Search - Bobby Rush :: Essential Recordings 1

In the last several years Bobby Rush has gained new, international audiences for his music, largely due to his compelling performances in the film "The Road to Memphis" from Martin Scorsese?s PBS Blues series. On the chitlin? circuit Bobby Rush?s charms have been known for decades, but a lot of his new fans are wondering just where this magical performer came from. The inaugural volume of Rush?s Essential Recordings series begins to answer that question, presenting a mix of old hits, standards from his live shows, as well a couple of other surprises. For the first issue we?ve pulled out some unreleased treasures from the archives. Bobby lends his characteristic "folk funk" approach to Al Green?s Take Me To the River, while Dedication is a seven-minute plus acoustic tribute to friends that have passed, including Muddy, Wolf, John Lee Hooker, as well as fellow harmonica players Little Walter, Junior Parker, and Junior Wells. The second volume goes a step further in uncovering Bobby Rush?s roots in Chicago which stretch back to the early ?50s. Highlights of volume two feature unreleased tracks that pay tribute to some old friends and influences. Same Thing updates Muddy Waters? salute to the one thing that unifies the human race?at least the male part of it?while Bobby pulls out his harp for Sonny Boy Williamson II?s Help Me, with its menacing bass line.