Blues 'N' Trouble - Born In Chicago (2008)

BLUES ‘N’ TROUBLE is a five-piece Scottish act formed in the early 80‘s by Tim Elliott & John Bruce. Constant personnel changes were to eventually lead to a permanent line-up, which encouraged the band to turn professional & saw the release of their debut album in 1985.

During the next ten years Blues ‘n’ Trouble toured & guested with many blues greats including B.B. King, Robert Cray, Pinetop Perkins, Charlie Musselwhite, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells. Blues ‘n’ Trouble supported the likes of B.B. King and Robert Cray on their live dates in London. Live, Blues ‘n’ Trouble were a hot and tight blues act that enjoyed a cult status.

They recorded with “sixth Stone” Ian Stewart, enjoying indie chart success and also with Lazy Lester for which a W.C. Handy award was won! Blues ‘n’ Trouble have released 10 albums, not including re-issues & compilations.

“ Honey Pot” is a storming ragtime original (and tribute to oral sex) that became a live favorite, not just with BN’T but also with other bands who used to cover it. “Sloppy Drunk” and “Beautiful City” are harmonica and foot stomping classics in the style of Sonny Boy Williamson, whilst “Tearstains On My Pillow” and “Double Trouble” are beautiful searing guitar workouts. Others such as “Madison Blues”, “Cadillac” and “Let it Rock” are upbeat rock n’ roll numbers led by the dynamic “telecaster” Dave on rhythm guitar. Also of note is the honky-tonk piano on a number of the “No Minor Keys” numbers, by none other than Ian Stewart, long time pianist to the Rolling Stones. Ian Stewart recorded here for the last time before his untimely death in 1986.

Their third album, “ Hat Trick”, recorded by vintage blues producer Mike Vernon re-launched his “ Blue Horizon” label. Chart success with “No Minor Keys” & “Hat Trick”, along with a British Blues Connection award for “ Down To The Shuffle”, helped keep the band in high demand for many years, often playing around 250 shows a year all over the U.K., Scandinavia & Europe. They appeared at festivals throughout the world including the prestigious “Memphis Blues Festival”.

The year 2000 saw the release of a brand new studio album “ Blues Graffiti” featuring all new tracks from the line up of Timmy Boy Elliot on vocals & harp, Mike Park on guitars, Scotty Scott on bass & Lucky Lox Lovell on drums. The album reflects the band’s live-sound, no nonsense mix of hard hitting rockin’ Blues and Boogie. This double CD includes selected tracks from their 1987 “Hat Trick” album & the same year’s live album recorded in Germany, all re-mastered & some previously unreleased tracks from the band’s sold out “festival” shows in Edinburgh, again in 1987.

The year 2000 also saw the return of founder member John Bruce to the band, and along with Tim, Scotty, Mike and Lox, the revitalized quintet look forward to continue success. The band’s 10th album, “ Devil’s Tricks” is a new approach but the same old Blues ‘n’ Trouble.