Charlie Musselwhite: Guitar, Vocals and Harmonica 
Ricky “Quicksand” Martin: Drums* 
Barry Bays: acoustic standup Bass*  

Produced by Gary Vincent and Henri Musselwhite 
Recorded at Clarksdale SoundStage, Clarksdale, MS 
Recorded and Mixed by Gary Vincent 
CD mastered by Gary Vincent and Bob Olhsson 
Sequenced by Eric Conn 
Photos by Rory Doyle
Design by Kevin Niemiec 
Executive Producer: Henri Musselwhite  

www.charliemusselwhite.com  

Thanks to Paula and Paul Jackson at Rest Haven Restaurant, Roger Stolle at the Cat Head store, Bubba O’Keefe at Clarksdale, MS Tourism, Bill Talbot at the Shack Up Inn, Hal Lansky at Lansky Bros. Clothier in Memphis, Carol and Gary Vincent, Bill Bowker, Janette Burton, Deak Harp, Ronnie Drew, Billy Landes, Toni and Virgil Conway, BlowsMeAway Productions harmonica mics and Shelley Ritter at the Delta Blues Museum. Charlie plays Seydel Harmonicas exclusively.   

As a child growing up in Memphis, I was first attracted to the field holler blues I heard along Cypress Creek in my neighborhood. A few years later led me to the country blues players I heard on guitar in my neighborhood, in downtown Memphis and on Beale Street. And I haven’t stopped being attracted to this style of guitar some call country blues.   

When I was 13 my dad gave me his old Supertone guitar. I was already fooling around with playing blues on harmonica, but I loved the sound of acoustic blues guitar, too. I clearly remember sitting in my bedroom in my mom’s house and making an E chord on that guitar and then putting my little finger down to turn that E chord into an E7 chord. And when I played that chord with the blue note added and heard that for the first time, something inside me went “ahhhhhhhhhhh....” That ol’ E7 chord grabbed me and I knew I had to have more of THAT!!  

In my teens I started hanging out on Beale Street...the original Beale Street...not the tourist trap Beale Street of today...I got to see and hear street singers singing and playing the real blues. Eventually I got to know some of the old time blues men like Furry Lewis, Will Shade, Willie Borum and Earl Bell. I learned a lot just sitting around and jamming with them I had no idea that I was preparing myself for a career or I would’ve paid a LOT more attention. I thought I was just having fun learning the blues. I loved the blues and I just HAD to play them. So, this is the music I love and I hope you’ll enjoy it, too. My heart is definitely in it.

Mississippi Son

Buy or Stream

Charlie Musselwhite - In Your Darkest Hour

The Cash Box Kings are: 
Joe Nosek: Harmonica, Vocals (5,9), Acoustic Guitar (9)
Oscar Wilson: Vocals 
Billy Flynn: Lead Guitar, Baritone Guitar (5) 
Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith: Drums (1,4,7,8) 
John W. Lauler: Upright and Electric Bass 
Lee Kanehira: Piano, Organ   

With Special Guests:
Deitra Farr: Vocals (4)
John Nemeth: Vocals (10)
Shoji Naito: Rhythm Guitar (1,4,7,8), Kick Drum (3) 
Andrew Diehl: Rhythm Guitar (5,6,9,10,11) 
Derek Hendrickson: Drums (5,9,10,11) 
Alex Hall: Drums (2,6) 
Cameron Webb: Vocals (6) 
Xavier Lynn: Rhythm Guitar (2) 
Jon McDonald: Guitar (3)  

The C-Note Horns: 
Al Falaschi: Tenor and Baritone Saxophones (2,5) 
Jim Doherty: Trumpet (2)  

Produced by Joe Nosek 
Recorded by Alex Hall at Reliable Recorders/Hi-Style Studio, Chicago, IL 
Mixed by Alex Hall and Bruce Iglauer 
Mastered by Collin Jordan and Bruce Iglauer at The Boiler Room, Chicago, IL 
Design by Kevin Niemiec 
Band Photos by Janet Mami Takayama 
Other Photos by SBT4NOW (cover), Dylan Fout (back cover) and Jo Naylor (door)  

This album is dedicated to all the frontline workers who worked selflessly throughout the pandemic to care for others. Those workers include our wives Kristina Espinoza, Felicia Wilson, Mary Flynn, and Holly Smith.  

