March, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Karen Leipziger - KL Productions
(615) 297-4452 

On the heels of his critically acclaimed CD "COOL BLUES WALK" (Bullseye Blues & Jazz/Oct. '98) Chicago blues legend EDDY "THE CHIEF" CLEARWATER, one of the last of the original purveyors of West Side blues, returned to Lakewest Recording Studio in West Greenwich, RI from February 6-13, 2000 with producer/guitar great DUKE ROBILLARD again at the helm to record CLEARWATER'S forthcoming album, his third release for the Bullseye Blues & Jazz/Rounder label. The CD is scheduled for a SUMMER 2000 release. 

Backing Clearwater on the album is Robillard and his band including John Packer (bass), Jeff McAllister (drums) and Doug James (baritone sax) with special guest Dennis Taylor (tenor sax). "Eddy Clearwater is one of the most powerful practitioners of the blues." (Duke Robillard) 

"With a blast of finger-busting guitar licks, veteran Eddy Clearwater demands right from the opening 'Blues Walk' that we notice he's in a career renaissance. If that's not enough to snap yer head around, there's the smell of smoke on most of the CD as he reignites the fires of the knife-edged blues from Chicago's West Side and the git-down rock of Chuck Berry that were the cornerstones of his sound when he first broke out in the '60s. 'Boppin' at the Top of the Rock' slaps hard enough to be one of Chuck's 'great 28'. ****" -- (Pulse!/Ted Drozdowski)

"On his latest, COOL BLUES WALK, Eddy Clearwater is in top form supported by a driving horn band led by guitarist/ producer Duke Robillard...Clearwater has distinguished himself as a prolific songwriter as well as a nasty six-stringer...While many of his colleagues--Albert Collins, Luther Allison, Junior Wells, Jimmy Rogers--have recently passed away, Clearwater keeps rolling along. And COOL BLUES WALK shows this venerable bluesman at the top of his game."  -- (JazzTimes/Bill Milkowski)

"On COOL BLUES WALK, Clearwater shows his considerable talents as singer, left-handed guitarist, interpreter and songwriter...As colorful a performer as modern blues has ever seen...He may be an advocate of good times, but he recognizes the serious side of his music too. 'Blues is very spiritual' he says. 'It's much more than just music. It carries a real heavy spirit with it.'" -- (Down Beat/Frank-John Hadley)

"Cool Blues Walk' ranks as one of the most jumping ... well-conceived, and downright fun blues albums to be released in recent memory." "Top Albums/Best Of The '90s"/Eddy Clearwater 'Cool Blues Walk'" -- (Illinois Entertainer/Kevin Toelle)

"Not only the heavy hitters can knock one out of the ballpark...and that's just what Eddy 'The Chief' Clearwater does on 'Cool Blues Walk', an album that elevates the southpaw guitar- slinger's already solid Chicago style blues to a new level while showcasing his effortless versatility.**** -- (Philadelphia Inquirer/Nick Cristiano)

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