News

ERIC LINDELL TO PLAY MAIN STAGE AT NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
3/23/2006
Newly signed Alligator artist Eric Lindell, whose debut release Change In The Weather hits the streets on April 4, will perform on the main stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 5.

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SOPRANOS STARS PAY A VISIT TO GUITAR SHORTY
3/23/2006
While performing in Chicago at Buddy Guy's Legends nightclub on Friday, March 17, Alligator recording star Guitar Shorty received a visit from cast members of the acclaimed HBO show The Sopranos.

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ALLIGATOR RECORDS CELEBRATES 35th ANNIVERSARY WITH DOUBLE RELEASE
3/6/2006
Alligator Records, the country's largest contemporary blues label, is celebrating its 35th anniversary with two releases hitting the street on April 4, 2006.

ALLIGATOR RECORDS CELEBRATES 35th ANNIVERSARY WITH DOUBLE RELEASE

Alligator Records, the country's largest contemporary blues label, is celebrating its 35th anniversary with two releases hitting the street on April 4, 2006. The first is a one-of-a-kind 2-CD set: ALLIGATOR RECORDS 35 X 35 -- 35 SONGS, 35 YEARS OF GENUINE HOUSEROCKIN' MUSIC, in which Alligator president Bruce Iglauer and staff look back, in chronological order, at highlights from artists’ debut releases for the label. The other release, Eric Lindell’s CHANGE IN THE WEATHER, looks forward, with an album whose completely original, roosty, funky music and hook-filled, cliche-free songs will launch Lindell into the musical mainstream.

ALLIGATOR RECORDS 35 X 35 is not just another best-of compilation. Alligator founder and president Bruce Iglauer and staff chose to spotlight songs from the Alligator debut release from each featured artist. From She's Gone (the very first track on the very first Alligator album, 1971's Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers) to the legendary Mavis Staples' chilling A Dying Man's Plea, 35 X 35 is effectively a chronological history of Alligator, a story told in music highlighting every style of blues and roots music the company has released. From the searing hard blues of Hound Dog Taylor, Son Seals, Albert Collins, Luther Allison, Koko Taylor and Buddy Guy to harmonica-driven workouts from Big Walter Horton, Carey Bell, James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite and William Clarke to the Gulf Coast piano blues of Professor Longhair, Katie Webster and Marcia Ball to the acoustic music of Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women and Corey Harris, it is clear that Alligator Records has been, and will remain, at the forefront of modern blues music in all of its many shades. With personal notes on each track from Iglauer in the accompanying 40-page booklet, 35 X 35 is proof of the staunchly independent label's single-minded vision for all these years: to record nothing but deeply rooted "Genuine Houserockin' Music."

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California-bred, New Orleans-schooled singer/ songwriter/ vocalist Eric Lindell is a roots rocker with dozens of original songs that combine soul-shaking rhythm & blues, reggae grooves and Louisiana swamp pop. Lindell is a fan favorite in his northern California turf and his adopted home of New Orleans (where he has been featured on the cover of OffBeat magazine and performed on the main stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2003. He will be playing the main stage at the Festival again this year). He is accomplished on guitar, harmonica, keyboards and bass, and has performed with some of the Crescent City's top musicians as well as some of the jam band community's biggest names (including members of Galactic). The winner of the 1999 John Lennon Songwriting Competition, Lindell is now ready to bring his rough-hewn voice and memorable original songs to the rest of the music-loving world with the release of his Alligator Records debut, CHANGE IN THE WEATHER.

CHANGE IN THE WEATHER will delight and surprise music fans hungry for an extraordinary, original artist who is just getting ready to explode. Lindell's songs are completely original and yet have an instant familiarity to them. The laid-back grooves and hook-laden melodies hint of 1970's-era Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen, but are not throwbacks as much as they are powerful, rootsy, thought-provoking and danceable contemporary songs. Traces of Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Ray Charles and Sly And The Family Stone can be found in Eric's originals, with foot-stomping grooves and horns punching in all the right places. Guests on the CD include War drummer Harold Brown, Ivan Neville and Galactic's Stanton Moore.

