FUNKWRENCH BLUES: 2019

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Nothin' Gonna Keep Me Down (feat. Laura Chavez)

#53 in The Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumentals Series is, Nothin' Gonna Keep Me Down featuring the under recognized California blues guitarist, Laura Chavez. I can't tell you how many cats have come through the studio and said, "you should get Laura Chavez!"...well, after a year of well worth wrangling we made it happen. Touring internationally as a side"man" since her teens and then upon Sue Foley's recommendation, becoming the late, great Candye Kane's guitarist, collaborator and musical director 'til Kane's passing in 2016, Laura is not a spotlight seeker, but she is beyond worthy of more attention. We hope someday she'll make a whole Laura Chavez record with us!

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Alvino Bennett (Dave Mason, Stevie Wonder) on drums and myself on bass. The track was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. And a new addition to the team; Mixed and Mastered by the Grand Ruler of Greaseland, Christoffer "Kid" Andersen.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Cheeky Blues (feat. Danny Johnson)

#52 in The Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumentals Series is, Cheeky Blues, featuring Louisiana guitar slinger, Danny Johnson. Normally I would write a glowing little blurb here but Joe LaLaina at Guitar World Magazine just did a great 4-page piece on Danny...here's the first paragraph: "He replaced Steve Vai in Alcatrazz, he was asked to replace Joe Perry in Aerosmith, he was friends with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Johnny Winter, he worked with Eddie Van Halen, and he played with artists including Rick Derringer, Alice Cooper, Rod Stewart and, most recently, Steppenwolf." - I'm sure you'll Need To Know more: Guitar World Magazine

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Willy Jordan (Elvin Bishop) on drums and myself on bass. It was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. Mixed by the Grammy winning Godfather of Grunge, Jack Endino (Nirvana, Nando Reis) and as always, masterfully mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Jingle Bell Blues (feat. Johnny Lee Schell)

Originally release #5 in the Need To Know's Badass Blues Instrumentals series is JINGLE BELL BLUES featuring the truly badass JOHNNY LEE SCHELL. Johnny Lee has been squeezing tone out of his telecaster since the ‘70’s. All you “need to know” about Johnny is he played on Bonnie Raitt’s Nick of Time and Lucinda Williams’ Car Wheels On A Gravel Road!

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Willy Jordan (Elvin Bishop) on drums and myself on bass. The basic track was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA and mixed by the mighty Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden).

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Carolina Reaper (feat. Dave Hillyard)

#51 in The Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumentals Series is, Carolina Reaper, featuring the Southern Cali Saxophonist, Dave Hillyard. Dave is most known for his work with Hepcat and The Slackers, both extremely popular Ska groups of the 1990's. But as we believe you "need to know" he is a damn funky blues player as well. Dave has also played with punk band Rancid and reggae legends Cornell Campbell, Congo ‘Ashanti’ Roy and Johnny Osbourne. He is currently touring and recording with his newest outfit, The Rocksteady Seven. Check him out!

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Willy Jordan (Elvin Bishop) on drums and myself on bass. It was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. Mixed by the Grammy winning Godfather of Grunge, Jack Endino (Soundgarden, Nando Reis) and as always, masterfully mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Ain't My Time to Go (feat. Pat Travers)

So, we are celebrating the 50th!!! release in The Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumentals Series with, Ain't My Time To Go, featuring a true living legend, Mr. Pat Travers. Although he did not snort any whiskey or drink any cocaine while he visited the studio, he did break a sweat cutting this slow burning stomp. Originally from Toronto, Pat was "discovered" by Ronnie Hawkins and by the mid 1970's he had signed a deal out of the UK as The Pat Travers Band. Pat has had a lot of great players come through his band but, in 1980 he released Live! Go For What You Know documenting my personal favorite lineup; Pat Thrall, Tommy Aldridge and Mars Cowling. That record contained the radio smash's Snortin' Whiskey and a ripping reinvention of Little Walter's, Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights). Pat has released 33 albums since then and continues to tour the world. He has also raised two children (with help from his wife) and earned a Black Belt in Isshin Ryu Karate! I believe that qualifies him as a Badass.

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Willy Jordan (Elvin Bishop) on drums and myself on bass. It was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. Mixed by the Grammy winning Godfather of Grunge, Jack Endino (Soundgarden, Nando Reis) and as always, masterfully mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Tang the Hump (feat. Albert Lee)

#49 in The Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumentals Series,Tang The Hump, features Mr. Telecaster himself, the great Albert Lee. Born to a gypsy family in the West Midlands of England, Albert began playing piano at seven years old and upon hearing Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis, he switched to guitar. By the age of sixteen he had dropped out of school to play professionally. By the late '60's Albert had established himself as one of the guitar gods of the UK, along with Page, Clapton, Beck, Green, etc...earning the name Mr. Telecaster for his lightning fast country picking. By the mid '70's he had moved to LA and replaced James Burton in Emmylou Harris' Hot Band (Burton went to Vegas to rejoin Elvis). Leaving Emmylou in the late 70's he joined Eric Clapton's band where he stayed into the '80's. When the Everly Brothers reunited in the mid 80's Albert became their guitarist and musical director where he remained for 20 years. He has won Grammy's, Reader's Polls, Lifetime Achievement Awards, has an iconic guitar named after him and yet he has a reputation of being truly "egoless". I love this quote from Emmylou "When Saint Peter asks me to chronicle my time down here on earth, I'll be able to say (with pride if that's allowed) that for a while I played rhythm guitar in a band with Albert Lee."

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Willy Jordan (Elvin Bishop) on drums and myself on bass. It was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. Mixed by the Grammy winning Godfather of Grunge, Jack Endino (Soundgarden, Nando Reis) and as always, masterfully mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering. Also, special props to Counting Crows' bassist Matt Malley for engineering Albert's session.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

It Ain't Right (feat. Wayne Baker Brooks)

#48 in The Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumentals Series, It Ain't Right features the very deserving inheritor of his Chicago Blues birthright, Wayne Baker Brooks. Wayne was truly born into the blues, he is the youngest son of the legendary Lonnie Brooks (aka Guitar Jr. but that's a whole 'nother story). This means that from a very young age Wayne was listening and watching real close to Buddy Guy, Jr. Wells, Luther Allison, KoKo Taylor, Muddy Waters and of course his Dad. He would regularly visit Chess Studios, the Checkerboard Lounge, Wisefools etc...Although Wayne's depth as a guitarist certainly began by playing in his Dad's band he also possesses a more modern mastery of the instrument. Sitting 2 feet from Wayne as he ripped on this track was truly an honor. If you happen to be in London TONIGHT (10/9) get yourself over to the 606 Club. You will not be disappointed.

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Andrew "the kid" Guterman (Rick Estrin) on drums and myself on bass. The track was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. The Grammy winning and very bearded, Rob Schnapf (Beck, Booker T., Mavis Staples) brings his mad mixing skills. And as always, masterful mastering by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.