Michael Osborn

Michael Osborn - A Case For The Blues - 1993 - Blue Rock'It

"A Case For The Blues" is fundamentally traditional "no frills" blues played with exceptional technique. His "traditional" style is gritty, sophisticated, and contemporary. Michael is his own man when it comes to blues guitar, and it is hard to pinpoint a definite influence on his playing. He plays with a very imaginative, and precise style in the "less means more" fashion. He never overdoes his playing, and still produces some very impressive solos. In blues circles, Michael Osborn is a very well known artist, and is admired and respected by some of the great blues guitarists, including Robben Ford. The late John Lee Hooker said that "Michael Osborn is one of the best blues guitarists around, he can really lay it down". Michael was JLH's band leader for several years, and remains a hugely popular guitarist and songwriter in the San Francisco area. Worldwide, he has shared the stage with legends like Robben Ford, the late Willie Dixon, Elvin Bishop, James Cotton, Robert Cray, Charlie Musselwhite, the late Brownie McGhee, Carlos Santana, John Hammond, Bonnie Raitt, the great Etta James and the list goes on. Musicians on this album include the late J.L Hooker on vocals and guitar, who sings on his own composition, "High Heels". The late Vala Cupp is on vocals. Charlie Musselwhite plays harmonica, and the great slide guitarist, Roy Rogers helps out. A special mention to the great sax blowing by Ken Baker, and Nancy Wright. An impressive album, and HR by A.O.O.F.C. Buy Michael's "What Goes Around" album, and check out his "Touch Tone" album @ MICHOSB/TT It is also worthwhile checking out albums by Robert Cray for more blues in this genre

TRACKS

1 T.S. Boogie [instrumental]
2 Lovesick
3 That's Right
4 Miniskirts and Make-Up
5 Bottleneck Blues
6 Spellbound
7 The Home of the Homeless
8 Crazy Life
9 High Heels
10 Foolin' With a Fool
11 Nightmare Blues
12 A Woman Never Forgets

All songs composed by Michael Osborn, except "High Heels" by John Lee Hooker

MUSICIANS

Michael Osborn - Guitar, Percussion, Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals
John Lee Hooker RIP - Guitar, Vocals
Roy Rogers - Slide Guitar
Bruce Kaphan - Pedal Steel, Lap Steel Guitar
Steve Hazlewood, Steve Ehrmann, Jim Guyett, John Mazzocco, Ron Gurewitz - Bass, Guitar (Bass)
Brent Rampone - Bass, Drums
Liz Fisher - Keyboards
Jimmy Sanchez, Brett Jackson, Bowen Brown - Drums
Ken Baker, Nancy Wright - Sax (Tenor)
Charlie Musselwhite - Harmonica
Vala Cupp RIP - Vocals



BIO

During the mid-60's Michael Osborn was introduced to blues music through his friendship with Robben and Patrick Ford. Out of this association, Michael began playing bass guitar with the Ford brothers in various blues, rhythm & blues bands over a three-year period, from 1967 thiough 1969. In 1970, Michael (having switched to playing rhythm guitar, joined the first incarnation of the Charles Ford Band featuring Gary Smith on harmonica and Lou Bottoni on bass guitar. After many months of club dates, Pat and Robben left the band to join Charlie Musselwhite. (The Charles Ford Band disbanded until Pat and Robben reformed the following year as a quartet with Mark Ford on Harmonica and Stan Poplin on bass.) In the early 1970's, Michael recorded wlth the Charles Ford Band and Charlie Musselwhite. He also continued to build his guitar chops through the 70's while performing in various blues bands with Gary Smith, Mark Ford, Mixed Nuts (featuring Bonnie Raitt's brother, David Raitt) and an occasional Charles Ford Band reunion. In June of 1981 Michael became lead guitarist for the great John Lee Hooker. He toured all over North America, Europe, Japan and Brazil with John Lee for the next 13 years. During this same period, he backed such people as Robert Cray, Elvin Bishop, Brownie McGee, Willie Dixon, Jarnes Cotton and Charlie Musselwhite. He has also played on stage with such notables as Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Johnson, Albert Collins, Ry Cooder, Carlos Santana, John Hammond, Etta James, Curtis Salgado, and The Nighthawks. Michael has performed at many prestigious venues in the United States and Europe such as Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, The Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, The North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk Festival, The Hammersmith Odeon in London, The Monterey blues Festival,etc. Since he left John Lee Hooker's Coast to Coast Blues Band, Michael fronts his own band and also performs with blues singing sensation Sista Monica. He was one of the headliners at the Mountain Winery Summer Series blues Festival '94, and has toured Europe several times, playing festivals and clubs throughout, including Djurs Bluesland Festival in Denmark. He has toured Western Canada, the Pacific Northwest and various Northern California venues (including the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Sacramento Blues Festival) with great success. © Blue Rock'It Records 2001-2007