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12 Singles from DELMARK RECORDS (2018-2023)

This is a selection of 12 Delmark singles released during the last 5 years, for the first time collected in one album, and exclusively for radio. The selection ranges from blues to R&B and from gospel to jazz.

1) Mojo Morganfield w/ Ronnie Baker Brooks & Billy Branch-
It's Good To Be King
2) Mud Morganfield - Praise Him
3) Sharon Lewis - Crazy Love
4) Jimmy Johnson - Steal Away
5) Johnny Burgin w/ Anson Funderburgh - Cherry On Top
6) Sheryl Youngblood - Every Day of Your Life
7) Dave Specter & Billy Branch - The Ballad of George Floyd
8) Mike Wheeler - It Serves Me Right to Suffer
9) Demetria Taylor - 83 Highway
10) Mud Morganfield - Blues In My Shoes
11) Demetria Taylor - I’m Gonna Tell It
12) BakerzMillion - The State of the Estate



1) Joseph "Mojo" Morganfield - It's Good To Be King
(Mojo Morganfield, Johnny Lee Schell, Tony Braunagel)

Mojo was a beloved and inspiring voice in today's blues and we mourn his passing deeply. This song is a tribute to his memory, which shines on into the future.

Mojo Morganfield - vocals
Brother John Kattke - piano
Ronnie Baker Brooks - guitar
Billy Branch - harmonica

The Mannish Boyz:
Rick Kreher - guitar
Michael Flynn - bass
Chris Alexander - drums

In loving memory of Joseph "Mojo" Morganfield, April 14, 1964 - December 10, 2020.

Joseph “Mojo” Morganfield was born April 14, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois. Mojo is the youngest son of World- Famous Muddy Waters. He began his career as a young boy following in his father’s footsteps, traveling and preforming with him and growing up in the Blues. He learned guitar from Muddy and Muddy’s guitarist Bob Margolin.

Mojo put music temporarily behind him in favor of playing college basketball after winning a scholarship at the University of Northern Iowa and starting a family. He returns to music once again in clubs and festivals around Chicago, the United States, and in Europe when the pandemic allows. Joseph has performed on stage with Grammy Award Winners Don Was, Jamey Johnson, and Warren Haynes at The Chicago Theater – The Last Waltz and with his brother Big Bill Morganfield at the Chicago Blues Fest. In 2019 Mojo opened for Bad Company featuring Paul Rogers. He also performed on stage at the Chicago Blues Festival with his Band The Mannish Boyz. He is an ambassador, supporter, and promoter inductee in the prestigious Chicago Blues Hall of Fame. He attends many public events on behalf of his father, Muddy Waters, keeping his name and legacy alive.

“Big Daddy Gumbo sent the song asking me to listen to it and I liked it right away. I put my own signature on it but I liked the bread and butter of the song. Every person has their castle – family, friends, and the things you surround yourself with. That’s what the song says to me. A person should feel like a king or queen. When everything is going right. When the mojo is working! Every dog has his day. Everyone should have their moment – and it doesn’t happen every day, so when it does – enjoy it!”
-Mojo Morganfield

https://delmark.com/2021/10/one-year-after-the-historic-release-of-mojo-morganfields-its-good-to-be-king/

2) Mud Morganfield – Praise Him (5:22)

“ I’ve done and seen many things in my life. From drugs to gang wars, to hustling the streets. I not only have a duty but a responsibility to tell you all that I am a walking testimony to what God can do.”
- Mud Morganfield

Music and lyrics by Mud Morganfield
(Pop’s Daisy Entertainment, BMI)

Mud Morganfield: vocals, bass
Rick Kreher: electric guitar
Mike Wheeler: electric guitar
Cameron Lewis: drums, percussion
Luca Chiellini: keyboard
Choir Singers: Felicia Collins, Shantina Lowe, Demetrius Hall

Multi-award-winning artist Mud Morganfield is an established star in the world of Blues music. The eldest son of the legendary Muddy Waters, Mud was brought up surrounded by many of the finest musicians in the Blues. Mud’s singing is firmly in the best tradition of Chicago Blues, but he is also a writer of great new songs and he is backed by some of the best musicians playing today. He is acclaimed by artists and critics, including Buddy Guy and Jools Holland for his own musical ability.

https://delmark.com/product/869/

3) Sharon Lewis – Crazy Love
(Van Morrison)

She’s one of the finest vocalists on Chicago’s scene, today. ‘Basically, I wanted the message to be about dealing with life – coping, surviving.’ The blend of soul, blues, and R&B delivers the perfect soundtrack for her lyrics.

