Five Alligator Artists Nominated For Eight Blues Blast Awards

 

FIVE ALLIGATOR ARTISTS NOMINATED FOR EIGHT BLUES BLAST MUSIC AWARDS Blues Blast, the internet blues magazine, has announced the nominees for its 2016 Blues Blast Music Awards. Five Alligator Records artists received a total of eight nominations. Shemekia Copeland, Curtis Salgado and Toronzo Cannon each received two nominations. Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials and Tommy Castro & The Painkillers each received one. Voting is free and open to the public at www.bluesblastmagazine.com beginning July 1 and running through August 15. Winners will be announced at the 2016 Blues Blast Music Awards ceremony, held at The Fluid Events Center in Champaign, Illinois on September 23rd, 2016. Alligator nominees are as follows: SHEMEKIA COPELAND: Contemporary Blues Album - for Outskirts Of Love Female Blues Artist CURTIS SALGADO: Soul Blues Album - for The Beautiful Lowdown Male Blues Artist TORONZO CANNON: Contemporary Blues Album - for The Chicago Way Male Blues Artist  LIL' ED & THE BLUES IMPERIALS: Blues Band TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERS: Rock Blues Album - for Method To My Madness ### www.ALLIGATOR.com

ALLIGATOR RECORDS 45TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION Set For June 10 Release

Alligator Records has set a June 10, 2016 release date for the Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection. The 2CDs-for-the-price-of-one set -- boasting over 148 minutes of music -- features career-defining performances from blues royalty past, present and future.

The blues and roots music Alligator Records has been releasing since 1971 -- created by iconic giants of the genre like Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Albert Collins, Luther Allison, James Cotton, Elvin Bishop and Mavis Staples, and label-nurtured legends including Son Seals, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Saffire—The Uppity Blues Women and Michael “Iron Man” Burks -- has more than stood the test of time. With the Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection, label founder and president Bruce Iglauer, along with his 15-person staff (many of whom have been on board for well over 20 years) celebrate Alligator’s extraordinary past, history-in-the-making present, and a future filled with more "Genuine Houserockin’ Music."

The Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection clearly lays out Alligator’s wide-ranging, forward-looking vision with tracks from newer voices – Selwyn Birchwood, Toronzo Cannon, Shemekia Copeland, Moreland & Arbuckle and Jarekus Singleton – seamlessly programmed next to legendary artists including Curtis Salgado, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Joe Louis Walker, Delbert McClinton, Anders Osborne, The Holmes Brothers, Guitar Shorty, JJ Grey & Mofro, Ann Rabson and Roomful Of Blues. Together, the Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection presents a comprehensive portrait of this singular, rooted, soul-stirring American music.

On June 10, the day of the album's release, the City Of Chicago will celebrate the label's 45th anniversary during the 33rd Annual Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park. Alligator artists scheduled to perform are Shemekia Copeland, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Curtis Salgado, Toronzo Cannon, Moreland & Arbuckle, Corky Siegel and Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater.

The history of Alligator Records, founded by blues-bitten Bruce Iglauer in 1971 for the express purpose of releasing an album by Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, reads like a history of contemporary blues and roots music. Iglauer, a native of Cincinnati, first fell in love with the blues in 1966. A live performance by the great Mississippi Fred McDowell struck him deep inside. "It was as if he reached out and grabbed me by the collar, shook me and spoke directly to me," he recalls. After that show, Iglauer, a student at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, immersed himself in the blues. In 1968, he made his initial pilgrimage to experience Chicago's thriving blues scene. His first stop was the famous Jazz Record Mart, where he met proprietor Bob Koester, also the owner of the prestigious blues and jazz label Delmark Records. With Koester as his de facto guide, Iglauer began making regular visits to Chicago to see Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, J.B. Hutto, Carey Bell and many other stars in the ghetto blues clubs.

Koester was impressed with Iglauer's passion for the music and his promotion of two sold-out Luther Allison performances at Lawrence. When Iglauer moved to Chicago for good at the beginning of 1970, Koester hired him as a $30-per-week shipping clerk. Almost every night, Iglauer hung out in the funky South and West Side bars, spellbound by the blues men and women performing on their home turf. He accompanied Koester to the studio for every Delmark session, where he watched blues greats such as Junior Wells, Roosevelt Sykes and Robert Lockwood, Jr. create classic blues albums. Iglauer wanted Delmark to release an album by his favorite band, Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers. But Koester wasn’t interested, so Iglauer gathered up what little money he had and decided to do it himself, soaking up everything he could learn about record production before heading into the studio with Hound Dog in 1971.

Iglauer became producer, booking agent, business manager, roadie, promotion man and publicist for Hound Dog. He ran Alligator out of his tiny apartment, filled with stacks of record cartons and a shipping table next to the bed. For years, each record had to finance the next one, which meant Alligator released about one record a year. Luckily, those records continued to impress fans and critics and sell enough to keep the label going. Albums by Big Walter Horton, Son Seals and Fenton Robinson all contributed to getting the fledgling company off the ground. When Koko Taylor came aboard in 1975, the label was taking larger steps, soon attracting giants like Albert Collins, Roy Buchanan and Johnny Winter.

