Blues music has been a crucial
part of American history for nearly 150 years. Originally, the Blues genre grew
organically from Folk, spirituals, and African work songs. Since the dawn of
recorded music, Blues has traveled around the world, inspiring millions of
musicians in the process. The musical blueprint for the Blues remains virtually
unchanged a century and a half later yet musicians find new ways to interpret
it year after year. Much like an amusement park ride, the basic structure
itself never changes yet it is experienced differently by each person that rides
it. The Blues can be performed by down-trodden acoustic guitar player or a
glitzy big band and have the same effect on the listener. The Blues informs
almost every other style of music – from Rock ‘n’ Roll to modern Country and Jazz.
The Blues is understood and misunderstood in equal measures. The Blues can make
you sob but then turn around and drown you in joy. The Blues, in the hands of
the right musicians, is magical.And one
of the greatest Blues musicians/magicians was – and remains – B.B. King.
Although he passed away 55 years ago, Blues musician Elmore James remains an influential musical force today. Often referred to as ‘The King of the Slide Guitar,’ Elmore’s music still resonates in the hearts of fans and musicians alike. While the names Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf might be more familiar to the casual music fan, James’s musical output is just as important as those esteemed musicians’ respected back catalogs. In fact, Elmore’s “Dust My Broom” is one of the most familiar – and most covered – Blues songs in Rock history.
In celebration of what would have been his 100th birthday, Elmore James gets the tribute treatment on STRANGE ANGELS: IN FLIGHT WITH ELMORE JAMEScourtesy of Sylvan Songs. This collection brings Rock, Americana and Blues artists together to pay homage to Elmore and his music. From Rodney Crowell to Chuck E. Weiss, Bettye LaVette to Deborah Bonham, the performances on STRANGE ANGELS: IN FLIGHT WITH ELMORE JAMESare just as inspiring as the man himself.
Here’s the full tracklist:
Can’t Stop Loving You– Elayna Boynton
Person To Person –Bettye LaVette
Shake Your Money Maker –Rodney Crowell
Done Somebody Wrong –Tom Jones
Mean Mistreatin’ Mama –Warren Haynes w/Billy Gibbons & Mickey Raphael
Dust My Broom –Deborah Bonham
It Hurts Me Too –Jamey Johnson
Strange Angels –Shelby Lynne & Allison Moorer
Look On Yonder Wall –Keb Mo’
My Bleeding Heart –Mollie Marriott
Hawaiian Boogie –Chuck E. Weiss
Dark And Dreary –Addi McDaniel
Bobby’s Rock –Elmore’s Latest Broomdusters
One of the creative forces behind this tribute album is drummer/producer Marco Giovino, the Boston-born musician who has worked with a wide array of artists including Tom Jones, Don Henley, Buddy Miller, Bobby Bare, Loretta Lynn, Norah Jones, John Cale, Patty Griffin and many others. Marco was also a member of Robert Plant’s Band Of Joy and played with the former Led Zeppelin vocalist in 2010 and 2011. Marco himself was responsible for securing many of the artists that played on this collection.
Marco says: “Elmore is what they would call today the ‘Triple Threat’. He could write, sing and play. My intention with this record was to find artists who could help highlight all three of those areas that he excelled at. Not just one. I mentioned a few artists we could ask and Tom Siering suggested donating all proceeds to charity. Without Tom, by my side in support of this project and the recipient charities, none of this would have been possible. His love and passion for the music and respect for the musicians and artists involved easily lifted this album to the level that Elmore’s music rightfully deserves.”
STRANGE ANGELS: IN FLIGHT WITH ELMORE JAMES is an electrifying collection that pays respect to the original recordings while introducing the music of the Blues great to a whole new generation.
Train, the San Francisco-based Rock/Pop band led by Pat Monahan, will release Train Does Led Zeppelin II (via Crush Music/WEA) on June 3rd , 2016. On this release, Train performs the entirety of the 1969 sophomore album by Led Zeppelin, one of Rock’s greatest quartets. The Train album’s nine-song track list mirrors the original Zep release from first track to last.
This bold artistic move will present Train in a new musical light as well as introduce their audience to a classic album that wrote the blueprint for Blues-influenced Hard Rock.
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