Born in San Mateo, California, in 1969, the former "skate-punk" spent countless hours in San Francisco, soaking up the musical sounds of the city, eventually leading him to pick up the bass, and then the guitar. Lindell listened to the music of Donny Hathaway and The Impressions as well as Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Jimmy Reed, Albert King and Stevie Wonder. Eric formed his own group in 1993 and quickly gained a loyal California audience thanks to countless performances and many late-night jam sessions. Established stars like Charlie Musselwhite and Tom Waits attended his gigs, as did overflow crowds of music fans.

Lindell gigged in New York in 1998 before heading down to New Orleans in 1999, where he discovered the Crescent City roots music scene. He gravitated toward the West Bank dive bars of Gretna and Algiers, Louisiana, befriending many older swamp pop musicians. Before long he met up with Galactic's Stanton Moore, and the two began playing together. Some of New Orleans' finest players, including Harold Brown and drummer Johnny Vidacovich, often joined him on stage. Galactic bassist Rob Mercurio began sitting in as well, and word of Lindell's immense talents began spreading around the city. Some of his famous friends and admirers include Branford Marsalis, The Neville Brothers, John Scofield, Chris Chew (North Mississippi Allstars), Vince Welnick (Grateful Dead) and Wally Ingram (David Lindley, Stockholm Syndrome). According to Lindell, "The fact that these amazing people are so complimentary to me and my music means the world to me."

With the release CHANGE IN THE WEATHER, Lindell and his band will tour heavily, giving the rest of the country the chance to discover for itself what a growing number of people already know: Eric Lindell is a musician bursting at the seams with talent, with enough original songs and inventive grooves to carry him as far as he chooses to go

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ALLIGATOR ARTISTS DOMINATE LIVING BLUES RADIO CHART’S 2005 TOP RELEASES
2/17/2006
Every 2005 Alligator release appeared on Living Blues’ Top 50 Blues Releases Radio Chart, with the label holding the top four positions.

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LEE ROCKER TO APPEAR ON THREE NATIONALLY SYNDICATED RADIO SHOWS
2/17/2006
Lee Rocker, whose new CD Racin’ The Devil is already the most successful solo album of his career, will appear on the syndicated radio programs Woodsongs, Mountain Stage, and Mancow’s Morning Madhouse.

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CORKY SIEGEL TO APPEAR ON NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO’S WAIT WAIT… DON’T TELL ME!
2/17/2006
Harmonicist/vocalist/songwriter Corky Siegel will appear on the National Public Radio quiz program, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! on Saturday, February 18.

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Alligator Records Signs Guitarist/Vocalist Eric Lindell!
1/23/2006
Alligator Records is proud to announce the signing of guitarist/ vocalist/ songwriter Eric Lindell. The California-born, New Orleans-schooled musician will release his Alligator debut, CHANGE IN THE WEATHER, in April 2006.

Alligator Records Signs Guitarist/Vocalist Eric Lindell!

ERIC LINDELL

Stellar, sublime blue-eyed soul and romping New Orleans R&B, played at the same intersection of soul, blues and roots rock as Van Morrison.

--New Orleans Times Picayune

Eric Lindell is a natural. With impressive guitar chops, a worn, smoldering voice and a rocking rhythmic sensibility, his jam-friendly style converts blues purists and dyed-in-the-wool R&B fans as well as the tattooed and pierced crowd. His voice recalls Stax and Motown-era soul, with a laid-back, hipster charisma. Eric Lindell is poised for a breakout. He has turned heads everywhere he's gone, almost instantly becoming the talk of the town wherever his musical journey has taken him.

--An Honest Tune

Born in 1969, Lindell is an "old soul" from California reinventing New Orleans R&B. He has a cool, genuine old school aura that is both natural and refreshing. Eric does his own thing in his own way and at his own pace. His melodic sensibility and fresh approach are most impressive.

