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Studebaker John & The Hawks’ 10th CD Self-Made Man (Avanti Records) charted # 23 on the Living Blues Top 50 two weeks after its release in June. “Ride, Ride, Ride” is in regular rotation on Bill Wax’s XM Satellite Radio Bluesville channel, and the band is on a national tour that includes stops at the Salmon Arms Roots & Blues Festival in British Columbia, Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago and Stevie Ray’s in Louisville, Kentuck
John was nice enough to stop by our studios and record a radio show with me last week. John performed live and allowed me to premier a few tracks from his new cd. This show will be broadcast this Sunday April 9 4-6pm ' Rock-it Science' with Greg Lewis on 91.9 WNTI Hackettstown NJ [ heard in North NJ and NE PA] and over the internet at http://wnti.org Tell John he is terrific and I thank him for stopping by. Cheers, Greg Lewis WNTI
STUDEBAKER JOHN SOON TO RELEASE ALBUM # 10: SELF-MADE MAN
Avanti Records is pleased to announce that a brand new album by Studebaker John will be released in Spring of 2006. Self-Made Man features the trio format comprised of Studebaker John, slide guitar & harmonica, bassist Bob Halaj and drummer Willie "The Touch" Hayes.
Self-Made Man contains nearly 80 minutes of all original steamy blues and smokin' blues-rock, incorporating Chicago, boogie, swamp, swing, and harmonica blues, all recorded with a live-in-the-studio sound that is true to Studebaker John's stage performances. Look for the full press release soon.
PRESS RELEASE
Read the new review of John:
Bourbon Street, Colonie, NY Live Review, April 24, 2005
Studebaker John is returning to the UK for a series of club dates & festivals. John is especially excited to be reuniting with the Yardbirds on 2 fests-- at the Maryport and Stanley Blues Fests
Fan Pictures of Studebaker John wanted
Please email photos you have taken of John to info@studebakerjohn.com as we are looking for newer photos to post. If we use a photo, you will get full credit and an autographed 8X10 of John so please include your mailing addresses & contact information.
"If you prefer sending photographs to John directly, you can send them to Studebaker John, P.O. Box 346, Brookfield, IL 60513".
Studebaker John and Lazy Lester. Photographer: Pat Douglass from Gregson Center on March 23rd.
Click on the image to view pictures.
STUDEBAKER JOHN AND LAZY LESTER ON BLUES TOUR OF GREAT BRITAIN this past spring
Visit the Moondogs Studebaker photo gallery - photos from Moondogs, Dec 5, 2004.
CHICAGO BLUES ORIGINAL STUDEBAKER JOHN
RELEASES ALBUM # 9: BETWEEN LIFE & DEATH
Master slide guitarist and blues harpist Studebaker John is back with a brand new album of all original music. Between Life & Death features the power trio format that Studebaker John has used in his live performances for the last few years, and was recorded with two of Chicago’s best rhythm players, bassist Felton Crews (Miles Davis, Charlie Musselwhite, Johnny Drummer) and drummer Earl Howell (Magic Slim, John Primer, Big Jack Johnson). Studebaker John started his own label, Avanti Records – aptly named after a popular model in the Studebaker automobile line – in order to make Between Life & Death available to his many fans everywhere
The story of Between Life & Death in Studebaker John’s own words:
“Destiny cannot be denied. The plans to make this recording began more than 2 years ago but weren't completed due to personal setbacks and difficulties in the music industry. Remarkably, the recording session for Between Life & Death came about by accident.
“Shortly after returning from a two-week tour of the UK, I was called into a recording session, along with drummer Earl Howell & bassist Felton Crews, by a well-known blues artist who shall remain nameless. We arrived at the session to find that it was canceled because this artist had over-indulged at a local pub and was in no shape to work. We seized the opportunity handed to us to record these songs, which we had been playing daily while on the road. After two years of planning and frustration, the record was completed in one marathon live-in-the-studio session that felt "just right" to everyone involved.
“I hope you enjoy listening to these songs as much I did writing and recording them.”
The music on Between Life & Death:
Between Life & Death shows Studebaker John at the top of his lyrical and musical powers. The album incorporates many styles and influences – blues-rock, improvisational jam and groove, New Orleans R&B, West Coast swing, and, of course, Chicago Blues – and has a stripped down live-in-the studio feel that is true to Studebaker John’s stage performances. The track listing includes:
- “Between Life & Death” – A fast tempo guitar rocker that gets the album off to a high energy start – gritty vocals, stinging leads, tight ensemble playing.
- “This Road” – Medium tempo tremolo-drenched guitar groove; Studebaker John’s version of modern Delta.
- “I Deceive Myself” – Straight forward contemporary blues with a hard back beat about the lies we tell ourselves to get through life.
- “When I Look into Your Eyes” – A song about the “real love that’s all that really counts in the big picture,” inspired by Studebaker John’s children.
- “Crazy for Your Love” – Blues boogie that captures the spirit of the late great John Lee Hooker and features a strong harmonica bridge.
- “Hard Place & The Ground” – Amped-up modern Delta-influenced blues.
- “If I Had a Nickel” – Chromatic harp ballad that’s a live show favorite, propelled by Earl Howell’s 2nd line drumming, which gives the song a Calypso feel.
- “I Don’t Know” – Blues-rocker about love’s first burst of elation.
- “Can’t Forget about You” – A percolating bass-driven blues vamp in which Studebaker John gives a nod to Juke Joint blues jump a la Little Walter.
- “That’s Why I’m Living” –A standout track that uses an out-of –the ordinary chord progression to make a heartfelt and evocative statement of purpose.
- “Cold Chills” – A superb Electric Ladyland-style psychedelic blues featuring Studebaker John’s slide Danelectro in place of Jimi’s Strat, and Felton Crews’ cosmic bass runs.
What they say about Studebaker John:
"John captures the raw energy and grit of the classic blues musicians but pumped up to a rocking energy level. He has a deep understanding of the blues tradition that comes from hanging with the classic Chicago bluesmen, but he's created his own sound and style from these roots." -- Bruce Iglauer (Owner, Alligator Records)
"Dedicated to the vintage sounds of Chi-town in the golden age of the '50's on guitar and harp, he is no retro man recyling worn out standards. He makes original music that is both timeless and relevant." -- David Rubin (Guitar One Magazine)
His raw amplified canonical work recalls past masters like Little Walter and Big Walter Horton, while his slide guitar style is descended from the styles of Elmore James and Hound Dog Taylor. On top of that Studebaker John is a powerful vocalist and talented songwriter. -- Chicago Tribune
"Studebaker John is a gem! His new CD, Between Life & Death, is chock full of good new songs - "I Deceive Myself, ""Cold Chills," "If I Had A Nickel," "That's Why I'm Living," to mention just a few. See him live if you can." -- Michael Dixon (Contributor, MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide; former Blues Director, WRBC)
Where to buy Between Life & Death:
The album is being distributed nationally by Portland, OR’s Burnside Distribution (sales@bdcdistribution.com), and is available at record stores and e-tailers, such as www.amazon.com, or at the official Studebaker John website (www.studebakerjohn.com). Better yet, go see Studebaker John when he performs near you, and pick up an autographed copy. Check out the Studebaker John website for tour schedule and links to song samples.
Booking Studebaker John:
Please visit the website for information on booking.
For more information, contact:
JT Artist Management
612-296-0949
JTArtists@cs.com
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