Blues
Born 3 October 1951, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Harmonica player Branch was raised in Los Angeles, but returned to Chicago to study political science at the University of Illinois. He soon became involved in the local blues scene, playing at Queen Bee's and Theresa's Lounge, but he first came to public notice at a widely reported and highly controversial "Battle Of The Harmonicas", hosted by Little Mack Simmons. Branch's initial recording was backing McKinley Mitchell, and the first tracks under his own name were made for Barrelhouse Records in 1975. He subsequently worked with Willie Dixon's Chicago Blues All-Stars, and formed the acclaimed Sons Of Blues with Lurrie Bell, Freddie Dixon and Garland Whiteside. Branch is now established as an experienced session musician, playing with Lou Rawls, Johnny Winter, Albert King, and Koko Taylor among others. In 1990 he joined Carey Bell, Junior Wells and James Cotton for the Alligator Records recording sessions which resulted in the W.C. Handy Award-winning Harp Attack!. Branch is now widely regarded as one of the best of the new generation of harmonica blues players, and is also a fine singer. He is also committed to teaching young people about the blues through his Blues In The Schools programme.
The variety of styles on this CD, clearly show Billy Branch's masterful versatility and expertise on the harp.
This recording stands as a shining example of why Branch is held in such high regard by his fellow harmonica players. He surrounds himself with some very capable sidemen, let's them build a solid musical base and then proceeds to dazzle the listener. Each song is a classic in itself and the album demonstrates Branch's amazing vocal ability as well.
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Chicago is a tough town to be a Blues harmonica player. It's not that there aren't enough places to play, it's simply that Chicago is home to so many great harp masters. On any given night you can find dozens performing at bars in nearly every section of town and in the outlying suburbs. To stand out, you have to be one hell of a great harp blower.
Billy Branch definitely stands out as one of the best. Branch learned his Blues growing up in Los Angeles and honed his skills when he came back to Chicago to attend school. Stints with Willie Dixon and The Sons Of The Blues only served to make his raw talent even better.
This recording stands as a shining example of why Branch is held in such high regard by his fellow harmonica players. He surrounds himself with some very capable sidemen, let's them build a solid musical base and then proceeds to dazzle the listener. Each song is a classic in itself and the album demonstrates Branch's amazing vocal ability as well.
I hope that Billy Branch makes a lot more recordings in the future. He definitely deserves the limelight in a city that already shines so brightly.
By Peter Krampert.
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Billy Branch- Vocals, Harmonica
Carl Weathersby- Guitar
David Torkanowsky- Piano, Organ
George Porter- Bass
Herman Ernest- Drums, Percussion
Kip Bacque- Guitar 3,5,6
Nick Lewis- Bass 2,5,9
Robert Sunda- Bass 4,7
Tracy C'vello- Percussion 3,4,8
Alisa Peebles Yarbrough- Vocals 3 & Backing Vocals
Calvin Yarbrough, Benita Arterberry- Backing Vocals
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01. It's A Crazy Mixed Up World
02. Pay Or Stay
03. Kissing My Love
04. Hey Baby (You're Looking Real Good)
05. Satisfy Me
06. Highway Blues
07. One Chance With You
08. Heart In Your Life
09. Son Of Juke
10. Same Thing
11. Boogie Man
12. Goin' Down
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