The CBKs tip their crowns to the following: Danny Person, Sarah Lauler, Kaitlyn Hendrickson, Donna McNeil, Juan and Lydia Espinoza, Deitra Farr, Dr. Eugene Kwon & Dr. Stanley Stish and the Mayo Clinic Oncology Staff, John Hahn, Dave Sawtelle, Sue Moore, Eric Simpson, Koki Kanehira, Jon Penner, Steve Jones and the Crossroads Blues Society, Mike McCann, Al Rasho, Tom McCarty, Dave Specter, Marc Maddox and the crew at Buddy Guy’s Legends, Greg Guy, Dave Specter and SPACE, FitzGerald’s, Doug and Cheryl Lewis, Tony, Jennifer & the crew at Rosa’s Lounge, Jimmy Voegeli, Linda Cain, Merideth Colby, and Karen Murphy. The CBKs also want to express their royal gratitude to Bruce Iglauer and the entire Alligator staff for all their support. You guys are the BEST.  

Oscar Wilson would like to give thanks to his parents Harvey & Maxine Wilson. RIHP!

The Cash Box Kings

Oscar's Motel

The Cash Box Kings - Trying So Hard

https://www.rayfuller.com/
The Ray Fuller Band was formed in 1974, evolving into Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers in 1978, releasing a self-titled album on vinyl, and Fuller has not looked back since. Mastering his craft throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Fuller was quick to become the “go to” act throughout Ohio to open for iconic blues musicians such as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy and more.

MUDDY WATERS after witnessing an opening act performance by Fuller exclaimed for all to hear, “That was some hot slide boy, I could smell the smoke backstage!”

JOHN LEE HOOKER was so impressed that he took Ray Fuller as his special guest at his next show! Fuller released Something Shakin’ in 1984 and Damn Guitars in 1989, which was quick to become a top seller for Rounder Records, followed by Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers Live in 1992. In 1995, touring paused with the demise of Fuller’s first marriage which ended in true blues fashion.

Fuller went on to release Pearlene in 1997, Twist of Fate in 1999, and in 2003 Live Rockin’ the Blues. In 2010, Fuller played his first overseas show at the Vodacom Ampitheatre in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and began focusing on his passion for slide guitar, playing in his own style which has been compared to and inspired by Elmore James, Hound Dog Taylor and even Earl Hooker (cousin of John Lee Hooker). Fuller found himself in demand with renewed focus on his unique style of “Rockin’ Slide Guitar Blues,” playing major blues festivals in the USA, Canada and Europe. In 2011, Fuller released Piece of Work on the Azuretone Record Label. In 2014 Fuller had the rare honor of recording Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers LIVE at Buddy Guy’s Legends. In 2014 and 2016 Fuller crisscrossed Europe, with audiences demanding as many as five encores! In 2016, Fuller released Long Black Train in Europe a month early to coincide with his Europe Tour; its official release was in October 2016. Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers’ new release, PAY THE PRICE on Azuretone Records, has a release date of May 28, 2019. Pay The Price shows promise to be the crown jewel of Fuller’s 40-year career. Pre-release reviews have called it “outstanding,” praising Fuller’s seasoned, clear vocals and tight rhythm section while, as American Blues Scene put it “leaving listeners both breathless and thirsty for more!