SHARON LEWIS - vocals
BRUCE JAMES - guitar
ROOSEVELT PURIFOY - piano/org/Rhodes
MELVIN SMITH - bass
TONY DALE - drums.

Special guests: DAVE SPECTER - guitar
Kenny Anderson, trumpet & horn arrangements
Steve Berry, trombone
Hank Ford, tenor sax
Jerry DiMuzio, baritone sax


Sharon Lewis made her Delmark debut in 2007 as a special guest vocalist with Dave Specter on Live in Chicago (CD Delmark 794, DVD 1794). '...it's Sharon Lewis who provides the disc's most exciting moments. Her powerful pipes inject a strong gospel vibe into her originals 'In Too Deep' and the head-turning ballad 'Angel'.' -Blues Revue Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Sharon's earliest musical experience was as a member of a gospel choir. She moved to Chicago permanently in 1975 and became active on the Chicago blues scene in the early 90s. In 2005 Sharon formed her own band, Texas Fire. The Real Deal features new Sharon Lewis original songs and a few covers of songs she often performs in her live shows like Van Morrison's 'Crazy Love' and Bill Withers' 'Ain't No Sunshine'.

https://delmark.com/product/sharon-lewis-digital-single/

4) Jimmy Johnson – Steal Away
(Jimmy Hughes)

Jimmy Johnson - vocals, guitar

"Steal Away" is a 1964 R&B hit and Top 40 crossover song written and recorded by Jimmy Hughes. It was the first single recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

On November 25th, 2022 Jimmy Johnson would have been 94 years old. On the day of his birthday, Delmark Records released for radio a digital single by Jimmy, a song he loved: "Steal Away", by Jimmy Hughes. Jimmy liked to stay at Delmark studio for hours, playing guitar or piano and singing, enjoying what he loved the most, making music.
"Steal Away" was the first single ever recorded by Jimmy Hughes at Muscle Shoals studio, in 1964. Jimmy loved this song and used to sing it also during his historical Saturday 2pm live streaming sessions on Facebook.
The recording sounds like more than one musician is performing. While singing the tune, Jimmy was finger picking his guitar, using the thumb for the bass line, his other fingers for the chords and leads AND plays percussion with his foot on a midi bass drum pedal. Not many people know that Jimmy was very fond of sound technology as well as computers, and incorporated advance devices to his music.
Jimmy was born in Holly Springs, MS, Nov. 25th, 1928 and passed away January 21st, 2022 at his home in Harvey, Illinois.

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5) Johnny Burgin – Cherry On Top (feat. Anson Funderburgh)

Johnny Burgin - vocals, guitar
Anson Funderburgh - guitar
Christian Dozzler - piano
Chris Matheos- bass
Reo Casey- drums

Cherry On Top is a sultry burlesque blues with lyrics of love for this Valentine’s Day! Chicago blues artist Johnny Burgin’s livin’ in a lover’s paradise and wants the world to know! Anson Funderburgh’s trademark restrained lines and super-clean tone heightens the romantic and indulgent mood of this new blues digital single.

Johnny and his road manager, Stephanie Tice (producer, Delmark DE 863) share a lot of lighthearted banter as they travel– leading to lots of “that’s a song! moments”. “Cherry On Top” is a true-life love song that was quickly jotted down as the tour van rolled. Johnny always loves to record in different cities with great local musicians, and last winter while touring in Dallas, Johnny and his touring bassist Chris Matheos jumped at the chance to record with young multi-instrumentalist Reo Casey on drums and veteran pianist Christian Dozzler.

