Tribute to Elmore - Sunnyland Slim & Eddie Taylor

Eddie Taylor (January 29, 1923 – December 25, 1985) was an American blues guitarist and singer.
Born Edward Taylor in Benoit, Mississippi, as a boy Taylor taught himself to play the guitar. He spent his early years playing at venues around Leland, Mississippi, where he taught his friend Jimmy Reed to play guitar. With a guitar style deeply rooted in the Mississippi Delta tradition, in 1949 Taylor moved to Chicago.

While Taylor never achieved the stardom of some of his compatriots in the Chicago Blues scene, he nevertheless was an integral part of that era and is especially noted as a main accompanist for Jimmy Reed as well as working with John Lee Hooker, Big Walter Horton and others. Taylor's own records "Big Town Playboy" and "Bad Boy" on Vee Jay Records became local hits in the 1950s.

Taylor's son Eddie Taylor Jr. is a blues guitarist in Chicago, his stepson Larry Taylor is a blues drummer and vocalist, and his daughter Demetria is a blues vocalist in Chicago. . Taylor's wife Vera was the niece of bluesmen Eddie "Guitar" Burns and Jimmy Burns.

Taylor died on Christmas Day in 1985 in Chicago, at age 62, and was interred in an unmarked grave in the Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. He was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1987.

Albert "Sunnyland Slim" Luandrew (September 5, 1907 – March 17, 1995) was an American blues pianist, who was born in the Mississippi Delta and later moved to Chicago, to contribute to that city's post-war scene as a center for blues music.[2] Chicago's broadcaster and writer, Studs Terkel, said Sunnyland Slim was "a living piece of our folk history, gallantly and eloquently carrying on in the old tradition."
Sunnyland Slim was born in 1906 on a farm in Quitman County, near Vance, Mississippi (some sources erroneously give this date as 1907). He moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1925, where he performed with many of the popular blues musicians of the day. His stage name came from a song he composed about the Sunnyland train that ran between Memphis and St. Louis, Missouri. In 1942 he followed the great migration of southern workers to the industrial north in Chicago.

At that time the electric blues was taking shape there, and through the years Sunnyland Slim played with such musicians as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Robert Lockwood, Jr., and Little Walter. His piano style is characterised by heavy basses or vamping chords in the left hand and tremolos with his right. His voice was loud and he sang in a declamatory style.

Sunnyland Slim's first recording was as a singer with Jump Jackson's band on the Specialty label in September 1946. His first recordings as a leader were on the Hy-Tone and Aristocrat labels in late 1947. Slim continued performing until his death in 1995.

He had released one record on RCA Victor using the moniker 'Dr. Clayton's Buddy': "Illinois Central" b/w "Sweet Lucy Blues" (Victor 20-2733).

In 1988 he was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship.

Sunnyland Slim died in March 1995 in Chicago, after complications from renal failure, at the age of 88.

