This is a special CD in honor of Grammy winner, and longtime Muddy Waters' band member, the late Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, along with longtime touring Georgia musician, Roger "Hurricane" Wilson. It was recorded during one of the 4 tours that the pair did as a duo throughout the U.S. in the South, the Northeast, and the Midwest, in 2008 through 2010. This one night was truly a musically magical one at a sold out theater show in Harrisburg, PA. You can feel the positive energy from the stage and from the crowd. On this night, along with Wilson on guitar and vocals, he was captured performing traditional Blues in a wonderful intimate setting. This release is in addition to the sessions recorded around the same time at the Sirius XM Radio studios in Washington, DC that are still airing on B.B. King's Bluesville. While Willie "Big Eyes" Smith was mainly known as the drummer for Muddy Waters for many years, and with his traditional shuffle style regarded as the heart and soul for the Chicago Blues sound, he was also a very accomplished Blues harmonica player, songwriter, vocalist, and bandleader. Most recently, he received a Grammy in 2010 for his work with Pinetop Perkins for best Traditional Blues CD for Joined At The Hip on Telarc Records. Roger "Hurricane" Wilson began playing guitar in 1963 at the age of 9. He has been playing professionally since 1973 as a well-known guitar instructor, itinerant touring artist, recording artist, record label owner, music publisher, songwriter, as well as bandleader. With over a million miles traveled, he has honed his skills on electric and acoustic guitar, and really blends his acoustic side marvelously with Willie in this live recording. Longtime Muddy Waters guitarist Bob Margolin says, "Roger blends his style wonderfully in preserving the concept of traditional Blues and complimenting Willie in this wonderful live CD". The legendary Les Paul once said about Roger, "this guy plays some great Blues".
Many thanks for this one. Also good to see a new Blues Blog and I'm sure it will catch on.
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