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.

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.