Showing posts with label Barrelhouse Chuck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barrelhouse Chuck. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Barrelhouse Chuck - 25 Years Chicago Blues Piano

Album: 25 Years Chicago Blues Piano Vol. 1
Size: 143,7 MB
Time: 61:00
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Piano Blues, Chicago Blues, Boogie Woogie
Art: Full

01. Salute To Sunnyland Slim (3:24)
02. Mama Told Me (3:39)
03. Baby It's Cold Outside (2:12)
04. Blues For Pinetop Perkins (4:12)
05. House Cat Blues (2:49)
06. I'll Be Your King (2:18)
07. Leroy Carr's Hop (1:40)
08. Get Your Money (3:50)
09. Any Old Lonesome Day (4:05)
10. Hangin' Round The House (4:31)
11. My Past Life (3:02)
12. Wah Wah Blues (5:03)
13. Man Or Mouse (5:11)
14. Walkin The Ceiling (3:00)
15. Farewell To Sp Leary (5:41)
16. On The House (3:39)
17. Slam Hammer (2:34)

Album: 25 Years Chicago Blues Piano Vol. 2
Size: 129,9 MB
Time: 54:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Piano Blues, Chicago Blues, Boogie Woogie
Art: Full

01. Floyd's Blues (3:32)
02. Leroy Carrs Hop (1:44)
03. Betsy's Boogie (1:50)
04. Half A Pint Boogie (1:29)
05. Blues For Little Brother Montgomery (2:19)
06. Hangin' Round The House (4:30)
07. The Bright Sounds Of Big Moose (3:22)
08. Walkin' The Ceiling (2:59)
09. On The House (3:39)
10. Walk Don't Run 69 (2:08)
11. Blues For Pinetop Perkins (4:13)
12. Past Life Blues (3:09)
13. Farfisa B3 Boogie For Stevie Winwood (1:04)
14. Salute To Sunnyland Slim (3:27)
15. Wah Wah Blues (5:04)
16. Gigolo (0:42)
17. Hot & Heavy (2:47)
18. Pacific Blues (3:36)
19. Time Is Tight (3:12)

Album: 25 Years Chicago Blues Piano Vol. 3
Size: 151,0 MB
Time: 64:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Piano Blues, Chicago Blues, Boogie Woogie
Art: Full

01. Break It Up (2:32)
02. Got To Let You Go (3:40)
03. Wah-Wah-Blues (Pt.2) (5:47)
04. That's All Right (5:54)
05. Sail The Seven Seas (4:00)
06. Sugar Pie (3:14)
07. Porch Light (4:10)
08. Someday (2:50)
09. I Can't Stop Lovin' You (4:21)
10. Blues After Hours (5:53)
11. Going To Chicago (4:48)
12. Ann (2:07)
13. Barrelhouse Woman (2:55)
14. Ain't Times Hard (3:58)
15. Mt St Helens Blues (3:46)
16. Don't Go To Dallas (4:17)

Album: 25 Years Chicago Blues Piano Vol. 4
Size: 155,9 MB
Time: 66:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Piano Blues, Chicago Blues, Boogie Woogie
Art: Full

01. Live Band Intro (1:35)
02. Chicago Bound (2:35)
03. Straight From The Shoulder (5:07)
04. Tutti Frutti (2:37)
05. I Wonder Why (3:56)
06. BBQ Girl (7:24)
07. Sad & Evil Woman (4:03)
08. On MY Way To Memphis (4:22)
09. Lightnin' (6:01)
10. Lucille (2:11)
11. West Side Baby (5:01)
12. Looking For A Goldmine (4:31)
13. Suzie Q (3:39)
14. Willie's Boogie (2:31)
15. Momma Told Me (4:00)
16. Little Girl (4:02)
17. Sugar Sweet (2:45)

Album: 25 Years Chicago Blues Piano Vol. 5
Size: 132,4 MB
Time: 56:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Piano Blues, Chicago Blues, Boogie Woogie
Art: Full

01. Hot And Heavy (2:47)
02. Shes Got A Thing Going On (3:30)
03. Sitting Here Drinking (4:25)
04. Everybody's Talking (2:20)
05. Barking Mood (2:05)
06. This Little Voice (2:16)
07. My Dog Don't Bow Bow (4:46)
08. Pacific Blue (3:36)
09. Call My Job (2:44)
10. Blues For Hubert (4:13)
11. How Much More Longer (3:14)
12. New Farewell To SP Leary (5:52)
13. Lazy Dog Blues (3:01)
14. 40 Nights (2:44)
15. Leaving In The Morning (4:43)
16. Driftin' (3:51)

One of the few blues pianists to have studied under such legends as Sunnlyland Slim, Pinetop Perkins, Detriot Jr, and Little Brother Montgomery. Chuck is a self taught blues pianist who plays with an authentic and unique style. His personalized sound is filled with heartfelt soul, high energy, and low down greasy blues. Chuck's amazing versatility is evident on every track of "25 Years of Chicago Blues Piano". Whether as a solo artist and leader or a sideman, his range is vast. He pays tribute to Sunnyland Slim, Leroy Carr, S. P. Leary, Pinetop Perkins & Little Brother... but also puts forth several original compositions... a unique blend of " old school" blues and barrelhouse Boogie Woogie, combining rich vocals and exciting instrumentals.
In the 1970's Chuck lived in Gainesville Florida. Chuck followed Muddy Waters and Pinetop Perkins around from town to town, a true fan, before ever thinking of getting to play with them.
Eventually, Muddy let Chuck open up for him, Later he opened for B. B. King, Willie Dixon and often they jammed with Bo Diddley. During that time he first heard pianist Jim Mckaba And harmonica player "Little Joe" Berson and was blown away with their playing.
In 1979, Chuck traveled to Chicago to meet and learn from his heroes, Sunnyland Slim, Blind John Davis, Little Brother, Detroit Junior, Big Moose Walker & Erwin Helfer.
Chuck would show up at their gigs and sit in and socialize with them. He not ony trained with these musicians, he would also chauffeur them, live with them, and ultimately care for them, He became their family.
Barrelhouse Chuck has paid his dues as a musician. He has played professionally for over 30 years, touring across the U.S. and in 19 countries. He has played on 50 recording sessions and on 18 different labels, recently forming his own, 'Viola records.' "25 Years of Chicago Blues Piano" showcases some of his favorite musicias and sessions. A devotion to pure Chicago Blues is evident on every track, with many of the very best player's.
These recordings feature legendary Bluesman S.P.Leary, Calvin Jones, Willie Smith, Willie Kent, Johnny B. Moore, Sam Lay, Billy Flynn, Hash Brown, Big Smokey Smothers, Hip Linkchain, Bonnie Lee, Harmonica Todd, Mississippi Heat, Carl Weathersby, Kenny Smith, Ted Harvey, Bill Lupkin, and many more!!!!

