rheams and Caleb Green on backing vocals, Gomes on bass and Robb Stupka on drums. Excellent! Funky blues soul on You're Gonna Miss Me has a super groove that makes you want to bounce in your seat if not outright get up and dance. Wilson's harp work on this track is more soul than blues and really works nicely. Al Jackson's Drowning On Dry land has a super cool bottom Wilson keeps it light as air with his smooth vocals and restrained harp. Moeller's guitar riffs are spot on and Anker punctuates nicely. Excellent! Another funky track, Somebody's Getting It, is full blown with Kenny Rittenhouse on trumpet, Joe Donegan on trumpet, Antonio Orta on sax and Bill Holmes on trombone and Rheams and Green on back vocals. Wilson's vocals are particularly rich on this track, possibly being my favorite featuring him in near memory. With it's rolling bass line, Meet Me On The Corner, is the bluesiest track on the release and Wilson takes full advantage with his trademark blues harp riffs and vocals. Very cool. Where's Your Love Been has a cool southern soul sound with the full horns, crafty keyboard work by Anker and a few real nice guitar outings by Mr Johnny Moeller. Eddie Floyd's I've Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do) has a smooth soul sound with tight horn work and cool stylistic rhythm guitar work by Moeller. Wilson's vocals are cool and the track solid. Wrapping the release is title track, Strong Like That. With it's funky bass line and snappy drum bottom, Wilson really brings it home on vocal and harp. His phrasing and tone are top notch and this track is a particularly cool closer to what may be my favorite Thunderbirds release...ever!
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I just received the newest release, Ten Miles of Bad Road, from Karen Lovely and I think it's her best yet! Opening with Low Road, a mix of blues, country,R&B and pop, is a great showcase of Lovely's voice. With Alan Mirikitani throwing down some sweet guitar riffs, Tony Braunagel on drums, James Hutchinson on bass and Jim Pugh on B3 are joined by Julie Delgado and Kenna Ramsey on backing vocals making a solid opener. Company Graveyard has a more driving rock beat along the lines of Radar Love but with a boogie twist and again featuring a hot guitar riffs from Mirikitani. A Better Place is really stripped down like a primitive blues with Johnny Lee Schell on guitar and bass. Very cool! Ignorance (It Ain't Bliss) is a solid pop rocker with a bluesier approach but similar approach to rock as China Girl with smooth organ work and a flashy guitar solo. Cross The Water is a really nice ballad with country influences. This is a track that could easily make cross radio appeal featuring solid keys by Pugh and backing vocals by Delgado and Ramsey. Title track, Ten Miles Of Bad Road, has a bright jazzy style with Joe Sublett on sax, Les Lovitt on trumpet and with Pugh on keys, Hutch on bass and Braunagel on drums, this track has a strong hook. Quiet ballad, I Want To Love You, is another nice showcase for Lovely vocal with only minimal backing from Pugh, Hutch and Braunagel and a melodic guitar solo from Schell. R&B track, You Stole My Heart, is smooth with Lovely in duet and an easy set instrumental backing. Always Love You is a seductively sweet ballad with Lovely's vocals carrying the track with only minimal keys and percussion. Very nice! Blues Valentine has a strong country rock feel with resonator reinforcement from Schell and a cool key solo from Pugh. Save Me blends rock, country, blues and R&B for a strong radio entry. With a cool guitar bridge from Mirikitani, this is another track that could get strong radio play. I'm Over Goodbye has a special feel with duet blending with Melodye Perry. A reinforcing melody line on B3 from Pugh and continued strong vocals from Lovely make this one of the hottest tracks on the release. Wrapping the release is Frank The Spank, a hot boogie rocker. Lovely really gets it hopping on this track and Kim Wilson, featured on harp hits the target. This is a great clean up track for a very solid radio oriented release.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
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ANDY T-NICK NIXON
BAND RELEASE DEBUTS ON BILLBOARD CHART!
Numbers Man, the latest studio album from the Andy T-Nick Nixon Band, debuted this week at #9
on the Billboard blues sales chart.
