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.

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.