For those unaware, Still Raisin’ Cane is Jay Willie and Bobby T Torello’s seventh rhythm and blues recording, a project born from deep admiration and musical kinship.

For over 20 years, ZOHO Music has been a champion of independent music, and thus they continue their partnership with Jochen Becker and this esteemed label; a relationship that began back in 2013 with the Jay Willie Blues Band’s New York Minute (ZM 201303).

Still Raisin’ Cane is a heartfelt tribute Jay’s musical hero, Johnny Winter, and the incredible musicians who contributed to his legendary sound.

Furthermore, Johnny’s 1980 album Raisin’ Cain on Blue Sky Records, featuring Jon Paris on bass and harmonica and Bobby T Torello on drums, was a pivotal record for him. He was actually fortunate enough to jam with both Jon and Bobby at BB Kings in NYC during Jon’s Monday night open mic sessions, experiences that remain vivid memories.

Bobby T’s distinctive drumming style, so integral to Johnny’s music, has graced all seven of their ZOHO releases. This album, in many ways, is a continuation of that powerful rhythmic legacy. They have always admired Johnny’s ability to take classic Texas and New Orleans R&B from the pre-rock and roll era and make it his own.

And so Jay and Bobby T wanted to honor that spirit and the energy of albums like Raisin’ Cain and White Hot and Blue, which Bobby so powerfully defined with his drumming.

1. Still Raisin’ Cane [3:14] - Willie, Torello, Opalach
2. Wasted Days And Wasted Nights [3:23] - Wayne Duncan, Freddy Fender, Huey Meaux
3. Boogie For Drums And Guitar [2:36] - Paul McGhee
4. Much Too Late [5:08] - Tarheel Slim, Little Ann
5. Sugar In My Tea (Cream In My Coffee) [3:47] - Piney Brown, Edna Price
6. Positively 4th Street [4:22] - Bob Dylan
7. I’m Lost Without You [2:30] - Memphis Slim
8. Stranger [3:55] - Johnny Winter
9. Jesus Gonna Be Here [3:40] - Tom Waits

Made up of exceptional musicians coming from a variety of different backgrounds, the members of Jay Willie Blues Band come together with both Jay and Bobby to first brings us the gruffly vocalized original song Still Raisin’ Cane and then we get Freddy Fender’s 1959 absolute country gem Wasted Days And Wasted Nights, a rousing rendition of Paul McGhee’s instrumental Boogie For Drums And Guitar and then we get the incredible vocals of Karen Johnstone on the blues-imbibed Tarheel Slim And Little Ann gem Much Too Late.

Along next is the totally rocking Piney Brown classic Sugar In My Tea (Cream In My Coffee) and that is itself backed seamlessly by the dutifully emulated Bob Dylan hit Positively 4th Street, a lonesome ode that veritably bleeds within Memphis Slim’s I’m Lost Without You, the set rounding out on the sole song from Johnny with a masterful cover of his 1975 released Stranger, closing on the profoundly impassioned Tom Waits cut Jesus Gonna Be Here.

Rather than simply re-recording tracks from those iconic albums (an endeavor that could never truly compare to the originals), they chose a different path. They sought out songs that resonated with the style and form of Johnny’s repertoire, songs that we felt he, and his fans, would recognize and appreciate in their interpretations.

Just as Johnny produced Muddy Waters’ Grammy-winning Hard Again in 1977, a title with such clever double meaning, they wanted a title that spoke to Bobby’s enduring talent and energy.

This album is a labor of love, a tribute to musical influences, and a celebration of the enduring power of rhythm and blues. We hope you enjoy Still Raisin’ Cane as much as we enjoyed creating it. - Jay Willie

Musicians:
Jay Willie - guitars, slide guitar, vocals
Bobby T Torello - drums, vocals
Karen Johnstone - vocals (4)
Paul Opalach - bass, lap steel, keys, guitar
Doug Bernstein - tenor saxophone

www.jaywilliebluesbandhome.net

www.bobbytorello.com