Roomful Of Blues
Wikimp3 information about the music of Roomful Of Blues. On our website we have 34 albums and 70 collections of artist Roomful Of Blues. You can find useful information and download songs of this artist. We also know that Roomful Of Blues represents Blues genres.
Biography
[Edit]Over the course of their decades-long existence, Roomful of Blues effectively became a franchise unto themselves, built more on a brand-name collective identity than on the voices of the myriad individual members who kept the band a smoothly humming machine. Describing Roomful of Blues that way, however, gives short shrift to the many accomplished musicians who have emerged from the band's ranks over the years: guitarists Duke Robillard and Ronnie Earl, organist Ron Levy, pianist Al Copley, singer Lou Ann Barton, vocalist/harmonica player Sugar Ray Norcia, and drummer Fran Christina (later of the Fabulous Thunderbirds), to name the most prominent. Plus, the band's horn section blossomed into a renowned freelancing unit, backing countless other artists both on-stage and in the studio. They've evolved over the years, too; from a swinging jump blues revivalist group into expert blues historians with a handle on numerous regional variations: Texas, the West Coast, Chicago, New Orleans, Kansas City. Perhaps the best way to put it is that regardless of who was in the group, Roomful of Blues just kept going strong.
A nine-piece outfit for the majority of their existence, Roomful of Blues were founded in Westerly, RI, all the way back in 1967, by guitarist Duke Robillard and pianist Al Copley. Settling on drummer Fran Christina and bassist Larry Peduzzi, the group began playing around the local club and coffeehouse circuit, initially pursuing a contemporary blues-rock style. Robillard quickly rethought their direction when he discovered jump blues, and in 1970 he added a horn section featuring saxophonists Greg Piccolo (tenor) and Rich Lataille (alto/tenor), plus a more swinging drummer in John Rossi; baritone saxophonist Doug James joined up in 1971. After a couple of years honing their sound and achieving local popularity, Roomful of Blues started supporting established blues artists, and started what would become a 15-year residency at the Knickerbocker Cafe in Westerly. In 1974, they gigged with Count Basie, a professed admirer, and after a few more years of live work, songwriter Doc Pomus finally helped the band get a record deal with Island. Their self-titled debut was released in 1977, and they followed it up with 1979's Let's Have a Party for Antilles. Robillard subsequently left the group to pursue other projects, eventually finding considerable success as a solo artist.
Robillard's spot as guitarist and bandleader was taken by Ronnie Earl, and trombonist Porky Cohen was also added to flesh out the horn section. Meanwhile, female vocalist Lou Ann Barton spent a year with the group, and saxophonist Piccolo subsequently took over, making his vocal debut on 1981's Hot Little Mama (recorded for Blue Flame); the same year, trumpeter Bob Enos joined the group, as did bassist Jimmy Wimpfheimer (who was replaced by Preston Hubbard in 1983). Roomful of Blues' reputation had been growing steadily in the blues world, and they soon attracted more mainstream notice by serving as a studio backing group for legends like Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (1982's Eddie Cleanhead Vinson & Roomful of Blues), Big Joe Turner (1983's Blues Train), and Earl King (1988's Glazed); all three albums in question earned Grammy nominations. Roomful of Blues hit the studios on their own as well, signing with Varrick and recording 1984's Dressed Up to Get Messed Up. Helped by good timing, the record raised the group's profile even further following the emergence of Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and they were able to tour heavily behind it. Unfortunately, Piccolo needed throat surgery, and at first Keith Dunn filled his spot in concert; vocalist/harpist Curtis Salgado was brought in as a longer-term replacement, and fronted the group on 1987's Live at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel; new organist Ron Levy also made his debut there, replacing Copley.