--OffBeat

Alligator Records is proud to announce the signing of guitarist/ vocalist/ songwriter Eric Lindell. The California-born, New Orleans-schooled musician will release his Alligator debut, CHANGE IN THE WEATHER, in April 2006. A roots-rocker with dozens of original songs that combine soul-shaking rhythm & blues, reggae grooves, swamp pop and blues, Lindell is a fan favorite in his northern California turf and his adopted home of New Orleans (where he was featured on the cover of OffBeat magazine and performed on the main stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival). Lindell is accomplished on guitar, harmonica, keyboards and bass. He has performed with some of the Crescent City's top musicians as well as some of the jam band community's biggest names (including members of Galactic). The winner of the 1999 John Lennon Songwriting Competition for his song Kelly Ann, Lindell is now ready to bring his rough-hewn voice and memorable original songs to the rest of the music-loving world.

CHANGE IN THE WEATHER will delight and surprise music fans hungry for an extraordinary, original artist who is just getting ready to explode. Lindell's songs are cliche-free, completely original and yet have an instant familiarity to them. The laid-back grooves and hook-laden melodies hint of 1970's-era Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen, but are not throwbacks as much as they are powerful, rootsy, thought-provoking and danceable contemporary songs. Traces of Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Ray Charles and Sly And The Family Stone can be found in Eric's originals, with foot-stomping grooves coming around every corner and horns punching in all the right places. Guests on the CD include War drummer Harold Brown, Ivan Neville and Galactic’s Stanton Moore.

Born in San Mateo, California, in 1969, the former "skate-punk" spent countless hours in San Francisco, soaking up the musical sounds of the city, eventually leading him to pick up the bass, and then the guitar. Lindell listened to the music of Donny Hathaway and The Impressions as well as Buddy Guy. He discovered blues greats Junior Wells, Jimmy Reed and Albert King on his own before drifting toward the R&B sounds of Stevie Wonder, soaking up the soul and learning how to craft a song. After performing at bars on the West Coast with a few short-lived bands, Eric formed his own group in 1993 and quickly gained a loyal California audience thanks to countless performances and many late-night jam sessions. Established stars like Charlie Musselwhite and Tom Waits attended his gigs, as did overflow crowds of music fans.

Lindell left for New York in 1998, gigging there regularly before heading down to New Orleans in 1999, where he quickly discovered the roots music scene. He gravitated toward the West Bank dive bars of Gretna and Algiers, Louisiana, where he befriended many older swamp pop musicians, who helped him get more regular gigs. Before long he met up with Galactic's Stanton Moore, and the two began playing together. Some of New Orleans’ finest players, including Harold Brown and drummer Johnny Vidacovich, often joined him on stage. Galactic bassist Rob Mercurio began sitting in as well, and word of Lindell's immense talents began spreading around the city. Some of the city's biggest stars began showing up at his gigs, embracing this fresh California kid's funky music. Some of his famous friends and admirers include Branford Marsalis, The Neville Brothers, John Scofield, Chris Chew (North Mississippi Allstars), Vince Welnick (Grateful Dead) and Wally Ingram (David Lindley, Stockholm Syndrome). According to Lindell, “The fact that these amazing people are so complimentary to me and my music means the world to me.”

Lindell's live shows draw as much attention as his material. His unstoppable grooves, rocking, deeply rooted, original songs and excellent musicianship always fill the dance floor. With the release CHANGE IN THE WEATHER, Lindell and his band will tour heavily, giving the rest of the country the chance to discover for themselves what a growing number of people already know: Eric Lindell is a musician bursting at the seams with talent, with enough original songs and inventive grooves to carry him as far as he chooses to go.

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ALLIGATOR RECORDS KICKS OFF 35th ANNIVERSARY WITH DOUBLE RELEASE
1/3/2006
Alligator Records kicks off its 35th anniversary year by setting a January 31 release date for RACIN' THE DEVIL, the new CD from Stray Cat bassist Lee Rocker, and DELUXE EDITION, the "best of" CD from acoustic blues trio Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women.

