[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1604325708955{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 60px !important;background-image: url(http:\/\/mccartneydev.site\/edgarwinter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/edgarWinterBackstageHeroBg.jpg?id=146) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Jazzin’ The Blues” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:60px|text_align:center|color:%23d5ae37″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”contentEW_cs”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”385″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Liner Notes” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Way back in the early days of Winter (before the storm), when asked about my music, my answer was always short and simple. “I’ll let my music speak for itself.” But in this case, I think a few words of explanation may be in order.<\/p>\n
I started playing music for one reason only. It wasn’t to become famous, to get girls, or to make money. It was for LOVE: the pure love of music! Things have worked out quite well. I did get somewhat famous (which actually turned out to be rather fun), I got ONE GIRL (my wife Monique who is absolutely perfect), and I have made money (enough to enjoy life but not too much to worry about). The years have brought many unexpected twists and turns, but ONE thing in my life has never changed. I still LOVE music with the same intensity and passion it has always held for me!<\/p>\n
When I say I love music I mean ALL KINDS of music. This is clearly evidenced by the multiplicity of styles and influences intermingled in the music I’ve made over the years – much to the dismay and confusion of those who try to catagorize what I do (and equally as much to my own satisfactiotion and sly amusement).<\/p>\n
I can’t say that this effect has been entirely unintentional, since part of what I’ve tried to do throughout my career is to broaden musical tastes by shaking people lose from some of their strict musical preferences and prejudices in the hope that this might allow them to more fully experience and enjoy EVERYTHING that’s out there. (The Beatles were wonderful in this regard and therefore top my list as the undeniabe all-time heros of Pop music.)<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, having said all this, Jazz has always been my first love; and yet, I’ve still never done an all-out Jazz project. Why? – I don’t know. So, I’ve decided to do one and here it is. THIS IS IT! For all you musicheads out there who prefer my more eclectic adventures into the unknown, HERE WE GO! And for any of you I’ve ever given cause to pose or ponder the musical question, who is Edgar Winter? HERE’S THE ANSWER! I believe Jazz and Blues are the two uniquely American art forms that will stand and endure as truly great contributions to the world of music.<\/p>\n
To me, Blues is like the old great grand-daddy with that world of wisdom and experience who’s seen and done it all; while Jazz is like the rebelious kid who’s learned a few new tricks of his own, and thinks he can show the old man a thing or two.<\/p>\n
Another analogy might be the Tree of Music with Blues as the roots, (the foundation), digging deep and drawing on the primitive essence and energy of the Earth itself; while Jazz, bebop, rock, and fusion would be like the branches and leaves (grounded, fed, and nourished by the roots), but reaching for the sky and beyond to the limits of the imagination: breathing in the air of life, drinking in the universal light of the sun, and seeking through the struggle of survival to discover the nature of existence and the source of it’s origin.<\/p>\n
Jazz evolved and was literally born from the Blues. They are both spontaneous art forms, being based more on individual creativity than composition; and for me they are inseperable. If there is one common thread that runs through ALL my music, it is the Blues. This is true not only of MY music but of ALL the current contemporary music of our day.<\/p>\n
It was this idea that inspired me to record my last CD “Winter Blues”, which I must touch on briefly here in order to properly explain “Jazzin’ The Blues”.<\/p>\n
