On February 2010, Henry Gray died aged 95. He was musician (piano) and singer, credited as one of the creators of the distinctive sound of the Chicago blues piano. In his seven decades long career he performed with many artists including Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Robert Lockwood Jr., Billy Boy Arnold, Morris Pejoe and The Rolling Stones. As leader Gray released more than 50 albums. In 2017, he was inducted into the “Blues Hall of Fame”.
On January 30, 1964, “Chess Records” label released “Folk Singer”, the fourth Muddy Waters studio album. It was recorded in September 1963, at “Tel Mar Recording” in Chicago, Illinois, and was produced by Ralph Bass and Willie Dixon. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Folk Singer” at number 280 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.
Personnel:
Track listing:
All tracks by Muddy Waters, except where noted.
On January 15, 1998, Amos Wells Blakemore Jr. aka Junior Wells died aged 63. He was musician (harmonica) and vocalist, one of the pioneers of the Chicago amplified blues harp style. He recorded and performed with Buddy Guy, The Aces, Earl Hooke, Muddy Waters and The Rolling Stones. His composition “Messin’ with the Kid” became one of the all-time blues classics.
On January 11, 2021, Howard Lewis Johnson died aged 79. He was musician (tuba, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, trumpet), member and leader of the tuba ensembles Tuba Libre, Substructure, and Gravity. He recorded and performed with some of the world best known musicians and bands, including George Gruntz, Hank Crawford, Gil Evans, Charles Mingus, Hank Crawford, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Archie Shepp, Hank Mobley, Levon Helm, Tomasz Stanko, Gary Burton, Gábor Szabó, Bob Thiele, Charlie Haden, Jazz Composers, Andrew Hill, Leon Thomas, Johnny Coles, Taj Mahal, Charles Tolliver, The Band, Carla Bley, John Lennon, Sam Rivers, Gato Barbieri, Jaco Pastorius, Muddy Waters, Dexter Gordon, Clifford Jordan, David “Fathead” Newman, James Taylor, Jack De Johnette, Jimmy Heath, Franco Ambrosetti, George Gruntz, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, NDR Big Band, Ray Anderson, Barbara Dennerlein, John Scofield, T. S. Monk, Mario Pavone, and Chet Baker. As leader he released four albums.
On June 30, 2009, “Dirt Farmer” label released “Electric Dirt”, the sixth and the final Levon Helm album. It was recorded in 2009, at “Levon Helm Studio” in Woodstock, New York, and was produced by Larry Campbell.
Personnel:
Track listing:
On March 2, 1998, “Cooking Vinyl” label released “Pennsylvania”, the eleventh Pere Ubu studio album. It was recorded in 1997, and was produced by David Thomas.
Personnel:
Track listing:
On May 12, 1969, “Cadet” label released “After the Rain”, the sixth Muddy Waters studio album. It was recorded in January 1969, and was produced by Marshall Chess, Charles Stepney and Gene Barge.
Personnel:
Track listing:
All tracks by Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield), except where noted.
In August 1977, “Blue Sky” label released “Nothin’ but the Blues”, the eight Johnny Winter studio album. It was recorded in 1977, at “The Schoolhouse”, and was produced by Johnny Winter.
Personnel:
Track listing:
All tracks by Johnny Winter, except where noted.
In August 1975, “Capricorn” label released “Win, Lose or Draw”, the fifth Allman Brothers Band studio album. It was recorded February – July 1975, at “Capricorn Sound Studios” in Macon, and “The Record Plant” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Johnny Sandlin, Gregg Allman, Richard Betts, Jaimoe, Chuck Leavell, Butch Trucks and Lamar Williams. The cover art was by Twiggs Lyndon.
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In August 1969, “Chess” label released “Fathers and Sons”, the seventh Muddy Waters studio album. The album features both studio and live recordings. The studio tracks were recorded in April 21–23, 1969 at “Ter Mar Studios” in Chicago, April 24, 1969 at the “Super Cosmic Joy-Scout Jamboree” in Chicago. Producer on all tracks was Norman Dayron.The cover illustration was by Don Wilson and was based on Michelangelo’s design on the Sistine Chapel.
Personnel:
Track listing:
All tracks by McKinley Morganfield, except where noted.