Now, Alligator Records is the largest independent blues label in the world, and has been repeatedly honored for its achievements. Three Alligator recordings have won Grammy Awards, and 41 titles have been nominated. The label and its artists have received well over 100 Blues Music Awards and more than 70 Living Blues Awards. But even with all of the accolades, Alligator Records never rests on its laurels. According to Iglauer, "Alligator should be the label that's exposing the next generation of blues artists and bringing their music to the next generation of blues fans. I want the future of the blues and the future of Alligator Records to be one and the same. I want to keep bringing blues and roots music to new fans and getting them as excited about the music as I am." With those goals, Alligator Records is still fueled by the same principles that it first established in 1971. The staff continues to push forward, still bucking the odds, with everybody working long hours on a shoestring budget.

Throughout its history, Alligator has operated not only as a business, but also as a tight-knit family. Relationships between the staff and the artists are personal and run deep. It's not at all uncommon for an artist performing a Chicago show to drop by the office for an unannounced visit. Musicians regularly call Iglauer at any hour, looking to have CDs shipped out at the last minute, or to discuss their upcoming recording sessions or sing new tunes over the phone. Iglauer has opened his house to musicians needing a place to live during times of personal trouble.

From the early days of recording only Chicago talent, to attracting national and international musicians, to the label's commitment to nurturing the next generation of blues artists, Alligator continues to break new ground. Now, as clearly proven by the Alligator Records 45^th Anniversary Collection, the label is still dedicated to recording and promoting great talent, confirming that the passion, energy and soul-healing power of Alligator’s music is strong, genuine, and capable of rocking the house with no end in sight.

Alligator Records artist: Toronzo Cannon - The Chicago Way - New Release Review by Stilladog -Guest contributer

First thing you need to know about Toronzo Cannon is, playing blues is his second job.  And when you first hear this album you are going to say, “Huh?”  But it’s true. Toronzo still drives a bus for the Chicago Transit Authority.  Maybe not for too much longer…

Coming off what I am hearing was a series of smoking performances on the January 2016 Legendary Blues Cruise where he tore it up jamming with Elvin Bishop, Alligator Records released this album of all Toronzo originals.

Chicago Ways is without a doubt Cannon’s strongest album to date.  In part due to excellent production by Alligator El Presidente, Bruce Iglaur, but mostly to the maturity of Toronzo’s own guitar playing and song writing. This album is the result of a lifetime of building chops working with the best bluesmen Chicago has. 

The album starts off strong right out of the gate with The Pain Around Me and keeps the groove going with the somewhat humorous lyrics of Bad Contract, burning guitar throughout. What amounts to the title track, Walk It Off, the dilemma you find yourself in when you’ve got a girlfriend and a wife, follows.  Some hired horns add tremendously to Fine Seasoned Woman. Various flavors of Chicago blues are delivered in the next several tracks culminating in the slow blues, When Will You Tell Him About Me? which hits hard. The clever shuffle Mrs. From Mississippi and the powerful I Am close out the album

You will hear bits of Magic Sam, Otis Rush, and Son Seals in these songs along with another lesser known Chicago legend, Chico Banks.  But believe, it’s all Toronzo paying his respects.  It’s the Chicago Way!     

 

