2014-05-14
The Chicago Blues All-Stars are not what you'd expect. Usually an "all stars" performance means putting together a bunch of famous musicians who haven't worked with each other, and letting them each take solos to show off their chops. These All-Stars are different. They're a bunch of working pros who joined together on Tuesday nights for regular jam sessions. Over the years they built up a core crew with a cohesive sound and they perform as a unit, not as individuals. At last they've got an album.
Five different musicians hop in on vocals: Anji Brooks, guitarist "Killer" Ray Allison, guitarist and physician Daniel "Chicago Slim" Ivankovich, harp (harmonica) artist Scott Dirks, and keyboardist Roosevelt "Mad Hatter" Purifoy. Add in Johnny B. Gayden on bass, Jerry Porter on drums, and horns by Johnny Cotton, Garrick Patten, and Kenny Anderson to make one fine performing unit. All the songs have been previously written and performed by others, but you'll hear new takes on all of them.
--Gerald Etkind
Fillmore Slim
The Legendary Fillmore Slim
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Live in 1967 vol. 2
Josh Hyde
The Call Of The Night
Deb Callahan
Sweet Soul
LAURIE MORVAN
CURE WHAT AILS YA
TORONZO CANNON
Leaving Mood
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