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.

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. 

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).