Pay The Price

Ray Fuller & The Bluesrockers - Mean And Evil Woman

During part of the 1970s and 1980s, he lived in California and performed with many stars such as Chuck Berry, Alice Cooper, Janis Joplin, Ted Nugent, Iggy Pop, Kenny Rogers, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, Johnny Winter and many others. His autobiography explains how he entered the music business and how he got his nickname, the "Reverend" Marc Falconberry.
Marc's Musical Memoirs : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3s_uN55USPaNsScDjAL9dA
https://www.facebook.com/people/Rev-Marc-Falconberry/
https://revmarcfalconberry1.bandcamp.com/

Irreverend Blues

Rev Marc Falconberry - Back Down In The Bottle

https://www.granvilpoynter.com/
Quietly working under the radar is how one friend describes Granvil Poynter and his music. But he has not gone unnoticed! He has won best blues artist in the San Antonio music awards. Billy F. Gibbons has tapped him for shows with ZZ Top and for Mr. Gibbon’s solo tour. With the release of his new album “Cigarettes and Gin” maybe it’s time the world took notice of this San Antonio musician! Only time will tell.

Cigarettes and Gin

Granvil Poynter - Cigarettes and Gin

Album: Rough & Uncut | Download album: https://music.apple.com/us/album/rough-uncut/1648410166 | Dave Chavez on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaveChavezBand
Dave Chavez is an urban rhythm & blues musician, who lives and plays the blues straight from the heart.
Record Label: Eigen Beheer
Release Date: 29/03/2019
keyboard: Matthijs Stauttener, 
bass: Peter Offerman,
rhythm section: Steve Wouters

Rough & Uncut

Dave Chavez Band - Nothing But the Blues

From the new Mississippi MacDonald and the Cottonmouth Kings Album, American Accent. Available direct from www.mississippimacdonald.com, and on CD Baby for digital downloads

You Said You Were Leaving

Lil' Ed Williams: Guitar and Vocals
Mike Garrett: Guitar and Background Vocals
(solos on Empty House Tour and Four Leaf Clover)
James "Pookie" Young: Bass and Background Vocals
Kelly Littleton: Drums
with Paul Buschbacher : Rhythm Guitar on Empty House Tour, Four Leaf Clover and My Mind Is Gone (left channel)

Produced by Ed Williams and Bruce Iglauer
Recorded and mixed by Rick Barnes at Rax Trax, Chicago, IL
Recording assistance by Jay Zdyrski
Mastered by Dan Stout and Bruce Iglauer at Colossal Mastering, Chicago, IL
Photos by Paul Natkin/Photo Reserve
Packaging design by Kevin Niemiec

Ed thanks: My Lord And Savior, Jesus Christ; Pam Williams; Bruce and the whole 
  Alligator Gang; Washburn Guitars; and Ben Bottino.  Special thanks to Deanna Price.
Mike thanks: Denny and Jan; Sue and T; Mona Lisa; Juliana W; Deidre Scott; Mimi   
  Armstrong; Joe Charles; Hix Bros. Music; Don Johnson of Fender Musical  
  Instruments; and Gil Piney of Gibson Guitars.
Pookie thanks: My father, James Young, Sr.; my wife Renee for putting up with 
  me for 17 years; Charon; Jamice; Allen; Willie; and Sabrina.
Kelly thanks: Sarah Bortt; Bonnie Zack and Sanford; Urban Djin; and Smokedaddy.

Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials are booked by Intrepid Artists
Phone: (704) 358-4777  E-mail: staff@intrepidartists.com


LINER NOTES
They've been called "the world's #1 houserockin' band," and there's a good reason. For the last sixteen years, Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials have been pounding out some of the rawest, roughest, toughest boogie and blues that can be heard anywhere. On bandstands across the U.S.A. and around the world, they carry on in the great Chicago tradition of Hound Dog Taylor, Elmore James, and Ed and Pookie's mentor and uncle, the late J.B. Hutto. Their wild shows have won them a legion of loyal fans, who proudly call themselves Ed Heads.

There's an almost telepathic communication between these musicians. Ed and his brother Pookie have been playing together since they were kids. Mike and Kelly first played with Ed fourteen years ago. Paul, who sat in on three tunes on this album, is stepping in as the newest Blues Imperial, and the band is now touring with a three-guitar front line. 

