Intro from Jay Willie himself: "Artists may come and artists may go, but Detroit born legend James Montgomery has performed in the forefront of the blues for over four decades".

"In my younger days, I first saw him perform locally around the New England circuit with his own James Montgomery Band and the Shaboo Allstars."

"James always had fantastic musicians that knew how to keep a funky groove including the late great Matt Murphy and Charles Calmese. When I saw James fronting these bands, he had an energy onstage that I had never seen before."

"It was great musicians playing off of each other, never knowing what to expect next other than that it would be exciting and funky."

"In 1973, James had a Capricorn Records release, 'First Time Out' which I really dug. Later he caught everyone's attention when he released a funky version of the Huey Piano Smith song, 'Don't You Just Know It' under the title 'The Gooba Gooba' Song, produced by Allen Toussaint."

"Not only is James a musical star in his own right, but he also had an extensive history with some of my other musical heroes and influences."

"This includes Johnny Winter and James Cotton both of whom he had very close relations with. [Oh, and] James is also currently working on James Cotton's biography."

"James Montgomery also has a long friendship and musical relationship with my band mate, and drummer Bobby T. Torello, as a result of both touring with Johnny Winter."

"I felt there was a musical compatibility with our tastes in music and mutually respected artists, past and present. In 2016, I asked Bobby to contact James to see if James would front our band for an upcoming performance scheduled in Hartford CT at Black Eyed Sally's Southern Kitchen and Bar."

"Although we were not needing additional vocals or an additional harmonica player, what a thrill it would be to have a blues legend and front man that our the band honored and had a strong mutual respect for."

"I was surprised and overjoyed that James agreed, and it was a great show and wonderful experience."

As for the Jay Willie Blues Band, well, they have had the pleasure and successful experience of producing five previous releases on the ZOHO Roots label, between 2013 and 2017.

As a result, Willie has earned enough creative and technical credits to qualify as a voting member and District Advocate for the Grammy Awards New York Chapter.

And so, all these years in the making, releasing on April 10, 2020 via Zoho Roots Music, Jay Willie and James Montgomery finally come together as one on their brand new album, Cadillac Walk.

Coming to your town to shake things up soon, the majority of the ten tracks on this vibrantly pulsating new album pay homage to early R&B influences of Willie's, including Johnny Winter, the Rolling Stones, Willie Cobbs, Tampa Red and Mink DeVille.

1. 'Three Cool Cats'
2. 'Cadillac Walk'
3. 'Neighbor Neighbor'
4. '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'
5. 'Detroit Blues'
6. 'Give Me One Reason'
7. 'Montgomery Boogie'
8. 'I'm Yours And I'm Hers'
9. 'Eatin' Dry Onions'
10. 'Mean Town Blues'

Opening with The Coasters' finger-snappin' slickness of 'Three Cool Cats' they back that up with a song actually written by pop artist Moon Martin, but given a whole new work out in 1977 by Mink DeVille, the sexy slide guitar of the title track, 'Cadillac Walk.'

Their harmonica-driven version of Jimmy Hughes' 'Neighbor Neighbor' is a right doozy, for sure, and then we get a magnificent, earthy, lo-fi R&B cover of the Stones' '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction).'

Tampa Red's 'Detroit Blues' features not only Montgomery on vocals and harmonica, but a brilliant example of finger picking guitar style, similar to that of Willie Brown, from Willie, and that's backed by a quite remarkably atmospheric take on Tracy Chapman's 'Give Me One Reason.'

The full on, harmonica-driven rush that is Wes Montgomery's very own instrumental 'Montgomery Boogie' also happens to be one of my own personal favorites here, and that's backed by the funky blues of Johnny Winter's always-brilliant-to-hear (in any form) 'I'm Yours And I'm Hers.'

The album then comes to a close on the rambunctious Willie Cobbs' gem 'Eatin' Dry Onions,' before sadly coming to a close on the mid-tempo, storytelling blues of another Johnny Winter musical gem, 'Mean Town Blues.'

Jay Willie - guitar, slide guitar, vocals; James Montgomery - vocals, harmonica; Paul Opalach - bass, lap steel, keys, simulated horns; Bobby T Torello - drums with Lee-Ann Lovelace - vocals (2, 6) and Kyle Mangold - backing vocals (1).

Amazon CD Purchase Link

www.jamesmontgomery.com

www.jaywilliebluesbandhome.net

Jay Willie Blues Band @ Facebook

James Montgomery @ Facebook