Two
Trains Blues
Rack of Blues Sampler #3
Get the 2007 Big City Blues Sampler CD #3 FREE! When you subscribe (or renew) as well as your bonus CD choice!
“All Aboard!”
As our planet warms, the gas prices soar and wars continue over oil, and
as I reside in a city built on cars not mass transits my mind turns to
trains and the state of the train in the USA. More importantly and immediately
relevant we have our new sampler out and you have it in your hands. We
hope you enjoy the picks that we chose.
Trains and music — some of our earliest and greatest folk songs were about trains. I recently rode Amtrak’s Wolverine from Detroit to Chicago’s Union Station to meet Steve Arvey & Pete Cornelius to record Muddy Water’s “Still A Fool (Two Trains Running)” with Mud Morganfield. What a thrill to hear Muddy’s son sing one of Muddy’s many train songs. Hope you enjoy it.
While researching our Oct/Nov 2007 issue
of Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine’s “Two Trains Runnin’
-Neither Goin’ My Way!” I googled train songs and came up
with hundreds of songs about trains that are my favorites — “She
Caught The Katy,” “Clean Train,” “Mystery Train,”
“Train To Nowhere,” “City Of New Orleans,” “Peace
Train,” “Casey Jones,” “John Henry,” “Rock
Island Line,” “People Get Ready,” “Freight Train
Boogie” and “Take The A Train.” And there’s many
more. We just started talkin’ trains. Keep tuned, enjoy all the
fine songs on this sampler, if you like them and want to hear more check
out their websites and check us out at www.bigcitybluesmag.com
Love & happiness. — Robert Jr. Whitall
I grew up riding the rails across the Kansas prairies from Kansas City to Dodge and sometimes all the way to Colorado. Often I remember leaving Union Station at midnight and waking up to bright gold wheat fields as far as you could see. My favorite train ticket every summer was to Atchison, KS to visit Auntie Anne. I love trains. — Sugar Mae
1. Mud Morganfield
(Muddy Waters oldest son) with Steve Arvey & Pete Cornelius
“Still A Fool” (Two Trains Running) (4:29)
Big City Rhythm
& Blues Records
www.bigcitybluesmag.com
Big City Rhythm & Blues cover photo shoot in front of Buddy Guy’s
Legends (May/June ’07) was actually the second choice with Muddy
Waters gravesite as the first. It seemed like a sign when an unknown Muddy
Waters Jr. appeared and asked to be in the cover shot. Everyone asked
who is Mud Morganfield?
Here he is singing his father’s song.
2. David “HoneyBoy”
Edwards and Bobby Rush
“Apron Strings” (2:51)
Roamin’ and Ramblin’
Earwig Records
www.earwigmusic.com
Big City Rhythm & Blues witnessed Honeyboy’s recording session
with Bobby Rush sitting in on 6/11/07. Both southern boys, many miles
have they traveled with their music and all the on the road stories intertwined.
A perfect back country blues duo: Honeyboy — a blues master laying
down vocals and guitar licks while Bobby Rush — one of America’s
top entertainers brings his downhome front porch harmonica blues..
3. Big Pete Pearson
“I’m Here, Baby” (4:46)
I’m Here Baby
Blue Witch Records
www.bluewitchrecords.com
Based in Phoenix, AZ “I’m Here Baby” is the title cut
from Big Pete’s first national release from Blue Witch Records.
Big Pete is such a powerful blues shouter who is finally beginning to
receive long overdue acclaim. Backed by the sensational Rhythm Room Allstars,
Big Pete’s voice soars, the real deal, reminiscent of Big Joe Turner.
4.Joey Gilmore
“The Ghosts Of Mississippi” (5:02)
The Ghosts Of Mississippi
Bluzpik Records
www.joeygilmore.net
South Florida’s blues man extraordinaire and 2006 IBC champion Joey
Gilmore is a blues force to be reckoned with. Over 40 years of blues work-smooth
guitar, rich tenor/ baritone vocals and original songs make Joey Gilmore
a breath of fresh air on the blues scene. “The Ghosts of Mississippi”
conjures up holy Delta blues markers and it is Gilmore’s title track
from his 2005 release.
5. EB Davis
“Uh, Uh Baby” (4:16)
Live At The A-Trane, Berlin
Self-Produced
www.ebdavis.com
Several years ago, Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine stumbled upon
EB Davis at the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival (formerly King
Biscuit) and heard EB’s electrifying mix of soulful blues. Influenced
by Junior Parker, EB an expatriate living in Berlin, Germany enjoyed quite
a homecoming. “Uh, UH Baby” was recorded live in late 2005
penned by EB and his beautiful wife Nina who also is the pianist for the
band that feels like a full tilt can get enough big band sound.
