About this product

Product Identifiers

Record LabelCD Baby, Cdb

UPC0707541932127

eBay Product ID (ePID)20046059147

Product Key Features

Release Year2007

FormatCD

GenreBlues

ArtistMel Ford

Release TitleAlley Cat

Dimensions

Item Height0.40 in

Item Weight0.19 lb

Item Length5.60 in

Item Width4.90 in

Additional Product Features

Number of Tracks14

Number of Discs1

TracksAlley Cat, Can't Be True, Around the Next Corner, That Girl's All Woman, Freshness Date, She's Hot, Call It Love, Gamblin' Woman, On a Roll, Jobless Recovery, Party Girl, Back Roads, Love Will Find a Way, Molly's Rag

NotesIn this day and age, it's quite a feat if a relationship lasts for fourteen years. But when the relationship is between five musicians who have traveled tens of thousands of miles to play thousands of live gigs during that time span, the relationship borders on incredible, if not miraculous. The Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band endures because these guys still love making music together. You see that spirit at any of their frequent live shows. This is a group with three potential leaders. But one strength of the band is their willingness to share the spotlight with each other, knowing the truth of the old adage about strength in numbers. Some listeners level criticism at the group for being a "show" band. These comments discount that joyful spirit of making music that the band has never lost - and miss the point that people like to be entertained while listening to music. This new recording contains tunes that have been staples of the group's live shows over the last few years. After two live recordings, the band felt this batch of songs would be best served by recording in a studio environment. The songs have been honed down to their true essence on the bandstand without sacrificing any of the energy or vitality of the performance. And once you hear this disc, you will immediately realize that the band rocked the studio just as hard as they do the live stage !!! 'Andy Linderman is one of my very favorite harp players. His tone and phrasing are tops in my book.' Gary Primich premier harp player 'I remain a fan and supporter of your work as one of the most dynamic electric harmonica players of your generation.' Dan Aykroyd actor, musician "From lowdown to uptown, Mel is one of the finest blues players in the Midwest, if not the country." Ben Sidran, musician/producer "Andy Linderman is a great player, a great heart, a great musicality and energy, and a great friend." Corky Siegel, musician/producer "Can't remember if Mel plays any tunes about cars, but he does rock the blues like a demon." Isthmus Critics' Choice Though Chicago isn't far away, Wisconsin isn't often thought of as a home to great blues. Think again: The Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band is thoroughly pro. Andy blows harmonica on the virtuoso level, with great tone and an apparently endless stock of ideas, and beats the odds by doing it gracefully. Ford, likewise, is terrific and toneful. Both men sing well, and the band (featuring keyboardist Jimmy Voegeli) is downright tight, carrying off long running times without filler. Tom Hyslop, Blues Review This is not your average Wisconsin bar band: Westside Andy (harp) and Ford (guitar) have too many chops to be denied, and the group fairly smolders on this live set. Check out what caught Gary Primich's ear for yourself, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. (False Dog) Blues Access.