Somethin' Somethin' (feat. Jim Oblon)

The last installment for 2023, #155 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Somethin' Somethin', features the musical wunderkind, Jim Oblon. This track sat for a long time waiting for the tape fairies to present a soloist. I've been aware of Jim for more than ten years. When he first came on the Nashville scene he had a weekly gig at the FooBar and all my friends would tell me that I should go check him out or I should jam with him but, regrettably, I never got around to it. Fast forward to earlier this year and I hear I Wanna Be Loved, a really great record Jim made featuring just himself and long-time collaborator Jim Keltner and I knew that he was the man for the job. Speaking of jobs, Jim's "day gig" for the last decade has been playing drums for Paul Simon. He's one of those cats. Anyway, I absolutely love Jim's playing and where he took this track, it's exactly what I expected and a total surprise at the same time. The tape fairies never lie. Enjoy!
 

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 basics were recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA with overdubs at Jim's home studio in Nashville TN. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb.

Walkin' The Bar (feat. Terry Hanck)

#154 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Walkin' The Bar, features East Bay Tenor Man, Terry Hanck.
For Jazzers of old, walkin' the bar was a necessary task of showmanship that some felt was below them but for the R&B honkers, scronkers, and yakety yak'ers of the day that was just part of the gig. There's a legend about saxophonist Benny Golson dropping in on a gig where John Coltrane (at a low point in his career) was walking the bar while playing with a local Philly R&B band and when Coltrane spotted Golson in the audience he walked straight off and out of the bar not to return. Of course in Blues, Rock, and R&B, putting on a show is as important as the music so, all the cats would walk the bar, stroll through the audience, or even take the show out onto the street. We've all seen it and we love it!
By the 1970s, Terry was already a master of the R&B Saxophone tradition. With Chicago in his blood and Northern California on his mind, after several declined invitations, he eventually joined Elvin Bishop at the pinnacle of Bishop's career where he stayed for a decade before leaving to front his own band. I haven't seen Terry live and I didn't ask him, but this track is certainly evidence of his mastery and if we close our eyes we can certainly imagine the smoke-filled bar and Terry walkin' it. Enjoy!
 

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 basics were recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb.

Electric Impulse (feat. Ian Moore)

Greetings, Friends, Family, Associates, Acquaintances, Comrades, Accomplices & Total Strangers!

Just for kicks and perhaps a little laziness, I asked ChatGPT to write a one paragraph blurb in several different voices, including Hunter S. Thompson and Nat Hentoff and although initially impressed, I was then left with a feeling of sickness (or maybe it was fear). 

Then after a few moments to reflect, I thought what if this, AI, is the beginning of a transcendence? Because, really, aren't words a rather primitive and extremely overused tool anyway? What if this is our opportunity to ascend to another level of expression and communication?

Just a thought.

Wiki: Ian Moore (born August 8, 1968, in Berkeley, California, United States) is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas.
 
Me: Ian is absolutely on fire here. If you know about Ian then you know, and if you don't, it may be because he wanted it that way. Ian has never been one to accept a pigeonhole or remain in one artistic box for very long. Over his long career he has challenged his fans to come along for the ride which has included; the Joe Ely band, opening for The Rolling Stones and being dubbed the "next Stevie Ray" (a friend of Ian's and a title he was never interested in, which ultimately lead him to relocate to Seattle) to multiple record deals and being a master songwriter sensei. This track is so obviously an offering at the altar of the electric blues church that there is not a lot that I feel the need to say or that ChatGPT could perhaps even say better so, in the words of Joe Perry, let the music do the talkin'. Enjoy!
 

The backing band on this track is my Bay Area neighbor and buddy, Scott Amendola, (Nels Cline, Charlie Hunter) bangin' on the drums, myself on bass, and a new edition to the Record Crew, Les Izmore on some seething rhythm guitar. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb at NTA Studio, South San Francisco.

