Gary B.B. Coleman

Gary B.B. Coleman - Romance Without Finance Is A Nuisance - 1991 - Ichiban

It was no coincidence that Gary Coleman had "BB" in his name. One of Coleman's main influences was B.B. King, and he was happy to acknowledge King's inspiration (although he's also learned a thing or two from Bobby "Blue" Bland, Jimmy Reed and the late Albert Collins). Romance Without Finance underscores the fact that while Coleman may not be the most original artist in the world, his Ichiban output has been consistent and enjoyable. The singer/electric guitarist's sense of humor serves him quite well on such amusing cuts as "Food Stamp Annie," "If You See My One-Eyed Woman" and "She Ain't Ugly (She Just Don't Look Like Nobody Else)." But he's equally appealing when embracing a somber minor-key groove a la Bland, and "Dealing From the Bottom of the Deck" is a fine example of Coleman's brooding side. Whether Coleman is being remorseful or humorous, this CD was a welcome addition to his catalogue. © Alex Henderson © 2010 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved
http://www.allmusic.com/album/romance-without-finance-is-a-nuisance-r88311/review

The late Gary B.B. Coleman is probably better known as a blues promoter and record producer. However, he released quite a few albums himself, and was arguably an underrated songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, bassist and keyboard player. "Romance Without Finance Is A Nuisance" is not a groundbreaking record, but Gary was never regarded as a blues innovator. He was, however a very talented soulful electric bluesman who played his music with passion and sincerity. A lot of his music was on the humorous side, but he could also play the blues in a sombre fashion with real feeling. The album here is one of his less serious albums with a pleasant, understated and relaxed guitar style, and smooth vocals. Definitely an artist who deserves to be heard by a bigger audience. Listen to his "If You Can Beat Me Rockin'..." album

TRACKS

1. She Ain't Ugly (She Just Don't Look Like Nobody Else)
2. Don't Give Away That Recipe
3. If You See My One-Eyed Woman
4. Dealin' from the Bottom of the Deck
5. Romance Without Finance (Is a Nuisance)
6. Food Stamp Annie
7. Mr. Chicken Stew
8. Mr. B's Frosting [Instrumental]

All songs composed by Gary B.B. Coleman

BAND

Gary B.B. Coleman - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
John Cole - Bass
Johnny Strong - Drums

BIO

After a career as a local bluesman and blues promoter in Texas and Oklahoma, Gary Coleman found his niche when he signed over his first album, a self-produced outing originally issued on his own label, to the fledgling Ichiban company out of Atlanta in 1986. Since that time, both Coleman and Ichiban made their marks in the blues field -- not only did Coleman release half a dozen of his own albums, he also oversaw production of the bulk of Ichiban's hefty blues catalog, bringing to the studio a number of artists he'd booked or toured with in his previous career (Chick Willis, Buster Benton, and Blues Boy Willie, among others). A singer/guitarist onstage, Coleman often took on a multi-instrumentalist's role in the studio. His music remained true to the blues and to the King legacy saluted in his "B.B." moniker and in his acknowledged debt to fellow-Texan Freddie King. Coleman began listening to the blues as a child and by the time he was 15, he was working with Freddie King. Following his association with King, Coleman supported Lightnin' Hopkins and formed his own band, which played around Texas. Gary also began booking blues musicians into clubs in Texas, Oklahoma, and Coloradio. He continued to play gigs and book concerts for nearly two decades. In 1985, he formed Mr. B's Records, his own independent label. Coleman released his debut album, Nothin' But the Blues, the following year. The album was popular and gained the attention of Ichiban Records, who signed Coleman and re-released Nothin' But the Blues in 1987. If You Can Beat Me Rockin', Coleman's second album, was released in 1988. That same year, he began producing albums for a number of other artists, as well as writing songs for other musicians and acting as an A&R scout for Ichiban. Between 1988 and 1992, he released six records and produced another 30, including albums for Little Johnny Taylor and Buster Benton. Coleman continued to be active until his untimely death in the mid-'90s, both as a performing and recording artist, as well as a producer. © Jim O'Neal © 2010 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gary-bb-coleman-p313/biography

BIO (WIKIPEDIA)

Gary B.B. Coleman (January 1, 1947 – February 14, 1994) was an American soul blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and record producer. Originally a blues promoter and local musician, Coleman recorded his debut album in 1986, which was re-released on Ichiban Records. Coleman issued several other albums, and produced most of Ichiban's blues catalog up to his death in 1994. On many occasions, Coleman undertook multi-instrumentalist duties in the recording studio. Coleman acknowledged both B.B. King in his "B.B." moniker; and his fellow-Texan, Freddie King. Born in Paris, Texas, Coleman was working alongside Freddie King by the age of 15. Coleman later supported Lightnin' Hopkins in concert, and went on to form his own group. At this time he started simultaneously booking acts into nightclubs across three states; Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. This dual lifestyle in the South West continued for nearly twenty years. In 1985, he created his own independent record label, called Mr. B's Records, and issued both a single, "One Eyed Woman", and his debut album, Nothin' But the Blues, the following year. The album proved to be popular. Ichiban Records signed Coleman to a recording contract, and duly re-released Nothin' But the Blues on their label in 1987. If You Can Beat Me Rockin' (1988) followed, and in the same year Coleman's duties expanded with Ichiban to include record production for other acts, songwriting, and becoming an A&R scout. He released a further six albums up to 1992, as well as production duties on albums from Blues Boy Willie, Chick Willis, Little Johnny Taylor, and Buster Benton (Money's The Name of The Game, 1989). He continued to write material for others and sometimes played guitar and keyboards on their records. His own albums featured self-penned material, such as "I Fell in Love on a One Night Stand" and "If You Can Beat Me Rockin' (You Can Have My Chair)". Coleman successfully continued to combine various roles until his early death in 1994