Chewy Thunderfoot Black

SONO 1059

The master of Rhythm & Blues has now recorded an album of hard hitting performances of some of the best examples of a truly special kind of music!

Chewy started his musical career as a trombonist, playing in road bands and paying his “"blues dues!”" Racking up time in the bands of Johnny Adams, Joe Tex, Bill “"Summertime" Hemmings, Z. Z. Hill, Buddy Ace, Tommy Ridgley, Earl King, Lee Bates and many others, he learned the business from the bandstand. It was with Z.Z. Hill that Chewy was pressed into service as a drummer. Having the years of playing in front of great drummers, he picked it up immediately and never looked back. After the passing of Z.Z. Hill, Chewy joined the Buddy Ace band as an opening singer, later to become drummer and Musical Director

until Buddy’'s untimely death. At that point, Chewy struck out on his own as a “"front man”" and band leader. Holding down a steady spot at the R&B Club on Bourbon Street for several years, Chewy has earned the respect of all of the performers in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Chewy and the band puts on a great show night after night that keeps patrons in the club until the wee wee hours, dancing, clapping and singing along with the strong style of R&B that Chewy sings with a strong spirit.

Many performers take a shot at singing for a living, but Chewy sings for love of the music and the living comes along as a benefit. Taking his craft to a higher level on this current recording of great R&B songs, Chewy is staking out his place in the long line of great artists from New Orleans. The songs chosen by Chewy to be included in this album show off several of Chewy’'s musical facets, and you can bet that there are more examples to follow in the future.

Chewy Thunderfoot Black sings these R&B classics with the truly funky New Orleans flavor. These songs will please the R&B purist as well as the people in need of a CD to get the party started and keeping it rocking. With a big horn section on top of burning rhythm, this is a strong album that will kick down the door and come on in! Great grooves and exciting solos and soulful singing with beautiful background vocals in the right places. A pleasure to the senses.

1. Who’'s Makin’' Love To Your Old Lady- A Johnny Taylor classic

2. Rainy Night In Georgia- Brook Benton’'s version of the Tony Joe White jem.

3. Jody’'s Got Your Girl- A bar room favorite

3. Fever- Little Willie John

4. Sick & Tired- Chris Kenner’'s New Orleans anthem

5. Help Me Make It Through The Night- Kristofferson’'s standard

6. Damn Sho Get Over You- A Buddy Ace favorite

7. Drift Away- Dobie Gray’'s “"Gimme the beat boys

8. Love Of Mine- A Buddy Ace barn burner

10. Bring It On Home To Me- Sam Cooke had Lou Rawls on BG vocal, Chewy has Carl Dennis

11. Uhh- Joe Louis Walker didn’'t do it this way

12. I Feel Good- James Brown’'s annuity

Musicians

Bass- Angelo Nocentelli

Keyboards- Ricky McQuillis

Guitar- Allen “"Alpo Poché

Saxophones- Jerry Jumonville

Drums- Alfred Salvant

Drums (Sick & Tired) Chewy

Drums (Drift Away) Jon Massing

Percussion- Doug Cheatwood

Background vocals- Carl Dennis

Horn Arrangements: Jerry Jumonville

Recorded at Sound Of New Orleans Studio, November 2002

Engineers: Gary Edwards & Doug Cheatwood

Mastered at Factory Masters, New Orleans: Joe Doherty assisted by Starr Wilson

Photography by Tracie Morris Schaefer; Donn Young Photography, New Orleans

Graphic design: Green’'s Graphics, New Orleans

Produced for Sound Of New Orleans by Gary J. Edwards