The Stinger (feat. Alvon Johnson)

#152 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, The Stinger, features a real deal, modern-day Bluesman, Alvon Johnson. Alvon is better known in parts of the world that cherish the blues as a still-breathing, vital, artform. He is constantly on the road, touring internationally to Hungary, Portugal, Poland, Malaysia, China, France, Italy, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Europe, Canada, The Bahamas, Australia, Russia, and the African continent. Alvon has sung with The Drifters, The Coasters, and The Shirelles and even backed comedienne, Aunt Esther! He proudly wears the moniker, Ambassador of the Blues, and we are lucky to have him residing just up the road in Vallejo, and even more lucky to have him come over with his Les Paul and tear this track up. Enjoy!
 

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 basics were recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb.

Blues A Go Go (feat. Josh Smith)

#151 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Blues A Go Go, features the virtuosic guitarisms of Josh Smith. I believe "mad skills" and "sick" are two terms that are often correctly associated with Josh. Not only is he a badass guitarist, Josh is also a talented singer, songwriter, and producer. He owns Flat V Studios in Los Angeles and has produced artists such as Reese Wynans, Eric Gales, Joanna Conner, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Artur Menezes, and more. The cat backed Mick Jagger and Raphael Saadiq at the Grammy Awards and has traveled the world, recording and performing with renowned artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, Andy Timmons, and Kirk Fletcher. Somewhere in between all that, Josh was generous enough to blow on this track. Enjoy!
 

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 the mixing magic. And as almost always, masterful mastering by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.

Soul Etouffee (feat. Will Bernard, Derrek Phillips & Frank Swart)

We resume the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series with release #150!, Soul Étouffée, featuring Berkeley, CA native and Brooklyn, NYC transplant, guitarist/composer/bandleader, WILL BERNARD.
Will seems to be everywhere at all once when it comes to music making. He was in Peter Apfelbaum’s Hieroglyphics in the '80's including the record “Multikulti” with Don Cherry. In the '90's, Will was a founder of the pioneering Acid Jazz group, T.J. Kirk (with Charlie Hunter), a member of Jai Uttal, and a member of the Stanton Moore Trio. Then in the 00's he ventured into bandleading with several critically acclaimed releases including Party Hats which earned him a 2008 Grammy nomination for best contemporary jazz album. Since then, wherever there's funk/jazz jamming going on...whether it's in a hip NYC Jazz club, JazzFest, Monterey Jazz, Bumbershoot, North Sea, High Sierra with cats like Medeski, George Porter, Scofield, and so on...Will is there. His most recent endeavor is an album and tour with another San Francisco heavy, clarinetist Beth Custer entitled Sky. Please enjoy Will here on this funky little number. Bon appétit!
 

The backing band on this track is Oakland Born/Nashville residing, funky AF, Derrek Phillips, (Gloria Gaynor, Robben Ford, Charlie Hunter) on drums, and myself on rhythm guitar and bass. The track was recorded at NTA, South San Francisco, The Phamily Room, Nashville TN, and Will's studio in Brooklyn, NY. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb.

The Reward (feat. John Deaderick, Mai Bloomfield, David D.R. Robbins, Th...

The fourth single from Soundtrack For A Film Without Pictures, The Reward, is an excellent example of what can happen when you put the right players in "the room" and just let them do their thing. This track is really the Funkwrench Blues All-Stars, my dear friend and emotionally astute musician, John Deaderick, on all kinds of keys, another incredibly tuned-in and brilliant musician, cellist, Mai Bloomfield elevating my simple sketch of a melody to something otherworldly, my partner in crime and Junk/post junk Brother, David DR Robbins on bari sax and flute in an incredibly supportive and sympathetic role and last but not least the inimitable force known as Thomas Pridgen pumping the bellows on the drum kit. This is the point in the film where the hero gets the knowing and is about to embark on their return to share what they have learned. I hope it touches you. This song was also inspired by Andrew Hill's Illusion (Alternate Take), if you aren't familiar with it, check it out and let me know what you think. We will be resuming the Badass Blues Instrumental Series in two weeks with a wonderfully funky track featuring Will Bernard so, stand by for that. And in the meanwhile....