ALLIGATOR RECORDS KICKS OFF 35th ANNIVERSARY WITH DOUBLE RELEASE

ALLIGATOR RECORDS KICKS OFF 35th ANNIVERSARY WITH DOUBLE RELEASE

Alligator Records kicks off its 35th anniversary year by setting a January 31 release date for RACIN' THE DEVIL, the new CD from Stray Cat bassist Lee Rocker, and DELUXE EDITION, the "best of" CD from acoustic blues trio Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women.

With musical muscle from his road-tested band (guitarists Brophy Dale and Buzz Campbell and drummer Jimmy Sage) RACIN' THE DEVIL is Rocker's most diverse album yet, and an Americana music fan's dream come true. The CD features twelve rootsy songs of scorching rockabilly, roadhouse romps and straight-ahead, old-school rock 'n' roll, highlighted by nine originals that are by far the strongest of his career. And his reinventions of The Stray Cats mega-hit Rock This Town and his first post-Cats band Phantom, Rocker & Slick's Runnin' From The Hounds are foot-stomping and ecstatic statements of pure joy.

The Chicago Tribune describes Rocker's playing as "muscular and passionate." The Washington Post says his music consists of "impressive, catchy, driving original songs, frantic romps, finger-snapping swing and brooding slow blues." Rolling Stone declares, "Lee Rocker's singing naturally captures the spirit of rock 'n' roll. His catchy, well-written songs are very difficult to get out of your head."

Born Leon Drucker in Massapequa, Long Island in 1961 to world-renowned classical musician parents, Rocker grew up with music all around him. He began taking classical cello lessons at age eight and initially hated them, but ultimately grew to enjoy playing. As his ears widened into rock 'n' roll, he picked up the electric bass, and quickly mastered the instrument. During grade school, his close friends included Jimmy McDonnell (later to become Slim Jim Phantom) and Brian Setzer. The three jammed together often, playing a wide variety of rock 'n' roll, before discovering classic blues musicians like Muddy Waters and rockabilly giants like Carl Perkins. Rocker picked up the acoustic bass to emulate the sounds he heard on those records, and the band began playing more and more roots music. By 1979, this trio, now known as The Stray Cats, began to single-handedly revive rockabilly music in the U.S. and eventually around the world.

Adding a contemporary punk attitude to traditional slap-bass, twangy guitar and drums, The Stray Cats headlined famous New York haunts like CBGB's and Max's Kansas City, drawing overflow crowds every time they played. They moved to London in 1980 and became an even bigger success, even attracting The Rolling Stones to their shows. The group's first American album, 1982's Built For Speed, became a huge hit, and held the #2 spot on the Billboard chart for 26 weeks, right behind Michael Jackson's Thriller.

By 1984 the group was exhausted and decided to temporarily call it quits. But the furious touring of the early 1980s turned Rocker into one of the best showmen working in any genre. In 1985 Rocker and Phantom hooked up with ex-David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick to form Phantom, Rocker & Slick, scoring a minor hit with the song Men Without Shame. The Stray Cats reformed in 1986, performing together briefly. Rocker never stopped rocking, as he befriended and collaborated with his hero Carl Perkins as well as with Dave Edmunds, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jeff Beck and Willie Nelson.

Rocker's solo career took off in 1994 with the release of Big Blue and in 1995 with Atomic Boogie Hour, both on Black Top Records. Four more releases followed, and Rocker toured relentlessly, becoming one of the premiere Americana/ rockabilly/ roots artists in the U.S. and Europe. In 2002, Rocker toured the U.S. with ex-Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore. His 2003 CD Bulletproof found a large and appreciative audience, as he continued to perform all around the country. That same year, The Stray Cats reunited for an 18-city tour of Europe, culminating in a filmed show at London's Brixton Academy. The show was released on DVD as Rumble In Brixton in 2004.