The Moon Is Shinin - Alex Wilson

ALEX WILSON grew up in a family of talented musicians..... Alex's grandmother, Rosa Saviano was a renowned professional jazz singer in Chicago in the 1940's and 50's. Tom Wilson, Alex's father, is a multi-faceted musician who has had the distinct pleasure of accompanying nearly every blues performer to pass through the Milwaukee/Chicago music scene in the last thirty years. Marc Wilson, Alex's uncle AND drummer, is one of the most sought after drummers in the country. He's played with B.B.King, Big Walter Horton, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Rodgers, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Susan Tedeschi, Anson Funderburgh and Sam Meyers to name but a few..... Alex picked up the guitar at five years old and never put it down. Immersed in the Milwaukee blues scene, Alex was surrounded, and influenced by such local luminaries as Stokes, Lee Gates, Jim Liban and Milwaukee Slim..... Alex formed his own garage band at thirteen. By seventeen he began to dig deep into the blues, learning the songs and styles of masters such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix and Magic Sam..... At seventeen Alex began playing professionally and by twenty-one he had joined Milwaukee's Blue Rubies and was performing regionally while still playing part-time with his own band. Playing up to 25 gigs a month, Wilson honed and sharpened his skills as a singer/songwriter, guitar player and over all entertainer..... In '05 and '06 Alex began to focus solely on his own project, booking shows, finding his own sound and the right players from the mid-west music scene to take his show on the road. .... With Alex's uncle Marc Wilson on the drums, and Alex's brother Matthew singing harmonies and playing bass, Alex is running with one of the toughest bands on the scene today. It's no surprise that they won the 2007 WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) Award for blues group/artist of the year..... After playing a series of shows for the Chinese New Year in Beijing with Grammy nominated blues harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite, Alex returned to the states to find himself a triple nominee for the WAMI Awards in 2008!.... A versatile musician, Alex effortlessly switches between genres. He plays everything from sweet Beale Street blues to West coast swing. From hard Texas grinders to stone cold Chicago grooves with a feeling that's said to be timeless. Alex's style and tasty originals matched with his undeniable stage presence and unmistakable guitar style will drive you to the dance floor. His long-awaited and freshly nominated debut CD, Tell Me Why, has been released on "Rathskeller Records"..... To say that Alex Wilson is one to look out for down the road is an understatement. Taking the Midwest by storm, this young musician is a force to be reckoned with......... MARC WILSON, born in Chicago, raised in Milwaukee, picked up his first drum stick at age 12. With "Stone-Cohen Blues Band" his first band in high school to the "Alex Wilson Band" today, Marc has been in the blues business for 30 + years..... Marc got a solid foundation early on, traveling with an inner-city gospel group, playing churches through out the Chicago/Milwaukee area. Soon after this time, Marc joined the popular regional band "Brian Lee Band"..... In 1978 Marc moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and started playing with the "Heart Murmurs", the house band for the infamous "Zoo Bar". At the "Zoo Bar" Marc had the unique opportunity to play with all the great touring blues bands of our time. This is where he met Anson Funderburgh and Sam Meyers which led his path to Texas, where he toured extensively throughout the US and Europe with "Anson and the Rockets", winning 4 WC Handy awards in 1988. During this period Marc also recorded on Black Top records with many other blues artists..... In 1989 Marc hooked-up with another guitar slinging band, "Mike Morgan and the Crawl" which was also very successful in the US and overseas, and had their tunes recorded on some national TV shows. Marc also played with Marcia Ball while in Texas..... Coming full circle, Marc moved back to his roots in the Chicago/Milwaukee area to play with his old friend, harmonica great, Mathew Skoller and the "Mathew Skoller Band". With family in Milwaukee, Marc also found himself playing with his two nephews in the "Alex Wilson Band". This band is 100 percent Wilson, featuring Marc's two talented nephews Alex and Matthew Wilson, creating a very special family affair..... Marc has traveled to 4 continents and recorded tracks on over 50 CD's which include critically acclaimed records by Anson and the Rockets, Snooks Eaglin , Joe Guitar Hughes, Nappy Brown, Henry Qualls, and Robert Ealey to name a few. Marc also has recorded some tracks on a major motion picture "China Moon"..... Marc has had the privilege to play on stage with blues masters, contemporaries and rockers such as BB King, Buddy Guy, Big Walter Horton, Jimmy Rodgers, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Vaughn, Susan Tedeschi, Boz Skaggs, Donovan, Charlie Musselwhite, and Johnny Johnson, and the beat goes on and on......... MATTHEW WILSON was born in to a world of music. Surrounded by roots music and musicians from the time he was in the cradle, Matthew has led a life of musical privilege. As a small child, he was in regular attendance of the performances of his father and uncle. By 5, Matthew was given drum sticks and had been taught basic rhythms and beats that would only continue to grow stronger with age. These experiences planted a seed that would eventually blossom into a talented, young musician..... With a foundation in the blues, Matthew developed a grade school love of the Beatles. This relationship was interrupted when a friend gave him Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced". Within a year, Matthew formed his first band..... At the same time, Matthew began to frequent his father's open blues jam at Milwaukee's Up 'n' Under Pub, where he began regularly performing with his father Tom and brother Alex. By age 10, he was sitting in, playing guitar and bass and at 14, he became part of the house band, playing with such local luminaries as Stokes, Lee Gates, Milwaukee Slim, Jim Liban and blues legend Hubert Sumlin. These weekly jams are where Matthew first cut his teeth, playing guitar, bass and drums. .... In 2006, Matthew began singing and playing bass with his brother, Alex Wilson. Since then Matthew has been privileged to play with WAMI award-winning drummer Craig Panosh, funk drummer and pioneer Clyde Stubblefield, formerly with James Brown, two time W.C Handy award winning drummer AND uncle, Marc Wilson, and most recently with Grammy nominated blues legend, Charlie Musselwhite..... Things have been going very, VERY well for this bright, young musician and the future only looks brighter!.... .. ..
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