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Delmark artist: Omar Coleman - Born & Raised - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Born & Raised, by Omar Coleman and this guy can sing! Opening with Shuffle track, Tryin' To Do Right, Coleman exhibits his solid vocals and harp work complimented by Pete Galanis on guitar, Neal O'Hara on keys, Ari Seder on bass ad Marty Binder on drums. Man Like Me has a pure Chicago sound with nice harp work from Coleman and a tasty guitar solo from Toronzo Cannon. Funky Sit Down Baby is anchored by O'Hara's organ work and nicely driven by Seder and Binder. Coleman rides the top with great vocal style and Galanis pops off some stinging riffs along with Colemans harp work pulling the track together. Soulful, I Was A Fool, blends a light funk and soul into the blues for a really strong track. Guest guitarist Mike Wheeler plays some really soulful riffs on this track, making it one of my favorites on the release. A bit more funky, Wishing Well, has a down right limp. It gets so funky you may need an air freshner and Wheeler is right there with fluid guitar riffs keeping the track tight on. Rocker, Slow Down Baby, finds Dave Herrero laying down a solid Chuck Berry riff and O'Hara rides the 88's as Coleman delivers on vocal and harp. Herrera rips a nice solo on this track making Coleman holler for help! Cool track! Another funky track, Lucky Man, with perfect drum riffs by Binder digs a real nice groove. Galanis plays a perfect response to Coleman's vocal call and O'Hara lays right in the groove on organ. Galanis steps up with heated guitar riffs giving the track another dimension altogether making this another favorite on the release. Upbeat shuffle track, You Got A Hold On Me, opens with a real nice harp intro from Coleman. Cannon's back setting the pace with a nice guitar lead and Binders drums are particularly crisp. The coolest harp work on the release falls right into place on this one making it the complete package. Title track, Born & Raised, is a high stepper with Coleman keeping his feet high. Galanis rips a real nice guitar solo on this one over the wah wah rhythm. Very cool! Slow soul track, One Request is the most memorable melody on the track making it my choice for radio track of the release. I really like Coleman's vocal leads on this track and the light organ support by O'Hara on this track is perfect. His piano work is nicely presented, Seder's bass hand is right there and Binder is spot on. Again Galanis steps up with a nice guitar solo on this track but just enough to emphasize the dynamics on the track. Nicely done. Funky jazz track, Tell Me What You Want, has a nice bass line from Seden which really sets the table for me. Coleman's vocal phrasing on the track as well as his harp work is nicely complimented by hot guitar riffs from Herrero. New Orleans infused, I Know You Been Cheating, has an almost rhumba feel with a nice harp solo from Coleman. Seder on snare and O'Hara on piano really emphasize the cultural richness and Galanis throws down a tasty solo to ice the cake. Wrapping the release is full out jazz track, Raspberry Wine, with Coleman showing that his vocals can carry off even the more challenging style. Galanis steps up again with a real nice guitar solo on a carrier of organ and piano by O'Hara. O'Hara pulls off a real nice solo of his own on organ and then as is traditional Coleman steps back up to take the track home and the band joins in on vocals. Really nice 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”

 

Chicago Bluesman Toronzo Cannon Signs With Alligator Records

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CHICAGO BLUESMAN TORONZO CANNON SIGNS WITH ALLIGATOR RECORDS New Album Due In Early 2016 "Among the cream of the next generation of blues musicians making their name on the Chicago scene."    --Blues & Rhythm "One of Chicago's new greats."  --The Chicago Sun-Times "Progressive as he is rootsy...Slow, simmering riffs and smoldering licks." -- Chicago Reader On Saturday, June 13, Chicago blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Toronzo Cannon, performing on the main stage of the Chicago Blues Festival, announced to the crowd of over 100,000 that he had just signed with Alligator Records. He then tore into a razor-sharp solo, layering the deepest Chicago blues with contemporary lyrics and gospel-flavored vocals. The Chicago Tribune lauded his performance, saying, "Cannon made the most of his opportunity as a festival headliner to win over a new audience. His extroverted guitar style and forceful singing voice sounded especially compelling." Cannon's first two albums, released on Chicago's Delmark label, catapulted him from local newcomer -- and Chicago Transit Authority bus driver -- to one of the city's most celebrated bluesmen. With his Alligator Records debut set for release in early 2016, he knows more and more people are hearing his message: Chicago blues is very much alive.  According to Cannon, "To be on two historic Chicago labels is huge. To be from Chicago and be signed to Alligator is unreal. To be part of Alligator's history...I'm at a loss for words." Alligator president Bruce Iglauer says, "I've watched Toronzo grow as a singer, player and songwriter over the last few years. He's now become a major blues talent, using the Chicago blues traditions as a launching pad to create his own unique, and very contemporary, vision. His music comes right from the heart of the city." Cannon was born in Chicago on February 14, 1968, and grew up in the shadows of Theresa's Lounge, one of the city's most famous South Side blues clubs (and, coincidentally, the place where Iglauer spent a lot of time). As a child, Cannon would occasionally sneak a glance inside at Junior Wells or Buddy Guy or whomever was making music. He heard plenty of blues growing up at his grandfather's home, and listened to all types of popular music of the day. He got his first guitar at age 22, and learned to play in short order. Although his first focus was reggae, he found himself increasingly drawn to the blues. "It was dormant in me. But when I started playing the blues, I found my voice." He learned sounds, styles and licks from listening to Albert Collins, Hound Dog Taylor, B.B. King, Albert King, Freddie King, Al Green, Jimi Hendrix, J.B. Hutto, Lil' Ed and others. He played as a sideman for Wayne Baker Brooks and Joanna Connor before striking out on his own in 2001, honing his skills as a bandleader, vocalist and performer. As a songwriter, he writes about shared experiences with a keen eye for what's not obvious. "Blues is truth-telling music," he says, "and I want my audience to relate to my stories." As a singer, his impassioned vocals take his songs to the next level. Cannon has become one of Chicago's most recognized and most popular bluesmen through the sheer force of his music, his soul, his songs, and maybe most impressively, his passion for what he is doing. He's toured North America and Europe, all the while holding down his full-time job as a city bus driver. It isn't easy, but blues, like all of the Chicago greats who have come before him, is his calling. "Chicago blues is still alive," he says. "I'm not trying to carry a torch, but I am proud to be part of a movement, standing on the shoulders of every great Chicago blues musician who came first." ### www.ALLIGATOR.com