The Meeting (feat. George Garzone, Simone Pannozzo & Frank Swart)

Continuing the interruption of the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series to introduce the third single from Soundtrack For A Film Without Pictures, The Meeting, featuring the great George Garzone. Jazz knowers know George (and his band the Fringe) but perhaps because he has dedicated his life to being an educator at Berklee for the better part of 50 years he is less well known than some of his contemporaries. He is absolutely one of the heaviest of cats roaming the planet. I remember taking George's ear training class at Berklee in 1981 and being completely awestruck at how George could correctly and effortlessly identify all the notes in a ten-note cluster on the piano. I never would have dreamt that George would someday play on one of my tracks and yet, here we are. Listen to how George dances on the edges of time and space; it's absolutely stunning! This brings me immense joy and I hope it brings you joy as well.

George Garzone - Saxophone
Simone Pannozzo - Drums
yours truly on Bass and Guitar

The Approach (feat. Bill Evans, Scott Amendola & Frank Swart)

We are pausing the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series for the next couple of months to release a few more singles from Soundtrack For A Film Without Pictures. The Series will return in mid-September with a super funky little number featuring Will Bernard, so please stay tuned. In the meanwhile, the second single is The Approach featuring the legendary and brilliant Bill Evans on Soprano Saxophone. As most of you probably know, Bill is a Miles Davis alumni. He began playing with Miles at 21 years of age on Man With a Horn and continued for the next six albums. Bill has also played with Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin, Willie Nelson, Mick Jagger, Les McCann, Randy Brecker & and The Allman Brothers Band. I was fortunate to see and hear Bill play with Miles at his "comeback" gig at Kixx in Boston in the Summer of 1981. A portion of those gigs were immortalized on the We Want Miles record including the iconic tune Jean Pierre. Seeing that band changed my life and to have both Bill and Mike Stern play on my tracks seemed an impossible dream. However, here we are forty years later and well, I guess dreams do sometimes come true!

We've been getting some very positive press and radio on the record and I have to share this quote from Chris May (All About Jazz) with you: "The album also features cameo performances from an A-list roster of guest artists including saxophonists Gary Bartz, Dave Liebman, Bill Evans, George Garzone and Idris Ackamoor. It is probably no coincidence that three of these gents are alumni of Miles Davis' electric bands, for Soundtrack For A Film Without Pictures sounds like a modern-day recalibration of the sort of music Davis was making in the early 1970s. And Swart does it with more panache than, most of the time, did Davis." Yes, he did say that! Here's the link to the whole review. I'm not sure who's going to get struck by lightning me or Chris but I am flattered.

Okay, I hope you will all spread the word about the record and continue to support it so I can make another one sooner than later (I already have the idea in mind). And if you haven't checked it out well, now's your chance!

Also, a very special shout-out and thank you to drummer man and friend, Scott Amendola (Nels Cline, Charlie Hunter) for absolutely killing it on this track. 

Circles (feat. Seth Lee Jones)

#148 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, CIRCLES, features the super stylized sliding of multi-instrumentalist, composer and luthier, SETH LEE JONES. You can hear the Tulsa in his playing. It's slinky and sneaky and badass without being egotistical. Seth grew up in the church playing music with his dad and grandpa. Recognizing his gift, at sixteen they shipped him off to LA to study at the Musicians Institute. After acquiring the knowing and realizing that the politics of the music biz was not his cup of tea he headed back to Tulsa establishing SLJ Guitars his guitar-repair/guitar-building workshop and happily gigging locally, fronting the Seth Lee Jones Band. He recently released a record called Flathead and if you like Sonny Landreth, Ry Cooder, Chris Whitley, Billy Gibbons, etc...you gotta check it out. In the meanwhile, please enjoy this bluesy little waltz we've cooked up for ya. Enjoy!
 

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 Jared Tyler's studio in Tulsa. Mixed by the Grammy-winning Godfather of Grunge, Jack Endino (Nirvana, Nando Reis), and masterfully mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering. 