6. James Anthony
“Down With The Blues” (3:45)
Room For Me
Blue Disc Records
www.jamesanthony.ca
The blues has been James Anthony’s passion since he was 12 years
old and “Down With The Blues” mirrors life but you can’t
help but feel some of Albert King’s hands. This is most likely due
to Anthony’s belief while perfectly bending the notes that “simplicity
and phrasing is the key to the heart and soul.” Some good advice
from a veteran “guitar guitarist.”
7. Matt Wigler
“Track 10” (2:58)
Matt Wigler XIII
Vista Records
www.mattwigler.com
Magical things can happen on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise and
Big City Rhythm & Blues discovery of Matt Wigler was one of them.
At age 13 Wigler can boogie woogie with the best of them hands down and
you just have to listen to believe. “Track 10” is from Matt’s
debut produced by Wigler’s hot saxophonist—Deanna Bogart.
Enjoy!
8. David Fields
“Keep It Up”(4:32)
Time’s A Wastin’
FMJ Records
www.fieldsmusic.com
Award winning producer/performer Dave Fields will electrify you with his
brand of New York City blues. Fields CD “Time’s A Wastin’
” combines his explosive guitar playing with his “smooth as
silk” voice
and twelve songs that will keep you on your toes.
9. Laurie Morvan
“One Little Thing” (4:11)
Cures What Ails Ya
Screaming Lizard Records
www.lauriemorvan.com
“One Little Thing” is one of 12 original songs written and
produced by Laurie Morvan on her new stunning CD. A self-proclaimed blues
rocker, Morvan is a triple threat as a talented guitarist, singer and
songwriter. Her resume may list electrical engineer and commercial pilot
but here is a blues goddess, Laurie Morvan has arrived.
10. Mercy Brothers
“Down That Road” (3:36)
Strange Adventure
CoraZong Records
www.corazong.com
From Boston, MA The Mercy Brothers is the union of Barrence Whitfield
(The Savages) )—a soulful and powerful blues shouter and Michael
Dinallo (The Radio Kings)—a well seasoned in depth guitarist. makes
you want to shout and take you back to Black Bottom. The Mercy Brothers
are dynamite—swinging the blues like never before.
11. Reverend Raven
“Don’t Get On The Wrong Side of My Baby” (4:09)
Big Bee
Land O’ Blues Records
www.reverendraven.com
From the south side of Chicago Reverend Raven’s life changed forever
when he saw Freddy King live at the Kinetic Theatre in 1971. Amen! Now
living in Milwaukee Reverend Raven, guitar/vocals has had a longtime collaboration
with harpist Madison Slim. Watch out for Raven’s jump ‘n jive,
straight out blues with stinging guitar work. Hot!
12. Johnny Yard Dog Jones
“Ain’t Gonna Worry No More” (3:50)
Ain’t Gonna Worry
Earwig Records
www.earwigmusic.com
From Johnny “Yard Dog” Jones 1996 debut Earwig release that
shot Yard Dog to stardom winning the W.C. Handy Award for Best New Artist
is “Ain’t Gonna Worry.”Johnny Yard Dog Jones—a
very talented harpist, guitarist, singer and songwriter. Yard Dog has
what it takes to rule the roost. Stay tuned for more to come.
13.Leonardo
“Queste Donne” (4:23)
Big City Rhythm & Blues Records
www.leonardogia.com
A student of Rev. Robert Jones, Leonardo performs solo acoustic Delta
Blues concerts and workshops and last year produced a CD - “Delta
Revisited,” a compilation of Delta Blues songs. “Queste Donne”
translated “These Women” pays homage to Leonardo’s Italian
heritage mixing bilingual phrasing.
14. Paul Filipowicz
“Metro Line Mambo” (3:49)
Chicken Wire
Big Jake Records
www.paulfilipowicz.com
Blues is a living breathing organism. Every performance is a unique experience.
With five albums under his belt “Chicken Wire” fulfills the
long awaited requests of his many fans and captures the essence of Paul
Filipowicz live. Check out “Metro Line Mambo” with its smokin’
hot guitar and throbbing rhythms.
15.Larry Taylor & Barrelhouse
Bonni
“Green Line Blues” (4:25)
They Were In This House
AV Records
www.larrytaylor
bluesnsoul.com
Born in 1955, the oldest in the family of guitarist Eddie Taylor Sr.,
Larry Taylor has survived the tough streets of Chicago’s West Side.
Larry Taylor’s soulful vocals, ferocious rhythm and precision drumming
on the bandstand often leave audiences speechless. Taylor is joined by
his road manager, booking agent, keyboardist, vocalist—Barrelhouse
Bonni.