"They Call Me Mud" CD Coming from Mud Morganfield on March 9 via Severn Records

They Call Me Mud CD Coming from Mud Morganfield on March 9 via Severn Records

Blues Singer and Son of Legendary Muddy Waters Steps Out on New Album Recorded in Chicago with All-Star Cast

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Severn Records announces a March 9 release date for They Call Me Mud, the new CD from singer Mud Morganfield, son of the legendary blues icon, Muddy Waters. Produced by Mud Morganfield and Rick Kreher (who also plays guitar on the CD), They Call Me Mud was recorded at Joyride Studios in in Mud’s Chicago hometown. Mud penned 10 of the album’s 12 songs, with two others coming from his illustrious father’s catalog, “Howling Wolf” and “Can’t Get No Grinding.”

A stellar cast of Chicago area musicians adds some authentic, downhome blues touches to the recording, including Billy Flynn on guitar, Studebaker John on harmonica and backing vocals, Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi on piano, E.G. McDaniel on bass and Melvin “Pookie Stix” Carlisle on drums.  Special guests include Billy Branch on harmonica, Mike Wheeler on guitar and Mud’s daughter Lashunda Williams, who joins her dad on a loving duet, ‘Who Loves You,’ where Mud gets to stretch out on some of his R&B grooves. There’s also a horn section featured on several tunes, and Mud, himself, plays bass on three tracks.     

“I think it’s the some of the best work I’ve ever done yet,” Mud Morganfield proclaims about the new disc. “I feel that with the variety of material I have on here, people will get a chance to hear the other sides of my music: everything from soul and R&B to jazz and, of course, blues. I got to play bass on three songs, too, and I’m so proud to a have my youngest daughter, Lashunda, sing with me on this album. She’s a natural, too, and regularly sings gospel at home.”   

In the album’s liner notes, co-producer Rick Kreher recalls how he found out about Mud and finally got a chance to meet and become friends with the big man. “About a dozen years ago or so, I heard that a son of Muddy Waters was popping up at clubs on the Westside of Chicago and sitting in for a couple of tunes. A few weeks later, a Chicago blues club was having their annual musicians Christmas luncheon and there was this guy who certainly looked like Muddy. As soon as I introduced myself and he began to talk, I knew without a doubt that this was Muddy’s son. No one could have that deep baritone voice and as soon as he gave that little ‘chuckle’ that Muddy always did, I was convinced. Since that first meeting, we have become great friends and have worked together on many musical endeavors. Mud Morganfield has grown into a superstar on the blues circuit. Certainly, there will be comparisons to his dad, but that can be expected and rightly so. Mud comes as close to the Muddy experience as one can get. He will always pay tribute to his dad with the Chicago blues ensemble sound that Muddy created. But, Mud was also brought up musically in the ‘70s and ‘80s when soul, Motown and R&B ruled the world. Mud played bass and performed with bands playing the hits of that era. This, along with his blues pedigree, has influenced Mud’s own songwriting skills, which are constantly evolving.”

