6621 - JOHNNY HICKMAN - Tilting (2012)

JOHNNY HICKMAN
''TILTING''
2012
48:43

1 /Measure of a Man
Johnny Hickman/4:28
2 /Destiny Misspent
Johnny Hickman/6:01
3 /Not Enough
Johnny Hickman/2:56
4 /Dream Along with Me
Johnny Hickman/3:58
5 /Sick Cynthia Thing
Johnny Hickman/3:52
6 /Whittled Down
Johnny Hickman/5:00
7 /Our Little Movie
Johnny Hickman/3:48
8 /Papa Johnny's Arms
Johnny Hickman/4:17
9 /Takin' Me Back
Johnny Hickman/2:19
10 /Resurrection Train
Gary Kjorvestad / Chris Leroy / Mike Wilkerson/4:08
11 /Drunkard's Epiphany
Johnny Hickman/4:21
12 /Another Road
Johnny Hickman / Chris Leroy/4:02

Adam Bodine /Piano
Jim Dalton /Guitar (Classical)
Amanda Ernst /Vocals (Background)
Jessica Hazlett /Cello
Johnny Hickman /Bass, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Harmonica, Mandolin, Percussion, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Jasiqua Johnston /Vocals
Jason Johnston /French Horn
Peter Knudson /Percussion
Jason Larson /Bass, Drums, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Organ, Piano, Slide Guitar, Vocals (Background)
John Magnie /Organ, Piano
Mónica Merino /Wurlitzer Piano
Cary Morin /Pedal Steel
Ferd Moyse /Fiddle
Susan Phelan /Bass (Upright)
Ashley Raines /Dobro
Laniece Schleicher /Vocals (Background)
Jimmy Stelling /Banjo
Thalia Stevenson /Vocals (Background)
T.E.R.H. /Vocals (Background)
Shane Zweygardt /Drums

OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
Hickman is best known for co-founding the band Cracker. His fiery lead guitar sound and spirited co-writing give flavor to that band's alternative radio hits, including Teen Angst, Low, Get Off This, and Eurotrash Girl. Cracker, founded in 1991 with childhood friend David Lowery, has nine full-length releases to date. Kerosene Hat (1994) remains an alternative music collection staple. Lowery and Hickman together are seen as godfathers of the alternative music scene, who turned gently away from plaid-clad grunge in the 1990s with more countrified and bluesy stylings. Their collaboration with the jam-band Leftover Salmon in 2003 further proved that no one genre could contain them. Cracker's most recent album, Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey (2009), garnered indie press rave reviews, with the song "Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out" finding its way into the soundtrack for the cult TV hit Californication. Cracker (Lowery, Hickman, drummer Frank Funaro and bassist Sal Maida) continue to tour internationally, with a future release likely to appear in 2013.

Johnny's solo work includes the soon-to-be-released Tilting (July 2012), which takes Hickman's reliable blazing guitar and roots-rock sounds in a broader direction that includes melodic pop, and 2005's solo debut Palmhenge. No Depression magazine called Palmhenge "wildly diverse - from the arena rock of 'Harvest Queen' to the Bakersfield country of 'Friends' to the splendid folk rock of 'Little Tom' and 'The San Bernardino Boy' - it blends those genres with a dash of alt-rock to create a surprisingly coherent whole."

Prior to his tenure in Cracker, Hickman toured as a solo/folk acoustic performer, had a brief stint in the Unforgiven (a tongue-in-cheek-Western guitar rock band), and co-founded the Inland Empire (California) cult band the Dangers. Influenced by punk rock, surf guitar, and true Bakersfield country, Hickman's sound is often imitated but never perfected by anyone but he and his signature 1977 Les Paul.

Occasionally, Hickman ventures away from solo work and Cracker to spearhead side projects, including his Colorado-based outlaw country band The Hickman-Dalton Gang. Retired side projects include All Thumbs Trio (with moe. guitarist Chuck Garvey, and East Coast guitarist Gibb Droll), and Crazysloth, an Arizona-based band he formed while recording Palmhenge. Film and TV work to date include one full film score for the independent River Red, placement of "Lucky" from Palmhenge in the FX series "Sons of Anarchy," as well as the placement of Cracker songs in several popular movies.

6620 - THE HICKMAN-DALTON GANG VOL. II (2011)

THE HICKMAN-DALTON GANG
''VOL. II''
JUNE 28 2011
35:14

01 - Wildcard/3:01
02 - You Got a Problem/3:40
03 - Mr Wrong/5:00
04 - Elizabeth/3:29
05 - Let's Toke the Whole Day Off/3:43
06 - (Come On Back To) Stockton/3:47
07 - Too Many Years/4:14
08 - No Easy Way to Say Goodbye/3:10
09 - Construction Man/2:08
10 - Long White Line/2:59

OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
- HICKMAN-DALTON GANG
By Johnny Hickman
In this life of ours, sometimes you plan and move along accordingly, sometimes chance just grabs the wheel and steers you toward your next chapter. On a break from touring with Cracker last year, my good friend Lynn called me up and told me "Johnny, there's a band from Denver you gotta see. They're right up your alley". Not long after that, my father-in-law and drinkin buddy Ted and I were grinning ear to ear, cold beers in hand as we watched a tall, dark handsome and slightly inebriated singer named Jim Dalton celebrate his birthday by diving ass over cowboy hat into a sea of adoring, mostly female fans in the front row. The girls passed the black clad birthday boy over their heads for a minute, then tossed him back onstage to finish a rip-roaring set with his band The Railbenders...that is Jim Dalton on guitar and vocals, Tyson Murray on stand up bass, Graham Haworth on drums, and Tony Nascar on guitar. The scene was crazy, joyful and a little dangerous all at once. Cut to the present (Monday, 8/6/2007).....after a year of drinkin, hell raisin', jammin', and writing together, Mr. Dalton and I find ourselves kicking back on our buddy John Macy's recording studio couch, popping a couple of cold ones and listening to the final mixes of "The Hickman Dalton Gang....Volume 1". We didn't start out to make three separate, concise CDs, each with its own flavor, but with the way the songs were materializing, the story began to tell US what to do. While Vol. 2 is already threatening to be a howling, good natured, electrified, stomping honky tonk opera of sorts, the first batch of songs that we completed together (or that just found us) were more haunting...darker, quieter. The words and music pointed us mostly toward instruments that were around in the mid to late 1800s and that is how we tell these tales. Its the old west...its adventures and misadventures, its joy, suffering, power, crime, freedom, friendship, bad luck, good luck, hope and bittersweet memories all rolled into one. Volume 1 that is. We hope you enjoy hearing it as much as we did making it.
- JOHNNY HICKMAN
The following is an excerpt from Johnny's "official" bio for the Palmhenge release, courtesy ReviewNetMedia. © 2004 ReviewNetMedia.
"Hickman is best known for co-founding the band Cracker. His fiery lead guitar sound and spirited co-writing gave flavor to that band's alternative radio hits, including Teen Angst, Low, Get Off This, and Eurotrash Girl. Cracker, founded in 1991 with childhood friend David Lowery, has eight full-length releases to date. Kerosene Hat (1994) remains an alternative music collection staple. Lowery and Hickman together are seen as godfathers of the alternative music scene, who turned gently away from plaid-clad grunge in the 1990s with more countrified and bluesy stylings. Their collaboration with the jam-band Leftover Salmon in 2003 further proved that no one genre could contain them.
Prior to his tenure in Cracker, Hickman toured as a solo/folk acoustic performer, had a brief stint in the Unforgiven (a tongue-in-cheek-Western guitar rock band), and co-founded the Inland Empire (California) cult band the Dangers. Influenced by punk rock, surf guitar, and true Bakersfield country, Hickman's sound is often imitated but never perfected by anyone but he and his signature 1978 Les Paul.
Occasionally, Hickman ventures away from solo work and Cracker to spearhead side projects, such as All Thumbs Trio (with moe. guitarist Chuck Garvey, and East Coast guitarist Gibb Droll), and Crazysloth, an Arizona-based band. Film and TV work to date include one full film score for the independent River Red, as well as the placement of Lowery/Hickman songs in several popular films."
- JIM DALTON
Jim Dalton is the lead guitarist for Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers (formerly known as the Refreshments), an independent rock 'n' roll band based in Tempe, Arizona. He is also the singer/songwriter and guitarist of the Railbenders. The Railbenders (formed 2000) are an independent country band based in Denver, Colorado. They have played festivals including Stagecoach, Jazz Aspen, and Mile High Music Fest. They have opened for legendary artists such as Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, David Allan Coe, and Charlie Daniels.
Along with Johnny, he formed the Hickman-Dalton Gang in 2006. They released their first record, Vol. I, in 2007.
Upon hearing their new record, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers (RCPM) invited the Hickman-Dalton Gang to play their then bi-annual Circus Mexicus festival in Puerto Penasco Mexico in October of 2007.
When RCPM was in need of a new lead guitarist in early 2009, Roger called his friend Johnny Hickman, and asked, "Hey, can I get that Dalton kid's phone number?" The rest, as they say, is history.
- HONORARY GANG MEMBERS
Jeremy Lawton (Big Head Todd & the Monsters)
Tony Nascar (Railbenders)
Chris "Pelon" Helvey (Formerly T. Benoit & the Shuckers)
PH Naffah (RCPM)
Jimmy Stelling (formerly Hackensaw Boys)

6619 - THE HICKMAN-DALTON GANG VOL. 1 (2007)

THE HICKMAN-DALTON GANG
''VOL. 1''
OCTOBER 5 2007
20:55


01 - My Name Is Dalton/3:12
02 - Old Border Town/3:06
03 - Whiskey Rain/4:12
04 - Long Tall Pine Tree/3:18
05 - Mexican Jail/3:52
06 - Justin O. Picker/3:14

"[This] batch of songs that we completed together (or that just found us) were more haunting...darker, quieter. The words and music pointed us mostly toward instruments that were around in the mid to late 1800s and that is how we tell these tales. Its the old west...its adventures and misadventures, its joy, suffering, power, crime, freedom, friendship, bad luck, good luck, hope and bittersweet memories all rolled into one. Volume 1 that is. We hope you enjoy hearing it as much as we did making it." - Johnny Hickman

OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
- HICKMAN-DALTON GANG
By Johnny Hickman
In this life of ours, sometimes you plan and move along accordingly, sometimes chance just grabs the wheel and steers you toward your next chapter. On a break from touring with Cracker last year, my good friend Lynn called me up and told me "Johnny, there's a band from Denver you gotta see. They're right up your alley". Not long after that, my father-in-law and drinkin buddy Ted and I were grinning ear to ear, cold beers in hand as we watched a tall, dark handsome and slightly inebriated singer named Jim Dalton celebrate his birthday by diving ass over cowboy hat into a sea of adoring, mostly female fans in the front row. The girls passed the black clad birthday boy over their heads for a minute, then tossed him back onstage to finish a rip-roaring set with his band The Railbenders...that is Jim Dalton on guitar and vocals, Tyson Murray on stand up bass, Graham Haworth on drums, and Tony Nascar on guitar. The scene was crazy, joyful and a little dangerous all at once. Cut to the present (Monday, 8/6/2007).....after a year of drinkin, hell raisin', jammin', and writing together, Mr. Dalton and I find ourselves kicking back on our buddy John Macy's recording studio couch, popping a couple of cold ones and listening to the final mixes of "The Hickman Dalton Gang....Volume 1". We didn't start out to make three separate, concise CDs, each with its own flavor, but with the way the songs were materializing, the story began to tell US what to do. While Vol. 2 is already threatening to be a howling, good natured, electrified, stomping honky tonk opera of sorts, the first batch of songs that we completed together (or that just found us) were more haunting...darker, quieter. The words and music pointed us mostly toward instruments that were around in the mid to late 1800s and that is how we tell these tales. Its the old west...its adventures and misadventures, its joy, suffering, power, crime, freedom, friendship, bad luck, good luck, hope and bittersweet memories all rolled into one. Volume 1 that is. We hope you enjoy hearing it as much as we did making it.
- JOHNNY HICKMAN
The following is an excerpt from Johnny's "official" bio for the Palmhenge release, courtesy ReviewNetMedia. © 2004 ReviewNetMedia.
"Hickman is best known for co-founding the band Cracker. His fiery lead guitar sound and spirited co-writing gave flavor to that band's alternative radio hits, including Teen Angst, Low, Get Off This, and Eurotrash Girl. Cracker, founded in 1991 with childhood friend David Lowery, has eight full-length releases to date. Kerosene Hat (1994) remains an alternative music collection staple. Lowery and Hickman together are seen as godfathers of the alternative music scene, who turned gently away from plaid-clad grunge in the 1990s with more countrified and bluesy stylings. Their collaboration with the jam-band Leftover Salmon in 2003 further proved that no one genre could contain them.
Prior to his tenure in Cracker, Hickman toured as a solo/folk acoustic performer, had a brief stint in the Unforgiven (a tongue-in-cheek-Western guitar rock band), and co-founded the Inland Empire (California) cult band the Dangers. Influenced by punk rock, surf guitar, and true Bakersfield country, Hickman's sound is often imitated but never perfected by anyone but he and his signature 1978 Les Paul.
Occasionally, Hickman ventures away from solo work and Cracker to spearhead side projects, such as All Thumbs Trio (with moe. guitarist Chuck Garvey, and East Coast guitarist Gibb Droll), and Crazysloth, an Arizona-based band. Film and TV work to date include one full film score for the independent River Red, as well as the placement of Lowery/Hickman songs in several popular films."
- JIM DALTON
Jim Dalton is the lead guitarist for Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers (formerly known as the Refreshments), an independent rock 'n' roll band based in Tempe, Arizona. He is also the singer/songwriter and guitarist of the Railbenders. The Railbenders (formed 2000) are an independent country band based in Denver, Colorado. They have played festivals including Stagecoach, Jazz Aspen, and Mile High Music Fest. They have opened for legendary artists such as Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, David Allan Coe, and Charlie Daniels.
Along with Johnny, he formed the Hickman-Dalton Gang in 2006. They released their first record, Vol. I, in 2007.
Upon hearing their new record, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers (RCPM) invited the Hickman-Dalton Gang to play their then bi-annual Circus Mexicus festival in Puerto Penasco Mexico in October of 2007.
When RCPM was in need of a new lead guitarist in early 2009, Roger called his friend Johnny Hickman, and asked, "Hey, can I get that Dalton kid's phone number?" The rest, as they say, is history.
- HONORARY GANG MEMBERS
Jeremy Lawton (Big Head Todd & the Monsters)
Tony Nascar (Railbenders)
Chris "Pelon" Helvey (Formerly T. Benoit & the Shuckers)
PH Naffah (RCPM)
Jimmy Stelling (formerly Hackensaw Boys)

6618 - THE JOHN BUTLER TRIO - Sunrise Over Sea (2004)

THE JOHN BUTLER TRIO
''SUNRISE OVER SEA''
MARCH 8 2004
76:15

1 /Treat Yo Mama/4:49
2 /Peaches & Cream/6:43
3 /Company Sin/4:38
4 /Betterman/3:44
5 /What You Want/5:21
6 /Damned to Hell/1:47
7 /Hello/4:26
8 /Bound to Ramble/6:07
9 /Seeing Angels/6:13
10 /There'll Come a Time/3:34
11 /Zebra/3:57
12 /Mist/2:24
13 /Oldman/5:10
14 /Sometimes/17:22
All Tracks By Butler

Michael Barker /Congas, Cymbals, Darbouka, Drums (Bass), Marimba, Spoons, Tambourine
Shannon Birchall /Bass (Electric), Conductor, Double Bass, Piano, String Arrangements, Strings, Vocals (Background)
Nicky Bomba /Djembe, Drums, Guitar (Electric), Percussion, Shaker, Stick, Tambourine, Vocals (Background)
John Butler /Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Lap Steel Guitar, Vocals Arranger, Banjo, E-Bow, Guitar, Guitar (11 String), String Arrangements, Vocals
Danielle Caruana /Vocals (Background)
Ceridwen Davies /Strings
Fiona Furphy /Strings
Helen Ireland /Strings
Andrea Keeble /Strings
Stephanie Lindner /Strings
Caerwen Martin /Strings
Janette Mason /Strings
Tim Neil /Organ (Hammond)
Dave Pensabene /Vocals (Background)
Amanda Rowarth /Strings
Airlie Smart /Strings

REVIEW
By John D. Luerssen
The John Butler Trio's U.S. debut album, Sunrise Over Sea, is phenomenal -- from the opening notes of "Treat Yo Mama," a muscular and soulfully expressive roots rocker, to the final strains of the expansive, ten-minute-long opus "Sometimes." The John Butler Trio is arguably the best musical group Australia has to offer in 2005, and Butler's superb, bluesy riffs and innovative melodies are only part of the JBT musical equation. The sturdy rhythm section of Shannon Birchall (on bass) and Michael Barker (on drums) gives added life to hit contenders like the powerful "Company Sin" and the buoyant, breezy "Better Man." If the mid-album blues vignette "Damned to Hell" seems an ill fit at first, its lo-fi, banjo-strummed presentation shifts effortlessly into the warm, heartfelt "Hello." On occasion, as with the uplifting acoustic number "Peaches & Cream," Butler's voice recalls the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis, but Butler and his bandmembers are without question on their own trip. And one only needs to hear the magical love song "Seeing Angels" to feel the trio's transcendental power.