With RACIN' THE DEVIL, Rocker has made the best solo album of his career. From garage rockers and deeply textured roots anthems to the rockabilly sounds he helped reinvent, the album is a rich piece of Americana, as timeless and unique as the music Rocker fell in love with as a youngster. The originals bite with a powerful snap, the covers become his personal statements, and the playing is first-rate, raucous, rocking and fun. A full tour calendar will bring Rocker's high-energy live shows to fans across the country.

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With the release of their self-titled Alligator debut album back in 1990, Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women burst on the blues scene at a time when male-dominated, electric guitar-fueled bands ruled the roost. With their infectious acoustic blues Saffire reestablished and updated the long tradition of uppity women blues singers like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace and Memphis Minnie. Mixing first-rate musicianship with equal parts of sass, soul and humor, Saffire unleashed unforgettable originals-composed with humor and poignancy-alongside definitive versions of classic blues songs. Living Blues raved, "Saffire effectively bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary blues with grit, unpredictability and authority."

The group as a whole and all three women individually have received numerous Blues Music Award nominations from The Blues Foundation, and won the Blues Song of the Year Award in 1991 for Adegbalola's The Middle Aged Blues Boogie. In 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1999 Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women were nominated for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year. Rabson received two nominations in 1998 (Acoustic Blues Album of the Year and Traditional Blues Album of the Year) for MUSIC MAKIN' MAMA. She received the nomination for Traditional Blues--Female Artist of the Year in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and is nominated again for the 2006 Award. Faye received nominations in 2004 and 2005 for Blues Instrumentalis of the Year--Other (mandolin/violin).

Thanks to the undeniable talents, sassy attitudes and constant touring of pianist/guitarist/vocalist Ann Rabson, guitarist/harmonicist/vocalist Gaye Adegbalola and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Andra Faye, Saffire have continued to spread their message wide and far. Over the course of six outstanding studio albums and one foot-stomping live release, Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women have earned legions of fans of all ages and genders all across the country and around the world. DELUXE EDITION captures some of the best songs and performances from these releases, featuring over 75 minutes of material selected by the band.

It's been over 20 years since Ann Rabson joined forces with her guitar student, Gaye Adegbalola (a former award-winning 8th grade science teacher) and they set course for a full-time music career. After gigging around their hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia, they quickly developed a substantial regional following. Ann and Gaye, along with the band's original bassist, Earlene Lewis, pooled their money and recorded an album that they forwarded to Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer. The original songs and the musicianship, but most of all the feisty personality that shone through, impressed Iglauer. Although he had never signed or recorded an all-acoustic act before, he couldn't get them out of his mind.

Their debut album, 1990's SAFFIRE-THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN, became one of Alligator's biggest selling releases ever. Gaye won a Blues Music Award for "Song Of The Year" for her raucous Middle-Aged Blues Boogie. The group quickly went from being local favorites to internationally recognized blues stars, sharing stages with Koko Taylor, B.B. King, Ray Charles and Willie Dixon, who said of the band, "They knock me out." National media outlets like Entertainment Tonight, CNN's Showbiz Today, and National Public Radio's Weekend Edition ran feature stories on the band. Saffire had definitely arrived. Their follow-up albums, 1991's HOT FLASH and 1992's BROADCASTING, took Saffire to even greater heights. Constant touring and increased radio play earned the group new fans everywhere they went. "Even people who don't like the blues can't resist them," declared The Washington Post. With the departure of original bassist Lewis after the release of HOT FLASH, BROADCASTING featured multi-instrumentalist Andra Faye rounding out the sound. Andra's mastery of all things stringed and her country-tinged vocals added a new dimension to Saffire's music.

The band's subsequent tour and album, 1994's OLD, NEW, BORROWED & BLUE, brought Andra into the band full-time, and their fan base continued to swell. Features in MS. and an interview on National Public Radio's Fresh Air spread the word all across the country. Their subsequent albums, 1996's CLEANING HOUSE, 1998's LIVE & UPPITY and 2001's AIN'T GONNA HUSH! earned the band hordes of new fans and mountains of critical acclaim. Throughout all of their albums and live performances, Rabson, Adegbalola and Faye combine their voices and instruments to create a rollicking mix of soulful energy and infectious spirit.

