The Ford Blues Band - 5 Albums (1992 - 2006)

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The Ford Blues Band - 5 Albums (1992 - 2006)

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After leaving Ukiah, CA, and moving south to San Francisco to form the Charles Ford Band (named for their father) in the late '60s with harmonica player Gary Smith, brothers Pat (drums) and Robben (guitar) were enlisted by Charlie Musselwhite and were pivotal members of one of the best aggregations the harpist ever led. Leaving Musselwhite after recording Arhoolie's Takin' My Time, they recruited bassist Stan Poplin and younger brother Mark, then age 17, on harmonica and played under the name the Real Charles Ford Band. Heavily influenced by the original Butterfield Blues Band and the Chess catalog, the quartet was famous for their live jazz explorations – often jamming for 30 minutes or more on a John Coltrane and George Benson tune – and hear-a pin-drop dynamics (with Mark abandoning mike and amp to play acoustically into the room or Robben turning the volume all the way off on his fat-body Gibson L-5). Muddy Waters sat in with and praised the young band, and Chess Records even came courting, but the brothers split on New Year's Eve, 1971, recording their sole LP posthumously, as it were. Robben went on to major cult status via session work and sporadic solo releases, and after lengthy hiatuses Mark and Pat continue to gig around the Bay Area and Europe. Pat founded his own Blue Rock'it label, on which albums like The Ford Blues Band, Hot Shots and 1999 were released. The band's influence in Northern California is still enormous, particularly among guitar players who continue to ape licks Robben forgot two decades ago.

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The Ford Blues Band - 5 Albums (1992 - 2006)

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Here We Go!, the first album from the Ford Blues Band, is a propulsive, energetic collection of Chicago blues with a twist. The twist is in the group's passion for improvisation, where they can turn standard three-chord progressions into unexpectedly jazzy interludes which add real meat to their music. The result is a thrilling, exciting debut from a fresh, promising combo.

1. Get Yourself Together 3:33
2. Tramp 5:58
3. One More Mile 4:52
4. One Kind Favor 7:29
5. Blue And Lonesome 9:33
6. You're A Bad One 6:40
7. Fannie Mae 8:21
8. Fool For Love 9:38

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The Ford Blues Band - 5 Albums (1992 - 2006)

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The Ford Blues Band - 5 Albums (1992 - 2006)

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Until you've walked in the boots of a wildland firefighter, you have no idea of just how much they give of themselves physically and emotionally for very little pay or appreciation. In "Mendocino Hotshot Blues" I have tried to pass along a taste of what it's like. I've seen the day turn to night as the smoke got so thick it blocked out the sun. I've seen the night turn to day as flames lit up the sky like the sun had just come back up. I've seen fear on men's faces as things got out of hand and they began to ponder the possibilities. Just happen, and others you create yourself. Firefighters chose to do what they do and must accept the consequences. We should all be very thankful that they have made that choice. This is my way of saying thanks.-Patrick Ford

1. Blues Keeps Comin' Down 2:05
2. Crazy For My Baby 3:35
3. Just A Little Bit 3:16
4. Mendocino Hotshots Blues 4:57
5. You Upset Me 4:21
6. I Once Knew A Young Man 7:19
7. It's Hot 4:21
8. I Pity The Fool 3:56
9. Pecos Pete 4:26
10. Meetin' With Some Lovin' 4:36
11. Love Me Or Leave Me 9:58

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The Ford Blues Band - 5 Albums (1992 - 2006)

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The Ford Blues Band - 5 Albums (1992 - 2006)

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This project was great fun for me. It allowed me to work with my brothers Robben and Mark again and that is always a wonderful thing. On Robben's song there was the joy of having my son Gabriel in the studio doing some percussion, and so actually there are three Fords doing guest appearances. Then of course, having all those friends coming in to do guest spots was extra special. I cannot thank Lowell, Fenton, Charlie, and Chris enough for taking the time to be a part of this one. They were all great. Luther's song was recorded just a week or two before his death, and I am happy to include it in this release as he was a dear friend and is greatly missed.I cannot neglect to mention the boys in the band, for they are the essence of these recordings. They bring such a joy to every thing we do and I am honored to work with them. Thanks, fellas.-Patrick Ford

