TAIL DRAGGER
Live at Rooster's Lounge
Delmark CD DE 803 / DVD1803

Chicago blues vocalist Tail Dragger is back with his second live CD/DVD on Delmark. The first My Head Is Bald, Live at Vern's Friendly Tavern (Delmark DE 782 / DVD 1782) was chosen by Living Blues magazine as the Blues DVD of the Year 2005! "It oozes ambience, the atmosphere tangible" - Juke Blues. Tail Dragger is now playing every Saturday night at Rooster's located on Chicago's West Side. Delmark captured this exciting performance on the night of March 21, 2009 featuring Rockin' Johnny and Kevin Shanahan, guitar; Martin Lang, harmonica; Todd Fackler, bass; Rob Lorenz, drums; and special guest Jimmy Dawkins, guitar. CD is 11 songs, 65 minutes; DVD is 12 songs, 75 minutes with Tail Dragger commentary track, 24 bit/48kHz PCM stereo, 5.1 Dolby and DTS.

Also available: American People (Delmark CD DE 728)

Check out this trailer for the DVD:

You can listen to tracks or buy MP3s by clicking below, or by visiting sites such as iTunes, eMusic and others.

If the portal doesn't work in your browser or is ad-blocked, you can get the same audio below:

Amazon audio link, Delmark 803.

AMMONS, JOHNSON, LEWIS etc.
Boogie Woogie Kings
Delmark CD DE 804

Featuring the piano boogie woogie triumvirate: Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis and Pete Johnson in more 1939 Sherman Hotel (Chicago) recordings. The liner notes to Boogie Woogie Stomp (Delmark 705) said "Their blend of traditional blues and boogie with a good dose of swing created an impeccable drive, and there is more than just a hint of the rock `n' roll years to come...you can hear boogie woogie on the loose, played by the greatest masters at the time of their public `arrival' when everything was new and fresh". Also features the primitive genius of "Cripple" Clarence Lofton and Speckled Red. Also available Pete Johnson (Delmark 656), Speckled Red (Delmark 601).

ARAM SHELTON'S FAST CITIZENS
featuring Keefe Jackson
Two Cities
^{Delmark CD DE 590}

Redefining the collective concept in an ensemble, Two Cities is the follow up to the 2006 release Ready Everyday (Delmark 571). The Fast Citizens have a rotating leader chair. This time Aram Shelton has taken the reins as main composer, focusing on orchestration and structural variety to present a stylistically diverse album that includes hard swing, lush ballads, high-energy free improvisation, modern composition and Sun-Ra-inspired grooves. Aram Shelton, alto saxophone, clarinet; Keefe Jackson, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Josh Berman, cornet; Fred Lonberg-Holm, cello; Anton Hatwich, bass; and Frank Rosaly, drums. Nine new compositions.

You can listen to tracks or buy MP3s by clicking below, or by visiting sites such as iTunes, eMusic and others.

If the portal doesn't work in your browser or is ad-blocked, you can get the same audio below:

MEMPHIS NIGHTHAWKS
Jazz Lips
Delmark CD DE 216

The Memphis Nighthawks got together in Champaign-Urbana, IL, were members of the U. of I. Jazz Band and took their name from a 1932 recording though neither group came from Memphis. Ron DeWar (soprano sax, clarinet, C Melody sax) has since worked in Chicago, notably with pianist Judy Roberts. Co-founder Steve Jensen (trumpet) also co-founded the Jazz Members Big Band. Trombonist Joel Helleny moved to New York and did the trombone solos on the soundtrack of Cotton Club, was only 20 when these sides were cut in the late 70's. The rhythm section includes bass saxist Dave Feinman who later had the Gatemouth label. Mike Miller (banjo, guitar) was sometimes abetted by guest drummer Bob Kornacher of the Dixie Stompers . Joe Klee in The Mississippi Rag said "From the opening track this band moves like a house afire"!