They Call Me Mud is Morganfield’s third album for Severn Records. Son of the Seventh Son (2012) was the first recording that brought Mud into the blues limelight. Mud wrote most of the songs on that album, which was nominated for numerous blues awards and received rave reviews around the world. His last album, For Pops (2014), a tribute to his dad that featured harmonica great Kim Wilson, was showcased on National Public Radio and garnered a Blues Music Award nomination for Traditional Album of the Year.

Rick Kreher describes the music on the new disc as “a blues buffet, with something for everyone. We have a new signature song, ‘They Call Me Mud,’ a hard hitting funky blues with Mud growling it on home. Some rockin’ blues with Studebaker John on harp and Mike Wheeler on guitar going toe-to-toe on ‘“Who’s Fooling Who?’ We have a couple of Chicago blues stompers, ‘Walkin’ Cane’ and ‘Rough Around the Edge;’ a great minor blues, ‘48 Days,’ with Billy Flynn channeling the great Jimmy Johnson on guitar; a Stax groove on ‘Oh Yeah;’ and Mike Wheeler again getting funky on ‘24 Hours.’

“Then, to honor his dad once again we have Muddy’s slide guitar blues, ‘Howlin’ Wolf,’ and the roaring shuffle, ‘Can’t Get No Grindin’,’ where everyone takes a solo turn. And finally, a jazzy instrumental, ‘Mud’s Groove,’ featuring the great Billy Branch on harp. This was the kind of song that blues bands would play before the star of the show would appear to get them into the groove. This song is a perfect finale to a CD that showcases Mud’s take on the blues.”

They Call Me Mud – Track Listing

1) They Call Me Mud   

2)  48 Days

3)  Cheatin’ is Cheatin’  

4)  Who’s Fooling Who?  

5) Howling Wolf  

6)  24 Hours 

7)  Who Loves You 

8)  Oh Yeah

9)  Can’t Get No Grindin’  

10) Rough Around the Edge

11) Walkin’ Cane   

12)  Mud’s Groove

14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival: Trampled Under Foot Reunion, Much More!