25 Years Chicago Blues Piano Part 1
25 Years Chicago Blues Piano Part 2

Friday, March 22, 2019

Blue Fuller & The Chicago All Stars - The Meanest Little Girl

Size: 111,7 MB
Time: 46:56
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1999
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Full

01. The Meanest Little Girl (3:34)
02. Wait On Time (3:06)
03. Rollin' & Tumblin' (3:19)
04. Chuck's Blues (4:12)
05. 96 Tears (2:40)
06. Rich Woman Blues (4:36)
07. One More Mile (3:39)
08. Betsy's Boogie (1:56)
09. When I Was Young (2:46)
10. Carol (3:06)
11. Wa Wa Blues (5:03)
12. Caledonia (4:36)
13. Past Life (4:06)
14. Hidden Track (0:10)

Blue Gil Fuller fronts the meanest little lineup of Chicago blues musicians on this stompin' and wailin' CD, featuring longtime cohort Barrelhouse Chuck on piano and organ, with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, John Carpender and Kenny Smith on drums, Billy Flynn and Joe Campagna on guitar, Michael Peters on bass, Sam Burkhardt on sax, and Pierre Lococque on harmonica. At the heart of it all are Blue Gil's burly and surly vocals, lamenting everything that is the blues - hard times, hard luck, hard livin', and hard women.

The Meanest Little Girl

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Barrelhouse Chuck - Slowdown Sundown

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:08
Size: 117.1 MB
Styles: Chicago blues, Piano blues
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[3:12] 1. I Keep On Drinking
[3:45] 2. Mt. St. Helens Blues
[1:06] 3. Farfisa B3 Boogie For Steve Winwood
[3:01] 4. Searching For My Baby
[2:10] 5. Viola's Stomp
[1:26] 6. Iza Mae
[3:27] 7. Depression Blues #2
[4:07] 8. What's Wrong
[5:54] 9. You Told Me Baby
[2:07] 10. Ain't Got No Money Now
[3:40] 11. Ain't Nobody's Business
[1:27] 12. Nutty Boogie
[2:07] 13. Walk Don't Run 69
[7:25] 14. B.B.Q. Girl (Live)
[6:06] 15. Gigilo

Barrelhouse Chuck – Piano; Ben Andrews - Guitar; John Carpenter - Drums; Steve Cushing - Drums; Willie J. Davis - Guitar; Billy Flynn - Bass, Guitar; Erwin Helfer - Piano; Rick Holmes - Bass (Acoustic); Robert Hunter - Vocals; Calvin "Fuzz" Jones - Bass; Willie Kent - Bass, Vocals; S.P. Leary - Drums; Todd Levine - Harmonica; Josh Miller - Guitar; Leslie Milton - Drums; Johnny B. Moore - Guitar; Kenny Smith & The Loveliters - Drums; Otis Smokey Smothers - Guitar, Vocals; John Tanner - Harmonica; Larry Thompson - Drums; Rich Yescalis – Bass.

This is what Chicago blues used to sound like back in the old days. Barrelhouse Chuck should get lots more credit than he gets for his fine work! Who else does what he does? He never over plays. His playing is so lowdown and blue. I love your voice and the songs you write! Thanks for staying true to the music. Buy this to hear the way blues piano should sound like! ~ Lee Thomas

Slowdown Sundown

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Perry Weber & The Devilles - The Riot Act

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:49
Size: 100.3 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[2:54] 1. Got My Room
[4:21] 2. Riot Act
[3:24] 3. Hot Little Mama
[3:21] 4. Bernie's Bounce
[2:46] 5. Cuttin In
[5:05] 6. Don't Take Advantage
[3:44] 7. My Cake
[4:44] 8. Big Jim
[4:03] 9. The Boy
[2:37] 10. Slam Hammer
[3:40] 11. Pent Up
[3:05] 12. 10 Long Years

Perry Weber - Guitar & Vocals; Tony Menzer - Bass; Victor Span - Drums; Benny Rickun - Harmonica; Barrelhouse Chuck - Keyboards; Jimmy Voegeli - B-3; Jim McCarthy - Guitar.

Weber is best known for backing up Harmonica legend, Jim Liban [Johnny Winter, David Allen Coe]. Perry has also worked closely with such names as The Legendary Blues Band, and Hubert Sumlin [Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters]. This release, "The Riot Act" came about in June 2009 - and picked up right where "Savage Beauty" left off.... More great reviews, and peaked at #15 on the Living Blues charts that Summer. The CD also features blues icon, Barrelhouse Chuck on piano. With a collective resume that includes working many blues greats, suffice it to say that Weber & The DeVilles have more experience than most, and really know how to do the blues.

The Riot Act mc
The Riot Act zippy

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Barrelhouse Chuck, Detroit Junior, Erwin Helfer, Pinetop Perkins - 8 Hands On 88 Keys

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:11
Size: 110.3 MB
Styles: Chicago piano blues
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[2:42] 1. It's You Baby
[4:31] 2. Four O' Clock Blues
[3:32] 3. I Almost Lost My Mind
[5:13] 4. Grinder Man Blues
[4:41] 5. How Much More
[3:59] 6. How Long Blues
[2:17] 7. Rooster's Blues
[2:04] 8. Pinetop's Blues
[2:57] 9. Miss Ida B.
[2:38] 10. I'm So Unhappy
[2:43] 11. Ella
[2:57] 12. Staggerlee
[4:35] 13. Ain't Nobody's Business
[3:17] 14. Stop Time Boogie