Andy and Nick have become one of the
most acclaimed duos in the blues. Andy T’s jazz-tinged guitar style is
influenced by T-Bone Walker, B.B. King, Magic Sam, and Albert Collins among
others, yet it remains his own. The velvet-voiced Nixon, part of Nashville’s
thriving blues and R&B scene in the 60’s and 70’s, sings in a style that
recalls Jimmy Witherspoon and Billy Eckstine. Even though he’s now in his
70’s, Nixon’s voice still has all the power and energy of a man half his age
and it’s crystal clear that this man was born to sing the blues.
As Blues Underground Network
said, “Simply put, Andy T and James ‘Nick’ Nixon have quickly risen to the
top of many people's lists of Great Collaborations.”
The previous two
releases by the Andy T-Nick Nixon Band, produced by noted Texas guitarist
Anson Funderburgh, were critically acclaimed, with both garnering
coveted Blues Music Award nominations
Elmore magazine said of Numbers Man, "Anson
Funderburgh again produces and this time adds the Texas Horns as well as Kim Wilson
on one track. Andy T plays a clean guitar, mostly in the style of T-Bone
Walker while 74-year-old Nixon is as good a blues singer as any. This band
just gets better with each recording."
Said Andy, "We are thrilled to debut on the Billboard Blues Chart with
such an amazing group of artists. Many thanks to Blind Pig Records for their
support."
I just received the newest release, Numbers Man, from Andy T - Nick Nixon Band and it's super. Opening with blues driver, Shut The Front Door, Nixon leads the way on solid vocals pushed along nicely by Kaz Kazanov (tenor sax), Al Gomez (trumpet) and John Mills (Bari sax), Larry Van Loon on B3, Jim Klingler on drums and Sam Persons on bass. Anson Funderburgh joins in with a tasty solo trading riffs with Andy for a hot opener. Devil's Wife has a flavor of new Orleans courtesy of piano work by Christian Dozzler and Klingler on drums. van Loons' B3 work complimented by The Horns lays it wide open for a nice solos by Kaz and Nixon. Tall strutting, Deep Blue Sea, is a great track to showcase this bands style with Nixon's vocals and The Horns holding down the bottom. A stylized solo from Andy and B3/piano from van Loon round out the track nicely. Dozzler's lead on accordion gives Tall Drink of Water a real Cajun flavor. Andy stirs the pot with few quick riffs but this track is all Nick. R&B track, Numbers Man, has a great groove. Nixon really catches the wave on this one, punched by The Horns. With super feel, Andy takes the track on full on and lays in some really soulful riffs. van Loon's B3 it hot and throaty and the horns balance the track out nicely. Excellent! Eugene Church R&B track, Pretty Girls Everywhere, is driven by Persons' solid bass line. This track borders on rock with a real swingin' feel and a killer sax solo by Kaz. Don Robey penned, Blue Monday has a really nice slow blues pace giving the band a great chance to stretch out a bit. Not only are Nixon's vocals super but Andy's guitar work on this track is excellent! Dozzler's sensitive piano work cleanly highlights the overall feel of the track, anchored by Klingler and Pearsons. Super! Hightailin' is a really nice instrumental with Andy taking the reins on van Loon's B3 setup. This track is a really nice showcase. Sundown Blues has a really nice lope and features "Mr Kim Wilson" of harp. Wilson, never the wallflower steps up and lays in a really nice harp solo working nicely with Nicks vocal lead. T-Bone Walker's, Tell me What's The Reason is a super track for this band setup. Andy really cooks the groove and with van Loon's feel on B3 and the Texas Horns punching it up, this track is a nice cooker! Funky rocker, Be Somebody Some Day, has a little bit of an Albert King style. Conversely, Andy's guitar solo's are all his own and Mills plays a few real nice bari solos adding real depth. Dozzler is back on accordion on What Went Wrong and with New Orleans flavored drumming by Klingler, the track has a real funky feel. Nixon's solid R&B style vocals and sweet guitar soloing by Andy and Dozzler add nicely to the mix. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Gatemouth Brown's Gate's Salty Blues has a real swagger. Nixon has the bull by the horns vocally and is swinging it at will. Andy has the response on guitar and then takes the lead throwing down a tasty guitar solo leaving you wanting more. Wrapping the release is the excellent, This World We Live In. With heavy feel like Jimmy Oden or Bobby Bland, this track really counts on Nick to deliver and he definitely has it covered. Backed by Denise Fraser on drums, Rick Reed on bass and Steve F'dor on piano Kevin McKendree takes a really nice B3 solo before turning over the lead to Andy for some of his most heartfelt riffs on the release. Nixon returns on this track making it and excellent closer.