14TH ANNUAL BLUES FROM THE TOP FESTIVAL FEATURES SPECIAL  TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT REUNION, AND FINEST MUSIC LINEUP YET! Two Big Days - Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 At Winter Park, CO PRESENTED BY THE GRAND COUNTY BLUES SOCIETY; PORTION OF PROCEEDS BENEFIT BLUE STAR CONNECTION     (WINTER PARK, CO) - This year's 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival features its finest music lineup yet, with a reunion by renowned Blues-Americana group, Trampled Under Foot! The festival - presentede by the Grand County Blues Society- takes place Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, at Hideaway Park, 78820 US Highway 40, in Winter Park. A portion of the festival's proceeds benefit Blue Star Connection, now in it's tenth year of providing access and ownership of musical instruments for children and young adults with cancer and other serious challenges, as well as providing music therapy departments with instruments. Tickets (now through Sunday, May 15): $20. (1-day Pass) or $35. (2-day Pass), available at the bluesfromthetop.org website, Radio Shack in Fraser; and the Winter Park Visitor's Center. Ticket prices after May 15: General Admission 1-Day Pass (Saturday or Sunday), $28., General Admission 2-Day Pass $49. Kids 13 and under, free. Buy tickets/additional info: http://ezregister.com/events/16739/.            All other Festival information: www.bluesfromthetop.org     Grand County Blues Society Mission Statement is "To support the Blues by bringing National and International Blues Artists to Grand County on a regular basis, and to bring Blues Education into the schools of Grand County."  Trampled Under Foot reunites for the 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival.  They perform on Saturday, June 25 in the headlining slot.    Each day of Blues From The Top features a star-studded lineup. Saturday it's a Trampled Under Foot Reunion Show, the Albert Castiglia Band (with Josh Smith and Kate Moss), Monkey Junk, Kara Grainger, Josh Hoyer & Soul Collective, and the Austin Young Blues all-Stars featuring Michaela Rae, Michael Hornbuckle and others. Sunday's lineup is headlined by guitarist Eric Gales, Samantha Fish Band, Jimmy Hall with My Blue Sky, Willie K and the Warehouse Blues Band, John Nemeth with Deana Bogart and Jimmy Carpenter, and the High Mountain Gospel Choir with Renee Austin, Tempa Singer, Southern Review, Bart Szop, and more. Both days also feature a "Keeping The Blues Alive" stage with many of today's best young national and regional blues talent.           Colorful blues guitarist Eric Gales (pictured) headlines the Sunday, June 26  star-studded 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival lineup. About The 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival Headliners    Trampled Under Foot: The soul blues trio Trampled Under Foot consists of siblings Danielle Schnebelen (lead vocals and bass), Nick Schnebelen (guitars and vocals) and Kris Schnebelen, (drums). They grew up with the blues in Kansas City. Their father, Bill, was a blues guitarist in the band Little Eva and would regularly take his three children to jam sessions. Growing up, the siblings played separately in numerous bands over the years. Danielle was in Fresh Brew (1999-2004), Kris was a staple at blues clubs, and Nick was in Killing Floor (or K-Floor), and briefly, Buddahead. Missing the family camaraderie, the siblings formed Trampled Under Foot in 2000. The band released four studio sessions: Trampled Under Foot (2006), May I Be Excused in (2008), and Wrong Side of the Blues in (2011). They also issued Live at the Notodden Blues Festival in 2010. The combination of those releases and non-stop touring caught the attention of the jazz and blues label Telarc, who signed the band in 2013. They issued their fifth studio album, Badlands, that same year. In 2016 the famed trip reunites to perform at the 14th Blues From The Top Festival.         Eric Gales: Blues guitar phenom Eric Gales was born and raised in Memphis, learning to play at age four from older brothers Eugene and Manuel in imitation of their upside-down, left-handed style (a tradition actually passed down from their grandfather, Dempsey Garrett Sr., who was known to jam with the likes of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf). Winning his first blues contest at 11, four years later Eric signed to Elektra to issue his 1991 debut LP, recorded with Eugene on bass; Picture of a Thousand Faces followed in 1993. Manuel (who previously performed under the alias Little Jimmy King) reunited with his siblings for 1995's Left Hand Band, credited to the Gales Brothers. A newly matured Gales returned in spring 2001 to release his debut for MCA, That's What I Am. Often billed as the second coming of Jimi Hendrix, Gales, an adequate singer at best but a dynamite guitarist, suffered for the comparison. With Gales always influenced by Hendrix and the power trio format, his next albums, 2006's Crystal Vision and 2007's Psychedelic Underground, both released by Blues Bureau Records, seemed like facsimile Hendrix albums, right down to the album art. His next two releases from Blues Bureau, 2008's The Story of My Life and 2009's Layin' Down the Blues, found the Hendrix influence muted somewhat, but Gales, a breathtaking guitarist at times, still seemed to be looking for a way out of the Hendrix shadow and into his own voice. Gales returned in 2010 with Relentless, a collection of 13 originals, and followed it with the passionate Transformation a year later in 2011. The all-instrumental Ghost Notes arrived in the fall of 2013.   bluesfromthetop.org/ facebook.com/bluesfromthetop/