The Chicago label The Sirens has been issuing (or reissuing, as the case might be) compilations of piano blues and Boogie Woogie by the Windy City's leading exponents of that pianistic art. The cuts on this album come from a November 2001 session when the label gathered these extraordinary artists in the studio and turned them loose. The result is almost 50 minutes of the blues as heavy or Boogie Woogie as syncopated as the Chicago versions of these genres can get. Perhaps the last gathering of this many top disciples of the music in a studio came in 1976 when the same label gathered Willie Mabon, Sunnyland Slim, Jimmy Walker, Blind John Davis and the same Erwin Helfer for a session recently reissued as Heavy Timbre - Chicago Boogie Piano. The members of this group play and sing individually or in duet with another member. On "Miss Ida B" Barrelhouse Chuck Goering sings while Detroit Junior plays' the 88's. Detroit Junior does his thing with blues favorite "Ain't Nobody's Business What I Do" to the accompaniment of pianist Erwin Helfer. Helfer's speciality is the Boogie Woogie as he so dazzlingly demonstrates on his composition"Stop Time Boogie" recalling the Chicago genius practitioners of that style, Meade "Lux" Lewis and Albert Ammons. One of the top tracks is Detroit Junior's slurring version of "Staggerlee", the sad tale of what happens when there's disagreement on what the dice read in a crap game. The elder statesman of the group, Pinetop Perkins, appears on four cuts. He truly wrenches the heart and soul dry on "How Long Blues".

Every track on this album is a gem and serves to remind how this music can sound when played by those who were born with the music in their soul and in their hands. Highly recommended. ~Dave Nathan

8 Hands On 88 Keys mc
8 Hands On 88 Keys zippy

Monday, November 7, 2016

Mud Morganfield & Kim Wilson - For Pops: A Tribute To Muddy Waters

Year: 2014
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:26
Size: 109,6 MB
Styles: Electric blues, Chicago blues
Scans: Full

1. Gone To Main Street (2:54)
2. Just To Be With You (3:35)
3. I Don't Know Why (2:37)
4. I Want You To Love Me (3:18)
5. Still A Fool (3:42)
6. My Dog Can't Bark (3:28)
7. She's Got It (3:14)
8. I Love The Life I Live, I Live The Life I Love (3:15)
9. Blow Wind Blow (3:37)
10. Nineteen Years Old (4:09)
11. I Want To Be Loved (2:39)
12. Trouble No More (3:58)
13. I Just Want To Make Love To You (3:22)
14. She Loves Me (3:32)

The son of legendary bluesman Muddy Waters, Mud Morganfield and Fabulous Thunderbird front man Kim Wilson come together for this tribute release. "For Pops: A Tribute To Muddy Waters" represents some of Mud's favorite songs from his father including the iconic "I Just Want to Make Love to You" plus "Blow Wind Blow" and "Just to Be With You". When you hear Mud belt out his version of the classic "My Dog Can't Bark" it's clear that the apple truly doesn't fall far from the tree.

Kim Wilson lives up to his reputation as the finest purveyor of the 'Little Walter' harmonica style by laying down some of his best work to date. Backing them is the crack team of Billy Flynn and Rusty Zinn (guitars), Barrelhouse Chuck (piano), Steve Gomes (bass) and Robb Stupka (drums). "For Pops" only scratches the surface of the impressive catalog left by the master bluesman, but this collection is a must for blues fans everywhere. We're certain 'Pops' is proud of his boy. /Amazon

For Pops: A Tribute To Muddy Waters mc
For Pops: A Tribute To Muddy Waters zippy

Friday, August 19, 2016

Barrelhouse Chuck - Remembering The Masters

Size: 99,4 MB
Time: 41:59
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. Homage To Pinetop Perkins (Feat. Billy Flynn) (3:19)
02. How Much More (Feat. Billy Flynn) (2:54)
03. Keep On Drinking (Feat. Billy Flynn) (2:36)
04. I Forgot To Remember (Feat. Billy Flynn) (2:38)
05. She's Got A Thing Goin' On (2:07)
06. Vicksburg Blues (Feat. Lluis Coloma) (4:09)
07. I Just Keep On Drinking (3:12)
08. Double D Boogie (Feat. Billy Flynn) (1:39)
09. Straight Alky Blues (4:10)
10. How About Me (Feat. Scott Grube & Billy Flynn) (3:31)
11. How Long, How Long Blues (Feat. Billy Flynn) (2:32)
12. Stockyard Blues (Feat. Billy Flynn) (3:42)
13. Chicago Blues (Feat. Billy Flynn) (3:09)
14. Chuckabilly Boogie (Feat. Billy Flynn) (2:15)

Forty years ago, Barrelhouse Chuck was a student of Chicago blues piano. But today Barrelhouse Chuck is a master in his own right, and he is carrying on the tradition that he learned directly from Little Brother Montgomery, Pinetop Perkins, Sunnyland Slim, Detroit Junior, and others. Barrelhouse Chuck melds these disparate styles into his own and no other Chicago piano player has been able to do this and have the same pedigree. On this disc Barrelhouse Chuck is joined by his long-time collaborator Billy Flynn, who is one of the best blues guitarists practicing his craft today, Lluis Coloma, who is Europe’s leading exponent of blues and boogie woogie piano, and Scott Grube, who plays traditional pre-war blues piano in Chicago. - Steven B. Dolins

Personnel: Barrelhouse Chuck (piano, vocals), Billy Flynn (guitar, mandolin), Lluis Coloma (piano on 6), Scott Grube (piano on 10).

Remembering The Masters

Saturday, July 23, 2016

John Primer - Blues On Solid Ground

Year: 2012
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:39
Size: 133,7 MB
Styles: Blues
Scans: Full

1. Hiding Place (4:08)
2. Take Care Of Me (4:09)
3. Blues On Solid Ground (4:24)
4. When I Get Lonely (4:23)
5. Power Of Attorney (4:36)
6. Crazy For My Baby (5:01)
7. When I Met The Blues (4:24)
8. I Just Got Some News Today (3:46)
9. I Want To See You Before I Go (3:51)
10. Happy Blues (4:30)
11. Rambling Blues (4:40)
12. When I Leave Home (5:05)
13. Poor Man Blues (4:34)

The majority of Blues on Solid Ground consists of simple acoustic performances which showcase Primer’s ability as a vocalist and lyricist. There are straightforward solo acoustic numbers that are reminiscent of Lightin’ Hopkins, and others that feature piano accompaniment (from the great Barrelhouse Chuck) that invoke Scrapper Blackwell and Leroy Carr or Cephas & Wiggins. A couple traditional harmonica (courtesy Russ Green) and guitar duos are featured as well. Aficionados of pre-war blues will find a lot to like here. There are also a smattering of electric band arrangements that are pure Chicago meets Clarksdale bliss. The combination of Primer on guitar and vocals alongside Barrelhouse Chuck, Russ Green, E.G. McDaniel (bass) and Kenny Smith on drums is a Chicago blues lover’s dream band.

