VA - Sean Carney's Blues For A Cure: Blues Cures Studio Jam Vol. 4 (2012)

Welcome to Blues Cures Studio Jam Volume 4, continuing a legacy of live in the studio Blues and passionate support of incredible, life saving programs such as The Stefanie Spielman Fund For Breast Cancer Research. We also support The Blues Foundation, which not only is responsible for The International Blues Challenge and The Blues Music Awards, but also programs like The HART Fund, created to assist musicians in need of medical care.

There are several exciting “firsts” on this recording, most notably a rare studio appearance from Dave Workman, who has become a BFAC favorite since bringing the house down at our “Columbus Blues” Showcase at Woodland’s Tavern in April, 2011. Dave set the bar for generations of Central Ohio and now San Francisco guitarists, myself included, and we were all truly honored he agreed to participate in this session.

Although I’ve seen Dave jam with Ray Fuller on a number of occasions, I know they’ve never recorded together. It was exciting to make that happen here on a smoldering version of Otis Rush’ Chess Records gem, “So Many Roads,” with Workman playing particularly inspired solos.

I wanted to pair Dave with 2006 IBC winner Joey Gilmore, whose appearance marks another “first” this year. I think that combo works particularly well with John Popovich on keys, Manny Manuel on bass and Jan Roll on drums on Little Milton’s groover, “That’s What Love Will Make You Do,” and Z.Z. Hill’s, “Bluesman.” A combination I hope we’ll hear more from in the future.

Jonn Richardson ties together the IBC theme here with Gilmore and me spanning consecutive wins from 2005 to 2007. We chose Big Joe Turner’s proto-rock & roll anthem, “Shake, Rattle & Roll,” where we each take a stab at singing verses and trading guitar solos. Richardson also sounds fabulous paired with Workman for the soulful, “You’re Gonna Make Me Cry.” As always, Jonn proves to be a musician’s musician, and that’s why he’s been featured on all four of our sessions.

Another “first” here are exciting newcomers to the Blues, Hunter Wolfe & ARE. I first heard them on Beale Street at The IBC play their blues with a punk rock edge and I’m convinced they’re going to do big things. Hunter & ARE had a blast playing their own, “Your Death is Killin’ Me,” with guests Joey Gilmore and Omar Coleman lending their talents.

This is Omar Coleman’s second Blues Cures session. He and bassist Abdell Bouyousfi thought it would be fun to pay tribute to the Chess sound, once again, with Little Walter’s, “Too Late.” Jonn and I had a blast with Lockwood/Tucker/Aces interplay. Jonn, Omar and I, along with Marty Romie, also recorded an amazing version of Jimmie Vaughn’s “Love The World.”

“Long Tall Deb” Landolt is another first on this session and she brought a pair of tunes to the table: the classic, “Everyday I Have The Blues,” and her own hot original, “Blues Don’t Care.”

I want to thank Mark Puskarich and Cody Romshak for providing an amazing atmosphere and state of the art studio in Tony’s Treasures to capture the recording here. Thank YOU for listening! ~Sean Carney