The Wolf Pack - Kid Thomas

Kid Thomas wasn't just a Little Richard-clone, though his wild singing style and specially his incredible hairdo made him look like one. Actually he was a real blues man, a harmonica player, who named Little Walter (Jacobs) for his biggest influence and a teacher. Think 'bout that, unbelievers!
.. Kid Thomas was born Louis Thomas Watts on June 20, 1934, in Sturgis, Mississippi (I guess it may be necessary to mention, that this Kid Thomas is NOT the same person as Kid Thomas Valentine, famous jazz musician from New Orleans). Louis, alongside his parents V.T. and Virgie moved to Chicago in 1941. There he learnt to play the harmonica from a guy called Little Walter Smith, while he - in exchange - teached him to play the drums (Thomas' original instrument)! At that time he also got his nickname ('cause of his young age and tendency to a vicious lifestyle...).
..At some point Kid founded an own group and they managed to get a recording session for King-Federal (which actually was just a demo session). In Cincinnati, April 18, 1957 they recorded eight tracks, and two of them ended up to be Kid Thomas' first single release: "Wolf Pack" (a.k.a. "Wolf Call") and its flip-side, Screamin' Jay Hawkins-soundalike "The Spell". Those two and the six unreleased songs ("Jivin' Mess", "Come Here Woman", "She's Fine", "Here's My Story", "Ride On, Ride On" and "Beulah Come Back" a.k.a. "Beulah Lee") were so tough harmonica rhythm'n'blues, that Kid made his way straight to the heavyweight. And even harder stuff was to come later!
..In 1957 Kid Thomas heard 'bout Little Richard and changed his performance and outlook more into rock'n'roll. These two wild rockin' screwballs even met each other in 1957, and - the story tells that they really got along...
..One day, two hitch-hikers from Kansas came to Chicago and saw Kid and the group doin' a rehearsal at the Cadillac Baby's, which was their regular stage club. A little bit later Kid received a letter from these same guys and they wanted to book him to play in Wichita, Kansas! So - Kid and his boys stole (!) a car and drove there, playin' couple of months regularly at the Sportsman's Lounge (working also with Hound Dog Taylor, whom he had previously known in Chicago) - until the band (and the car) broke up and Kid had to return to windy city (Kid had some shorter club-vacancys in Wichita also after that).
..The future didn't look very rosy for Kid and he spent several years doin' minor part-time jobs and some occasional club gigs. At that time he worked for instance with Magic Sam and Otis Rush. Thomas got back to Wichita in 1958 and then to Denver, Colorado. Not until he settled in Los Angeles, California, in the late 1958 or early 1959, he could finally continue his musical bizness seriously. That moment really came true in 1960, when music-backgrounder and the Modern Records' A&R man George Mottola produced his single on Brad Atwood's TRC-Transcontinental label (Mottola made a hit "Goodnight My Love" for Jesse Belvin in 1956 and co-wrote the Eddie Cochran/Jimmy Madden-song "Jeanie Jeanie Jeanie" with Rickie Page. He also worked with Lee Hazelwood makin' "Lou Be Doo" for Sanford Clark). "Rockin' This Joint Tonite" backed with "You Are An Angel" was an A-class rock'n'roll-single, real wild and furious stuff. Kid plays his harmonica like a saxophone and howls like a madman! The record itself was even a tiny success in Chicago, although the TRC Records folded right after its release. Anway, it gave Kid enough courage to set up a new gig group. The Rhythm Rockers toured around all through the first part of 1960's, doin' club gigs, playin' mostly twist and other hip-music.
..In the mid 60's Thomas contracted with L.A.-based Muriel Records, that waxed two his singles under pseudonym Tommy Louis (and the Rhythm Rockers). The first release included "The Hurt Is On" and "I Love You So", which were basic blues ballads with funky incluences and sharp Buddy Guy/B.B. King-styled guitar solos (by Kid's regular guitarist Marshall Hooks). On the contrary, the second Muriel-release was like a flashback from Kid's rock'n'roll past: a truly blast-off full of speed, anger and lunacy! To make a long story short, "Wail Baby Wail" backed with "Lookie There" were simply the best kind of rockin' r'n'b that anyone made anywhere in 1965!
..Sadly none of Muriel singles succeeded and the next years Thomas had to make his living by singin' in private parties and lousy beer joints, like Cozy Lounge in South East Los Angeles. In the late 60's he made a single for Cenco-label. In this last studio session Kid recorded instrumental songs called "Cozy Lounge Blues" and "Willow-brook", and a new version of "You Are An Angel" (the last two were the single-songs). Still in the same year a blues researcher Daryl Stolper made him an interview, that was originally published on Blues Unlimited no. 72 in May of 1970 - just a month later Thomas' tragic death.
..Thomas, who lived then in Beverly Hills, worked as a lawn mowin' man. He owned a pick-up, that he used in his work. On September 3, 1969, a 10-year old boy was ridin' his bicycle, when he was struck by a van driven by Thomas, and died. Thomas got arrested and charged of manslaughter and drivin' with a revoked license. Finally the homicide case was dismissed because of insufficient evidence, but he was due back in court on the latter charge. Outside the courthouse waited the dead boy's father, who pulled out a gun and shot him down. Kid Thomas, 36, died almost immediately at 9:20 a:m at UCLA Medical Center, Beverly Hills on April 5, 1970.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Bobby Rush 4-CD box set 'Chicken Heads' collects 50 years and 20+ labels