Soundtrack For A Film Without Pictures

We interrupt the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series to announce the release of Soundtrack For A Film Without Pictures. After a lifetime of sidemanning, co-this'ing and co-that'ing I've decided to stick my neck out there ALL the way. And, as any smart leader will do, surrounded myself with some of the most brilliant musicians I could ever dream of making music with and then spent the last several years building what became the Soundtrack For A Film Without Pictures. Scott Yanow, the esteemed music journalist, and historian wrote the bio/blurb for this project so instead of me uncomfortably tooting my own horn I'm gonna let you all read it here: From there you can also get to Bandcamp to acquire the digital download of the whole record or even purchase a physical CD! (How many of you still have cd players?) We're also hoping to run vinyl if the interest is there. So please, ENJOY, let me know what you think, and accept my gratitude for your support.

Funkwrench Blues - Soundtrack For A Film Without Pictures
Produced By Frank Swart & Brian Brinkerhoff
Mixed by Frank Swart except The Crossing mixed by Kid Andersen
Mastered by Justin Weis at Trakworx
All Songs Written by Frank Swart (Funkwrench Music BMI) except The Life & The Resurrection written by Frank Swart & David Robbins
Titles inspired by Joseph Campbell's Monomyth
All compositions exclusively administered by Chittenden Music BMI

Cast in order of appearance:

Frank Swart - Bass, Guitars (trks1-13) Drums (trk 13)
David DR Robbins - Saxophone & Flute (tks1,6,9,11,12&13)
Thomas Pridgen - Drums (trks1&9)
Gary Bartz - Saxophone (trk2)
Derrek Phillips - Drums (trk2)
Evan Hatfield - Sitar (trk3)
Christopher Hoffman - Cellos (trk3,12,13)
Max Weissenfeldt - Drums (trk3)
George Garzone - Saxophone (trk4)
Simone Pannozzo - Drums (trk4&12)
Warren Wolf - Vibes (trk5)
Scott Amendola - Drums (trk5&7)
Chris West - Bass Clarinet (trk6)
Greg Stephens - Trombone (trk6)
Aaron Priskorn - Trumpet (trk6)
George Hearst - Drums (trk6)
Mike Clark - Drums (trks6&11)
Bill Evans - Saxophone (trk7)
Idris Ackamoor - Saxophone (trk8)
Tony Price - Percussion (trk8)
Mai Bloomfield - Cello (trk9)
John Deaderick - Piano (trk9)
Dave Liebman - Saxophone (trk10)
Andrew Guterman - Drums (trk10)

Organ Grinder (feat. Chief Keegan)

#148 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, ORGAN GRINDER, features the fabulously funky jazz stylings of LUKE DUNFORD on the Hammond organ. Luke is a founding member of the Irish Funk band Chief Keegan. "Irish Funk band”?, you say. Hey, the Average White Band was from Scotland, right? Luke credits Dr. John, Jon Cleary, Vulfpeck, and The Meters as his biggest influences and I'm hearing some Larry Young in there, too. In their short existence, Chief Keegan has already played Knockanstockan, Bray Jazz Festival, and The Cork Jazz Festival as well as selling out their local Dublin shows. Luke and his Chief Keegan bandmates are amongst the most in-demand touring and studio musicians in Ireland, playing with Sharon Shannon, Mary Coughlan, Frances Black, The RTE Concert Orchestra, and many others. Chief Keegan will be releasing a new album in early 2024 that includes such guests as NOLA trombone legend Big Sam (NTK#138) and sax player Ron Holloway amongst others. I'm really glad Brian "discovered" these cats because this track was a blast. Give a listen, check out the Chief, and enjoy!

The backing band on this track is Oakland Born/Nashville residing, groovin' AF, Derrek Phillips, (Gloria Gaynor, Robben Ford, Charlie Hunter) on drums, and myself on rhythm guitar and bass. The track was recorded at NTA, South San Francisco, The Phamily Room, Nashville TN, and Chief Keegan's studio in Dublin. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb. 

Fonky Tonk (feat. Daniel Donato)

#147 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, FONKY TONK, features the hot-shot whipper-snapper DANIEL DONATO on the electric guitar. I first became aware of Daniel in 2012 (maybe?), when he replaced JD Simo on the Don Kelley gig at Robert's Western World. I think he was 16 at the time! As is commonly known, Don is the John Mayall of Nashville, "discovering" and employing an uncanny number of THE Nashville cats, like; Johnny Hiland, Red Volkaert, Brent Mason, Kenny Vaughan, Guthrie Trapp, JD Simo, and of course, Daniel. Well here we are 10+ years later and Daniel has his own career, recording and touring his butt off with his aptly named band Cosmic Country. I love the spirit of generosity in the Nashville music community where even though musicians are competing for gigs, they are also totally willing to help each other whenever possible. Here is a perfect example of that generosity. Enjoy!

