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:
Muddy Waters – vocals, guitar
Buddy Guy – guitar
Sammy Lawhorn – guitar
James Madison – guitar
Otis Spann – harmonica, piano
Willie Dixon – bass
Milton Rector – bass
J.T. Brown – clarinet, tenor saxophone
Francis Clay – drums
Clifton James – drums
S.P. Leary – drums
Ron Malo – engineer
Vartan – art direction
Bob Schnieders – coordinator, liner notes
Mary Katherine Aldin – liner notes
Don Bronstein – cover design, photography
Jim Marshall – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Muddy Waters, except where noted.
My Home Is in the Delta
Long Distance
My Captain – Willie Dixon
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl – Sonny Boy Williamson
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:
Levon Helm – vocals, drums, mandolin
Larry Campbell – acoustic, electric and resonator guitar, fiddle, mandolin, dulcimer, harmony vocals
Brian Mitchell – piano, organ, harmonium, accordion
Jimmy Vivino – organ. acoustic and electric guitar
Byron Isaacs – bass, backing vocals
Steven Bernstein – alto horn, horn arrangements
Erik Lawrence – soprano saxophone
Jay Collins – tenor saxophone
Clark Gayton – trombone
Howard Johnson – tuba
Teresa Williams – acoustic guitar, autoharp, harmony vocals
Any Helm – mandolin, bass drum, harmony vocals
George Receli – backing vocals
Jay Collins – backing vocals
Allen Toussaint – horn arrangements
Justin Guip – recording, mixing
Chris Edwards, James Smith, Rocky Talent – engineer assistant
Doug Sax – mastering
Sangwook “Sunny” Nam – mastering
Levon Helm – artwork
Michael DuBois – artwork
Carrie Smith – layout, design
Ahron R. Foster – photography
Georgette Cartwright – creative director
Track listing:
Tennessee Jed – Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter
Move Along Train – Roebuck Staples
Growin’ Trade – Levon Helm, Larry Campbell
Golden Bird – Happy Traum
Stuff You Gotta Watch – Muddy Waters
White Dove – Carter Stanley
Kingfish – Randy Newman
You Can’t Lose What You Ain’t Never Had – Muddy Waters
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:
David Thomas– vocals, organ, virtual voices
Tom Herman – guitar, bass, tack piano, snare
Jim Jones– guitar, bass, organ
Robert Wheeler – EML & digital synthesizers, theremin, organ
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:
Muddy Waters(McKinley Morganfield) – vocals, lead guitar
Phil Upchurch– guitar
Pete Cosey– guitar
Morris Jennings – drums
Otis Spann– piano
Louis Satterfield– bass
Charles Stepney– organ
Paul Oscher– harmonica
Stu Black – engineer
T. Swan – re-mix production
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:
Johnny Winter- vocals, guitar, harmonica, drums, bass
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.
Personnel:
Gregg Allman— lead vocals, organ, clavinet and acoustic guitar
Richard Betts— lead guitar, slide guitar, lead vocals and acoustic guitar
Jaimoe— drums and percussion
Chuck Leavell— piano, electric piano, Moog synthesizer, clavinet and background vocals
Butch Trucks— drums, congas, percussion and timpani
Lamar Williams— electric bass
Johnny Sandlin — acoustic guitar, drums, percussion
Bill Stewart — drums
Engineered by Sam Whiteside
Assistant Engineer – Carolyn Harriss
Remixed by Johnny Sandlin, Sam Whiteside, Carolyn Harriss
Track listing:
Can’t Lose What You Never Had – Muddy Waters
Just Another Love Song- Dickey Betts
Nevertheless – Gregg Allman
Win, Lose or Draw – Gregg Allman
Louisiana Lou and Three Card Monty John – Dickey Betts
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.