Azure Music artists: Chicago Blues All-Stars - Red, Hot & Blues - New Release Review

I just received a copy of the new release; Red, Hot & Blues; by the Chicago Blues All-Stars and it's a funky blues blast! Opening with Walter Jacobs' Everything Gonna Be Alright, 'Killer' Ray Allison and Daniel 'Chicago Slim' Ivankovich are knocking a hole in it with wild screaming guitars. A super horn section; Johnny Cotton on trombone,Garrick Patten on sax and Kenny Anderson on trumpet; are bringing the funk. On Phil Guy's Feeling Sexy, Roosevelt 'Mad Hatter' Purifoy on keys, Johnny B. Gayden on bass and Jerry Porter on drums set a great groove for a James Brown style track with really cool under the track guitar riffs and horn fanfare throughout. Anji Brooks steps up on BB King's Wonder Why, taking the lead vocal role and harp wonder man Scott Dirks lays down some smokin' hot harp riffs. (Stilladog...you listening...this is your deal!) Killer steps up with a hot rippin guitar solo of his own making this one of the hottest tracks on the release. On a traditional arrangement of Buddy Guy/Junior Wells' Snatch It Back And Hold It, Dirks takes the spotlight on vocal and harp. Really nice traditional Chicago style track and really super delivery. On Willie Dixon's Wang Dang Doodle, Brooks steps back up to the mic and lays down an inspiring blues vocal over a really funky JB like horn infused backing. On Rufus Thomas' Walking The Dog, a slick blues funk groove erupts and the All-Star Horns lead the way for Dirks to grease up his harp. Hoppin on Junior Wells' Voodoo Man Blues, Dirks gets a great chance to make his harp talk. The arrangement has a bit more of a R&B style to it and Cotton get the chance to play a real nice bone solo on this track. Rippin guitar solos are not missed on this track either and Killer and Dirks (on harp) exchange riffs. On BB Kings' Rock Me Baby, Brooks again takes the vocal lead and moving the tempo up a few notches and taking more of an Albert King style approach, this track has a really fresh feel. On Willie Dixon's Let Me Love You, the All-Stars take more of a heavy rock/funk approach with distorted vocals and flaming Hendrix inspired guitar riffs. Really cool! Ending with Purifoy/Ivankovich original track, Mad Hatter's Blues, the All-Stars take a really easy pace with harmonic horns and spoken vocals. Super bluesy guitar riffs and piano work highlight this slinky number. This is a nice easy jam and the players having a chance to spread their wings a bit is a nice conclusion to a really fun release. Kick back, open up the speakers and let the blues hit you!

 If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

 https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/red-hot-blue/id668825124

Tore Up - "Killer" Ray Allison - Chicago Blues All-Stars

"Killer" Ray Allison first broke into the Blues scene in the late 70's playing drums behind Blues legends Buster Benton, L.V. Banks, Snooky Prior, Lovee Lee, Valerie Wellington, Paul Butterfield, J.W. Williams, Syl Johnson, Left Hand Frank, Robert Junior Lockwood, Sunnyland Slim, Magic Slim, Sammy Longhorn, BB Odem, Lefty Diz, Bonnie Lee, Dave and Lewis Meyers, Willie Dee, Don Griffin, Mississippi Heat, Big Walter, Buddy Guy, Phil Guy, Big Time Sarah, Melvin Taylor, Five Blind Boys, Lucky Peterson, Jody Noah, Joe Cocker, Junior Wells, Muddy Waters and James Cotton, too name a few...

In 1995 Ray appeared in the movie "Things To Do In Denver When Your Dead" with Andy Garcia and has also shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana. In 1998 Ray had the honor of performing for for former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton at Hillary's Birthday party in Chicago. In both the years 1998 and 2000 Ray was nominated for the W.C handy award.

Ray has toured extensively through Europe, Japan, Africa, Canada, Australia, and The united States.
In Ray "Killer' Allison career he has been recorded on a total of 82 albums including:
Buddy Guy - "Stone Crazy" and the Grammy Award winning record "Slipping In, Slipping Out"
Koko Taylor - "Jump For Joy" & "Queen of the Blues"
Junior Wells - "Broke and Hungry"
Muddy Waters - "WXRT's Blues Compilation Album"
James Cotton - "Super Harp" & "High Compression"
Syl Johnson - "Bring Out The Blues in Me" & "Fine Brom Frame"
Click here for a full Discography.

I n the year 2000 Ray "Killer" Allison" decided to front his own band as the Guitarist and Vocalist. He can be seen 5-7 times a week locally in Chicago, Michigan and Indiana.

If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”