BIOGRAPHY
By Marisa Brown
Though he spent the first 11 years of his life in California, it was in Australia -- his father's native land -- that guitarist John Butler picked up the instrument that would later launch his music career. After showing interest in the guitar, the 16-year-old Butler was given his late grandfather's Dobro. He quickly began learning to play different styles of music, including Indian, Celtic, bluegrass, and folk. Butler showcased his budding skills by busking on the streets of Perth and Fremantle, and he began building an audience after releasing a homemade cassette featuring his own instrumental songs. The busking performances eventually gave way to a weekly residency at Mojos, a bar in North Fremantle, and Butler balanced his Tuesday evening gigs with preparations for a proper studio album.

He released the self-titled John Butler in 1998, having recorded the album with drummer Jason McGann and bassist Gavin Shoesmith. The JBT EP followed in 2000, and Three -- the first of Butler's albums to also receive an American release -- appeared in 2001. Shoesmith had decided to leave the John Butler Trio by this point, but he was replaced by Rory Quirk and then later by Andrew Fry, who joined the band for its 2002 American tour. By now a bona fide star in Australia, Butler released a flurry of material during the three subsequent years: a double-disc live album, Living 2001-2002; an EP, Zebra; and a proper studio album entitled Sunrise Over Sea. Living 2001-2002 sold well and went platinum in Australia, but Sunrise Over Sea trumped its success exponentially, eventually going five-times platinum in Butler's homeland and faring well on several international charts as well. It also led to an opening spot on Dave Matthews' tour that year, which spread the John Butler Trio's music to thousands of new fans.

Still partnered with Jarrah Records, the indie label that he and fellow Aussies the Waifs had founded in order to distribute their music overseas, Butler released Grand National worldwide in March 2007. Grand National was an ambitious project, featuring more instruments than the band's past releases, as well as multiple guest appearances. It was also the last album to feature bandmembers Shannon Birchall and Michael Barker, as Butler restructured the trio's lineup in 2009 in order to keep the music fresh. Featuring bassist Byron Luiters and drummer Nicky Bomba, the revised John Butler Trio returned to the studio later that year to commence work on April Uprising, the band's fifth studio album, which was released in early 2010. While touring later that year, the group recorded a particularly memorable performance at Red Rocks Amphitheater, which was packaged into a three-disc live album and released in 2011 as Live at Red Rocks.

6617 - THE JOHN BUTLER TRIO - Three (2002)

JOHN BUTLER TRIO
''THREE''
2001
63:57

1 /Betterman/8:19
2 /Attitude/6:12
3 /Pickapart/3:02
4 /Money/11:34
5 /Believe/4:04
6 /Media/6:04
7 /Earthbound Child/3:53
8 /Take/8:05
9 /Life Aint What Is Seems/8:13
10 /Don't Understand/4:31
All Tracks By Butler

John Butler /Amplifiers, Arranger, Ebo, Foot Percussion, Guitar (12 String), Harmonica, Lap Steel Guitar, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals
Ozzie /Choir/Chorus
George Rrurrambu /Vocals
Gavin Shoesmith /Bass (Electric), Double Bass
Paul Boon/Didgeridoo
George Rrurrambu/Intro vocals on "Money"
Rosie Johnstone, David Broadfoot & Brenda Fost/Backing Vocals

REVIEW
By Erik Crawford
John Butler's debut album, Three, opens with his distinctive fingerpicked, slide-driven guitar that is to be the canvas for the remainder of the record. Joined by Rory Quirk on bass and Jason McGann on drums, the trio delivers an emotionally charged romp through ten tracks of earthy, bluesy jam band intonations. Paying homage to his Australian roots, the inclusion of the didgeridoo in the backdrop of several tracks plays nicely against his six-string grooves. The most accessible and shortest song on the record, "Pickapart," shows off Butler's picking prowess on an amplified 12-string acoustic guitar. Lyrically, Butler takes several political stances, from the pro-environmental song "Earthbound Child" to the anti-violence statement made by "Attitude." The passion in his vocals gives credibility to his fervor for these causes. The John Butler Trio have established the foundation for a promising career, and they are a welcome addition to the musical landscape.

BIOGRAPHY
By Marisa Brown
Though he spent the first 11 years of his life in California, it was in Australia -- his father's native land -- that guitarist John Butler picked up the instrument that would later launch his music career. After showing interest in the guitar, the 16-year-old Butler was given his late grandfather's Dobro. He quickly began learning to play different styles of music, including Indian, Celtic, bluegrass, and folk. Butler showcased his budding skills by busking on the streets of Perth and Fremantle, and he began building an audience after releasing a homemade cassette featuring his own instrumental songs. The busking performances eventually gave way to a weekly residency at Mojos, a bar in North Fremantle, and Butler balanced his Tuesday evening gigs with preparations for a proper studio album.

He released the self-titled John Butler in 1998, having recorded the album with drummer Jason McGann and bassist Gavin Shoesmith. The JBT EP followed in 2000, and Three -- the first of Butler's albums to also receive an American release -- appeared in 2001. Shoesmith had decided to leave the John Butler Trio by this point, but he was replaced by Rory Quirk and then later by Andrew Fry, who joined the band for its 2002 American tour. By now a bona fide star in Australia, Butler released a flurry of material during the three subsequent years: a double-disc live album, Living 2001-2002; an EP, Zebra; and a proper studio album entitled Sunrise Over Sea. Living 2001-2002 sold well and went platinum in Australia, but Sunrise Over Sea trumped its success exponentially, eventually going five-times platinum in Butler's homeland and faring well on several international charts as well. It also led to an opening spot on Dave Matthews' tour that year, which spread the John Butler Trio's music to thousands of new fans.