The songs are all composed by Primer and they are all honest and straight; familiar and true. There are songs of love, hard luck, hope and dreams. Blues on Solid Ground is the foundation on which a fertile blues soil is tilled. The rich crops harvested from John Primer’s farm are nutritious and soulful, recommended by the Chicago Blues Guide as an essential part of any musical diet! Highly recommended! /Mark Baier, Chicago Blues Guide

Blues On Solid Ground mc
Blues On Solid Ground zippy

Monday, July 18, 2016

Mark Hummel - Heart Of Chicago

Year: 1997
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:53
Size: 130,0 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues
Scans: Full

1. My Kind Of Baby (3:48)
2. Rockin' At The Riverside (4:08)
3. Lost A Good Man (2:58)
4. Rollin' From Side To Side (6:12)
5. Trying To Make A Living (3:38)
6. Love Shock (3:48)
7. I Want Your Love (3:35)
8. Peaches Tree (4:00)
9. Step Back Baby (3:25)
10. But I Forgive You (3:41)
11. Out On A Limb (5:19)
12. Ready For Eddie (4:24)
13. Drinkin' Again (3:32)
14. Living With The Blues (3:17)

Harmonica player, songwriter, and singer Mark Hummel is a practitioner of the West Coast blues style, which typically includes elements of jazz and swing. A seasoned bandleader, Hummel achieved wider recognition through nearly constant touring. Hummel was born in New Haven, Connecticut but raised in Los Angeles, California. He became fascinated with the blues-rock of Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and the Rolling Stones. After seeing songwriter credits on the albums, he began to dig further back into those bands' blues roots. He began playing harmonica in his teens in order to be different from the huge pack of guitar players in his high school.

Hummel studied the styles of the Chicago-based players, including James Cotton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Walter "Shakey" Horton, and Little Walter Jacobs. Hummel moved to Berkeley, California in 1972 and played with local bluesmen there, including Boogie Jake, Cool Papa, Johnny Waters, and Sonny Lane. After graduating high school, he hitchhiked around the country for three years, making stops in New Orleans, Boston, and Chicago to learn from those cities' top players. In 1980, he formed the Blues Survivors, subsequently performed at numerous blues festivals around the U.S., including the Chicago Blues Festival and the San Francisco Blues Festival. /Excerpt from AllMusic biography by Richard Skelly

Personnel: Mark Hummel (vocals, harmonica), Billy Flynn (guitar, slide guitar), Steve Freund (guitar, background vocals), Dave Myers (guitar), Barrelhouse Chuck (piano), Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (drums), Bob Stroger (bass).

Heart Of Chicago mc
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Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Erwin Helfer - Erwin Helfer Way

Year: 2013
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:40
Size: 123,3 MB
Styles: Piano blues, jazzy blues, instrumental
Scans: Full

1. Chicken Shack (5:28)
2. Take My Hand, Precious Lord (4:10)
3. The Fives (2:56)
4. Within (4:28)
5. Exactly Like You (2:57)
6. Baby Won't You Please Come Home (3:51)
7. E&C Boogie (2:59)
8. Big Joe (4:21)
9. Winin' Boy (5:31)
10. Sweet Georgia Brown (5:35)
11. Tin Roof Blues (5:12)
12. The Preacher (5:05)

In the Chicago blues piano tradition, each player developed his own personal style, from Jimmy Yancey to Albert Ammons. Erwin Helfer's style and his compositions are his own. His playing and personality are honest, straightforward, and committed to strong personal connections, on the bandstand and off. On Erwin Helfer Way , Helfer plays solo, and he is also joined by some of his closest collaborators including Barrelhouse Chuck, John Brumbach, William Bugs Cochran, Lou Marini, and Skinny Williams. This disc is another masterpiece by Helfer, who is the last living link to the Yancey's. Erwin Helfer was introduced to piano blues as a young teenager growing up in Chicago in the early '50s, the heyday of the city's blues clubs and the fortunes of labels such as Chess Records. A native of Chicago's south side, he haunted the clubs as a boy, but he also took the time to attend school and completed college with a degree in music, which he followed by spending three years in New Orleans in the late '50s, where he played jazz. Among the musicians who influenced him most were Jimmy Yancey, Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson, and Speckled Red, and Helfer counted himself a good friend of guitarist Big Joe Williams. Helfer became a performer and teacher, touring Europe as a blues pianist and also training college students in Chicago throughout the 1970s. His style is equally adaptable to blues and jazz.

Helfer, of course, is a genuine Chicago treasure — one of the greatest living exponents of boogie-woogie and old-fashioned blues piano, and one of the most modest, affable human beings on the planet. Earlier this year he released a typically refined and entertaining album called "Erwin Helfer Way" — the title refers to the stretch of Magnolia Avenue he lives on, which was christened for him by the city's honorary street-naming program in 2006. The recording features Helfer in a variety of instrumental settings with his regular cast of collaborators. There are raucous, hard-driving blues like the opener "Chicken Shack," with dueling tenor saxophones played by John Brumbach and Skinny Williams—bassist Lou Marini and drummer William "Bugs" Cochran, a onetime member of Sun Ra's Arkestra, are the rhythm section throughout the record, save for some solo pieces and a pair of duets with fellow keyboardist Barrelhouse Chuck — as well as a version of the Horace Silver tune "The Preacher," where Helfer and company vibrantly flavor the hard bop with some stride, swing, and R&B. The pianist takes some concise solos on these band tracks, and he also shows what a peerless accompanist he can be. But for me the best moments on the album are the three tracks when Helfer is all alone, where one can bask in the interplay between his right and left hands. There's the driving barrelhouse bass line he inserts beneath his jaunty take on the standard "Exactly Like You", and the leisurely pace he takes on the early jazz piece "Baby Won't You Please Come Home", played with his usual elegant phrasing. /Peter Margasak

