The Band:
Peter Kempe - Lead Vocals , Drums
Michel Staat - Guitar
Sonnyboy vd Broek - Harmonica, Vocals
Derk Korpershoek - Bass, Vocals
After 26 years, 11 albums and an unimaginable number of blistering shows,
the Juke Joints, masters of rock rollin' blues, have succeeded in stretching
their limits with undoubtedly their best and most diverse album so far.
When Juke Joints leadsinger/drummer Peter Kempe visited the 2008 Chicago
Blues Festival, he was so impressed with Eddy 'The Chief' Clearwater's
performance there, that he simply had to have a word with him after his
show. This resulted in an invitation to their Kwadendamme Blues Festival in
2009. Eddy fired on all cylinders and The Juke Joints excelled as his
backing band. This cooperation led to mutual enthusiasm, more shows around
Europe and the determination to record together as soon as possible.
The contact with Eddy Clearwater, whose
latest (Alligator Records) album 'West Side Strut' was recorded in the Rax
Trax Studios with renowned producer
Ronnie Baker Brooks, opened up the doors to that same studio for The
Juke Joints and in June 2010 they made the long-awaited trip to the home of
the blues, Chicago.
There they recorded what surely must be The Juke Joints' magnum opus, with a
collection of songs that of course includes plenty of the high energy rhythm
'n' blues, and shuffles and boogies that have earned them so much praise.
However, there are also ventures up, until now, un-trodden paths.
Stand out tracks include 'Stax Sound', which has that inimitable Stax soul
groove that Peter Kempe experienced when visiting the legendary Stax studio.
There is a heartbreaking ballad, 'Goodbye Baby', with some beautiful
acoustic guitar and driven on by a massive Hammond organ sound, a track that
will no doubt enthuse large, lighter-toting audiences. Guitarist Michel
Staat shows his wizardry in the enthralling slow blues 'Bad Bad Feeling' and
'Strollin' Down Lincoln Av.' is a jazzy instrumental, highlighting Sonnyboy
van den Broek's awesome talents on the chromatic harp.
Special Guests:
Female blues guitar slinger Ana Popovic
shines on slide on 'Make A Stand' which evokes fond memories of
John Lee Hooker. Absolutely top-notch
is the closing track 'Going To Chicago', penned by Ronnie Baker Brooks
especially for this album, with Eddy Clearwater really letting loose on
electric guitar. Producer Ronnie Baker Brooks belts out some great guitar
solos here as well, and provides solid support on vocals and rhythm guitar.
A highly diverse album it has become indeed, which is to be released
worldwide and which should win The Juke Joints global recognition as one of
the most energetic rock rollin' blues bands around.
Juke
Joints