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, myself on bass and a very special guest, the Grammy-winning percussionist, Christian Pepin, on congas. The basics were recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA with additional tracking at NTA, South San Francisco, and Daniel's place in Nashville. Mixing and Mastering duties were handled by the infamous F-Bomb.

The L (feat. Toronzo Cannon)

#146 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, The L, features Chicago's bus drivin' badass, Toronzo Cannon. Okay, I'm just going to start with the pronouncement/confession/statement of the obvious, we LOVE the Band of Gypsys. Now that I've got that out of the way, let's talk Toronzo Cannon. Growing up just outside of the notorious Robert Taylor Homes housing project on the South Side of Chicago in the 1970's and just blocks from Theresa's Lounge, the local blues bar of legend, Toronzo soaked up the sounds of the blues that would eventually come raining out of him. He was too young to enter so he'd stand outside of Theresa's and listen to legends, like Junior Wells & Buddy Guy. A relatively late bloomer, Toronzo got his first guitar at 22 years of age and originally gravitated toward Reggae. But Toronzo's calling to the blues was almost preordained, as was his rise to the top of the Chicago scene, just like the legends that he stood outside of Theresa's and listened to years before. Spending the '80's and '90's as a hired-gun/sideman Toronzo went solo in 2001, he's released five albums to date and has played everywhere from Albania to Japan to South Africa to Winnetka. PBS Television's Chicago Tonight sums it up like this: "Cannon is just your typical CTA bus driver who moonlights as a sought-after Chicago blues musician. As a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, he drives the sound of Chicago blues from the city to blues clubs and festivals around the world."  Please enjoy this chuggin' little number and please go see Toronzo when he comes through your town.

The backing band on this track is Oakland Born/Nashville residing, groovin' AF, Derrek Phillips, (Gloria Gaynor, Robben Ford, Charlie Hunter) on drums, and myself on rhythm guitar and bass. The track was recorded at NTA, South San Francisco, The Phamily Room, Nashville TN, and Blaise Barton's JoyRide studio in Chicago. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb. A very special thanks to Alligator Records' Bruce Iglauer for blessings and facilitations.

Hangry (feat. Warner E. Hodges)

#145 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Hangry, features the muscular guitar wrangling of Warner E. Hodges. An army brat, born in Germany, he was also the drummer in the family band. His father took him to see Deep Purple in the early 70's and that combined with his older brother turning him on to Hendrix and Zeppelin, Warner converted to guitar and the course was set. By the late 1970's Warner was living in Nashville and AC/DC and The Sex Pistols were holding equal sway in Warner's vision of what Rock could be. Combining forces with Jason Ringenberg, dropping Hank Williams and the Ramones in a blender, Jason & The Scorchers were born. Pioneers in the newly coined Alt Country and Americana genres they ultimately received the “Lifetime Achievement Award For Live Performance from the Americana Music Association in 2008. At that same time, Warner joined Dan Baird and Mauro Magellan (both ex Georgia Satellites) in a new band, Dan Baird & Homemade Sin and they began a five album, world touring run that only recently ended with Baird's retirement. Retirement does not appear to be on Warner's itinerary, as he continues to tour "anywhere and everywhere that has the electricity to stage the show and the money to pay the band." Quoting, as I often do, from Captain Beefheart’s 10 Commandments of Guitar Playing specifically #5; "If your brain is part of the process, you’re missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something that is fur bearing." I believe that Warner's performance on this track is indeed, fur bearing. Enjoy!

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. Mixed by the Grammy-winning Godfather of Grunge, Jack Endino (Nirvana, Nando Reis), and masterfully mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.