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
I just received the newest release, Born To Play The Blues, from Buddy Guy and it's terrific! Opening with title track, Born To Play Guitar, Guy starts at his roots with a primitive blues track with basic blues picking supplemented by Rob McNelley on resonator and Guy on strat and super blues vocals. Terrific start! Wear You Out is a great boogie featuring Billy Gibbons trading vocals and guitar riffs with Guy. Backed by Tom Hambridge on drums, Rob McNelley on guitar, Kevin McKendree on Clav and Glenn Worf on bass this track rocks! Classic styling on Back Up Mama features McNelley on slide and Guy on strat trading riffs. Buddy is just such an exceptional performer and his vocals are tight. His calling card frenzied guitar riffs kick this track in the back side giving it that extra punch and McKendree's piano is tight. Kim Wilson joins Guy on swing track, Too Late. His harp riffs blend nicely with Guy's vocals. Whiskey, Beer & Wine has a great groove driven by Doyle Bramhall II, McNelley, Hambridge and Michael Rhodes (on bass). Reese Wynans lays in some real nice B3 and Clav and Guy switches off to an uncharacteristic ES335 for a rounder tone blending nicely with his vocals. Shuffle track, Kiss Me Quick, shows some of Guy's best vocals on the release and his guitar tone from the 335 have a real nice roundness. Kim Wilson adds some hot harp riffs and McKendree's piano work is hot! Crying Out Of One Eye is a cool track with a trace riff from Otis Rush. With an overall R&B feel, this track has a clever concept in title. It reminds me of something that I supposedly said to my parents when I was a kid "I'm laughing on the outside but crying on the inside" as I was taking my punishment for a bad deed. Guys uses the one eye crying for the foolishness of someone who really doesn't hurt. I really like it. With it's almost BB King like guitar riffs and backed by the Muscle Shoals Horns this track packs a punch. On classic R&B track, Baby You Got What It Takes, Guy is joined by Joss Stone and her vocals are clear and sweet as honey. I'm not a big "star collaboration" guy, but Stone has joined another of my favorites, Jeff Beck, on his performances and in both cases she has shown not to be just a calling card on a piece of paper but a real cool singer who can hold her own with the real heavyweights. Turn Me Wild has a real nice strut with Guy nicely punctuating his own vocals on guitar and Billy Cox driving the groove on bass. Some of the slickest guitar work on the release is on this track with Guy taking his strat for a nice walk. Crazy World is an easy soulful ballad with Reese Wynans holding the course with B3 and Guy just singing his guts out. Short meaningful guitar work by Guy is smooth and articulate with a lot of grip. Smarter Than I Was has a vibrant rhythm part by Hambridge, and a cool underlying guitar part by Rob McNelley... and crisp guitar bursts from Guy set this track on fire. Excellent! The big R&B hammer is dropped with Thick Like Mississippi Mud. "Good Whiskey and Women"... shoot...you got me already! Guy gets into one of his classic grooves (Think Damn Right I've Got The Blues) and there's no holding him back. Guy works up a real guitar frenzy on this track literally blowing the lid off! McKendree on piano, Worf on bass and the Muscle Shoals Horns prod him along and he responds with flames! Easy going ballad, Flesh & Bone, in concert with Van Morrison is a nice ballad of both men's style. Trading lead vocal spots, this is probably (after Thick) the most radio likely track on the release. Thick because of it's power and F&B because of it's natural tenderness and melodic sensibilities. Wrapping the release is Come Back Muddy, a stripped down blues number featuring Wymans on upright piano, Bramhall II on 12 string, Michael Rhodes on electric bass and Guy on acoustic guitar and vocal. Classic blues chords and lines give it a primitive feel but it's "modern Guy" getting into a real nice acoustic groove with tight guitar solo's. The release is opened in easy style and closed in easy style. This is a really nice release from Guy and one with a lot of heart. Check it out!