DELUXE EDITION will delight old fans and invite a host of new fans into the world of Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women. "These three middle-aged women look more like fugitives from a Tupperware party than a typical blues band," The Chicago Tribune reported after a characteristically buoyant Saffire gig. "But appearances can be deceiving, as these musicians demonstrated by tearing up the stage with their high-powered, take-no-prisoners approach." With DELUXE EDITION, Saffire's soulful, uplifting music will make certain their message continues to be heard loud and clear.

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THE SIEGEL-SCHWALL BAND’S “FLASH FORWARD” MAKES TOP TEN LISTS
12/28/2005
The Siegel-Schwall Band's 2005 Alligator Records release, FLASH FORWARD, made numerous critics' Top Ten Blues Releases of 2005 lists.

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BLUES LEGEND CORKY SIEGEL APPEARS ON NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO'S WEEKEND EDITION
12/16/2005
Multi-instrumentalist/vocalist/composer Corky Siegel visited with National Public Radio’s Scott Simon on “Weekend Edition” on Saturday, December 17, 2005.

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NINE ALLIGATOR ARTISTS RECEIVE 17 BLUES MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS
12/14/2005
The Blues Foundation today announced the nominees for the 2006 Blues Music Awards. Nine Alligator recording artists received a total of 17 nominations.

NINE ALLIGATOR ARTISTS RECEIVE 17 BLUES MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS

NINE ALLIGATOR ARTISTS RECEIVE 17 BLUES MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS!

The Blues Foundation today announced the nominees for the 2006 Blues Music Awards. Nine Alligator recording artists received a total of 17 nominations. Austin-based singer/songwriter/pianist Marcia Ball (who was recently nominated for a Grammy© Award) led the pack, receiving four nominations. Singing sensation Shemekia Copeland followed with three nominations. Little Charlie and the Nightcats received one, with Rick Estrin and Little Charlie Baty each receiving an individual nod. Likewise, the Holmes Brothers received one, with drummer Popsy Dixon receiving an individual nomination. Carey Bell, The Siegel-Schwall Band, Mavis Staples, Ann Rabson (of Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women) and Koko Taylor each received one nomination. The Blues Music Awards (formally known as the W.C. Handy Awards ceremony and concert will be held May 11, 2006 at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis. For a full list of the nominees, go to http://www.blues.org/about/news.php4?Id=221.

Alligator artists and nominations are as follows:

MARCIA BALL

B.B. King Entertainer of the Year

Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year - "Live! Down The Road"

Contemporary Female Blues Artist of the Year

Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year

SHEMEKIA COPELAND

Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year - "The Soul Truth"

Contemporary Female Blues Artist of the Year

Song Of The Year – “Who Stole My Radio?” written by John Hahn and Joe Hudson, performed by Shemekia Copeland, “The Soul Truth”

LITTLE CHARLIE AND THE NIGHTCATS

Band of the Year

Instrumentalist – Guitar (Little Charlie Baty)

Instrumentalist – Harmonica (Rick Estrin)

HOLMES BROTHERS

Band of the Year

Instrumentalist – Drums (Popsy Dixon)

KOKO TAYLOR

Traditional Female Blues Artist of the Year

MAVIS STAPLES

Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year

SIEGEL SCHWALL BAND

Comeback Album of the Year – “Flash Forward”

CAREY BELL

Instrumentalist - Harmonica

ANN RABSON (of SAFFIRE-THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN)

Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year

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PIANIST/VOCALIST/SONGWRITER MARCIA BALL RECEIVES GRAMMY© AWARD NOMINATION!
12/8/2005
Alligator Records is proud to announce that Marcia Ball received a Grammy© Award nomination for her 2005 release, LIVE! DOWN THE ROAD, in the Best Traditional Blues Album category.