Big Shoes - Shoes' Blues (2015)

Shoes Blues is a collection of traditional blues covers from blues greats plus original songs written by "in demand" Nashville/Muscle Shoals players and song writers. Credits of the band members include studio and touring with such greats as Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Delbert McClinton, Etta James, Bobby Blue Bland, Taj Mahal and many other blues/rock artists. Styles of music on this CD are a tip of the hat to Albert King, Little Feat, Ray Charles. BB King, James Brown and the JB's, NRBQ and the Allman Brothers Band to name a few. Started as a "side project," the musicians enjoyed the high quality of performance so much that a decision was made to create this project. The music explores the traditional blues shuffle with the addition of the "Shoe Horns," a 5 piece horn section of again top notch Nashville musicians on 3 songs. There is New Orleans "second line," Allman's style southern funk, greasy NRBQ style rock and roll and even a touch of near Steely Dan sophisticated funk. If you are a fan of any or all of these, try Shoes Blues, a fun trip through modern Americana blues. Oh, and one more thing, the album features cameo performances by Jack Pearson, former guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band and John Cowan, the remarkable, soulful voice of New Grass Revival. The John Cowan Band and now the Doobie Brothers.