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Casey Jones, the wonderful drummer (and great guy) who sparked Alligator’s first five Albert Collins albums, all three of our Johnny Winter albums and our first releases by Lonnie Brooks, passed away May 3 at the age of 77. Casey brought his great talent and positive attitude to every session and every gig he played. He played with everyone in Chicago, and toured for a decade as a vital member of Albert Collins’ terrific Icebreakers. Casey always played as a member of the team, dedicated to making the groove perfect and making each song the best it could be. He knew what to play and what to leave out, and he knew how to deliver that true blues feeling. His dynamics helped the songs breathe, and his energy helped bring them to a climax. And he made the music so much fun! Look at his picture—the joy he took in making music is right there on his face. Thanks, Casey.
Selwyn Birchwood’s new album Pick Your Poison will be released on May 19th. Our friends at American Blues Scene are hosting the world premiere of “Even The Saved Need Saving,” the first single from the release. You can check out the track here.
BLUES LEGEND LONNIE BROOKS: DECEMBER 18, 1933 - APRIL 1, 2017
Grammy-nominated Chicago blues icon Lonnie Brooks, whose music Rolling Stone called, "witty, soulful and ferociously energetic...simply astonishing guitar work," died on Saturday, April 1, 2017 in Chicago, according to his son, Ronnie Baker Brooks. He was 83. Guitar Player described him as “...like a fire-and-brimstone preacher, testifying the blues from the bottom of his soul.”
Read the full story here.
HARMONICA LEGEND JAMES COTTON, JULY 1, 1935 - MARCH 16, 2017
World-renowned blues harmonica master James Cotton, whom Rolling Stone called, “One of the greats of all time, burning with brilliant virtuosity,” died on March 16, 2017 of pneumonia at St. David's Medical Center in Austin, Texas. He was 81. His overwhelmingly powerful harmonica playing was one of the iconic sounds of the blues. He toured worldwide for over 60 years.
Read the full story here.
Living Blues Magazine released their chart for the Top 50 Blues Albums for 2016 and Alligator fared very well. Toronzo Cannon’s Alligator Records debut, The Chicago Way, took the top spot at #1. Alligator had three titles in the Top 5 and seven total on the Chart.
#1 Toronzo Cannon’s The Chicago Way
#2 Curtis Salgado’s The Beautiful Lowdown
#5 Moreland & Arbuckle’s Promised Land Or Bust
#7 Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials’ The Big Sound Of
#13 God Don’t Never Change: The Songs Of Blind Willie Johnson
#27 Tommy Castro & The Painkillers’ Method To My Madness
#50 Various Artists, Alligator Records’ 45th Anniversary Collection
Congrats to all winners
Alligator Records is excited to share the news: award-winning blues and roots vocalist Shemekia Copeland is the proud new mother to Johnny Lee Copeland, born in Chicago on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2016. Weighing in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces, Johnny Lee is said have his mother's pipes and does not like to be messed with.
Copeland's latest release, 2015's Outskirts Of Love received a Grammy nomination for Best Blues Album.
On Tuesday, December 6, 2016, the National Association of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) announced two Grammy Award nominations for God Don't Never Change: The Songs Of Blind Willie Johnson. The album received a nod in the Best Roots Gospel Album category, and the song Mother's Children Have A Hard Time, performed by The Blind Boys Of Alabama (with Jason Isbell on guitar), was nominated for Best American Roots Performance. Winners will be announced on Sunday, February 12.
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 And This Is Free DVD/CD/Booklet
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CHICAGO'S LEGENDARY MAXWELL STREET
This is a mulitpack collection featuring the 1964 film And This Is Free, as well as Maxwell Street:A Living Memory and Maxwell Street Portrait an evocative immersion in the delights of Chicago's Maxwell Street filled with stellar blues and gospel performances as well as a captivating look at the area's early days through the eyes of the merchants who worked there! ...
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When I created Alligator Records, the very first promo piece to promote that very first Hound Dog Taylor album was headed "Genuine Houserockin' Music." That became our slogan, and we wear it proudly today. "Genuine" because the music we record is deeply rooted in the blues tradition (even when it pushes the standard definition of blues) and is created by musicians who have honed their songs not on synthesizers in their bedrooms, but in front of real audiences, responding to the emotional needs of their listeners. "House" instead of "theatre" or "arena" or "stadium," because our music is ultimately intimate, even when it's big and loud. It's not meant to be presented. It's meant to be shared between the musicians and the audience, like everyone at Florence's shared the music with Hound Dog Taylor. And "Rockin'" because it's designed to move you. Most of Alligator's records will move your feet or your body, but we've tried to make records that will move that other part of your soul. Sometimes that can mean music that cleanses your inner pain by pulling it out of you, the "hurts so good" that is so special to the blues. And sometimes it just means the pure release and fun of musicians pouring their energy into a great groove.
-Bruce Iglauer
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Marcia Ball Named 2018 Texas State Musician
On Thursday, May 18, 2017 legendary pianist, songwriter and vocalist Marcia Ball will be named an official 2018 Texas State Musician by the Texas State Legislature.
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