 Like all of Ed's recordings, this album was cut live in the studio, with only a tiny bit of overdubbing. It was recorded in just three short days, and there were so many terrific performances that we had to leave a few on the shelf for next time. The songs poured out fast and furious, and the energy never flagged, just like the band's houserockin' live shows. So, heads up! If you're not yet an official Ed Head, this album will certainly make you one. 

--Bruce Iglauer

Heads Up! - Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials

Heads Up!

Black Night

Landmarks

Driftin´ Blues

Hail To The Kings!

All Hail The Kings!

Sugar Daddy

All songs by Chris Cain, Chris Cain Music admin. by Eyeball Music, BMI   

Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Kid Andersen at Greaseland Studios, San Jose, CA  
Cover Photo by Tina Abbaszadeh  
Additional Photos by Marilyn Stringer  
Management and Booking: Suzy Tyler, suzytyler22@gmail.com

Among the greatest compliments a musician can receive is praise from his fellow artists. With more than three decades of touring and fourteen previous albums, master blues guitarist and vocalist Chris Cain has earned his reputation as a musician's musician. Since his first release in 1987, Cain has created his very own blues sound inspired by his heroes--B.B. King, Albert King, Ray Charles, Albert Collins, Grant Green and Wes Montgomery. His jazz-informed blues guitar playing is fiery, emotional and always unpredictable. His vocals--gruff, lived-in and powerful--add fuel to the fire. His indelible original songs keep one foot in the blues tradition and both eyes on the future. The pure joy Cain brings to his playing and singing is palpable, and draws fans even closer in.

Upon first discovering Cain in 1987, Guitar Player raved, "Cain is an impressive, top-notch guitarist. His full-bodied tone and surprisingly big voice packed a punch that had me reeling." The Washington Post declared, "Chris Cain is a hot-shot guitarist and a singer with the maturity of old blues masters like Bobby Bland and B.B. King." Guitar icon Robben Ford said, "Chris Cain is for real. He's a great blues player with an intensity that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what he's going to do next. Plus he knows how to write a song you haven't heard before, full of humor and insight. If you like the blues you'll like Chris Cain. I am a stone fan."

With his Alligator Records debut album, Raisin' Cain, Chris Cain says he is at a new point in his career. "I'm playing and writing better than ever before. I can say more with less," he says, referring to his dynamic guitar playing and superb songwriting. "My songs are funky and danceable and my writing is now less personal diary than in the past. I want my songs to tell universal stories." Recorded in San Jose at producer and multi-instrumentalist Kid Andersen's Greaseland Studio, Raisin' Cain features twelve original Cain compositions. From the deeply autobiographical Born To Play to the humorous and rocking Hush Money to the late-night jazzy blues of I Don't Know Exactly What's Wrong With My Baby, Cain's songs deliver uncommon, surprising hooks and riffs coming in rapid-fire succession. On four songs, Cain shows off his stellar keyboard skills, and on the far-out instrumental Space Force, he proves himself a funky and jazzy ARP Soloist player. Along with Cain is his road-tested band, bassist Steve Evans and keyboardist/organist Greg Rahn, with Chris' touring drummer Sky Garcia and veteran D'mar Martin (Little Richard, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats) sharing the skins.

Joining Alligator Records is a dream come true for Cain, who grew up idolizing label giants like Hound Dog Taylor and Son Seals. "Alligator cares so much about the music and the artists," Cain says. "I'm really excited to be a part of it. And I've got the best pack of tunes I've ever written."

Raisin' Cain

Chris Cain - Born To Play

Don’s Tunes is about the music. It’s about the sound. It’s about the real thing.
My mission for more than 15 years is to collaborate with independent labels & musicians, to produce music videos & promote lesser known, but extremely talented blues & jazz artists bringing you a selection of tunes with an audiophile sound, grit and real emotion.

If you’re an artist, label  and want to collaborate with Don’s Tunes check www.donstunes.com or write me on don@donstunes.com

Ray Fuller & The Bluesrockers - Mean And Evil Woman

Don's Tunes

Recent comments

Martin Josh Vala

Related tracks