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
Mark Pucci Media is happy to announce
that our artists have received 8 nominations for the upcoming Blues Blast Music
Awards! Here’s the entire list of our nominees & we’d appreciate your
consideration in voting for these well-deserved artists. Information on how
& when to vote is listed at the end.
Voting Is Open To The Public- Fan voting begins July 15, 2015 and
continues until September 15, 2015 on our website atwww.BluesBlastMagazine.com. Voting is free and open to anyone
who is a Blues Blast Magazine subscriber. You do not have to be a current
subscriber to vote! You are automatically signed up as part of the voting
process on our website if you are not currently a subscriber. Blues Blast
Magazine subscriptions are FREE and you may unsubscribe at anytime!
2015 Blues Blast Music Awards Ceremonies- The 2015 Blues
Blast Music Awards ceremonies will be held at The Fluid Events Center in
Champaign, Illinois on Friday, September 25th, 2015. The awards ceremony will
feature music by the artists nominated. Tickets for the event will go
I just received the newest release (April 21, 2015), Let It Rain, from Deb Ryder and it swings. Opening with That's Just How It Is, Ryder comes out hot and heavy with powerful backing from Kirk Fletcher, Ric Ryder on bass, Mike Finnigan on B3 and Tony Braunagel on drums. Fletcher really hits the groove and Finnigan lays it flat out. On Latin/shuffle track Can't Go Back Again, Braunagel sets a mean line and Johnny Lee Schell joins Fletcher on guitar with Lee Thornburg on Trumpet and Lon Price on sax. Very nice! On You Won't Be True Thornburg and Price give the track a much heavier swing and Schell and Fletcher lays down some really hot riffs. I really like Ryders vocal work on this release. Excellent! On the smokey, Guilty As Sin, Ryder guides her listeners down a dark slinky alley. Finnigan's B3 punctuation is particularly effective, Kim Wilson tips in some warm harp work on this track and Fletcher steps up with a few real nice R&B style blues guitars solo as well. Very smooth! Cry Another Tear has a spiritual undertone with Finnegan leading the way on both piano and B3. With a hand clapping revival feel, Ryder shows she has it all joined by Johnny Lee Schell and Finnigan on backing vocals. Fletcher steps up with a flight fingered country style solo on guitar which I would have sworn was Albert Lee. Very nice! Ryder's solid bass work drives the train on Hold Your Lamp High with rich horn work from Thornburg and Price. Finnegan creates the tension on B3 but it's the super lead vocals by Ryder that shines brightest on this track. Thornburg takes a cool muted trumpet solo on this track giving it a quiet jazz sound for a bridge but Ryder drags it back into the soul arena with her gritty voice. On boogie stack, Money Monsoon, Fletcher again shows his fast finger work and Finnegan, Thornburg and Price push it over the top. Excellent! On quiet ballad, Kiss and Dream, the entire band softens it back with James Hutchinson on double bass and Finnegan on piano accompanied by Braunagel on brushes. Ryder shows the clarity of her vocals and Price lays out a really nice sax solo. Title track, Let It Rain has a R&B feel and Fletcher steps up and delivers Robert Cray style. Kim Wilson blends his harp work in nicely with finesse and control. This is really an ideal radio track with a catchy melody, simple but tight instrumentals and of course the super vocal work of Ryder. David Fraser joins on accordion for New Orleans flavored Ma Misere and Albert Lee takes the lead guitar role bouncing off of the super piano work of Finnigan. Wrapping the release is a stripped down bluesy track, Round and Around with Ryder on vocal, Wilson on harp, Schell on guitar and backing vocals. Nice wind down from a really pretty hot release!