Blues guitar aficionados will love this fruitful pairing of Johnny Burgin and Anson Funderburgh’s guitars– their first appearance together on record. Anson has long been one of the very best living blues guitarists, with an elegant and instantly recognizable sound with roots in the swinging early BB King style. Johnny’s more in a gutbucket, Chicago West Side sound, and creates a fun contrast by playing very aggressively on the outro. All in all, it’s a great meeting of dedicated simpatico blues artists to bring to this seductive and fun tune to life.

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6) Sheryl Youngblood – Every Day of Your Life

“Every Day of Your Life”, a song written by the late Jimmy Johnson and recorded live by Chicago blues rising star Sheryl Youngblood, is released NOW as a digital single by Delmark Records. The tune was recorded by Sheryl and the Delmark All- Star Band during the label’s 70th anniversary celebration at Space, Evanston, IL as a tribute to Mr. Johnson.

Sheryl is joined by Dave Specter and Mike Wheeler on guitars, Roosevelt Purifoy on Hammond B3 organ, Larry Williams on bass and Cleo Cole on drums.

“Every Day of Your Life”, written by Jimmy Johnson (Thompson, Shaunte Music Inc, BMI)

Sheryl Youngblood, vocals

Dave Specter & Mike Wheeler, guitars

Roosevelt Purifoy, Hammond B3 organ

Larry Williams, bass

Cleo Cole, drums

Recorded live at Evanston SPACE by Jackson Hamrick, September 20, 2023

https://delmark.com/product/sheryl-youngblood-every-day-of-your-life/

7) Dave Specter & Billy Branch - The Ballad of George Floyd (5:14)

Dave Specter: vocals, guitar
Billy Branch: vocals, harmonica
Brother John Kattke: keyboards
Danny Shaffer: acoustic guitar

Dave Specter’s powerful and timely new song, “The Ballad of George Floyd” featuring Billy Branch on vocals and harmonica. Specter also sings and plays guitar on the track. With Brother John Kattke on keyboards and Danny Shaffer on acoustic guitar.

“I wrote the song a few days after George Floyd was murdered and the lyrics pretty much wrote themselves. George Floyd didn’t die in vain. He helped spark a worldwide movement for justice and change. I’m proud to collaborate with the great Chicago bluesman Billy Branch on this tune. We share the same vision and are inspired by the words of John Lewis: ‘If it hadn’t been for music, the civil rights movement would’ve been like a bird without wings.'”
– Dave Specter

Specter wrote these haunting lyrics of sorrow concerning centuries of injustice and bigotry, mere days after the murder of George Floyd. He reminds us that the knee is the new noose, and that it’s past time we bring about a change. “Blind men in power pouring gasoline on a burning fire.” The words, harp, and organ themselves burn together slowly but fiercely. The names of Garner, Rice, McDonald, Arbery, and Brown are recited in the song to also remind that they didn’t die in vain. Say their names.

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8) Mike Wheeler & The Delmark All-Stars - Serves Me Right To Suffer
(John Lee Hooker, Arc Music Inc, BMI)

Mike Wheeler, vocals
Dave Specter & Mike Wheeler, guitars
Roosevelt Purifoy, Hammond B3 organ
Larry Williams, bass
Cleo Cole, drums


“Serves Me Right To Suffer”, was written by John Lee Hooker via Percy Mayfield's version called "Memory Pain" and recorded by many artists including the late Jimmy Johnson. Here it’s performed and recorded live by Chicago blues guitar star Mike Wheeler. The tune was recorded by Mike and the Delmark All-Star Band during the label’s 70th anniversary celebration at Space, Evanston, IL on September 20, 2023 and features stellar guitar solos by Mike Wheeler and Dave Specter. Recorded as a Tribute to the late, great Jimmy Johnson.

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9) Demetria Taylor featuring Billy Flynn – 83 Highway (5:25)
(EDDIE TAYLOR, SR.) (CONRAD MUSIC, BMI)

Demetria Taylor, vocals
Billy Flynn, lead guitar
Mike Wheeler, guitar
Larry Williams, bass
Brian James, keyboards
Melvin Carlisle “Pookie Styx”, drums

Demetria is proud to be the recipient of the KoKo Taylor “Queen of the Blues” Award (2022) given by the Jus’ Blues Foundation.