Still partnered with Jarrah Records, the indie label that he and fellow Aussies the Waifs had founded in order to distribute their music overseas, Butler released Grand National worldwide in March 2007. Grand National was an ambitious project, featuring more instruments than the band's past releases, as well as multiple guest appearances. It was also the last album to feature bandmembers Shannon Birchall and Michael Barker, as Butler restructured the trio's lineup in 2009 in order to keep the music fresh. Featuring bassist Byron Luiters and drummer Nicky Bomba, the revised John Butler Trio returned to the studio later that year to commence work on April Uprising, the band's fifth studio album, which was released in early 2010. While touring later that year, the group recorded a particularly memorable performance at Red Rocks Amphitheater, which was packaged into a three-disc live album and released in 2011 as Live at Red Rocks.

6616 - SAM LAY - I Get Evil (2003)

SAM LAY
''I GET EVIL''
MARCH 25 2003
42:52

1 /You're So Fine
Lance Finnie / Jimmy Reed / Willie Schofield / Little Walter/4:16
2 /Black Night/5:17
3 /Rock Me Baby
Joe Josea / B.B. King/5:01
4 /I Get Evil
Albert King/4:01
5 /Mean Disposition
McKinley Morganfield / Muddy Waters/5:46
6 /Boogie Chillen
Bernard Besman / John Lee Hooker/4:11
7 /Fannie Mae
Buster Brown / Clarence Lewis / Morgan Robinson / Sylvester "Sly Stone" Stewart/4:41
8 /Still a Fool
Muddy Waters/3:20
9 /Hands Off
Priscilla Bowman / Jay McShann/3:00
10 /Sam's Big Boy
Sam Lay/3:19

Fred James /Guitar
Sam Lay /Drums, Vocals
Celia Ann Price /Organ, Piano
Kenny Smith /Bass
Greg "Fingers" Taylor /Harmonica

BIOGRAPHY
By Michael Erlewine
Sam Lay was born March 20, 1935, in Birmingham, Alabama, and began his career as a drummer in Cleveland in 1954, working with the Moon Dog Combo. In 1957 he joined the Original Thunderbirds and stayed with that group until 1959, when he left for Chicago to work with the legendary Little Walter.

Lay began to work with Howlin' Wolf in 1960 and spent the next six years with that group. He and bassist Jerome Arnold were hired away from Wolf's band by Paul Butterfield in 1966 and became part of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, recording that classic first album. Lay toured with Butterfield until late year when he accidentally shot himself.

Lay backed Bob Dylan at the historic 1965 Newport Folk Festival, when Dylan first introduced electric rock to the folk crowd. He went on to record with Dylan on Highway 61 Revisited. He can be heard on more than 40 classic Chess blues recordings, and his famous double-shuffle is the envy of every would-be blues drummer. In 1969, Lay played drums for the Muddy Waters' Fathers and Sons album, now a classic. He was also the original drummer for the James Cotton Blues Band.

Later in 1969, he also worked with the Siegel-Schwall Band. He went on to form the Sam Lay Blues Revival Band, which has involved many players over the years including Jimmy Rogers, George "Wild Child" Butler, Eddie Taylor, and others.

Lay was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1992 and received a nomination for a W.C. Handy award. He formed the Sam Lay Blues Band and recorded on Appaloosa Records (Shuffle Master, Sam Lay Live) and on Alligator with the Siegel-Schwall Band, with whom he often plays. 1996's Stone Blues was followed four years later by Rush Hour Blues. Live on Beale Street followed in fall 2000.

6615 - SAM LAY'S ALL-STARS Live On Beale Street (2000)

SAM LAY'S ALL STARS
''LIVE ON BEALE STREET''
OCTOBER 17 2000
41:58

1 /Sam Lay Shuffle
Sam Lay/2:42
2 /Poisen Ivy
London/4:50
3 /Beale Street
Clifford Curry/4:42
4 /Gulf Coast Blues
Billy C. Farlow/3:36
5 /Medley/7:38
6 /Commit a Crime
Clifford Curry / Curry/5:41
7 /It's a Jungle Out There
Mary-Ann Brandon / Fred James/3:59
8 /Ride 'Em on Down
Petaway / Robert Petway/4:30
9 /Shop till She Drops
Clifford Curry/4:28

Mary-Ann Brandon /Guest Artist, Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals
Clifford Curry /Guest Artist, Vocals
Billy C. Farlow /Guest Artist, Harmonica, Vocals
Fred James /Guitar
Bob Kommersmith /Bass
Sam Lay /Drums, Vocals

BIOGRAPHY
By Michael Erlewine
Sam Lay was born March 20, 1935, in Birmingham, Alabama, and began his career as a drummer in Cleveland in 1954, working with the Moon Dog Combo. In 1957 he joined the Original Thunderbirds and stayed with that group until 1959, when he left for Chicago to work with the legendary Little Walter.

Lay began to work with Howlin' Wolf in 1960 and spent the next six years with that group. He and bassist Jerome Arnold were hired away from Wolf's band by Paul Butterfield in 1966 and became part of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, recording that classic first album. Lay toured with Butterfield until late year when he accidentally shot himself.

Lay backed Bob Dylan at the historic 1965 Newport Folk Festival, when Dylan first introduced electric rock to the folk crowd. He went on to record with Dylan on Highway 61 Revisited. He can be heard on more than 40 classic Chess blues recordings, and his famous double-shuffle is the envy of every would-be blues drummer. In 1969, Lay played drums for the Muddy Waters' Fathers and Sons album, now a classic. He was also the original drummer for the James Cotton Blues Band.