The concept of “Winter Blues”, instead of the usual collection of traditional blues songs, was rather to include examples of the ever increasing variety of styles and forms that have evolved and developed within the blues itself; and in this way, to demonstrate the profound influence and empact that Blues continues to exert over the entire spectrum of the music scene today. It explores the interrelationships between the Blues and other contemporary styles: such as R&B, gospel, soul, jazz, rock pop, and country.<\/p>\n
“Jazzin’ The Blues” is the next step in a logical progression, and I think of it as a sequel since it takes the same working concept and extends it into the relm of Jazz; tracing it’s roots back to the 12 bar blues and continuing through swing, bebop, funk, and fusion. I play my usual array of instruments: various synth keyboards, pianos, organs, basses, and my main instrument (alto sax, with occasional tenor). I also sing, so I wanted to strike a happy balance between the extended solos for the real jazz fans, and the vocals, to hold the interest of the more general listeners.<\/p>\n
The lyrics are essential, and so are included. These are real songs with a very definite message, character, personality, and viewpoint all their own. They are also liberally suffused with my own (sometimes subtle – sometimes bizarre) sense of humor. I had lots of fun with them and I think they’ll get a few laughs (they actually tell the whole story in themselves so be sure to check them out).<\/p>\n
There is a cool guest list (as there was on “Winter Blues”) which up to now includes Steve Lukather, Robben Ford, and Hiram Bullock (guitars); Will Lee (bass), Gregg Bissonette (drums), and Lee Thornburg (trumpet).<\/p>\n
It was truly wonderful and heartwarming to find all these great musicians so interested and even excited to be a part of this project and I thank them all deeply from the bottom or my heart. I would also like to take the opportunity here to offer my humble thanks and pay tribute to the musical heros who have inspired and shaped my own music, and whose influences are most evident in this work: Mose Allison, Jimmy Smith, Ray Charles, and Cannonball Adderley (maybe I should have asked Mose to play).<\/p>\n
There’s one more thing I’ll mention before closing. I have also begun and am concurrently working on yet another project which will form the third and final part of what might be considered a “Musical Trilogy” I’m going to call the next one “Rockin’ The Blues”, and it’s going to be HEAVY! I hear stratospheric screaming vocals, incendiary guitars, Body-slaming drums, earthshaking mega-bass (with reinforced sub-sonic synth bottom), and an insane asylum of mad scientist synthesizers and keyboards.<\/p>\n
Please pardon my digression; if I’ve strayed to far from the subject at hand, I apologize. But, I didn’t even realize I was doing a Trilogy until I started writing this (cool idea), and I just had to tell SOMEBODY! It seems like an interesting concept that could be both intertaining and educational as well. The cronology of Blues-Jazz-Rock is not only of historical significance, but also happens to parallel my own musical
\ndevelopment (kinda neat).<\/p>\n
Well, I guess that’s about it for now; but the best is always yet to come! I usually close with “Keep On Rockin'”, but since in this case that doesn’t seem quite apropos, I’ll just say keep on – “Jazzin’ The Blues”<\/p>\n
Edgar Winter<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator el_width=”70″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1604499572382{padding-right: 100px !important;padding-left: 100px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Credits” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n My heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation to everyone who helped me make this recording. Wheather you call it Jazz, Blues, or just Music, it was a joy to do something just for FUN! You guys made it happen.<\/p>\n Thank you all for your inspirational playing!