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.