Later in 1969, he also worked with the Siegel-Schwall Band. He went on to form the Sam Lay Blues Revival Band, which has involved many players over the years including Jimmy Rogers, George "Wild Child" Butler, Eddie Taylor, and others.

Lay was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1992 and received a nomination for a W.C. Handy award. He formed the Sam Lay Blues Band and recorded on Appaloosa Records (Shuffle Master, Sam Lay Live) and on Alligator with the Siegel-Schwall Band, with whom he often plays. 1996's Stone Blues was followed four years later by Rush Hour Blues. Live on Beale Street followed in fall 2000.

6614 - SAM LAY In Bluesland (1969)

SAM LAY
''IN BLUESLAND''
1969
39:05

01 - Maggie's Farm (Bob Dylan)/4:57
02 - Mean Mistreater/4:32
03 - Sam Lay And Mississippi John/5:04
04 - Cryin' For My Baby/3:29
05 - Asked Her For Water/3:13
06 - Sloppy Drunk/3:57
07 - My Own Fault/2:50
08 - Roll Over Beethoven/7:30
09 - Got My Mojo Working/3:27

Sam Lay/Vocals, Drums
Michael Bloomfield/Guitar
Bass, Piano, Harmonica/Unknow

BIOGRAPHY
By Michael Erlewine
Sam Lay was born March 20, 1935, in Birmingham, Alabama, and began his career as a drummer in Cleveland in 1954, working with the Moon Dog Combo. In 1957 he joined the Original Thunderbirds and stayed with that group until 1959, when he left for Chicago to work with the legendary Little Walter.

Lay began to work with Howlin' Wolf in 1960 and spent the next six years with that group. He and bassist Jerome Arnold were hired away from Wolf's band by Paul Butterfield in 1966 and became part of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, recording that classic first album. Lay toured with Butterfield until late year when he accidentally shot himself.

Lay backed Bob Dylan at the historic 1965 Newport Folk Festival, when Dylan first introduced electric rock to the folk crowd. He went on to record with Dylan on Highway 61 Revisited. He can be heard on more than 40 classic Chess blues recordings, and his famous double-shuffle is the envy of every would-be blues drummer. In 1969, Lay played drums for the Muddy Waters' Fathers and Sons album, now a classic. He was also the original drummer for the James Cotton Blues Band.

Later in 1969, he also worked with the Siegel-Schwall Band. He went on to form the Sam Lay Blues Revival Band, which has involved many players over the years including Jimmy Rogers, George "Wild Child" Butler, Eddie Taylor, and others.

Lay was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1992 and received a nomination for a W.C. Handy award. He formed the Sam Lay Blues Band and recorded on Appaloosa Records (Shuffle Master, Sam Lay Live) and on Alligator with the Siegel-Schwall Band, with whom he often plays. 1996's Stone Blues was followed four years later by Rush Hour Blues. Live on Beale Street followed in fall 2000.

6613 - DREAD ZEPPELIN - The Fun Sessions: Tortelvis Sings The Classics (1996)

DREAD ZEPPELIN
''THE FUN SESSIONS: TORTELVIS SINGS THE CLASSICS''
FEBRUARY 20 1996
51:13

1 /Baba O'Riley
Pete Townshend/4:06
2 /Sunshine of Your Love
Brown / Clapton / Bruce/5:43
3 /Born on the Bayou
John Fogerty/4:22
4 /Light My Fire
John Densmore / Robby Krieger / Ray Manzarek / Jim Morrison/4:31
5 /Smoke on the Water
Ritchie Blackmore / Ian Gillan / Roger Glover / Jon Lord / Ian Paice/5:19
6 /Free Bird
Allen Collins / Ronnie Van Zant/6:11
7 /Feel Like Making Love
Paul Rodgers / Mick Ralphs/4:21
8 /BBWAGS
Putman / Tortelvis / Johnson / Burke / Boerin/4:00
9 /Suite: Judy Blues Eyes
Stephen Stills/7:09
10 /Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End
John Lennon / Paul McCartney/5:31

Tortelvis/Lead Vocals
Butt-Boy/Six String And Pedal Pusher
Fuzzy Buzzman/Bass
Spice/Drums, Percussion
Fernandez/Percussion, Vocals
Background Vocal Appearances/Meat Dan, Mark ''Mr. Cigar'' Putman, Jennifer Gross, Hank-o-matic
Guitar Appearances/Mark Cuts, Pete Thorn, Carl Jah
Special Vocal Appearances On ''Smoke''/Ed Zeppelin

BIOGRAPHY
By Jason Ankeny
Dread Zeppelin channeled the musical spirits of Led Zeppelin, Elvis Presley, and Bob Marley to create tongue-in-cheek novelty rock heartily endorsed by no less an authority than Robert Plant himself. Led by one Tortelvis -- a 300-pound Elvis impersonator born Greg Tortell -- the lineup also included guitarists Jah Paul Jo (Joe Ramsey) and Carl Jah (Carl Haasis), bassist Butt-Boy (Gary Putman), percussionist Ed Zeppelin (Bryant Fernandez), and drummer Fresh Cheese (Paul Masselli); playing their debut live gig on January 8, 1989 (the 54th anniversary of the King's birth), the Pasadena, CA-based group performed reggae-influenced renditions of classic Led Zep anthems capped off by Presley-like vocals, an approach perhaps best exemplified by gene-spliced songs like "Heartbreaker (At the End of Lonely Street)." Growing local buzz soon earned Dread Zeppelin a deal with IRS Records, and in 1990 the group issued their debut LP Un-led-Ed; in addition to surprisingly strong sales, the record's cover of "Your Time Is Gonna Come" also earned high marks from former Led Zep frontman Plant, who admitted he preferred their updated rendition over the original.