1. Tell Me Mama 3:53
2. Another Fine Day 5:09
3. Happy Anniversary Baby 4:27
4. I'm In Love 3:23
5. The Sign 5:18
6. Baby Please 2:25
7. Sahara Moon 7:02
8. Hey Sister 2:49
9. Tell Old Bill 4:43
10. Little Baby 3:36
11. That Happy Look In Your Eye 5:23
12. Luther's Lament 11:59

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The Ford Blues Band - 5 Albums (1992 - 2006)

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The Ford Blues Band - 5 Albums (1992 - 2006)

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The year is 1999, the end of a century, the end of a millennium. It is a time to remember and honor the past, and a time to look to the future. The band is Robben Ford & The Ford Blues Band, deeply rooted in the music of the blues masters and yet always on the edge, always looking for new ways to express themselves musically. With their new CD, "1999", Robben Ford & The Ford Blues Band vives honor to the past with several cover songs, including "Look Whatcha Done" by Magic Sam, "Bring It To Jerome" by Bo Diddley, and "Lovin' Cup" by Paul Butterfield. Along with these covers are many originals, including one track featuring Robben Ford on guitar and vocal.This is the seventh release by Robben Ford & The Ford Blues Band (including their album recorded with Luther Tucker shortly before his death) and it continues the tradition of hard-driving, imaginative, modern blues music. Andy Just (harp) is joined by guitarist Volker Strifler up front, while Dewayne Pate (bass) and Patrick Ford (drums) remain the driving force of the band.

1. Lovin' Cup 3:52
2. Look Whatcha Done 2:33
3. Another Kind Of Love 3:51
4. Hell And Purgatory 4:02
5. I Have My Doubts 3:32
6. Pick Up The Phone 2:32
7. Zip It Up 2:20
8. You've Got The Touch (For Lisa) 4:22
9. Bring It Home To Jerome 3:59
10. Big Band 3:51
11. Somebody Help Me 4:28
12. Watch Yourself 2:57
13. Daydreamin' 7:12

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The Ford Blues Band - 5 Albums (1992 - 2006)

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The Ford Blues Band - 5 Albums (1992 - 2006)

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Even though the Ford Blues Band has never had a problem putting across mediocre material, songwriting is not one of the outfit's strong points. With successful studio albums covering both Michael Bloomfield and his old boss Paul Butterfield already in Ford Blues Band's catalog, the group plays to its strengths with a live recording, cherrypicking the best songs from both and adding the raw energy that live concerts typically generate. The result is a crackling disc that is not surprisingly a showcase for guitarists Robben Ford, Chris Cain and Volker Strifler as well as harmonica ace Andy Just. Despite liner notes that frustratingly don't specify which of the three guitarists plays lead on the tracks – it only states which side of the speakers the musician is relegated to, which can be confusing – or the dates of the recordings, this is a rollicking performance as the Ford Blues Band charges through the songs with passion and energy. Out of the eight tracks, only six pertain directly to the titular stars, with "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" (aping a version by Butterfield) and a ten minute, slow blues workout "Blues for MB" a bit on the generic side. The performances of these are hot, but it does detract slightly from the concept and there were plenty of other tunes more directly associated with the musicians that could have been chosen. Regardless, there are too few bands that even attempt to perform Butterfield's classic "East West" instrumental (here titled "East/West Redux") so even if, at only nine minutes, this is on the short side (the original ran 13), it's a thrilling reminder of the groundbreaking aspects of Butterfield and Bloomfield in their prime. The group raids the Electric Flag catalog for its Bloomfield covers of "Killing Floor" and "Groovin' Is Easy" and adds a small horn section to replicate the originals. Their version of Bloomfield's obscure "Peter's Trip" also prominently employs sax and trumpet for a sort of Blood, Sweat & Tears approach. It is the most unusual and least bluesy selection here. Robben Ford's vocals throughout are serviceable at best, but it's his guitar that really sizzles, especially on the seven-minute version of "I Got a Mind to Give Up Living." While none of this will make fans forget the originals, it's a consistently enjoyable and well-recorded effort and the band's hearts were obviously in it. Hopefully this will inspire some new listeners to check out the sources.by Hal Horowitz

1. Killing Floor 3:35
2. East / West Redux 8:52
3. Groovin´ is easy 3:37
4. I got a mind to give up living 7:27
5. Lovin´ cup 5:08
6. Peter´s trip 5:48
7. Good morning little shoolgirl 4:36
8. Blues for MB 10:22

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The Ford Blues Band - 5 Albums (1992 - 2006)

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