Erwin Helfer Way mc
Erwin Helfer Way zippy

Barrelhouse Chuck - Combo Classics

Year: 2014/2015
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:49
Size: 101,5 MB
Styles: Piano blues, R&B
Scans: Full

1. Hot & Heavy (2:50)
2. Time Is Tight (3:12)
3. Depression Blues (3:28)
4. Chuckabilly (3:01)
5. Pacific Blue (3:37)
6. My Dog Don't Bow Wow (4:49)
7. Bright Sounds Of Big Moose (3:23)
8. Walk Don't Run (2:09)
9. Porchlight (4:12)
10. Wah Wah Blues (5:04)
11. Farfisa B3 Boogie For Winwood (1:05)
12. Don't Go To Dallas (4:19)
13. Slam Hammer (2:35)

Much has been written about Barrelhouse Chuck's piano playiing over the past 35 years. Numerous references have been made to the influences of his mentors and friends Sunnyland Slim and Little Brother Montgomery, or his uncanny ability to play Chicago blues piano with deft ferocity like Otis Spann or the plantive emotion of Leroy Carr. However, little has ever been documented about his astounding talents with the Compact Combo Organs that make up an integral part of his repertoire, and are a key ingredient to what he refers to as "his sound". Chuck's life long love affair with the Combo Organ started early on. As a young boy he fell under the infectious Vox Organ riff of the 1966 garage classic "96 Teras" by ? And The Mysterians. "I just loved that song, and would look for it everytime that I saw a juke-box."

Featuring Joel Paterson, Billy Flynn, Hash Brown and Jeremy Johnson this set of 60's style blues sounds feature Chuck behind the mighty Combo Electric Organ. Think of Earl Hooker of Johnny Big Moose Walker's recordings from the 60's and you get the idea. Of course a stellar line up in support with S.P. Leary, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Richard Innes, Eddie Taylor Jr. and Curtis Salgado being just some of the many featured players.

Combo Classics mc
Combo Classics zippy

Monday, November 9, 2015

Trickbag - 2 Albums: Goin' Downtown/Tailor-Made

Album: Goin' Downtown
Year: 2011
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:37
Size: 97,6 MB
Styles: Blues, R&B
Scans: Full

1. Downtown (0:22)
2. Everytime (3:01)
3. Little By Little (4:22)
4. She's Got A Thing Going On (3:30)
5. Greasy Chicken (3:46)
6. What's Goin' On (3:13)
7. Nobody Knows (4:49)
8. Been Waitin' For You (2:58)
9. It's You Baby (2:50)
10. Let's Ride (3:10)
11. So Long Baby Goodbye (2:08)
12. New Farewell To S.P. Leary (5:51)
13. Barking Mood (2:29)

This Swedish band is regarded as one of the finest, touring, traditional style blues bands in Europe. Finally, it also shows on record. "Goin' Downtown", recorded with some good friends, is a great showcase of their straight 1950s and '60s Chicago-based sound. The album features Chicago piano great Barrelhouse Chuck, British harmonica phenom West Weston and fellow Swede, the Godfather of Scandinavian blues, guitarist, Sven Zetterberg who is featured on the tune written by George “Harmonica” Smith, "Nobody Knows". Trickbag has played the prestigious Doheny Blues Festival and has also shared stages with stars like Kim Wilson, James Harman and Junior Watson.

Goin' Downtown mc
Goin' Downtown zippy

Album: Tailor-Made
Year: 2006
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:18
Size: 110,6 MB
Styles: Blues, R&B
Scans: Full

1. Trick Bag (4:41)
2. She's My Girl (2:38)
3. License To Drive (2:33)
4. Voodoo Queen (3:44)
5. Help Me Up (3:21)
6. I Tried To Warn You (4:35)
7. True Love (4:41)
8. Comb My Hair (3:24)
9. Two-Time (3:51)
10. Radio King (3:04)
11. Ooh Mademoiselle (3:51)
12. Lovin' Angel (2:49)
13. Curly's Night (5:01)

For over 16 years now, Trickbag has amazed audiences all over Scandinavia, Europe & the US with their energetic live-shows and CDs all containing original songs. Nowadays Trickbag is regarded a top act on the Swedish Blues scene and is well known for being one of the best back-up bands in the business. The band has become the number 1 choice for numerous blues artists when touring in Europe, such as: Kid Ramos, John Németh, Barrelhouse Chuck, Gene Taylor, Little George Sueref etc. Trickbag has also shared stages with stars like Kim Wilson, Jackie Payne, Kirk Fletcher, Earl Thomas, Sven Zetterberg etc etc. Their latest record, Tailor-Made, was voted Sweden's best blues album in 2007 and features Gene Taylor on piano & organ.

Tailor-Made mc
Tailor-Made zippy

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Cash Box Kings - The Essential Cash Box Kings

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:12
Size: 94.3 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[3:55] 1. I Ain't Gonna Be No Monkey Man
[3:33] 2. Gotta Move Out To The Suburbs
[3:46] 3. Cash Box Boogie
[2:57] 4. I'm A Real Lover
[3:46] 5. Black Toppin'
[3:42] 6. Run Run Run
[3:47] 7. Blues Falling Down On Me
[2:59] 8. Trying Really Hard (To Try And Get Along With You)
[3:46] 9. Holler & Stomp
[2:18] 10. Blues Come Around
[2:52] 11. Off The Hook
[3:45] 12. Feel Like Going Home

Hailing from the 'Windy City,' Blind Pig recording artists the Cash Box Kings are keeping REAL DEAL, old-school Chicago blues alive and thriving. The band is dedicated to carrying on the spirit of the 1940's and 50's post-war Chicagoblues sound as well as the Delta blues music of the 20’s and 30’s. But these illustrious torch bearers also add a bravado, energy and freshness to the mix that results in a distinctive musical experience and a high-energy stage show. With a focus on the raw, stripped-down, ensemble playing that was the hallmark of the post-war sound, the band showcases the music of Chess Records and Sun Records while adding a healthy dose of original music that captures the essence of the Memphis and Chicago blues sounds of the 40’s and 50’s.