Dread Zeppelin's second album, 5,000,000*, followed in 1991, but already the joke was growing stale, and the following summer Tortelvis, Ed Zeppelin, and Fresh Cheese left the band; Butt-Boy rechristened himself Gary B.I.B.B. and assumed vocal duties for the follow-up, 1992's It's Not Unusual, a disco record which effectively alienated much of their core audience as well as executives at IRS, who dropped the group immediately after. Tortelvis and Ed Zeppelin returned for 1993's Hot & Spicy Beanburger, a return to past glories issued on Jah Paul Jo's own Birdcage label; shortly after Dread Zeppelin made a cameo in the 1994 film comedy National Lampoon's Last Resort, Carl Jah and Ed Zeppelin then left the lineup, with the latter's brother Bruce and bassist Derf Nasna-Haj signing on for 1995's No Quarter Pounder. Jah Paul Jo's subsequent departure preceded 1996's The Fun Sessions, the group's lone recording for the Imago imprint; both the live The Song Remains Insane and the rarities collection Ruins soon followed. Deja Voodoo was released in late 2000, marking a return to the Led Zep tributes that constituted the group's bread and butter. The band soon started their own label and website, creating a cottage industry selling music direct to their fans. Live DVDs and CDs plus their first all-original album, Spam Bake, kept hungry Dread Heads satisfied. The music/video hybrid CD Chicken and Ribs from 2005 included the band's version of "Kung Fu Fighting".

6612 - THE WATCHMAN - High Acres (2008)

THE WATCHMAN
''HIGH ACRES''
SEPTEMBER 18 2006
44:26

01 - Eagle Lander/2:40
02 - High Acres/4:45
03 - The Ring/3:31
04 - Dumbo/4:43
05 - Autumn Blues/4:34
06 - The River/3:34
07 - Jump Over the Wall/3:03
08 - Looking for You/3:33
09 - Sleepless in Ostend/3:11
10 - The Big Ocean/4:05
11 - Dont Take it Too Bad/3:25
12 - Gypsy Trail of Love/3:19

Ad van Meurs aka The Watchman: guitarist, songwriter and singer is one of the main representatives of transatlantic folk and blues in The Netherlands.
Known as The Watchman he has released more than 11 albums (Jack Clement produced his third album Peaceful Artillery Joe Boyd was involved with the first two Watchman albums The Watchman and Narcisse). He is a versatile fingerpicking and slide guitarist, intrinsic songwriter and engaging performer. He is involved in several musical projects in The Netherlands including:
The Watchmentals: a large international group of musicians performing his instrumental compositions (a great festival experience)
No Blues: A world music project combining traditional Eastern music with American Folk and Blues.
The Watchman and Friends: the original Watchman band, a group of outstanding musicians.
The Folk Survival Club: a folk trio performing original Watchman songs.

Travelling to the States since 1991 Ad van Meurs has built up a large network of singer songwriters and organizes weekly international concert series in different venues in The Netherlands.

6611 - THE WATCHMAN FEATURING STEPHAN JANKOWSKI- Weep On, Willow (2004)

THE WATCHMAN FEATURING STEPHAN JANKOWSKI
''WEEP ON, WILLOW''
2003
43:03

01 - Drizzle/3:14
02 - Hunger and Play/4:45
03 - The Road/3:15
04 - Laundry Days/5:19
05 - Louisiana Blues/3:53
06 - Leave Me the Blues/4:49
07 - Wheels/2:54
08 - Nostalgia Blues/5:00
09 - Bluff/2:32
10 - The Canyon/3:33
11 - If I Would Love You Like I Love My Guitar/3:49

Ad van Meurs aka The Watchman: guitarist, songwriter and singer is one of the main representatives of transatlantic folk and blues in The Netherlands.
Known as The Watchman he has released more than 11 albums (Jack Clement produced his third album Peaceful Artillery Joe Boyd was involved with the first two Watchman albums The Watchman and Narcisse). He is a versatile fingerpicking and slide guitarist, intrinsic songwriter and engaging performer. He is involved in several musical projects in The Netherlands including:
The Watchmentals: a large international group of musicians performing his instrumental compositions (a great festival experience)
No Blues: A world music project combining traditional Eastern music with American Folk and Blues.
The Watchman and Friends: the original Watchman band, a group of outstanding musicians.
The Folk Survival Club: a folk trio performing original Watchman songs.

Travelling to the States since 1991 Ad van Meurs has built up a large network of singer songwriters and organizes weekly international concert series in different venues in The Netherlands.

6610 - THE WATCHMAN - The Carnival Of Circumstance (2003)

THE WATCHMAN
''CARNIVAL OF CIRCUMSTANCE''
SEPTEMBER 16 2003
60:21

1 /Carnival of Circumstance/5:25
2 /Ostend/3:13
3 /To Be Loved by You/4:46
4 /Take My Blues Away/5:20
5 /Graceland/4:33
6 /Illegal Love/3:57
7 /Cathedral of Pines/3:29
8 /The Cuckoo/3:26
9 /Bohemian Blues/5:13
10 /McAllan's Tune/3:03
11 /Sunday Bells/3:50
12 /Move On/3:57
13 /Creede/Townes' Holiday/4:13
14 /To Be Loved by You/5:56

Herman Acke /Choir/Chorus
Aggie de Kruijf /Vocals (Background)
Ankie Keultjes /Vocals (Background)
Ad Van Meurs /Arranger, Dobro, Guitar, Vocals
Theo Wijdeven /Double Bass
Gene Williams /Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Harmonica

Ad van Meurs aka The Watchman: guitarist, songwriter and singer is one of the main representatives of transatlantic folk and blues in The Netherlands.
Known as The Watchman he has released more than 11 albums (Jack Clement produced his third album Peaceful Artillery Joe Boyd was involved with the first two Watchman albums The Watchman and Narcisse). He is a versatile fingerpicking and slide guitarist, intrinsic songwriter and engaging performer. He is involved in several musical projects in The Netherlands including:
The Watchmentals: a large international group of musicians performing his instrumental compositions (a great festival experience)
No Blues: A world music project combining traditional Eastern music with American Folk and Blues.
The Watchman and Friends: the original Watchman band, a group of outstanding musicians.
The Folk Survival Club: a folk trio performing original Watchman songs.

