The Charles Ford Band - The Charles Ford Band (1972 us, classic blues )
When I recorded blues harmonica ace Charlie Musselwhite early in 1971 he had a tight little band which included two brothers, Pat and Robben Ford. Pat impressed me as a solid drummer and Robben was obviously a very gifted lead guitar player, doing many of the vocals, and then switching to saxophone for some haunting duets with Charlie's harmonica. They made great music together.
When the brothers eventually left Charlie, they formed The Charles Ford Band, (named in honor of their father), and became quite popular in the Bay Area by introducing interesting modern changes into their otherwise fairly traditional urban blues repertoire. Their dynamic stage presence, original tunes, and fascinating interpretations of modern jazz classics, led several record companies to make attractive offers. However, as time went on the young band members sought different directions for their respective talents. When the Charles Ford Band finally broke up in late 1971 they wanted to preserve their music on record.
The Ford brothers weren't born into a blues environment - far from it! Their father was a country musician who had led a band in Wyoming called Rocky Ford and the Tennesseeans. Pat (2/19/1949) and Robben (12/16/1951) were born in Woodlake, Calif. and Mark (10/21/1953) came along after the family had moved to Ukiah, Ca., where all three brothers grew up. Ukiah is about 120 miles north of San Francisco and the musical offerings of the local radio stations were limited to Top 40 pop music along with some Country & Western.
Tracks
1. Blue And Lonesome (Walter Jacobs) - 0:00
2. Gibson Creek Shuffle (Robben Ford) - 8:25
3. My Time After Awhile (Geddins, Badger) - 12:15
4. Rest My Mind On Jesus (Robben Ford) - 15:59
5. Reconsider Baby (Lowell Fulson) - 17:33
6. Black Night (Jesse Mae Robinson) - 23:00
7. Wild Woman (Albert King) - 31:32
8. I Know What You're Putting Down (Jordan, Allen) - 35:46
9. Live The Life I Love - 39:54
10.Tell Him I Was Flyin' - 45:52
11.The Promise (John Coltrane) - 49:23
The Charles Ford Band *Robben Ford - Guitar, Vocals, Piano *Mark Ford - Harmonica *Patrick Ford - Drums *Stanley Poplin - Bass *Michael Osborn - Rhythm Guitar (Track #3 Only)
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