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
I just received the newest release (February 17, 2015), Way Down South, from Igor Prado Band and Delta Groove All Stars and it's smokin! Opening with Ike Turner's, Matchbox, Sugaray Rayford leads the way on vocal and Prado really romps the guitar. A heavy slung blues, Prado throws stiff riffs and wild trem work making this a terrific opener! John Hunter's, Ride With Me Baby has an easy rock beat with deep blues roots. Kim Wilson has the lead on vocal and Prado shows his fleet fingered guitar work. Yuri Prado on drums and Rodrigo Mantovani on bass keep it tight. Muddy Water's She's Got It, featuring Mud Morganfield on lead vocal sounds like it's right out of 60's Chicago with Ivan Marcio on harp and Donny Nichilo doing a great Otis Spann. Morganfield, Marcio, Nichilo and Prado really do capture Muddy's band sound with a lot of authenticity. Very cool! Lowell Fulsom's Baby Won't You Jump With Me features Ari Borger on piano and Lynwood Slim on vocal with cool jazzy guitar work from Prado and Junior Watson and tight sax work from Denilson Martins. James Lane's, What Have I Done, has a smooth groove led by Mitch Kashmar on vocal and harp. Kashmar really takes a nice romp on his solo as does Ari Borger on piano and Prado shows again that he's got great guitar chops. Jr. Walker and the Allstars' Shake & Fingerpop keep all of the R&B groove of the original with super stinging guitar riffs and lead vocals from Prado, a super bass run by Mantovani. Raphael Wressnig does a super job on B3. On Elmore James' Talk To Me Baby, Rod Piazza takes the mic for lead vocal and harp. Honey Piazza joins in on piano with Prado on lead guitar super charging this track. Excellent! Jerry West's If You Ever Need Me, keeps the original feel of the 60's R&B lead by Kim Wilson on vocal and harp. Very Nice! Joe Tex's You Got What It Takes has a nice twist on the original with Prado and JJ Jackson sharing the vocal lead. Keeping the guitar work tame on this number, Prado's finesse on the fretboard isn't hindered with quiet but cool riffs. Sugaray Rayford's Big Mama Blues has the girth of a Muddy Waters track with Prado and Monster Mike Welch doing the guitar Muddy style. Rayford leading the vocal charge and Borger tickling the keys, this track is right off the Chicago stage. Sweet! Paul Gayten's R&B swing tune You Better Believe It, led by Lynwood Slim on vocal and chased by Borger on piano and Martins on sax make this one really hot number. Prado jumps up and stiff arms the crowd with a flaming guitar solo keeping with the pace of the release. On Jerry West's, Rooster Blues, Wallace Coleman takes the vocal and harp lead and gets right into the Chicago groove. Yuri Prado (drums) keeps this track on a tight leash and Borger lays down a great piano solo. Prado really lets it out on this track proving once again that he can hold his own with just about anyone on the blues circuit. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Omar Coleman's Trying To Do Right with Coleman on vocal and harp. Prado takes the acoustic guitar and shows how powerful the simple instrument can be in the right hands. This is a powerful acoustic track and a great conclusion to a terrific release!
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
I just received the newest release (August 19, 2014), For Pops (A Tribute to Muddy Waters) by Kim Wilson and Mud Morganfield and it is a super tribute for (Muddy Waters) Morganfield's 100th Birthday. Opening with Gone To Main Street, Mud and Wilson are kicking in right out of the gate. Morganfield, who's vocal style is quite similar to his father's gets things going and Wilson is in top form. Billy Flynn and Rusty Zinn are on guitar and there are some nice riffs on this track. Barrelhouse Chuck holds down the piano line and Robb Stupka holds tight on drums. Steve Gomes on bass lays down a solid bottom on Just To Be With You which is richly adorned by Chucks piano work. Kim Wilson is on top of his game throughout this session. Both on tone and phrasing, his touch is just right. Willie Dixon's I Don't Know Why is the exact feel that comes to mind when you mention Muddy Waters and Wilson, Flynn and Zinn roll it tight! I Want You To Love Me captures Mud at his best with super vocal styling. On Still A Fool, one of my personal favorites, Wilson and Morganfield play a nice hand delivering the richness of the original. On My Dog Can't Bark, Wilson opens the door but Flynn and Zinn step in with some loose flaming slide work reminiscent of Muddy's own work. She's Got It is a powerful Morganfield composition and the band sets a hard stage for Mud and Wilson to do their thing. Very nice! On I Love The Life I Live, I Live The Life I Love; the band delivers a solid cover of the original and both Chuck and Wilson step out with nice highlights. On Waters classic, Blow Wind Blow, you become acutely aware of just how long it's been since Muddy has been with us. His son and the Chicago gang assembled here do a great job of capturing the spirit of Mr Waters. Nineteen Years Old ... now you're stepping into sacred territory and Mud really does a nice job of delivering. Excellent backing by Chuck and Wilson and super guitar soloing by Flynn makes this one of my favorites on this release. Another Willie Dixon composition, I Want To Be Loved has a real feel and Wilson's particular harmonic style on this track is specifically effective. Chuck always delivers in great style and the band is super tight. Trouble No More, another of my favorites on the release, really captures the spirit with Wilson really blowing up a storm. I Just Want To Make Love To You doesn't vary far from the original but Chuck and Wilson do really excellent job instrumentally. Wrapping the release is She Moves Me and Flynn is back on slide. This track has all of the feel of the balance of the release wrapped up into one and is a super capper for a very nice tribute to one of the absolute kings of the blues!