Travelling to the States since 1991 Ad van Meurs has built up a large network of singer songwriters and organizes weekly international concert series in different venues in The Netherlands.

6609 - AD VAN MEURS AKA THE WATCHMAN - En Soms (2013)

AD VAN MEURS AKA THE WATCHMAN
''EN SOMS''
MARCH 4 2013
44:22

01 - Easy Riders Van De Peel/4:01
02 - Ga Niet Te Ver In Zee/4:13
03 - En Soms/5:29
04 - Aan De Rand Van Het Bos/3:43
05 - Dronken In De Tijd/3:59
06 - Terug Naar De Hei/3:59
07 - Verre Liefde/3:20
08 - De Soundtrack Van Het Leven/4:20
09 - Indo/3:38
10 - Slapjanus Blues/3:41
11 - Amerika/3:57

Ad van Meurs aka The Watchman: guitarist, songwriter and singer is one of the main representatives of transatlantic folk and blues in The Netherlands.
Known as The Watchman he has released more than 11 albums (Jack Clement produced his third album Peaceful Artillery Joe Boyd was involved with the first two Watchman albums The Watchman and Narcisse). He is a versatile fingerpicking and slide guitarist, intrinsic songwriter and engaging performer. He is involved in several musical projects in The Netherlands including:
The Watchmentals: a large international group of musicians performing his instrumental compositions (a great festival experience)
No Blues: A world music project combining traditional Eastern music with American Folk and Blues.
The Watchman and Friends: the original Watchman band, a group of outstanding musicians.
The Folk Survival Club: a folk trio performing original Watchman songs.

Travelling to the States since 1991 Ad van Meurs has built up a large network of singer songwriters and organizes weekly international concert series in different venues in The Netherlands.

6608 - ZEPHYR - Sunset Ride (1972)

ZEPHYR
''SUNSET RIDE''
MAY 1972
41:49

1 /I Am Not Surprised
Candy Givens / David Givens/5:18
2 /Someone to Chew
Candy Givens / David Givens/2:52
3 /High Flying Bird/3:37
4 /No Time Lonesome
David Givens/4:05
5 /Moving Too Fast
David Givens/5:19
6 /Sold My Heart
Jock Bartley / David Givens/3:47
7 /Sierra Cowgirl
Candy Givens/3:10
8 /Chasing Clouds
David Givens / Dan Smyth/4:06
9 /Sunset Ride
Candy Givens/3:46
10 /Winter Always Finds Me
Jock Bartley / David Givens/5:49

John Alfonse /Conductor, Congas
Jock Bartley /Guitar, Vocals
Candy Givens /Harmonica, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals
David Givens /Bass, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals
Bobby Notkoff /Violin
Dan Smyth /Keyboards, Organ, Piano
P.M. Wooten /Drums, Percussion

REVIEW
By William Ashford
There are two kinds of Zephyr fans; those who think the band died when Tommy Bolin left, and those who know it didn't. This second and final album for Warner featured Boulder, CO, guitar slinger Jock Bartley in place of Tommy Bolin, the replacement of Bobby Berge and John Faris, and one of the few known recorded appearances of Bobby Notkoff, other than his work with Neil Young, for whom he created the heart-wrenching violin break on "Running Dry." Without Bolin, the band took a decided turn toward jazz. This is a stunning album, featuring unknown classics like "Moving Too Fast," "Chasing Clouds," and "Winter Always Finds Me." Lead singer Candy Givens passed away some years ago, and this album is perhaps her most passionate legacy. Reissued on CD by the One Way label in 2000.
BIOGRAPHY
By Wikipedia
Zephyr was a blues-based hard rock band formed in 1969 in Boulder, Colorado by guitarist Tommy Bolin, keyboardist John Faris, David Givens on bass guitar, Robbie Chamberlin on drums and Candy Givens on vocals. Although the charismatic performances by Candy Givens were originally the focal point for the band, it was the flashy guitar work of Tommy Bolin that the band is best remembered for.[1] After Bolin left, he was replaced by Jock Bartley, and the band recorded the album Sunset Ride, their second for Warner Brothers Records. The album is still in print and is much loved by a small but loyal following. On Sunset Ride, Candy Givens displayed her gifts as a singer, composer, and harmonica player. The album was produced by David Givens who also authored the majority of the tunes. As a result of his stint with Zephyr, Bartley went on to a successful career with Gram Parsons and Firefall and drummer, Michael Wooten, went on to play for several years with Carole King. Various versions of Zephyr continued to play in Colorado until Candy's death in 1984. The release of "Heartbeat" in 1982 was promoted by a video that incorporated very early examples of analog computer animation combined with live action.

Other Zephyr members of note include trance blues maven, Otis Taylor, who played bass during the mid-1970s, guitarist Zack Smith (founder of Columbia Records band Scandal), and blues guitarist, Eddie Turner, who played guitar in the last incarnation during the early 1980s. Candie and David, Tommy, and John Faris were all founding members of The Legendary 4Nikators, Boulder's oldest and best loved party band. Taylor and Turner were later additions to The Legendary 4Nikators - Taylor noted for playing motorcycle on stage during "Leader Of The Pack" and performing in a kilt and Turner for his renditions of Jimi Hendrix classics.

40 years after, Zephyr's music is still in print and continues to be played in the various media. YouTube has brought new eyes and ears to the band.