B.B. and The Blues Shacks London Days (LP)

(2010) CrossCut
one of Europe's leading blues and roots bands, performing almost 150 shows a year. With a touring experience of more than twenty years they travel near and far, from Norway to Austria, from Moscow to Barcelona. In 2008 they played the prestigious Doheny Blues Festival in Southern California, sharing the bill with Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray and Little Feat. They are well-known for their original blend of swinging and grooving blues, deeply rooted in 1940s and '50s jump blues. At least since their 2008 album release, 'Unique Taste' (CCD 11096) the B.B.s, as the band is lovingly called by their fans, have advanced in style and sound. The new songs, all but one written collectively by the Arlt brothers, are combining the powerful blues foundation with elegant soul harmonies.

Lead vocalist and harmonica player Michael Arlt became a member of Europe's Premier League of Blues and Soul vocalists, a long time ago. His elegant and economical play has earned guitarist Andreas Arlt the reputation of being one of Europe's greatest blues instrumentalists. Skillful Dennis Koeckstadt on piano, the band's youngster, knows how to play the blues the way the old masters did. Henning Hauerken, representing half of the grooving rhythm section, feels equally at home playing upright bass, or bass guitar. Along with drummer Bernhard Egger, who joined the band in 2006, he is delivering the pulsating rhythm backbone of the band. B.B. & THE BLUES SHACKS recorded their new album in London. They had been invited by Liam Watson, one of today's most in-demand producers, to record at his ToeRag Studios. Liam recorded and produced 'Elephant', the seminal album by the White Stripes. He also produced the last few James Hunter albums.

In December 2009, the album was recorded 'live' in the studio with almost no overdubs. The B.B.s have been supported by organ player Raphael Wressnig from Austria. The horn section featured on a couple of tracks has worked with Van Morrison a.o. Within a week fifteen tracks were nailed down, an entertaining list of songs with moving soul ballads, grooving dance tunes and deep blues. B.B. & THE BLUES SHACKS did never comply with the image of an average European Chicago style blues, or blues/rock band. With the release of 'London Days' these guys are raising the bar in terms of contemporary soul/blues to new heights! -