News

ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 5, 2009
CONTACT: MARC LIPKIN / ALLIGATOR RECORDS / 773-973-7736 x235
EMAIL: publicity@allig.com

Alligator Records has set ! a January 27 release date for Havin' The Last Word, the new (and final) release from the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed acoustic blues trio, Saffire—The Uppity Blues Women. With their music, Ann Rabson, Gaye Adegbalola and Andra Faye reestablish and update the long tradition of uppity women blues singers like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace and Memphis Minnie. Mixing first-rate musicianship with equal parts of sass, soul and humor, Saffire unleashes unforgettable originals, composed with humor and poignancy, alongside definitive versions of classic blues songs.

Over the course of six critically acclaimed studio albums, one live album and thousands of shows, the band has gone from virtual obscurity to become one of the most successful acoustic blues groups today. They will embark on their farewell tour starting in February to say goodbye to their long-time fans. In conjunction with the final album and tour, a ! new documentary film on Saffire’s incredible story, Hot Flash, will be available on iTunes beginning in early 2009.

During the course of their 25-year career, words like 'fearless,' 'inspiring,' 'witty,' 'joyful' and 'powerful' have been used to describe Saffire's smart, sassy, and deeply emotional blues. Havin' The Last Word will be their final declaration together as Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women; the group has decided it’s time to move on so they can pursue their own individual interests. But pianist/guitarist/ vocalist Ann Rabson, guitarist/ harmonicist/ vocalist Gaye Adegbalola and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Andra Faye have plenty to say with Havin' The Last Word. 

Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women burst onto the national music scene in 1990 with the release of their self-titled debut album, after six years of playing locally and regionally. With their brazen, no-holds-barred acoustic blues, Sa! ffire took the music world by storm and earned legions of fans of all ages around the globe. The group quickly went from being local favorites to internationally recognized blues stars, sharing stages with Koko Taylor, B.B. King, Ray Charles and Willie Dixon, who said of the band, "They knock me out." National media like People, Entertainment Tonight, CNN's Showbiz Today and National Public Radio's Weekend Edition sang the band’s praises.

Their debut album, Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women, became one of Alligator's biggest selling releases ever. 1991's Hot Flash, followed by 1992's BroadCasting (with Andra Faye guesting on guitar, fiddle and mandolin), took Saffire to even greater heights; Andra’s mastery of all things stringed and her country-tinged vocals added a new dimension to Saffire&! rsquo;s music. Constant touring and increased radio play earned the gr oup new fans everywhere they went. Features in Ms. and other magazines plus an interview on National Public Radio's Fresh Air spread the word all across the country. Their subsequent albums, 1996's Cleaning House, 1998's Live & Uppity and 2001's Ain't Gonna Hush! earned the band hordes of new fans and mountains of critical acclaim. And in 2006 Alligator released their "best of" CD, Deluxe Edition.

The new CD may be called Havin' The Last Word, but you haven’t heard the last of Ann, Gaye and Andra; these three are far from hanging up their instruments, and each will continue to perform. The success of Saffire has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. With Havin' The Last Word, Saffire's positive message of strength, joy, love and sisterho! od through music will continue to reach all corners of the music-loving world. And that's saying a lot.

ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2008
CONTACT: Marc Lipkin / 773-973-7736 X235
EMAIL: publicity@allig.com

MARCIA BALL RECEIVES GRAMMY AWARD NOMINATION FOR 2008 RELEASE, PEACE, LOVE & BBQ

CATEGORY 67 -- Best Contemporary Blues Album
Marcia Ball – PEACE, LOVE & BBQ (Alligator Records)

Texas-born, Louisiana-raised pianist/ vocalist/ songwriter Marcia Ball has received a 2008 Grammy Award nomination for her critically acclaimed CD, PEACE, LOVE & BBQ. This is Ball’s fourth release for Alligator Records and the third to receive a Grammy Award nomination.

The winners of the 51st Grammy Awards will be announced on February 8. The other nominees in the Contemporary Blues category are Solomon Burke, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, and Irma Thomas.

Over the course of her career, Ball’s infectious, intelligent and deeply emotional songs have won her a large and loyal fan base all over the world. Ball won two 2004 Blues Music Awards for “Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year” for her previous studio album, the Grammy-nominated, SO MANY RIVERS, as well as the award for “Contemporary Female Blues Artist Of The Year.” And in 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Blues Music Awards honored Ball as the “Piano Player Of The Year.” She was also voted “Most Outstanding Musician” in the 2007 Living Blues Readers’ Poll.

Produced by Stephen Bruton, PEACE, LOVE & BBQ finds Marcia Ball at a creative peak. She wrote or co-wrote eight of the thirteen songs on the CD, ranging from intense soul ballads to can’t-sit-still party songs to straight-from-the-heart lyrical storytelling. With guests Dr. John, Wayne Toups, Tracy Nelson and Terrance Simien lending a hand, the music moves effortlessly through a range of emotions, so the listener may be dancing one minute and be deeply moved the next.

THE PRESS SPEAKS ABOUT MARCIA BALL:

More fun than a barrel of funky monkeys. Ball’s awesome mélange of keyboard styles sets the tone: Call it the zydeco boogie-woogie blues. Horns chug faster and faster, guitars drop by for a rock ‘n’ roll interlude.

--National Public Radio

Marcia Ball plays two-fisted New Orleans barrelhouse piano and sings in a husky, knowing voice about all the trouble men and women can get into on the way to a good time.

--New York Times

Ball, a rocking singer/pianist, plays honky-tonk struts, party funk and soulful ballads. Her boogie-woogie piano style sets crowds in motion. She is a sensational, saucy singer and superb pianist... where Texas stomp-rock and Louisiana blues-swamp meet.