16.Alvin
Jett & The Phat Noiz
“Angel Sings The Blues” (4:00)
Milk & Cookies
Phat Noiz Entertainment
info@phatnoiz.com
A native of St. Louis, MO, Alvin Jett honed his skills while playing with
the best—legendary Tommy Bankhead. Obviously his training paid off,
Jett & Phat Noiz’s “Angel Sings The Blues” won the
Best Blues Song at the 2007
Independent Music Award. From hard driving blues to funk that keeps them
on the road 200 nights a year.
17.Blueshouse/313
“Drag Strip Girl” (3:13)
Live At The Ark
Self-produced
www.burnlounge.com/blues
house313
Mike Brooks is the bandleader of BluesHouse 313. As a guitarist,singer,
songwriter and recently moving from across the big pond from London, UK
to Ann Arbor, MI to spread his wings and be closer to America’s
blues that he cherishes. Here is a taste of Blueshouse 313 recorded live
at a favorite Big City Rhythm & Blues Venue—The Ark.
18. Ronny
Lee
“Tropical Depression” (4:25)
Texas Blues
Roadhouse Records
www.ronnylee.tk
Ronny Lee was raised on Texas blues, country and southern rock. His versatility
has kept him working since he was 16 years old. Ronny Lee plays the blues
like no other—ripping guitar solos and soulful lyrics. Get ready
to be blown away by the “Tropical Depression” – a song
about weathering the storms along the Texas coast.
19. Charles
“Big Daddy” Stallings
“Blues Train Express” (4:45)
Blues Evolution
Tai Jeria record Company
www.bigdaddystallings.com
Once a veteran truck driver Big Daddy is living his dreams playing the
blues. Raised on a North Carolina farm, self-taught guitarist, singer
and songwriter, Big Daddy lives today in Baltimore, MD. As you can see
Big City Rhythm & Blues loves trains and Charles “Big Daddy”
Stallings for delivering our final “track”—“Blues
Train Express” a sample from his 2007 CD release.
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A cure for the blues
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1. Mud Morganfield
(Muddy Waters oldest son) with Steve Arvey & Pete Cornelius
"Still A Fool"
(Two Trains Running) (4:29)
Big City Rhythm & Blues Records
www.bigcitybluesmag.com
2. David "HoneyBoy" Edwards
and Bobby Rush
"Apron Strings" (2:51)
Roamin' and Ramblin'
Earwig Records
www.earwigmusic.com
3. Big Pete Pearson
"I'm Here, Baby" (4:46)
I'm Here Baby
Blue Witch Records
www.bluewitchrecords.com
4. Joey Gilmore
"The Ghosts Of Mississippi" (5:02)
The Ghosts Of Mississippi
Bluzpik Records
www.joeygilmore.net
5. EB Davis
"Uh, Uh Baby" (4:16)
Live At The A-Trane, Berlin
Self-Produced
www.ebdavis.com
6. James Anthony
"Down With The Blues" (3:45)
Room For Me
Blue Disc Records
www.jamesanthony.ca
7. Matt Wigler
"Track 10" (2:58)
Matt Wigler XIII
Vista Records
www.mattwigler.com
8. David Fields
"Keep It Up"(4:32)
Time's A Wastin'
FMJ Records
www.fieldsmusic.com
9. Laurie Morvan
"One Little Thing" (4:11)
Cures What Ails Ya
Screaming Lizard Records
www.lauriemorvan.com
10. Mercy Brothers
"Down That Road" (3:36)
Strange Adventure
CoraZong Records
www.corazong.com
11. Reverend Raven
"Don't Get On The Wrong
Side of My Baby" (4:11)
Big Bee
Land O' Blues Records
www.reverendraven.com/
12. Johnny Yard Dog Jones
"Ain't Gonna Worry No More" (3:50)
Ain't Gonna Worry
Earwig Records
www.earwigmusic.com
13. Leonardo
"Queste Donne" (4:23)
Big City Rhythm & Blues Records
www.leonardogia.com
14. Paul Filipowicz
"Metro Line Mambo" (3:49)
Chicken Wire
Big Jake Records
www.paulfilipowicz.com
15. Larry Taylor &
Barrelhouse Bonni
"Green Line Blues" (4:25)
They Were In This House
AV Records
www.larrytaylorbluesnsoul.com
16. Alvin Jett & The Phat Noiz
"Angel Sings The Blues" (4:00)
Milk & Cookies
Phat Noiz Entertainment
info@phatnoiz.com
17. Blueshouse/313
"Drag Strip Girl" (3:14) #7
Live At The Ark
Self-produced
www.burnlounge.
com/blueshouse313
18. Ronny Lee
"Tropical Depression" (4:25)
Texas Blues
Roadhouse Records
www.ronnylee.tk
19. Charles "Big Daddy" Stallings
"Blues Train Express" (4:45)
Blues Evolution
Tai Jeria record Company
www.bigdaddystallings.com