Phantom Blues Band Blues For Breakfast (CD)

(Little Village Foundation) 12 tracks, digisleeve

The Phantom Blues Band began compiling Out Of The Shadows in 2006, an album that stretched the band and was enthusiastically received at every turn.

The Phantom Blues Band - drummer Tony Braunagel, bassist/vocalist Larry Fulcher, guitarist/vocalist Johnny Lee Schell, saxophonist Joe Sublett, trumpeter Les Lovitt and keyboardist/vocalist Mike Finnigan - is a resilient unit. At various times, its members have backed just about every big-name band, but they've also continued to help Taj when he's needed them.

On his own, Phantom recorded Out Of The Shadows and Footprints for Delta Groove in 2007, and Inside Out and 2020's Still Cookin', both for VizzTone, in 2012.

It's a pretty remarkable testament that these guys, first choice sidemen for the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Etta James, Joe Cocker, Robert Cray, Eric Burdon and Bob Marley, among others, always seem to return to their nest with the Phantom Blues Band.  Uncommon loyalty and genuine camaraderie are the character traits that come to mind.

The members of the Phantom Blues Band can be proud of their accumulated musical experience, but they know that this project is something special.