Blue Rose (feat. John McVey)

#144 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Blue Rose, features the primitive and tasty guitarisms of John McVey. A veteran of the Texas Blues scene, John honed his chops touring the Chitlin’ Circuit. He was mentored by Blues legends Larry Davis and Albert King. His musical resume includes worldwide performances with Hook Herrera & the Hitchhikers and Paul Orta & the Kingpins. After hitting the jackpot with a Miller Genuine Draft commercial, John joined the Lavelle White Band in Austin as guitarist and band leader. With Lavelle, he played the major festival circuit for several years on shows with Luther Allison, John Lee Hooker, and more. John currently lives and gigs in around St. Louis. Check him out if you're in the neighborhood. Enjoy!

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. Mixed by the Grammy-winning Godfather of Grunge, Jack Endino (Nirvana, Nando Reis), and masterfully mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.

Crush (feat. Sadler Vaden)

#143 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Crush, features guitarslinger/producer, Sadler Vaden. Born in North Carolina and raised in South Carolina, Sadler was bitten by the bug at 10 years old when his dad took him to FarmAid '96 and when they returned home his Dad presented him with a guitar. By the time Sadler was 21 he had lost both his parents, his Father to alcoholism and his Mother to breast cancer. Taking refuge in music, and after paying his dues playing regionally with his first band, Leslie, he landed the guitar gig with Drivin' N Cryin". In 2013, he was hired by Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit where he remains a member. Sadler is also an incredibly talented and successful producer, most notably with Morgan Wade's 2022 release, Reckless. Sadler is absolutely burnin' on this track, the way he just sits on the first note is some true badassery! I mean, he named his firstborn child Townshend, after the Who's Pete Townshend...can you hear it? Enjoy!

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 basics were recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA with overdubs at Sadler's place in Nashville. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb.

The Fortune Teller (feat. Eric Benny Bloom)

#142 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, The Fortune Teller, features Lettuce trumpeter, Eric Benny Bloom. Eric was born in Rhode Island, and after attending university, he moved to New Orleans where he quickly became one of the "cats on the scene", recording with Aaron Neville, Dr. John, and John Cleary among other notable NOLA royalty. Eric has also been a member of the critically acclaimed funk outfit Lettuce since 2011. The list of artists that Eric has played with is longer than a fresh roll of Bounty so, I'm just going to attach the link to his bio here. Working on this track with Eric was really enjoyable. His care and enthusiasm were above and beyond and along with note choice, timing, and intent, probably explains the fat resume. I hope you enjoy this wink and nod to the legendary Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, Marie Catherine Laveau.

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 basics were recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA with overdubs at Benny's place in New Orleans. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb.

Arrivals and Departures (feat. Austin Hanks)

#141 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Arrivals and Departures, features a wonderfully patient and tasteful performance by guitarist, Austin Hanks. From the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Alabama now residing in SoCal, Austin has had a pretty interesting career so far. He's written a bunch of songs for the FX series Sons Of Anarchy, he also penned a single on the ZZ Top La Futura album. Billy Gibbons actually produced Austin's album Alabastard. He's also toured and played shows with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Derek Trucks, Blues Traveler, Black Crowes, Trace Atkins, and Widespread Panic among others. You gotta check out his IG page...he's got selfies with Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, Willie Nelson, Alice Cooper, and Vince Gill to name just a few. Yup, it's all about the hang!  And judging from this remarkably egoless piece of guitar pickin' and the company he keeps, I'm guessing the hang with Austin must be good. Enjoy!

The backing band on this track is Oakland Born/Nashville residing, groovin' AF, Derrek Phillips, (Gloria Gaynor, Robben Ford, Charlie Hunter) on drums, and myself on rhythm guitar and bass. The track was recorded at NTA, South San Francisco, The Phamily Room, Nashville TN, and Johnny Lee Schell's studio in LA . Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb.