The Cash Box Kings are fronted by Joe Nosek, who writes and arranges songs, sings, and channels the spirits of Little Walter and Slim Harpo on harmonica, and singer and songwriter Oscar Wilson, a 6’3”, 300 hundred pound Muddy Waters-type throwback to the heyday of the Chicago blues scene. The group is rounded out by Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith (drums), and Joel Paterson (guitar, vocals), augmented by a rotating cast of honorary Kings including Gerry Hundt (bass, rhythm guitar, vocals), Billy Flynn (guitar, mandolin, vocals, harmonica), Brad Ber (upright bass), Beau Sample (upright bass, vocals), and Mark Haines (drums). Barrelhouse Chuck (piano, vo­cals) also regularly performs with the group.

The Essential Cash Box Kings mc
The Essential Cash Box Kings zippy

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Bill Lupkin & The Chicago Blues Coalition - Live At The Hot Spot

Year: 2000
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:19
Size: 159,1 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues
Scans: Full

1. Blow Wind Blow (4:52)
2. Man Or Mouse (5:08)
3. Black Night (7:58)
4. R & M Blues (5:16)
5. Where You Goin' (5:36)
6. What Have I Done Wrong (4:50)
7. That's Alright (7:43)
8. Intros (0:50)
9. Business Man (4:29)
10. Got Me Nervous (3:31)
11. Early In The Mornin' (5:22)
12. Long Distance Call (8:02)
13. Mean Mistreater (5:36)

Chicago blues singer/harpist Bill Lupkin was born in Fort Wayne, IN in 1947; first exposed to the music of key influences like Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Jimmy Reed by his older brother, he began playing the drums at 17, moving to harmonica two years later. Upon relocating to the Windy City in 1968, Lupkin joined the Aces, followed by a lengthy stint backing Jimmy Rogers; he continued playing the local circuit in the years to follow, eventually forming his own backing band, the Chicago Blues Coalition, which for a time included teen guitar phenom Lil' Frank Krakowski.

"Bill Lupkin was Jimmy Rogers' pick for harpman for many a tour, and he's backed up a long list of Chicago's finest over the years. This disc finds him fronting a very esteemed group of blues vets in front of an appreciative audience. Pretty close to perfection for a live CD, Lupkin and his band prove to be one of the best 'live' bands on the contemporary scene, and his harp skills put him in the top 5 or 10, depending on who you ask. Four bottles for a very impressive disc. Harpaholics will consider this a 'must have' CD" - Andy Grigg (Real Blues)

Personnel:
Bill Lupkin - harp, vocals
Barrelhouse Chuck - keyboards
Billy Flynn - guitars, vocals (tracks 12 & 13)
Mark Fornek - drums
Steve Lupkin - bass

Live At The Hot Spot mc
Live At The Hot Spot zippy

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Westside Andy - Blues Just Happen (Feat. Barrelhouse Chuck & Billy Flynn)

Size: 117,9 MB
Time: 50:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Harmonica Blues, Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. Just Keep Loving Her (4:37)
02. Mean Disposition (6:15)
03. My Daddy Was A Jockey (5:36)
04. Sad Hours (4:41)
05. Got My Eyes On You (5:46)
06. Liquor Store Blues (6:26)
07. Lonesome (3:21)
08. Just Cuz (4:02)
09. Call My Job (4:26)
10. Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You (3:30)
11. Over & Out (2:05)

In September 2014, veteran harmonica virtuoso Westside Andy Linderman gathered with four master bluesmen and longtime friends (including Kim Wilson veterans Barrelhouse Chuck and Billy Flynn) to celebrate his 45+ years of performing, with this live record.

Blues Just Happens was recorded live at the Armory in Janesville, Wis. for an appreciative and enthusiastic audience. Giving Andy space to shine are four stellar blues musicians who also share decades-long friendships: Barrelhouse Chuck (keyboards), Billy Flynn (guitar), Dave Wood (bass), and Steve Dougherty (drums).

Bio:
Born in 1952, Andy caught the music bug young, and picked up his first harmonica at age 11 in Madison, WI, which he still calls home. Listening late at night on KAAY AM Radio in Little Rock, AR, he got turned on early to Muddy Waters, Little Walter, James Cotton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, and Big Walter Horton, to name a few. And at that time, there were so many great, iconic players to learn from in the nearby Chicago area. Junior Wells, Charlie Musselwhite, Jim Liban, Corky Siegel, Paul Butterfield. Lots of information and inspiration for a young, hungry player.

He's played over 10,000 gigs over some 45 years, working with a Who’s Who of the Blues: Luther Allison, Ben E. King, James Cotton, Pinetop Perkins, Barrelhouse Chuck, Hubert Sumlin, Tab Benoit, Gary Primich, Mel Ford, Billy Flynn, Glenn Davis, Paul Black & the Flipkings, Reverend Raven, Jon Nicholson, Corky Siegel, Jim Schwall, Ben Sidran, Tino Gonzales, Clyde Stubblefield, The Doobie Brothers, Richie Havens, and The University of Wisconsin 250-piece band (!).

The Blues is the center, yet Andy plays the harmonica with no genre limitation. His drive to push the envelope has led to many sessions in R&B, Jazz, and Country. He also makes sure to take time to share his love and appreciation for his craft, by playing for and teaching school kids, via "K-12 Blues in the Schools".

Listening to Andy's live and recorded work, you get a sense of the many harpists that have inspired him. Blend that with his own unique tone and style, and you know instantly who you're listening to. It's that "player's player", Westside Andy. ~by Bob Harris 2014

Blues Just Happen

Monday, June 15, 2015

Barrelhouse Chuck - Salute To Sunnyland Slim

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:39
Size: 95.4 MB
Styles: Piano blues, Chicago blues
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[1:47] 1. On The House
[1:41] 2. Floral Park Boogie
[1:27] 3. Any Old Lonesome Day
[2:14] 4. Hangin' 'round The House
[4:29] 5. Betsy's Boogie
[2:58] 6. Depression Blues #1
[2:07] 7. Shake Dancer
[3:36] 8. Everybody's Got To Change Sometime
[4:10] 9. Lonesome Child
[1:03] 10. Pinetop's Blues
[3:08] 11. Going Back To Memphis
[3:22] 12. Salute To Sunnyland Slim
[2:22] 13. Cool Disposition
[5:01] 14. Walkin' The Ceiling
[2:07] 15. Wah-Wah Blues ( Part 1)

