All songs by Ed Williams, Eyeball Music, BMI, except as shown
Lil' Ed Williams: Guitar and Vocals
Mike Garrett: Guitar and Background Vocals
(solos on
Empty House Tour and
Four Leaf Clover)
James "Pookie" Young: Bass and Background Vocals
Kelly Littleton: Drums
with Paul Buschbacher : Rhythm Guitar on
Empty House Tour, Four Leaf Clover and
My Mind Is Gone (left channel)
Produced by
Ed Williams and
Bruce IglauerRecorded and mixed by
Rick Barnes at
Rax Trax, Chicago, IL
Recording assistance by
Jay ZdyrskiMastered by Dan Stout and
Bruce Iglauer at
Colossal Mastering, Chicago, IL
Photos by
Paul Natkin/Photo ReservePackaging design by
Kevin Niemiec
Ed thanks: My Lord And Savior, Jesus Christ; Pam Williams; Bruce and the whole
Alligator Gang; Washburn Guitars; and Ben Bottino. Special thanks to Deanna Price.
Mike thanks: Denny and Jan; Sue and T; Mona Lisa; Juliana W; Deidre Scott; Mimi
Armstrong; Joe Charles; Hix Bros. Music; Don Johnson of Fender Musical
Instruments; and Gil Piney of Gibson Guitars.
Pookie thanks: My father, James Young, Sr.; my wife Renee for putting up with
me for 17 years; Charon; Jamice; Allen; Willie; and Sabrina.
Kelly thanks: Sarah Bortt; Bonnie Zack and Sanford; Urban Djin; and Smokedaddy.
Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials are booked by Intrepid Artists
Phone: (704) 358-4777 E-mail: staff@intrepidartists.com
Liner Notes
They've been called "the world's #1 houserockin' band," and there's a good reason. For the last sixteen years, Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials have been pounding out some of the rawest, roughest, toughest boogie and blues that can be heard anywhere. On bandstands across the U.S.A. and around the world, they carry on in the great Chicago tradition of Hound Dog Taylor, Elmore James, and Ed and Pookie's mentor and uncle, the late J.B. Hutto. Their wild shows have won them a legion of loyal fans, who proudly call themselves Ed Heads.
There's an almost telepathic communication between these musicians. Ed and his brother Pookie have been playing together since they were kids. Mike and Kelly first played with Ed fourteen years ago. Paul, who sat in on three tunes on this album, is stepping in as the newest Blues Imperial, and the band is now touring with a three-guitar front line.
Like all of Ed's recordings, this album was cut live in the studio, with only a tiny bit of overdubbing. It was recorded in just three short days, and there were so many terrific performances that we had to leave a few on the shelf for next time. The songs poured out fast and furious, and the energy never flagged, just like the band's houserockin' live shows. So, heads up! If you're not yet an official Ed Head, this album will certainly make you one.
--Bruce Iglauer
