Labor Records proudly presents MUSIC IS MY BUSINESS
from legendary blues pianist ROOSEVELT SYKES


The vigorous piano work and forceful singing of the man known as "The Honeydripper" is showcased in this exquisite collection of music and song. From funky barrelhouse, to hard rolling boogie-woogie, to the sad and broken hearted blues, SYKES covers it all with the heart and soul of a man and an artist whose music truly was his business, his love, and his life. Appearing on selected tracks with Sykes are redoubtable blues guitarists, Johnny Shines, and Louisiana Red, as well as acclaimed harpist, Sugar Blue. Recorded in 1975 and originally released to limited distribution, "Music Is My Business" is now again available on compact disc. If vintage blues piano is your pleasure, then you'll want to make it your business with the latest offering in authentic American blues from Labor Records.

REVIEW / All Music Guide
The non-existent fall had already shifted into winter weather when a Volkswagen packed with two record producers and two blues musicians pulled into Edmonton, Alberta, in the late '70s. They were looking to hook up with another pair of classic blues players, pianist Roosevelt Sykes and slide guitarist Johnny Shines, up north on a series of club and concert dates combining them in an evening of solo performances. The idea was to cut albums by Sykes and Shines, in combination with the younger blues players that were stuffed in the back of the car: none other than the intense Louisiana Red and a harmonica player who called himself Sugar Blue (at this point most likely to be heard on the streets of New York, but eventually to cut records with none other than the Rolling Stones). This album presents the pianist's side of what happened. The cranky Sykes had a particular loathing for harmonicas and barely let the Sugar out of the bowl, while the combination of the florid, technically adept New Orleans pianist with the raw Red was not always a good color match. When Red first enters here, he tries to provide lead guitar fills in the Buddy Guy style, but the sustained string choking always start to sound out of tune with at least a few of the many notes Sykes is hitting, seeing as the piano man doesn't really go for restrained comping. Sykes hears the problem and comes up with a tune called "Stop Stopping Me," effectively bringing forth the guitarist's talents by providing him with a more fixed harmonic base. Shines, in general, fares better blending his guitar with Sykes; not only is his style more relaxed, word was the two bluesmen has been arguing about the Bible all day and were making an effort to get along a little, which one can hear. A large chunk of the tracks are solo piano, which is of course something Sykes does with great flair and intoxicating elan. This is perhaps not an essential blues album, but the set of performances are well recorded and provide an entertaining document of what can happen in the studio when a gang of sharp blues players are assembled. - Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide

 

HOME | NEW | CATALOG | UPCOMING | ORDER | SPECIAL | CONTACT | LINKS

© 2001-2007 Labor Records. All rights reserved.