THE BLUES EXPERIENCE with CASH McCALL
The late legendary Willie Dixon, who could rightfully boast “I am the blues,” began the Blues Heaven Foundation in 1970 to promote the music and musicians of America’s greatest art form. One can only
imagine how proud he would be to see that he helped beget a “blues heaven” for all of us with The Vintage Room (Dixon Landing Music) by THE BLUES EXPERIENCE with CASH McCALL. Uniting two generations with the extraordinary talents of the veteran Chess Records sideman and Willie’s grandson, producer/pianist ALEX DIXON, it is a magnificent contribution to “vintage” Chicago blues at its contemporary best.
McCALL was born Morris Dollison, Jr. on January 28, 1941 in New Madrid, Missouri and was raised singing and playing guitar in the church. After completing a tour of duty in the Army, he moved to Chicago in the late 1950s. In 1961 he would come under the tutelage of WILLIE DIXON at Chess Records as a session guitarist and songwriter for MUDDY WATERS, HOWLIN’ WOLF and LITTLE MILTON among an eventual list of 360 other artists. While honing his business sense with DIXON and musical chops backing up performers as diverse as Etta James, the Temptations and Natalie Cole, Dollison made a demo in 1966 titled “When You Wake Up” that was released on Thomas Records without his prior knowledge and credited to “CASH McCALL.” With a surprise national hit and a new professional name to go with it he went out on the road with Dick Clark’s Traveling Caravan of Stars.
In 1973 McCALL released his first LP, Omega Man, before splitting for the West Coast in 1976. His next record from 1983, No More Doggin’, displayed his original blues compositions, while the lauded R&B and
blues of Cash Up Front in 1987 put his name before the public once again. Re-igniting his mutually beneficial relationship with WILLIE DIXON in 1988, McCALL co-produced the master’s Hidden Charms that earned a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues album and he joined Dixon’s Chicago All-Stars. In the 1990s he doggedly pursued his solo career while working with the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings, singer Big Twist and the Chicago Blues Review.
ALEX DIXON was literally born to the blues April 23, 1975 on the South Side of Chicago where he was raised by grand pop WILLIE. On top of that purebred pedigree, young ALEX was taught to play the 88s by
postwar Chicago luminaries Leonard “Baby Doo” Caston and Lafayette Leake and is at present the only Dixon carrying on the enormous family legacy. Before Willie’s passing in 1992 ALEX- performed with him
many times, including at the Chicago Blues Festival, and co-wrote songs for Hidden Charms. In 2007 he formed DIXON LANDING MUSIC and THE VINTAGE ROOM is the first offering from his label. Along with McCALL and DIXON, the historic release also features ace harmonicist STEVE BELL, the son of the late Chicago virtuoso CAREY BELL, on the 11 outstanding tracks. Save for the deep rocking blues versions of Willie’s classics “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” “I’m Ready” and “Bring It on Home,” seven of the remaining numbers are original compositions by DIXON as McCALL chips in with his wistful soul ballad “Mama.” All are driven by DIXON’s rollicking blues piano providing a fat pad for McCALL’s stinging guitar and passionate vocals. Showing his grandfather’s wit and wisdom on “SLICE OF THAT PIE” that chronicles the workingman’s blues, and sly, carnal braggadocio on “ONE TOUCH,” perhaps it is the opening track that says it all for this landmark recording: “HELLUVA TIME".
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BAND MEMBERS:
Cash McCall – vocals and guitar
Alex Dixon – piano
Steve Bell – harmonica
Bill “Young Blood” Learned – rhythm guitar
Brady Wills – bass
VinnY Threats - drums