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| Bobby Rush Appearing at B.B. King Blues Club Monday, May 18th 8pm Bobby Rush's latest two albums, this year's Grammy nominated funk-infused Decisions and last year's Grammy nominated and Blues Music Award winning album Down in Louisiana is the work of a funky fire-breathing legend, both exhibiting one of his many unique layers. The latter's 11 songs revel in the grit, grind and soul that's been the blues innovator's trademark since the 1960s, when he stood shoulder to shoulder on the stages of Chicago with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and other giants. Of course, it's hard to recognize a future giant when he's standing among his mentors. But five decades later Down in Louisiana's blend of deep roots, eclectic arrangements and raw modern production is clearly the stuff of towering artistry. "This album started in the swamps and the juke joints, where my music started, and it's also a brand new thing, " says the Grammy-nominated adopted son of Jackson, Mississippi. "Fifty years ago I put funk together with down-home blues to create my own style. Now, with Down in Louisiana, I've done the same thing with Cajun, reggae, pop, rock and blues, and it all sounds only like Bobby Rush." At 77, Rush still has an energy level that fits his name. He's a prolific songwriter and one of the most vital live performers in the blues, able to execute daredevil splits on stage with the finesse of a young James Brown while singing and playing harmonica and guitar. Those talents have earned him multiple Blues Music Awards including Soul Blues Album of the Year, Acoustic Album of the Year, and, almost perennially, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year. Bobby Rush says that he is crossing over, but not crossing out. It is this mindset and growth in his career that has as of lately encompassed a first-ever collaboration with his long-time friend Dr. John, Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee and 6-time Grammy winner. Rush says about the song they did together "Another Murder in New Olreans", "when my friend Carl Gustafson first approached me about singing this I was leery about it because I didn't want to sing a song that would make people think bad about Louisiana, but when I listened to the lyrics and the story I changed my mind ... wherever senseless violence happens, that's your New Orleans. You could be in the country, a small town, or Timbuktu ..." After signing on, they called Dr. John, aka Mac Rebennack to see if he would be into singing and playing on it, and he immediately signed on. The meaning and message of the song hit home for him and standing up for the cause was something he felt he had to do. The song was subsequently licensed to national non- profit Crimestoppers for their New Orleans chapter and the artists became ambassadors for the cause. write your comments about the article :: © 2015 Jazz News :: home page |