Unfortunately, Ronnie Earl left the group later that year, and while Roomful of Blues remained a popular touring attraction, it would be seven years before they would pull together and reenter the recording studio (at least, on their own; they did back Pat Benatar on 1991's True Love). Predictably, several personnel shifts ensued: Salgado left when Piccolo's voice healed; trombonist Cohen was replaced by Carl Querfurth in 1988 (later serving as the group's producer as well); guitarist Chris Vachon joined in 1990; and new pianist Matt McCabe came on board in 1992. With a trail of busted record deals behind them, Roomful of Blues eventually bankrolled their own sessions and found a home for the result, Dance All Night, on Bullseye Blues in 1994. With Piccolo now departed, Ronnie Earl's longtime friend Sugar Ray Norcia handled vocals and harmonica, and stuck around for the subsequent Bullseye albums Turn It On! Turn It Up! (1995, nominated for a Grammy) and Under One Roof (1997). Following the latter, a mass exodus of personnel left Roomful of Blues down to just a core of drummer Rossi, guitarist Vachon, trumpeter Enos, and saxman Lataille (even the long-running horn team was broken up). The remaining members restored the band to a nine-piece fronted by new vocalist McKinley "Mac" Odom, and returned in 1998 with There Goes the Neighborhood. Prior to recording their next album, longtime stalwart Rossi finally retired from the band and was replaced by Chris Lemp on 2001's Watch You When You Go. Looking to return to a more traditional blues sound, in early 2002 the band replaced Odom with singer/harpist Mark DuFresne. The group moved to Alligator Records in 2003 for That's Right, following it with a string of consistent albums for the label, including 2005's Standing Room Only, 2008's Raisin' a Ruckus, and 2011's Hook, Line & Sinker. The band celebrated their 45th anniversary in 2012 with 45 Live, recorded over three nights at Ocean Mist in Rhode Island. Alligator released the album from those shows the following year. ~ Steve Huey & Al Campbell, Rovi
Title: The Best of Roomful of Blues - The Alligator Records Years
Artist: Roomful Of Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Dressed Up to Get Messed Up
Artist: Roomful Of Blues
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Blues, Rock, Pop, Pop Rock
Title: Roomful of Christmas
Artist: Roomful Of Blues
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Blues, Traditional Pop Music
Title: Roomful With Vinson And Turner
Artist: Roomful Of Blues, Joe Turner, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson
Genre: Jazz
Collections
Title: The Most Essential Jump Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Best of Jump Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Rare Jump Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Jukebox Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Shakin' All Over: Jukebox Dance Party
Genre: Blues
Title: United States of Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Blues in the Bar - Blues Drinkin' Songs
Genre: Blues
Title: Chill Out Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Top 20 Blues Rock
Genre: Blues
Title: Greatest Blues: The Forces of Nature
Genre: Blues
Title: Bright Lights - Big City: Urban Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Blues Master Singers
Genre: Blues
Title: Chill Out Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Collection
Genre: Blues
Title: Rhythm & Blues Christmas
Genre:
Title: Sweet Blues- 23 Rare Blues Tracks
Genre: Blues
Title: Love Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Suspicious Minds Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Chill Out Piano Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Blue Christmas and a Funky New Year
Genre: Blues
Title: The Greatest Upbeat Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Blues Fiesta
Genre: Blues
Title: Jazz for the Open Road
Genre: Jazz
Title: Most Wanted Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Blues Instrumentals
Genre: Blues
Title: Moody Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Sweet Blues - 25 Rare Blues Tracks
Genre: Blues
Title: Christmas Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Rockin' Those Blues Away
Genre: Blues
Title: Rare West Coast Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: All American Blues Christmas
Genre: Blues
Title: Blues: Big Trouble
Genre: Blues
Title: Lonesome Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Speaking of the Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Contemporary Piano Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Amazing Blues - Time for a Drink
Genre: Blues
Title: Essential Smooth Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Outlaw Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: You Sing Country - I'll Play the Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Kiss-Off Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Blues: Love Trouble
Genre: Blues
Title: Essential Blues Anthems
Genre: Blues
Title: The Rounder Records Story
Genre: Alternative, Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: Contemporary Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Bluesin' USA
Genre: Blues
Title: American Blues Scene: The 00s
Genre: Blues
Title: Alligator Records' Genuine Houserockin' Christmas
Genre: Blues
Title: Memphis Blues: The Backstreets
Genre: Blues
Title: East Coast Blues Gems
Genre: Blues
Title: Discover - Jump Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Southern Blues Classics
Genre: Blues
Title: Wild Drinking Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Discover - Boogie Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: The Ultimate Blues Piano Collection
Genre: Blues
Title: Golden East Coast Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: East Coast Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Best - New Orleans Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Hits of Jump Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Essential Drinking Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: 6-Pack: East Coast Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: East Coast Blues Nuggets
Genre: Blues
Title: Lyin' Cheatin' Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Colors of the Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: American Blues - Classic Cuts
Genre: Blues
Title: Blues Meets Soul/R&B
Genre: Blues
Title: Blues in the Bottle: Boozing Songs
Genre: Blues
Title: Notodden Bluesfestival: Bluestown
Genre: Blues
Title: Jump Jive and Wail
Genre: Blues
Title: The Crazy Side of the Blues
Genre: Blues
Title: Best - American Blues
Genre: Blues
Featuring albums
Title: Raise the Roof - a Retrospective: Live from the Barns At Wolf Trap
Artist: Wolf Trap
Genre: Rock, Songwriter/Lyricist