50 YEARS OF MISSISSIPPI BLUES LEGEND BOBBY RUSH — CULLED FROM MORE THAN 20 LABELS —  COMING ON FOUR DISCS FROM OMNIVORE RECORDINGS ON NOVEMBER 27, 2015 Chicken Heads: A 50-Year History of Bobby Rush box set contains nearly five hours of music with 32-page booklet, noted by Bill Dahl, with quotes from Mavis Staples, Keb’ Mo’, Elvin Bishop, Leon Huff, Al Bell and more. “Bobby Rush is among the most treasured blues singers of all time. Because when the blues saints go marching in, Bobby Rush will be in that number.” —Leon Huff

Bobby Rush (Photo by James Patterson) LOS ANGELES, Calif. — When you’ve played with Elmore James, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Reed, you must be on to something. When you’ve had a multi-generational career in music, spanning blues, soul and funk, that’s something else.  Bobby Rush’s incredible half century of recorded music is ready to be devoured by those who’ve never tasted and those who want another helping on Chicken Heads: A 50-Year History of Bobby Rush, due out November 27, 2015 on Omnivore Recordings.  Nearly 100 tracks from the three-time Grammy® nominee’s storied career are finally collected in this unprecedented set. Including his Checker, Galaxy, and Jewel sides through Philadelphia International, Malaco/Waldoxy, LaJam, and Urgent cuts, as well as material from his own Deep Rush label, Chicken Heads tells the story of Bobby Rush: unfiltered, unedited and unbelievable. With almost five hours of music on four CDs, Chicken Heads traces his career from 1964’s “Someday” through the title track, from 1979 collaborations with Gamble & Huff to tracks from 2004’s FolkFunk.  The 32-page, full-color booklet is filled with photos, ephemera, liner notes from Bill Dahl and testimonials from friends and fans including Mavis Staples, Keb’ Mo’, Elvin Bishop, Denise LaSalle, Leon Huff, Al Bell, and many more. With mastering and restoration by Grammy® winner Michael Graves, Bobby’s vintage recordings have never sounded better. Born in Homer, La. in 1933, Rush cut his musical teeth in the Pine Bluff, Ark. area with the likes of Elmore James and Big Moose Walker. A move to Chicago in the 1950s put him in the company of Muddy Waters and Jimmy Reed, and led to sessions at the city’s Chess Records. 1971’s “Chicken Heads” proved his breakthrough, notching #34 on the Billboard R&B chart. He since recorded for a variety of labels and relocated in the 1980s to the Deep South, where he became one of the kings of the Chitlin’ Circuit. His crossover began largely in the early 2000s when he was included in the Martin Scorsese-produced, Clint Eastwood-directed The Blues documentary for PBS. Since then, he’s received three Grammy® nominations and 41 Blues Music Award nominations (of which he’s won ten, including 2015’s award for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year). He performed with Dan Aykroyd and the Roots on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon in 2014, and appeared in the documentary film Take Me to the River, pairing blues and soul legends with young artists. At the age of 80, he still performs more than 200 shows all over the world. Mavis Staples attests, “He’s been a longtime friend, an honorable man, and my father loved him. He’s