Bettie Page's Bangs (feat. Ben McLeod)

#140 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Bettie Page's Bangs, features All Them Witches guitarist extraordinaire, Ben McLeod. I first met Ben when he came over to our house in Nashville to buy a Fizzy, one of the custom-made fuzz boxes by my then 8-year-old son, Izzy (employed here by Rich Kirch on the intro guitar figure). Ben sat down in the living room, picked up his guitar, plugged in and at just 16 years old completely blew me away. He had the touch and tone of someone twice his age. And he looked cool too (kind of like a young Joe Perry). Within a few years of that meeting, Ben went on to form All Them Witches, a super stoney, heavy rock outfit, and they began to conquer the world, signing with the German heavy-psych label Elektrohasch Schallplatten and then eventually with New West Records. They are an extremely prolific band, having released 14 albums and a bunch of singles since their inception in 2012. ATW is currently touring the US doing a series of residencies in different major cities including SF, LA, NYC, Denver, and Austin. If you haven't seen or heard them I highly recommend you do. I hope you enjoy this little nod and wink to the stoner rock of my day (Train Kept A-Rollin' anyone?). 

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Andrew Guterman (Rick Estrin) on drums and myself on bass. The track was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA and diabolically mixed and mastered by the Supreme Ruler of Greaseland, Christoffer "Kid" Andersen.

A Face In The Crowd (feat. Lyle Workman)

#139 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, A Face In The Crowd, features the freakishly talented musician, Lyle Workman. A Bay Area native and long-time Angelino, Lyle is a highly respected and sought after composer and player. I had the pleasure of jamming with Lyle twenty-five years ago with Tubes drummer Prairie Prince and although I didn't know Lyle by reputation, he had already been in Bourgeois Tagg and had played on two Todd Rundgren albums, it was quite apparent that this guy was not your average rock and roll singer/guitarist. His compositions were intelligent and challenging and his playing was hyper stylized. Fast forward to 2021 and the magic of the interweb and here we have Lyle doing his thing on my thing. I was really impressed with Lyle's enthusiasm for the project and also his humility, he generously suggested other players that he was excited about for the series. Not necessarily what you'd expect from a cat whose discography contains collaborations with Frank Black, Sheryl Crow, Shakira, Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan, Sara Bareilles, Norah Jones & Michael Bublé as well as composing music for films such as; Superbad, The 40-Year-Old Virgin & Forgetting Sarah Marshall and tours with Sting & Beck. I hope your neighbors enjoy this as much as you do when you crank the shit out of it...you really have to!

The backing band on this track is my Bay Area comrade, Scott Amendola, (Nels Cline, Charlie Hunter) bangin' on the drums and myself on rhythm guitar and bass. Drums were tracked at Scott's house, bass & rhythm guitar at NTA in San Bruno, and guitars at Lyle's studio in LA. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb.

vis-à-vis (feat. Big Sam)

#138 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, vis-à-vis, features the trombone playing of New Orleans funk master, Sammie 'Big Sam' Williams. If you've ever been to New Orleans you most likely will agree that "It" is in the air. The swampy humidity and incredibly rich and often horrific history manifest a roux of art unrivaled anywhere else in this country. From Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, and the Marsalis Family to Professor Longhair, Lee Dorsey, Little Richard, and The Meters, New Orleans is the Blues, Jazz, Funk, and Soul capital of the world. Of course, credit is due to Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Chicago, Augusta, New York, LA, etc...but the birthplace, that's New Orleans. So, imagine the honor, pride, and childish excitement that a Jewish kid from Boston (me) feels when an alumnus of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band agrees to collaborate on a track. Big Sam and Big Sam's Funky Nation have been bringing "it" to the world for 25 years now. Dave Matthews and James Brown, Elvis Costello, and Allan Toussaint, if I was to list these acts without explanation you might think I was giving examples of opposites but, in actuality, these are all acts that have had the joyous opportunity of making music with Big Sam. I could go on, but better to let the music speak for itself. Please move the furniture out of the way, turn it way up, and get down to this almost five minutes of funky goodness. Enjoy!

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 basics were recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA with overdubs at Sam's place in New Orleans. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb.