--USA Today

Peace, Love & BBQ is a welcome ray of sunshine. This is a potent batch of tunes, highlighted by Ball’s keyboard mastery. Smooth blues, sweet zydeco, soulful, fast and furious Texas boogie…she kills every time. Heartfelt.

--Billboard

Swamp pop, blues, zydeco, Cajun, boogie-woogie, funk all delivered with exceptional verve. …Angelic harmonies…bright, smoke-tinged voice… made-for-dancing… funky, horn-fueled, rollicking swamp pop…melds swing and jump blues with New Orleans boogaloo. Ball plays the keys like a piano professor. Recommended.

--Austin American Statesman

Lots of upbeat party tunes, a few peppy Cajun and zydeco inflected zingers, some ballads, and a couple of love songs all delivered with Ball’s husky, soulful voice and driven by her nimble bogie-woogie piano. Ball is a classy, demanding, and talented musician…energetic, terrific, gripping, riveting. Peace, Love & BBQ is a sermon well-worth hearing.

--allmusic.com

Swaggering New Orleans romp…Ball’s fingers are magic on the 88s and range through styles with ease.

--Austin Chronicle

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ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - OCTOBER 15, 2008
CONTACT: MARC LIPKIN / 773-973-7736 x235 (email: publicity@allig.com)

Queen of the Blues Koko Taylor and singer/pianist Marcia Ball each received prestigious Living Blues Awards, Living Blues magazine announced.

In the Critics’ Poll, Taylor took the award for Blues Artist Of The Year (Female). In the Readers’ Poll, Taylor took that same honor, as well as the award for Best Blues Album Of The Year for her critically acclaimed CD, OLD SCHOOL. Ball won for Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) in the Readers’ Poll.

15th ANNUAL LIVING BLUES AWARDS READERS’ POLL
KOKO TAYLOR
Blues Artist Of The Year (Female)

MARCIA BALL
Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard)

15th ANNUAL LIVING BLUES AWARDS CRITICS’ POLL
KOKO TAYLOR
Blues Artist Of The Year (Female)

ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 26, 2008
CONTACT: MARC LIPKIN / ALLIGATOR RECORDS / 773-973-7736 x235
EMAIL: publicity@allig.com

THE BLUES MACHINE, KOKO TAYLOR’S BAND, INVOLVED IN VAN ACCIDENT

The Blues Machine, Koko Taylor’s band, was involved in a serious van accident near Black River Falls, Wisconsin early morning on Saturday, August 23. Koko was not in the van at the time. The van was the only vehicle involved in the accident. They were on their way to Thief River Falls, Minnesota for a concert and planned to meet Koko there.

Traveling were guitarist Calvin Louden, guitarist Shunsuke Kikuta, bassist Ricky Nelson, drummer Brian Parker, keyboardist Stanley Banks, driver Jesse Hutson and road manager Lee Threatt (husband to Joyce “Cookie” Threat, Koko’s daughter).

Louden, Kikuta, Nelson, Parker, and Banks all suffered broken bones and required surgery.  Hutson and Threatt were treated and released from the hospital

There were no life-threatening injuries and all are expected to make full recoveries. 

Cards can be sent to individual band members care of Alligator Records, PO Box 60234, Chicago IL 60660.

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Beginning October 26, 2008, guitarist/vocalist Michael “Iron Man” Burks and powerhouse blues singer Shemekia Copeland will perform for U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait as part of the second Bluzapalooza tour this year. During the 12-day tour, they will join blues artists Deanna Bogart, Zac Harmon, Moreland & Arbuckle and Tony Braunagel and The Bluzapalooza All-Star Band.

The tour was created by blues producers Steve Simon and John Hahn and is presented by Armed Forces Entertainment. The first tour, featuring blues/soul vocalist Janiva Magness, legendary R&B singer Bobby Rush and harmonicist Billy Gibson, began on April 1, 2008.

Burks feels privileged to be making the trip. “I’m happy for the chance to show my appreciation for what the troops are doing. For me to play for them is a small gesture compared to the sacrifices they make every day.”

Copeland agrees. “I am deeply honored to be going over there to entertain our troops -- and Lord knows I love to hang out with men in uniforms.”

Bluzapalooza founder and producer Simon states, “We are thrilled to be going back to Iraq and to have so many great blues artists volunteering to go to a war zone. This is certainly an historic event for the blues and for our men and women who so proudly serve our country.”

Co-producer Hahn adds, “Our October tour’s lineup would sell out any blues festival in the country. It's an honor to be able to bring it to our troops.”

Renowned New York photographer, Joseph A. Rosen, a recipient of the “Keeping The Blues Alive” Award from The Blues Foundation, will document this historic tour.

A free limited edition 14-track blues sampler CD will be distributed to the troops, featuring songs from artists on the upcoming tour, the previous tour, as well as other blues stars. All the recorded performances and all the costs involved with the CD, from manufacturing and printing to song publishing and artwork, were donated free of charge.

Artists on the CD, simply titled BLUZAPALOOZA, are, from the first tour: Janiva Magness, Bobby Rush, and Billy Gibson; from the upcoming tour: Michael “Iron Man” Burks, Shemekia Copeland, Moreland & Arbuckle, Zac Harmon and Deanna Bogart; and also The Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Tinsley Ellis, Watermelon Slim & The Workers, Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King, and The JW-Jones Blues Band.

The Bluzapalooza tour is made possible with the help of Armed Forces Entertainment, The Blues Foundation, Blues Revue, Alligator Records, NorthernBlues Music, Blind Raccoon, Delta Groove Records, Blind Pig Records, Hohner Harmonicas, Telarc Records, Sony Corporation, Ruf Records and Entertainment Support Systems, LLC.

Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas. Founded in 1951, AFE brings entertainment to more than 500,000 troops each year.