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band!- ”LIKE”
Mud Morganfield & Kim Wilson Join Forces on For Pops (A Tribute to
Muddy Waters), Coming August 19 on Severn Records
The Duo Salutes
the 100th Anniversary of Mud’s Legendary Father’s Birth with 14 Songs
Backed by an All-Star Band Channeling the Classic Chicago Blues
Sound
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Severn Records announces an August 19 release
date of For Pops (A Tribute to Muddy Waters), a very special CD
from Mud Morganfield, son of the legendary bluesman, and Kim Wilson,
singer/harmonica player of the iconic roots group, The Fabulous Thunderbirds,
saluting the classic blues music of Mud’s father in the 100th
anniversary year of his birth.
The genesis for this recording project was simple, according
to Severn president David Earl. “I couldn’t ignore all the requests,” he said.
“After we released Mud Morganfield’s Son of the 7th Son
album and The Fabulous Thunderbirds’ On the Verge disc, the phone
was ringing off the hook and the inbox was flooded with emails. The topic was
always the same: ‘You have to get Mud and Kim to do an album together!’ So,
after all the prodding, I picked up the phone and asked both Mud and Kim if they
would like to do an album together. They resoundingly said,
‘yes!’”
In addition to Mud Morganfield’s vocals, which bear an
uncanny resemblance to his late father’s sound, and Kim Wilson’s award-winning
harmonica work, the duo are backed by an all-star team of players schooled in
the Chicago-style of blues playing: Billy Flynn and Rusty Zinn (guitars),
Barrelhouse Chuck (piano), Steve Gomes (bass) and Robb Stupka (drums). The album
was produced by David Earl and Steve Gomes and recorded at Severn Sound Studios
in Annapolis, Maryland.
In keeping with the organic nature of classic blues music
recordings, the For Pops album tracking took on the feel of a late
night jam session. “We began with an old-fashioned ‘house party’ in our studio,”
recalled David Earl. “Attendees included friends and family from all over the
mid-Atlantic region, who were treated to a wonderful performance by Mud and Kim,
along with some barbeque and spirits. The next day, the overall thought was to
record the album ‘live’ in the studio and capture the feel we had at the party.
All the instruments were recorded together in the same room in order to truly
capture the interplay between the musicians. Mud was isolated so we could put
the best possible sound to tape. We spent four days recording and actually mixed
it at the end of the week with all the musicians present. It was a whirlwind,
but at the end of the day, everyone agreed that ‘Pops” would be
proud.”
Facing the daunting task of which Muddy Waters songs from his
vast catalogue to include on For Pops, the mutual decision was
made to record some of Muddy’s better-known tunes, but also some lesser-known
ones that would demonstrate the vibrant scope of how encompassing was the
legend’s blues repertoire. The rest of the players chosen for the sessions were
all hand-picked by Mud, Kim and David Earl based not only on their musical
chops, but their feel for playing this music within the classic Chicago blues
ensemble format.
“I would like to thank everyone who has put so much into the
making of this album,” said Mud Morganfield during the sessions. “It’s coming up
on my Dad’s 100th birthday and that makes me even more proud to be a
part of this great release. I thank all blues lovers and fans around the world;
the music we make today always comes to you and history.”