Lower East Side Blues (feat. Jim Campilongo)

#137 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Lower East Side Blues, features a certified master of the telecaster, Jim Campilongo. Born in South San Francisco at just the right time to have his mind opened and blown by the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, Jim was deep in it and gigging by the mid '70's. He quickly became a San Francisco A-list guitar slinger but didn't really start to get national and international attention until he formed Jim Campilongo and the 10 Gallon Cats. I can clearly remember being here (SF) in the mid-'90s and everybody talking about Jim and his Roy Buchanan-esqe super tasty badassery. Being the big fish in the little pond was not enough for Jim so he pulled up stakes and bravely headed for New York City. A wise choice indeed. In 2002, his Electric Trio toured Europe and Scandinavia and recorded the album American Hips and in 2003 he formed the group The Little Willies with Norah Jones. Since then Jim has worked with artists as varied as; Big Al Anderson, Bright Eyes, Cake, J. J. Cale, Burning Spear, Nels Cline, Charlie Hunter, Peter Rowan, Martha Wainwright, Luca Benedetti & Capt. Picard himself Patrick Stewart. I can not tell you how many, great in their own right, guitarists I know that when they are in NYC make the pilgrimage to Jim's longstanding and legendary weekly residency at the Livingroom. I hope you enjoy this relatively brief example of a master at work and then venture beyond into the fifteen-album rabbit hole of Jim Campilongo. Enjoy!

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. Mixed by the Grammy-winning Godfather of Grunge, Jack Endino (Nirvana, Nando Reis) and masterfully mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.

Gaslighter's Ball (feat. Joanna Connor)

#135 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Gaslighter's Ball, features the ferocious slide guitar playing of Joanna Connor. Born in Brooklyn NY, raised in Worcester MA, and then at 22 arriving in Chicago where she remains to this day, Joanna has burned her way to the top of the Blues heap. She has shared stages with legends like; James Cotton, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy and A.C. Reed, made thirteen albums over twenty-five years, including her most recent, 4801 South Indiana Avenue produced by Joe Bonamassa, has toured the world, and oh yeah, she's managed to raise two kids in the process. Joanna cut this track on one of the coldest days of 2019 in Chicago and when we got the tracks back and I got done comping I sent Joanna an mp3 for her approval with a note just saying "It sure wasn’t cold in that studio" to which she replied "damn". I took that as the ultimate approval. So, here I present to you one of the stompin'est blues assaults I've ever been involved with, and remember if it isn't dangerous it probably isn't rock and roll. Enjoy!

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Andrew Guterman (Rick Estrin) on drums and myself on bass. The track was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola CA, Joanna's son, J Mixx's studio in Chicago, and diabolically mixed and mastered by the Supreme Ruler of Greaseland, Christoffer "Kid" Andersen.

Lizard Brain (feat. Ryan Cavanaugh)

#135 in the Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumental Series, Lizard Brain, features the stunningly virtuosic banjo playing of Ryan Cavanaugh. A child prodigy and a protege of both legendary Jazz saxophonist Bill Evans, and THE father of fusion guitar, Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, Ryan is all about the music. The care and interest that he put into his contribution to this track was above and beyond the call of duty. And the performance that he has delivered here is at least, otherworldly. Maybe it's the combination of his North Carolina and New Jersey upbringing that informs the bluegrass meets hyperspace jazz rock shredability that Ryan possesses. I mean, WTF?...this is a five-string banjo! This quote from No Depression magazine sums it up; "the ambitious and musically relentless Ryan Cavanaugh is the most versatile banjo player in the world whose name isn’t Fleck…He can play anything, and he’s proven he’s crafty enough to impress John-Oh-My-God-McLaughlin.” Ryan has performed with Doc Watson, Sam Bush, Béla Fleck, John Popper, Victor Wooten, Dennis Chambers, Warren Haynes and Robben Ford to name a few. A relative young'n, Ryan continues to play shows and make records...we can only imagine, or maybe we can't, where he's going to take it. And Mr. McLaughlin, if you're reading this, we have a track waiting just for you! Enjoy!

The backing band on this track is Oakland Born/Nashville residing, funky AF, Derrek Phillips, (Gloria Gaynor, Robben Ford, Charlie Hunter) on drums, and myself on rhythm guitar and bass. The track was recorded at NTA, South San Francisco, The Phamily Room, Nashville TN, and Ryan's home studio, also in Nashville TN. Mellifluously mixed and mastered by the infamous F-Bomb.