Nominally a tribute to the late, great Mississippi barroom piano player, this is actually a keyboard-powered homage to the spirit of Chicago blues. Chuck--a Florida transplant to the Windy City--ably covers tunes by Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Memphis Slim, Hound Dog Taylor, and others. The strength of this album lies in Chuck's true-blues arrangements, full of rich harp, simple but crackling guitar lines, and, of course, his own deft piano. Chuck may not be as inventive an interpreter as, say, Dave Maxwell, but his two-fisted rolls and fleet melodies cut right to the music's core. As they should. He apprenticed himself not only to Slim but to Little Brother Montgomery, Jimmy Walker, Detroit Junior--really anyone whose style he could soak up. The results of Chuck's studies compensate for his vocal deficiencies, conjuring up visions of smoky nights in after-hours clubs. And there's a bonus: former Muddy Waters Band drummers Willie Smith, S.P. Leary, and Sam Lay all lend their sticks to various performances, as does Muddy's bass man Calvin "Fuzz" Jones. ~Ted Drozdowski

Salute To Sunnyland Slim mc
Salute To Sunnyland Slim zippy

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Barrelhouse Chuck - 35 Years Of Chicago Blues Piano Vol. 1 & Vol. 2

Album: 35 Years Of Chicago Blues Piano Vol. 1
Size: 121,0 MB
Time: 52:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Piano Blues, Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. Leroy's Carr Hop (With Sam Lay) (1:44)
02. Mama Told Me(With Johhny B Moore & Willie Kent) (3:38)
03. Any Old Lonesome Day (With Billy Flynn & Sp Leary) (4:05)
04. Baby It's Cold Outside (2:11)
05. House Cat Blues (With Hip Linkchain) (2:52)
06. Blues For Pinetop Perkins(With Billy Flynn & Kenny Smith) (4:14)
07. Sail The Seven Seas (With Kim Wilson & Eddie Taylor Jr) (4:00)
08. I'll Be Your King (With Big Smokey Smothers) (2:19)
09. Walkin' The Ceiling (With Willie Big Eyes Smith) (2:59)
10. Everybody's Got To Change Sometimes (With Hash Brown & Sp Leary) (4:44)
11. On The House (With Hash Brown & Sp Leary) (3:38)
12. Man Or Mouse (With Bill Lupkin & Billy Flynn) (5:11)
13. Shake It Baby (With Sam Burkhardt) (2:45)
14. Hangin Round The House (With Hash Brown) (4:32)
15. I Keep On Drinking (3:14)

This jam packed retrospective features many of the finest players in blues over the past 3 decades.....The backup musicians reads like a whos who of Chicago Blues.........JOHNNY B MOORE- CALVIN JONES- SP LEARY- HIP LINKCHAIN- TED HARVEY- SAM LAY- EDDIE TAYLOR JR- BILLY FLYNN- KIM WILSON- HASH BROWN and many more........The songs are traditional post war sounds with a real spark on many of them......HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

35 Years Of Chicago Blues Piano Vol. 1

Album: 35 Years Of Chicago Blues Piano Vol. 2
Size: 112,1 MB
Time: 48:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Piano Blues, Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. She's Got A Thing Going On (With Trickbag) (3:31)
02. Jones Boogie (With Kim Wilson & Joel Foy) (3:31)
03. Forty Nights (With Kim Wilson, Buddy Guy & Hubert Sumlin) (2:44)
04. Salute To Sunnyland Slim (With Calvin Jones & Willie Smith) (3:26)
05. Call My Job (With Kim Wilson & Eddie Taylor Jr) (2:46)
06. Someday (With Hip Linkchain & Ted Harvy) (2:53)
07. I Ain't Got You (With Billy Flynn) (2:23)
08. Wah-Wah Blues (With Billy Flynn) (5:05)
09. Barrelhouse Woman (With Nick Moss & Anson Funderburgh) (2:57)
10. Searching For My Baby (With Smokey Smothers) (3:03)
11. You Told Me Baby (With Johnny B Moore & Willie Kent) (5:55)
12. Hot And Heavy (With Trickbag) (2:50)
13. Break It Up (2:35)
14. Get Your Money (With Rj Mischo) (3:53)
15. Gigolo (0:41)

This second volume of recordings features more special guests & wonderful playing by all.........Strong traditional sounds mix with modern sense to make a real winner release.........The line up includes JOEL FOY- ANSON FUNDERBURGH- BUDDY GUY- HUBERT SUMLIN- RJ MISCHO- NICK MOSS & many more.

35 Years Of Chicago Blues Piano Vol. 2

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Barrelhouse Chuck - Got My Eyes On You / Driftin' From Town To Town

Album: Got My Eyes On You (With The All-Star Blues Band)
Size: 111,6 MB
Time: 48:34
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2006
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. Floyd's Blues (3:29)
02. Call My Job (2:53)
03. Got My Eyes On You (4:03)
04. Mother Earth (4:10)
05. Cleo's Mood (5:21)
06. It's You Baby (3:22)
07. School Days (4:41)
08. The Bright Sounds Of Big Moose (3:20)
09. Just To Be With You (4:00)
10. Big Town Playboy (4:12)
11. Red River Rumba (4:10)
12. Mama You Don't Mean Me No Good (3:14)
13. Iza Mae (1:31)

Barrelhouse Chuck leads an all-star blues band which includes premier harp player and Fabulous Thunderbird’s member Kim Wilson; long-time Muddy Waters rhythm section members Willie “Big Eyes” Smith on drums and Calvin “Fuzz” Jones on bass; and talented guitarists Joel Foy and Eddie Taylor, Jr. This band smokes as Chuck pays tribute to his mentors and heroes Sunnyland Slim, Little Brother Montgomery, Floyd Jones, Detroit Jr., Memphis Slim, Big Moose Walker, Smokey Smothers, Eddie Taylor, and Muddy Waters. Barrelhouse Chuck’s music continues the Chicago blues piano tradition!

