BOB LEVIS: Barstool Blues

Bob Levis

Barstool Blues

© 2008 Big Paw Records (707541969222)

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Chicago style Blues Guitar. High energy all the way to the low-down

notes

Blues guitar aficiandos all over the world have admired the body of work that Bob Levis has created over the last 30-plus years. Recognized as one of the finest rhythm guitar players in the Chicago Blues guitar tradition, Bob's first solo recording quickly demonstrates he is equally skilled as a lead guitar player.

Other musicians on Barstool Blues include -

Lonnie Brooks - vocals and rhythm guitar on a rousing version of “Can’t Hold Out Much Longer”

Steve Ditzell - vocal and guitar on four tracks - served lengthy stints in the Junior Wells/Buddy Guy Band and KoKo Taylor’s band - check out his harrowing take of “Double Trouble”

Big Jim Johnson - vocal and harp on four tracks - Mississippi native still has the country feel even after seven decades of life

Marty Binder - drums - veteran worked with Albert Collins, KoKo Taylor and Coco Montoya

Andy Linderman - harp - and Jimmy Voegeli - keyboards - both are members of the very popular Westside Andy - Mel Ford Band out of Madison, WI

The high points of Bob's legacy is the work he did with Lonnie Brooks and the legendary Otis Rush. Appearances on classic recordings like Cold Day In Hell and Bayou Lightning displayed the intricate lines and sensitive support that can only come from a master craftsman.

Starting with Little Sonny Wimberly, former Muddy Waters bass player,Bob honed his skills with Sonny playing the Checkerboard Lounge,Peppers Lounge,Queen Bee’s,the Sugar Cube and other venues on the southside of Chicago.
In the mid 70s thru the mid 80s Bob recorded and toured nationally and internationally with Otis Rush and Lonnie Brooks.

Bob worked locally in the internationally famous Kingston Mines house band in Chicago for 18 years where Otis Rush tapped him once again to tour and record from 1999 thru 2001.

Bob is currently playing with Ernie & the Po’Boys and his band, The Barstool Bob Blues Band.

Recording credits..
1976 - Cold Day in Hell -Otis Rush. Delmark
1977 - Let's Talk It Over -Lonnie Brooks. Delmark
1977 - Live in Europe - Otis Rush. Evidence
1977 - Lost in the Blues - Otis Rush. Sonet-Alligator
1978 - Living Chicago Blues,Vol.2 W/Lonnie Brooks.Alligator
1979 - Bayou Lightning - Lonnie Brooks. Alligator
1981 - Turn on the Night - Lonnie Brooks. Alligator
1988 - Golden Voice of Robert Covington. Red Beans
1989 - Blues Deluxe - w/Lonnie Brooks. Alligator-WXRT
1995 - Had My Fun - Karen Carrol. Delmark
1996 - Celebration of Blues - Various Artists.
1996 - Celebration of Blues;Great Guitarists,Vol 2.
1996 - Celebration of Blues;The Great Guitarists,Vols.1-2.
1996 - Celebration of Blues; Great Singers/Chicago Blues.
1996 - Live at Blue Chicago - Johnny B.Moore. Delmark
1996 - Women of Blue Chicago - Various Artists. Delmark
1997 - Deluxe Edition - Lonnie Brooks. Alligator
1999 - Essential Blues, Vol.3..Various Artists.
2001 - Love Without Trust - The Ken Saydak Band. Delmark
2003 - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues; God Fathers and Sons w/ Otis Rush.
2003 - Delmark--50 Years of Jazz and Blues.
2005 - All Your Love I Miss Loving, Live at Wise Fools Pub. Otis Rush. Delmark
2006 - Troubles, Troubles; The Sonet Blues Story W/Otis Rush.

reviews

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  • School of Blues
    author: Steven Jones

    If there can be a "School of Rock, there certainly must also be a "School of Blues." This CD shows what can be learned from this school. This is not learnign like some 16 year old Johnnie come lately whose understanding of the blues is something his Daddy told him to say on stage; this is the blues being played by some one who has lived them. The depth and breath of this CD is apparent by the time you've spent less than 30 seconds listening to this. Playing here are men who carry the torch of the Chicago blues with all their heart. Levis' guitar work is impeccable. The supporting cast is also strong. The bass by Brother Dave Kaye and drums by Link Leary and Marty Binder provide a solid back drop to each cut. Bob's guitar is complemented by the guitars of Steve Ditzell, Dave Wood, Larry Pendleton and one of Bob's mentors, Lonnie Brooks. Harp playing is strong throughout with Rockford, Illinois' Teddy Lawrence, Beloit, Wisconsin's Big Jim Johnson, and the inimitable Westside Andy Lindernman from Madison, Wisconsin. Keyboards are supplied with by Jimmy Voegeli. Vocals are provided by a cadre of singers whose styles vary from the sounds of Jimmy Reed to a pure, raw Mississippi Delta style of delivery. Ditzell, Johnson, Pendleton, Voegeli and Brooks all gut out some great vocals. This is a superb CD with some great covers and a few super original cuts. I thik anyone who loves the Chicago blues scene will love this CD!

  • Learning from the Masters- It cannot be beat
    author: Bluesthinker

    BOb has soaked up alot of blues over the years, and it now comes out in this fine disc. Tasteful playing, an understanding of the blues come to the forefront here. An old friend Lonnie Brooks sits in on one track to payback all the playing Bob did for him. Listen to Shuffle-iska and Double Trouble...classic stuff. Highly recomended

  • You cannot beat learning from the Masters
    author: Mark Nelson

    Top Flight stuff here. This is a work of loving the blues, by someone who has played the blues for decades. You cannot get that real feel unless you played with and around the Masters of the genre. Bob and his guests play with feeling and emotion. "Now I'm Good" and "Blues Before Sunrise" really hit the notes. This will be in my player for some time!

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