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”386″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator el_width=”70″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”contentEW_cs”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”THE CATS” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Edgar Winter (vocal, sax, and organ)<\/em> Free Ride<\/strong> God Did It<\/strong> New Man<\/strong> More Than Enough<\/strong> Brother Luke<\/strong> Hunk O\u2019da Funk<\/strong> Big Bad Bottom<\/strong> Here\u2019s 2 Guitars<\/strong> Keys To The Kingdom<\/strong> Frankenstein<\/strong> [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Engineered by Lary Goetz Mixed by Lary Goetz at The Lair<\/p>\n Mixed by Tim Le Blanc Cover Photo by Jeff Baker [\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”387″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_single_image image=”388″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Barry Menes [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator el_width=”70″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”contentEW_cs”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Lyrics” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_tta_tour color=”blue” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-guitar” add_icon=”true” title=”JAZZIN’ THE BLUES” tab_id=”1604591513980-db7ac147-4dd4″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n (verse 1)<\/p>\n Cool groovy jazz cats Let the trends keep on passin’, what I do’s (verse 2)<\/p>\n I hear some fusion But whatever style’s in fashion, I’ll never lose (verse 3)<\/p>\n Disco to hip-hop Ain’t no fortune I’m amassin’, all I’m askin’ you’s (verse 4)<\/p>\n Retro to techno But through all the razzmatazzin’, and ballyhoos (verse 5)<\/p>\n No explanation I might be my own assassin, but win or lose (outro)<\/p>\n I can take the harassin’, cheers or boos [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Listen here” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Jazzin’ The Blues Credits<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Jazzin\u2019 The Blues<\/h3>\n
\nLee Thornburg (trumpet)<\/em>
\nHiram Bullock (guitar)<\/em>
\nChris Frazier (drums)<\/em><\/p>\n
\n(smooth)
\nDoug Rappoport (guitar)
\nEdgar Winter
\n(vocals and all other instruments)<\/p>\n
\nEdgar Winter (vocal and organ)
\nHiram Bullock (guitar)
\nRick Latham (drums)<\/p>\n
\nEdgar Winter (vocal and organ)
\nHiram Bullock (guitar)
\nRick Latham (drums)<\/p>\n
\n(Alien Blues)
\nEdgar Winter (vocal and piano)
\nHiram Bullock (guitar)
\nWill Lee (bass)
\nRick Latham (drums)<\/p>\n
\nSteve Lukather (guitar)
\nEdgar Winter (sax and keys)
\nLee Thornburg (trumpet)
\nTom Lilly (bass)
\nGreg Bissonette (drums)<\/p>\n
\nEdgar Winter (vacals, organ, and horns)
\nSteve Lukather (guitar)
\nMark Meadows (bass)
\nRick Latham (drums)<\/p>\n
\nWill Lee (bass)
\nEdgar Winter (vocals, sax, and keys)
\nLee Thornburg (trumpet)
\nMichael Hakes (guitar)
\nChris Frazier (drums)<\/p>\n
\nRobben Ford (electric guitar)
\n(Robben Ford appears courtesy
\nof Concord Records)
\nMichael Hakes (acoustic guitar)
\nEdgar Winter (keys)
\nMark Meadows (bass)
\nChris Frazier (drums)
\nBrad Dutz (percussion)<\/p>\n
\nEdgar Winter (all vocals and keys)
\nHiram Bullock (guitar)
\nWill Lee (bass)
\nChris Frazier (drums)<\/p>\n
\n(Frankie Swings)
\nHiram Bullock (guitar)
\nGreg Bissonette (drums)
\nEdgar Winter (everything else)<\/p>\nProduced by Edgar Winter<\/em><\/h3>\n
\nAnd Recorded at The Lair
\n(except Hunk O\u2019da Funk
\nby Roy Cicala at Studio 56
\nand Free Ride by Edgar Winter at home)<\/p>\n
\nat Woodland Hills
\nHunk O\u2019da Funk, Brother Luke,
\nHere\u2019s 2 Guiters, and Free Ride<\/p>\n
\n(Golden Era Productions)
\nExecutive Producer: Jake Hooker<\/p>\nSpecial Thanks Go To:<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
\nWest LA Music
\nTom Belotti of Leblanc
\nand Yanagisawa Sennheiser
\nMy Band:
\nChris Frazier
\nMark Meadows
\nDoug Rappoport
\nAnd Crew:
\nDave Lopez
\nWill Taylor<\/p>\n
\nAnd country western buckaroos
\nClassical conductors
\nAnd rock ‘n’ rollers watch your cues<\/p>\n
\nA thing called jazzin’ the blues<\/p>\n
\nMakes me wonder what to fuse
\nAfro, Cuban, Asian
\nColor comes in many hues<\/p>\n
\nA passion for jazzin’ the blues<\/p>\n
\nThere are many avenues
\nPop rock to bebop
\nWhy should I be forced to choose<\/p>\n
\nTo let me keep on jazzin’ the blues<\/p>\n
\nIs one example you can use
\nWhere a sample is ample
\nTo turn the oldies into news<\/p>\n
\nI’m gon’a keep on jazzin’ the blues<\/p>\n
\nI’ve got nothin’ to excuse
\nWithout invitation
\nMusic writes it’s own reviews<\/p>\n
\nI’m gon’a keep on jazzin’ the blues<\/p>\n
\nI’m gon’a keep on jazzin’ the blues
\nThere is nothin’ surpassin’, my music muse
\nThat keeps me jazzin’ the blues
\nJazzin\u2019 the blues, Yeah<\/p>\n