Got My Eyes On You

Album: Driftin' From Town To Town (With Kim Wilson's Blues All-Stars)
Size: 114,9 MB
Time: 49:21
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. The Big Push (3:00)
02. Driftin' From Town To Town (3:54)
03. I'm Leaving You (4:48)
04. Stockyard Blues (6:03)
05. Lucky Lou (3:37)
06. Thirty Days (2:40)
07. Flat Foot Sam (2:29)
08. K&C Boogie (3:17)
09. You Can't Live Long (3:48)
10. She's Got A Thing Going On (3:47)
11. Three Hundred Pounds Of Joy (4:00)
12. Anna Lee (4:40)
13. Time Is Tight (3:10)

In 2006, esteemed jazz critic Nat Hentoff featured Barrelhouse Chuck in the Wall Street Journal, where he reviewed “Got My Eyes On You” and praised Chuck’s commitment to the Chicago blues piano tradition. On this disc, Barrelhouse Chuck and Kim Wilson continue building their strong musical bond with one another and show why they are the premier Chicago blues artists. With the help of veterans, and stars in their own right, Larry Taylor, Richard Innes, Billy Flynn, Jeremy Johnson, and Sax Gordon, this disc is absolutely must listening for experienced and new listeners of Chicago blues.

Driftin' From Town To Town

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Barrelhouse Chuck - Prescription For The Blues

Size: 104,4 MB
Time: 44:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2002
Styles: Chicago Blues, Piano Blues
Art: Full

01. Sitting On Top Of The World (2:26)
02. My Own Lonesome Blues (3:10)
03. Mean Mistreater Mama (3:00)
04. Tin Pan Alley (3:14)
05. Double D (1:18)
06. Prescription For The Blues (With Erwin Helfer) (3:51)
07. Going Back To Memphis (1:44)
08. Ain't Times Hard (2:56)
09. Corrine, Corrina (2:42)
10. Straight Alky Blues (3:44)
11. Nutty Boogie (With Erwin Helfer) (1:29)
12. Johnson Machine Gun (3:19)
13. Barrelhouse Woman (3:18)
14. Ain't Nobody's Business (With Erwin Helfer) (4:10)
15. Yamato Stomp (2:00)
16. Rooster's Blues (2:25)

Chicago is home base for many of the top (but not necessarily well-known) piano blues (also boogie-woogie) artists in the country. The Sirens Records seems determined to document as many of them on disc as possible. This The Sirens CD features Barrelhouse Chuck (aka Chuck Goering), who gets a little help from his friend Erwin Helfer on three tracks. If any jazz style can make a piano wail and talk, it's piano blues. Listen to it talk about trials and tribulations on such cuts as "Mean Mistreater Mama" and "Tin Pan Alley." Although self-taught, Goering clearly comes under the stylistic influences of such leading practitioners of this art as Sunnyland Slim, Pinetop Perkins, Muddy Waters, and more, while his signing finds derivation in Little Brother Montgomery. Of the three tracks with Helfer, "Prescription for the Blues," where Helfer plays and Goering sings, is the "bluest" of the bunch. Modified boogie-woogie comes to the fore with "Barrelhouse Woman" when the singer, like thousands of blues singers before him, tries to set his woman straight with the same amount of success as had his predecessors. But it's great piano even if it's wishful thinking. Every jazz fan should periodically listen to this style to get a feel for the pathos and emotion that jazz can generate, as well as to revel in the amazing talent these players pack. They can shift between the up-tempo, such as "Nutty Boogie," and the slow drag, both pianistically and vocally, as if there is nothing to it. These artists offer a perspective on jazz that gets too little recognition in these days of high-tech, "let's merge jazz, rock, and adult contemporary" gimmickry too often foisted on the public by the record companies. Keep 'em coming, The Sirens! ~ Dave Nathan

This CD is the results of several years of planning, arranging, recording, re-recording, editing, revising, mixing and several stages of mastering required because of the varied vocal techniques and applications through audio vocalizers. Finally, all of the work resulted in this unique collection of musical adventures. Enjoy the journey through my musical world.

Prescription For The Blues

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Richie Rich & The Chi-Town Blues Band - From The Streets

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 49:19
Size: 112.9 MB
Styles: Electric Chicago blues
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:04] 1. Frisky Whiskey
[3:32] 2. Hwy 94 Blues
[6:53] 3. Fancy Freedom
[6:01] 4. Fat Cat Shuffle
[4:35] 5. Blues And Cash
[3:04] 6. Chi-Town Hustler
[3:43] 7. Meaning Of The Blues
[4:15] 8. Survive
[2:30] 9. Boogie Woogie Cruisin'
[4:15] 10. Gimme The Blues
[4:36] 11. Who I Am
[2:46] 12. From The Streets

Rich Ryan ("Richie Rich") is a Chicago born blues singer born under the name Daniel Joseph O'Brien. He was later adopted by a family in River Forest, Illinois.

Richie has been performing in the arts since he was a young boy with his first appearance being the role of Nick Burns in the screenplay "A Thousand Clowns" with the Slice of Life Players. Richie also began playing the piano, drums and saxophone at a young age and still plays piano and guitar to this day. He is influenced by the sound of Muddy Waters, Pinetop Perkins, BB King, Albert King, Buddy Guy, Johnnie Lee Hooker, Louis Armstrong and many others. As a teenager, he frequented many blues clubs including The Checkerboard Lounge, Kingston Mines, Blue Chicago and many other clubs using a fake ID to get in. He would also periodically sit-in with the players on stage.

Richie formed the band "Richie Rich and The Funky White Boys" and released its first record, I am Frisky Whiskey. The title track called "Frisky Whiskey" made it to number 7 on the IMN Music Charts. Later, Richie changed the name to Richie Rich and The Chi-Town Blues Band which more adequately reflects the roots of its members. In 2009, Richie headed back into the studio to complete another CD entitled From The Streets, which was released in January of 2011.

Musicians playing behind Richie on From The Streets, include Grammy Winner Billy Flynn on guitar, Grammy Nominee Barrelhouse Chuck on piano, Kenny (“Beedy Eyes”) Smith on drums, Mark Devos on Bass and a local horn section. Other Musicians performing on From The Streets include Derek Carden, Janna Johnson and Yuki Tasaka.

From The Streets was recorded at Studio Chicago, edited at Image Pictures and Mixed and Mastered at Chicago Recording Company. The entire CD was produced by Richie with help from Chris Steinmetz.

From The Streets