a joyful, happy person, and that rubs off on you when you run into him — you can’t help but feel good when you’re around Bobby. He’s always been respectful of me and my sisters, and he was like a son to Pops. I’m a big fan.” According to Rush, “It’s very exciting. Truly I feel honored that someone would think enough of me to do this. The record side of it is the glory side of me and that’s the side that I want people to know and I’m grateful for that. I’m happy that someone thought before I leave this land to tell my story. I’m proud of it and flattered about it. I want the world to know that this is my first time and I want to say it for people to be enthused about me. I’m not enthused about all of the songs because at the time I didn’t think they were all good. But after you become a ‘legend,’ you look back and it all looks good. There are things you had in the can you didn’t want to put out, and then you get asked what you have in the can that’s never been heard to put it out.” As annotator Dahl comments at the opening of his essay: “Blues never get funkier than when Bobby Rush swaggers up to the mic and lets fly with his homespun truisms. He’s always in motion, always smiling, always on fire as his skintight band cooks up irresistible elastic grooves behind him.”  So, prepare to get funky with Chicken Heads: A 50-Year History of Bobby Rush!  DISC ONE: 1. Someday 2. Let Me Love You 3. Sock Boo Ga Loo 4. Much Too Much 5. Gotta Have Money 6. Camel Walk 7. Wake Up 8. The Things That I Used To Do  9. Let It All Hang Out 10. Just Be Yourself 11. Done Got Good To Me, Part 1  12. Chicken Heads 13. Mary Jane 14. Gotta Be Funky 15. Gotta Find You Girl 16. Bowlegged Woman, Knock-Kneed Man Part 1 17. Niki Hoeky 18. She’s A Good ’Un 19. Get Out Of Here, Part 1 20. I’m Still Waiting 21. She Put The Whammy On Me  DISC TWO: 1. I Wanna Do The Do 2. Hey Western Union Man 3. Let’s Do It Together 4. Be Still 5. Talk To Your Daughter 6. Sue (Single Version) 7. Making A Decision (Single Version) 8. Bertha Jean (Single Version) 9. What’s Good For The Goose Is Good For The Gander 10. Dr. Funk 11. Never Would Have Thought It 12. A Man Can Give It (But He Can’t Take It) 13. Nine Below Zero 14. I Ain’t Studdin’ You (Single Version) 15. You, You, You (Know What To Do) 16. Time To Hit The Road Again 17. I’m Gone 18. Handy Man 19. One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show  DISC THREE: 1. Hen Pecked 2. She’s So Fine 3. Buttermilk Bottom  4. Big Fat Woman 5. Booga Bear 6. Hoochie Man 7. Scootchin’ 8. He Got My Attention 9. Always On My Mind 10. Wet Match 11. Undercover Lover 12. Tough Titty 13. When She Loves Ya 14. Evil (Live) 15. Ride In My Automobile 16. River’s Invitation  DISC FOUR: 1. Feeling Good (Pt. 1)  2. Night Fishin’ 3. Take Me To The River  4. Help Me 5. Howlin’ Wolf 6. Uncle Esau 7. What’s Goin’ On 8. I Got 3 Problems 9. Blind Snake 10. Show You A Good Time  11. Down In Louisiana 12. You Just Like A Dresser  13. Swing Low 14. Another Murder In New Orleans – Dr. John And Bobby Rush With Blinddog Smokin’ 15. Sittin’ Here Waitin’ – Bobby Rush With Blinddog Smokin’ 16. If That’s The Way You Like It – Bobby Rush With Blinddog Smokin’ 17. Push And Pull – Featuring Frayser Boy 18. Dedication (Excerpt)