Demetria Taylor was born to sing the blues. The songs
on this album are a balance of traditional blues and modern
R & B, with some written by her family, some by fellow musicians Mike Wheeler and Larry Williams, one by the venerable Magic Sam, and two by Demetria herself. This second Delmark record is a strong follow up to her Delmark debut, “Bad Girl”, and also features the legendary Deitra Farr on one track. As Demetria says, and we believe her: “IT’S MY TIME.”

https://delmark.com/product/demetria-taylor-83-highway/

10) Mud Morganfield – Blues In My Shoes (4:54)
by Mud Morganfield (Pop’s Daisy Entertainment, BMI)
Digital single from the album
MUD MORGANFIELD – PORTRAIT

Mud Morganfield, vocals
Rick Kreher, guitar
Billy Flynn, guitar
Barrelhouse Chuck, piano
E.G. McDaniel, bass
Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, drums

Mud Morganfield is the eldest son of Muddy Waters. In this song Mud tells us everything about his blues life.
His Delmark album PORTRAIT offers fourteen powerful numbers including two songs previously unreleased on CD. Mud appears surrounded by a constellation of first-rate blues musicians. All tracks have been remixed and remastered especially for this first Mud Morganfield CD on Delmark Records.

https://delmark.com/product/mud-morganfield-blues-in-my-shoes/

11) Demetria Taylor - I’m Gonna Tell It 4:27
(MIKE WHEELER/LARRY WILLIAMS) (MLCB MUSIC, ASCAP)

Demetria Taylor vocals
Mike Wheeler guitar
Carlos Showers guitar
Larry Williams bass
Brian James keyboards
Melvin Carlisle “Pookie Styx” drums

Demetria Taylor is proud to be the recipient of the KoKo Taylor “Queen of the Blues” Award (2022) given by the Jus’ Blues Foundation.
Demetria was born to sing the blues. The songs on this album are a balance of traditional blues and modern R & B, with some written by her family, some by fellow musicians Mike Wheeler and Larry Williams, one by the venerable Magic Sam, and two by Demetria herself. This second Delmark record is a strong follow up to her Delmark debut, “Bad Girl”, and also features the legendary Deitra Farr on one track. As Demetria says, and we believe her: “IT’S MY TIME.”

https://delmark.com/product/demetria-taylor-im-gonna-tell-it/

12) BAKERZMILLION - The State of the Estate 6:25

written by ANDY BAKER (BMI)

Andy Baker TROMBONE
Steve Million PIANO
Eric Jacobson TRUMPET
Jim Gailloreto TENOR and SOPRANO SAXOPHONES
John Sims BASS
Tim Davis DRUMS

RECORDED FEBRUARY 17, 2018
LIVE AT THE RACINE THEATRE GUILD

Buoyed by Sims’ two-feel and strut, “The State of The Estate” hits like a portmanteau penned by Benny Golson, Stanley Turrentine and Horace Silver. Unapologetically telescoping back to the hardbop heyday of the 60s, it pays homage to a long-running jazz haunt in Milwaukee at which Jacobson booked the band on several occasions. Baker is all blowsey and swagger but check his audacious run at 1:44; Jacobson responds with percussive double timing of his own, ahead of tenor and piano. The closer is the most concise track; clocking at just under forty five minutes this set doesn’t outstay it’s welcome. In the meantime enjoy great sounding, old school, no-nonsense fire breathing over solid structures, that will stand up might-ily to anything out there. —MICHAEL JACKSON

Very much in the vein of Art Blakey’s “Jazz Messengers” or Coltrane’s band on the
legendary “Blue Train” album, BakerzMillion is Chicago’s hard bop ensemble par excellence.
Its six members are a true dream team of talented and seasoned jazz musicians. The band’s longevity, over fifteen years already, contributes to the solid and balanced sound of the ensemble. Performing original tunes composed by the co-leaders,
the ensemble brings a breath of fresh air to these mainstream sonorities.


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