Chicago-Based
Blues and Roots Singer/Guitarist Christian Collin Embraces the Spirit of the
Blues on New CD, Coming July 10 on C-Train Records
CHICAGO,
IL – Christian Collin announces a July 10 release date for Spirit of the
Blues, the new CD from the Chicago-based singer, guitarist and
songwriter devoted to blues and American roots music. Produced by Christian
Collin and Grammy Award-winning engineer Brian Leach and recorded at Joyride
Studio in Chicago, Spirit of the Blues pays homage to his blues
heroes while leaving a musical mark all his own. On the album’s dozen
all-original songs, Christian is backed by his longtime road band featuring Alex
Evans on bass and Chris Morrow on drums. He is joined by notable guest musicians
Billy Branch and Mathew Skoller on harmonica; and Johnny Iguana on piano and
organ. Rounding out the package is Pete Galanis from Howard and the White Boys
on slide guitar, Jen Williams on background vocals and Rodney Brown and his crew
playing horns.
“Christian Collin makes the
grade with breathtaking precision on his latest album,” writes former Detroit
Blues Society president George Seedorff in the CD’s liner notes. “Collin rocks
it up with a selection of soul blues from Jackson, Mississippi, tied end-to-end
with Memphis style R&B, all wrapped up in hard-as-steel rockin' lead guitar
and slide the way it was done in Beaumont, Texas, by the great Johnny Winter
some 50 years ago. It's clear that Christian Collin has paid his dues. With a
red hot crew of back-up singers, a tightly-tooled band and lots of tasty harp
playing, Collin has combined razor sharp guitar licks right out of the west side
of Chicago into something new. Serve it up with some tasty ribs and sauce and
you are ready for a mighty fine barbeque. All of this is really no coincidence
at all---it's the side of the street that rock ‘n’ roll came from in the first
place.”
Christian
Collin was born in the Detroit area to a musical family. His father sang and
played guitar and was an A&R man for Capitol Records, as well as road
manager for Bob Seger. At an early age, Christian was immersed in the sounds of
Motown, classic rock ‘n’ roll and the many variants of American roots music.
Musicians gathered at the family home and their singing and guitar playing made
a lasting impression on Christian as a child. His parents took him to see Little
Feat shortly before the passing of Lowell George in 1979 and that concert
profoundly influenced Christian, who began playing guitar at age 13. Having
honed his musical chops playing bars and roadhouses across the Midwest for the
last fifteen years, he is a seasoned bandleader whose dynamic performances leave
audiences consistently impressed.
Collin
was previously the front man for Molasses, a blues rock band that performed
regionally and recorded two critically acclaimed albums. In 2012, he released
his first full-length solo album, American Art, which received
substantial radio airplay. Drawing from his nearly two decades of experience
playing blues and rock ‘n’ roll, Christian is now primed to take his music to
the next level with Spirit of the Blues.
Christian’s
strong songwriting, soulful vocals and exceptional musicianship create a musical
stew that excites and inspires. His voice has been described by one critic as
“city-grit soulful and as honest as the lyrics he sings;” while another raved
about his “heartfelt lyrics and a guitar that can testify!” Favoring Fender
Strats, Telecasters, and a Gibson Les Paul Junior, Collin’s guitar playing is
powerful and passionate, yet melodic and refined. He has a wide-range of musical
mentors, and while these influences may be evident in his music, he is obviously
his own man and has created a sound infused with originality.
On
Spirit of the Blues, highlights abound throughout the disc,
including “One and Only,” the high octane funky rock and blues opener that
showcases the musical dynamism of the Christian Collin Band; “Player’s Game,” a
catchy rockin’ blues shuffle documenting the trivial sexual pursuits of a big
city womanizer; “A Woman Like You,” a fun southern blues rocker with honky-tonk
piano; and the change-of-pace “Without You,” a slow and sensual R&B ballad
that sounds like it was written by Bill Withers.
The
title track of the album is a very personal song for Christian, delivered as a
slow blues anthem that describes how the blues has inspired him and encourages
others to find their own musical inspiration. “Highway Song,” showcases an
upbeat blues shuffle featuring the interplay of Christian’s lead guitar and
Mathew Skoller’s talented harmonica playing. Shifting gears again, the album
moves on to “Dead Man Walking,” a unique and bluesy dirge about a lonely and
desperate man. Having a dark, ethereal vibe and hypnotic rhythm, it’s the only
song on the album that features Christian’s eerie and atmospheric slide guitar
playing.
Other
standout tracks include “The River (Unplugged),” a modern take on old school
acoustic blues featuring Billy Branch on harmonica; and the album’s closer,
“Forever Friends,” an emotionally charged soul ballad about two lovers going
their separate ways, both with heavy hearts. With tasty Jimi Hendrix-meets-Steve
Cropper inspired guitar licks, it’s the only song to feature a horn section, and
is reminiscent of the classic ‘60s Stax era.
With
the impressive release of Spirit of the Blues, Christian Collin
tips his hat to the rich legacy of America’s musical forefathers, while aiming
to leave his own mark as a contemporary bluesman. As the liner notes so aptly
state, “there’s a rarely achieved sense of authenticity on this album that
screams out the best in American Music … with screaming guitar work, killer
vocals, catchy hooks and lyrics that stick in your head, this is how blues can
really rock when it's done right.”
