Pianist/vocalist Mitch Woods brings together an unsung inner
circle of Rock'n'Roll royalty, the original members of the Fats Domino band.
This band features the architects of American music, the veritable founding
fathers of Rock'n'Roll who laid the musical bedrock at J&M Studios in New
orleans in the early 50s that launched so many stars.
Earl Palmer has been the drummer of choice for all the Rock'n'Roll immortals
from Fats Domino and Little Richard to Sam Cooke and Ray Charles, Richie Valens
and Eddie Cochran to the Everly Brothers. Herb Hardesty played sax with Fats
Domino from the very beginning and still plays with him today.
Woods reunited these legendary players along with others who still play in the
Fats Domino band and composed a batch of original tunes modeled after the
original Fats Domino material. Legendary producer, Dave Bartholomew (who
co-wrote many of Fats' hits) came in on the project to help produce.
Along with a live performance in New Orleans featuring these legendary players,
the DVD includes rare interviews and a never before seen look at how the music
was created in the studio. It is also the story of a younger musician and his
initiation into the inner circle of the creators of the uniquely American music
we call Rock'n'Roll.
This double package includes a complete Big Easy Boogie CD featuring 12 original
songs penned by Mitch Woods featuring special guests Maria Muldaur, John Mooney,
and Charmaine Neville.The result is a rollickin' gumbo of New Orleans rhythm &
blues that is true to the roots of the Mississippi mud from which it sprang.
Steady Date is the first of four albums on the Blind Pig Label. Recorded in
1984 it contains some of Mitch's classic tunes. Hailed by Billboard as "a
Whitman sampler ofAmerican jump, bump, and boogie" it features the first
incarnation of the Rocket 88's -- Lance Dickerson on drums (Commander Cody),
John Firmin on sax, Curtis Linberg on Trombone (David Bromberg Band) Dave
Shallock on bass (Sons of Champlin) and Rick Welter on guitar.
Their second release, Mr.. Boogie's Back In Town (1988) contains their
classic song, "Broke", and features some great piano work on
"I've Got News For You". Danny Caron who went on to become blues
legend Charles Brown's musical director plays guitar, and Al Rapone guests
on jumpin' zydeco accordion on "In The Night". Great for Dancin'.
Solid Gold Caddilac (1991) features a stellar lineup of special guests,
including Charlie Musselwhite, The Roomful of Blues Horns, and Ronnie Earl.
The Washington Post goes on to say about this swingin' album: "Woods is
a rising figure in the boogie-woogie and jump blues revival". Swing
dancers love this CD-- the tempos are great for dancing.
Shakin' The Shack combines the elements of jump/swing with New Orleans
inspiration. All the tunes are original, featuring Mitch's soulful vocals
and pumpin', poundin' piano. Relix Magazine says: "If shakin' the Shack
doesn't get your toes tapping, shoulders swaying, fingers snapping and hips
gyrating, its time for resuscitation!"
Mitch's
solo project, "Keeper Of The Flame" (1996) on Lightyear Records
distributed worldwide through WEA, isMitch's
tribute to the blues masters that inspired his career. On it he plays piano and
sings duets with John Lee Hooker, James Cotton, Johnnie Johnson (Chuck Berry),
Earl King, and Lee Allen (Fats Domino). Hooker enjoyed these sessions so much
that he asked Woods to join him in his own recording "Boom Boom"
(pointblank/Charisma). This is a must for blues lovers. Cotton blasts and wails
on harmonica, John Lee digs deep into the blues, Johnnie and Mitch romp on the
keys with all fours, Earl is in his New Orleans finest form, and the late Mr..
Lee's sultry and soulful sax ( this cut is available on House Of Blues Records,
Smoky Blues) pair with Mitch to make this a very special CD.
There's a lot to be excited about on Jump For Joy, Woods says.
"this is really my full-on jump blues album. we did it with a big band, it's
all original tunes written as they were back in the Forties." Woods has an
impressive group of sidemen, including Guitarist Danny Caron, music director
for Charles Brown. This cd appeals to blues lovers and rocka dn rollers as
well as swing dance fans.
So get your saloon shoes and dig Jump For Joy! Mitch Woods has
gone the limit, writing sassy boogie tunes and crafting smooth arrangements
that evoke the heyday of the dancehall days.
Video Sample
Mitch woods..."DVD" Only At
mitchwoods.com
Mitch Woods finds himself in the middle of the
current swing and jump blues revival but no one could accuse him of hopping on
The bandwagon as he has been pumping the piano
for over 20 years in the Bay area, calling his music "rock-a-boogie" due to
its combination of R&B, swing, boogie woogie and early rock 'n' roll. Mitch
has become a modern master of the eighty-eights. Quick to distance himself
from nostalgia seekers who only wish to mimic the legends of the past like
Louis Jordan, Jimmy Liggins, Roy Milton, Louis Prima and
Wynonie Harris, Mitch is determined to take the
music forward in his own creative way. With wry vocals and the thunderous
chops that inspired Jimmy Liggins to tag him as "Mr. Rocket 88," he is
claiming new artistic ground for himself with each successive release on Blind
Pig Records.
Boogie Woogie Piano Video Package
'With his warm and easy-going manner, Mitch will
"walk" you through the Various boogie woogie patterns from the most basic to
the more advanced. There is precious little information available for the
serious piano student of this exciting genre, but this authoritative
instructional video fills in the gaps. Showing both left and right hand
fingerings in patient detail, Mitch not only lays the rocking foundation for
players from beginning to advanced, but he also opens the door for future
exploration. This video contains a supplementary booklet with the prime
musical examples notated. Only $29.95 Plus S&H
Pianist/vocalist Mitch Woods brings together an unsung inner
circle of Rock'n'Roll royalty, the original members of the Fats Domino band.
This band features the architects of American music, the veritable founding
fathers of Rock'n'Roll who laid the musical bedrock at J&M Studios in New
orleans in the early 50s that launched so many stars.
