Genuine Houserockin' Music:
JOHNNY WINTER almost single-handedly led the American blues/rock movement fifteen years ago, and he's been a major star ever since. His flashing, high-energy guitar and raw vocals are among the best-known sounds in today's music. Johnny's debut Alligator album,Guitar Slinger (AL 4735) was a 1984 Grammy nominee. Sound the Bell is a highlight of his latest album, Serious Business (AL 4742).
KOKO TAYLOR is the undisputed Queen of the Blues. She's toured the world over, and has won every award the blues has to offer, including a 1984 Grammy. Her earthshaking voice is one of the most powerful instruments you'll ever hear. Koko's four Alligator albums are I Got What It Takes (AL 4706), The Earthshaker (AL 4711), From The Heart Of A Woman (AL 4724), and Queen Of The Blues (AL 4740), which includes Come To Mama. Koko also appears on Blues Deluxe (XRT 9301), recorded live at ChicagoFest.
LONNIE MACK is one of America's great roadhouse rockers. Since he sprang onto the national scene back in 1963 with his Top 10 hit, Memphis, his powerhouse guitar has been an inspiration to a generation of rockers from Eric Clapton to Keith Richards. Satisfy Suzie is from Lonnie's first Alligator album, Strike Like Lightning (AL 4739). The second guitar solo was contributed by one of Lonnie's biggest fans (and the album's co-producer), Stevie Ray Vaughan.
ALBERT COLLINS, "The Master Of The Telecaster," has been described as "the most powerful blues guitarist touring today." His searing Texas guitar and wry vocals have taken him to stages across the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan; in 1985 he appeared in the historic "Live Aid" spectacular. Albert has cut six albums for Alligator. His latest, Showdown! (AL 4743), features guest appearances by two of his famous proteges, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland. Albert's other recordings are Ice Pickin' (AL 4713), Frostbite (AL 4719), Frozen Alive! (AL 4725), Don't Lose Your Cool (AL 4730) and Live In Japan (AL 4733).
SON SEALS is the leading Chicago bluesman of his generation. Since his first recordings for Alligator back in 1973, he's won worldwide fame as an incisive songwriter, gruff vocalist, and, above all, a super-aggressive contemporary blues guitarist. Goin' Home comes from his most recent album, Bad Axe (AL 4738), which won the W.C. Handy Award as the Best American Blues Album of 1985. His other albums are The Son Seals Blues Band (AL 4703), Midnight Son (AL 4708), Live and Burning (AL 4712), and Chicago Fire (AL 4720). Son also appears on the live album Blues Deluxe (XRT 9301).
LONNIE BROOKS brings a taste of Louisiana rock and funk to his Chicago blues. Blessed with a gigantic voice, a ferociously energetic guitar style and terrific songwriting talent (his tunes have been cut by Johnny Winter and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, among others), Lonnie has cut three albums for Alligator. Don't Take Advantage Of Me is from his latest, Hot Shot (AL 4731). His other records are Bayou Lightning (AL 4714) and Turn On The Night (AL 4721). Lonnie also delivers a fiery performance on Blues Deluxe (XRT 9301).
ROY BUCHANAN had already earned international acclaim as a ground-breaking guitarist (and earned two gold albums) before signing with Alligator in 1985. His totally unpredictable playing, shimmering tone and outrageous attack have made him a "guitarist's guitarist." Roy's debut Alligator album, When A Guitar Plays The Blues (AL 4741), has been hailed by the critics (and by Roy) as his best record ever. Short Fuse is a taste of that album.
FENTON ROBINSON's jazz-tinged guitar and soaring voice have made him a living legend on the Chicago blues scene, as well as in Europe and Japan (where he's been dubbed "the Mellow Blues Genious"). Fenton's a great songwriter, too. His classic, Somebody Loan Me A Dime, has become a blues standard as a result of Fenton's own recording and the Boz Scaggs version. Fenton's three Alligator albums are Somebody Loan Me A Dime (AL 4705), I Hear Some Blues Downstairs (AL 4710) and the album that includes Laundry Man, Nightflight (AL 4736).
JIMMY JOHNSON is one of Chicago's top-drawing bluesmen. His reputation is built on his soulful, gospel-influenced vocals and his knife-in-the-ribs guitar. Bar Room Preacher (AL 4744), Jimmy's first album for Alligator and the fourth of his career, was cut during a recent tour of France. You Don't Know What Love Is is Jimmy's passionate treatment of a Fenton Robinson song.
JAMES COTTON "Mr. Superharp," is the master of the boogie harmonica and rockin' blues. James is one of the best-known blues performers in the world, famous for his sweaty all-night performances and his tight, funky band, plus, of course, that explosive harmonica. High Compression (AL 4737) is the eighth album of Cotton's career,and his first for Alligator.
HOUND DOG TAYLOR AND THE HOUSEROCKERS were the first band ever to record for Alligator. Their incredibly raw, no-holds-barred slide guitar boogie made them one of Chicago's most popular bands. Before Hound Dog's death in 1975, they toured the world over, inciting crowds everywhere to fits of spontaneous dancing and rampant craziness. Don't Blame Me is a NEVER-BEFORE-RELEASED tune from the1973 sessions that produced Natural Boogie (AL 4704). Hound Dog's other albums are Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers (AL 4701), Beware Of The Dog! (AL 4707) and Genuine Houserocking Music (AL 4727). Hound Dog's spirit lives on in every Alligator release.