TORONTO, CANADA (Top40 Charts/ Electro-Fi Records) - Building Full of Blues is a classic Fathead: great songwriting, rock solid collective playing, virtuoso soloing , and deep soulful vocals-all sure to satisfy! The Juno Award (Canada's Grammy) winning band continues to add to its legacy as one of North America's most highly regarded Blues bands. Building Full of Blues takes their talent to the next level as they take on a wide range of musical subject matter while providing streetwise commentary on the human condition. Special guest Shakura s' Aida joins vocalist John Mays (ex-James Brown) in a powerful duet which rounds out Fathead's strongest recording to date.
Formed in 1992, Fathead has developed a distinctive and unique sound characterized by solid grooves, soul-drenched melodies and ace musicianship- allowing the band to pack multiple music genres into a Blues tour de force. Three of the five band members have remained constant over the years; John Mays (lead vocals), band leader Al Lerman (harp and tenor saxophone, vocals) and Omar Tunnoch (bass, vocals). In 2006 Darran Poole replaced original guitarist Teddy Leonard, while current drummer Bucky Berger joined the group in 2007, succeeding Hayden Vialva (2003-2007), Chuck Keeping (2001-2003), Ed White (1993-2001) and Mike Fitzpatrick (1992).
Fathead's incendiary live shows have taken them far and wide, performing across the continent at high profile events such as Fredericton's Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, The Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, The Montreal International Jazz Fest, The Toronto Soul & Blues Fest, Festival By The Sea in New Brunswick, and Playing With Fire in Omaha, Nebraska. They have performed in Washington, DC for the Canadian Embassy, at Buffalo's Lafayette Tap Room Blues Festival, at Virginia's famed Birchmere Theater, and have opened for blues icon B.B. King at Massey Hall in Toronto. The band also backed the late Chicago bluesman Little Mack Simmons on two fine albums that were critically acclaimed internationally.
The group's indie debut CD Fathead landed them a recording contract with Electro-Fi Records. Blues Weather, the band's sophomore 1998 release, garnered a Juno Award(Canada's Grammy) for Blues Recording Of The Year. Where's Your Head At? was a strong follow up in 2000 and earned several Maple Blues Award nominations, while First Class Riff-Raff won the Canadian Indie Award(2002) and was also nominated for a Juno. Livelier Than Ever! was independently released in 2005, capturing the band in full throttle. Their discs have garnered rave reviews world wide, making Fathead one of the country's top roots acts.
With the release of Building Full Of Blues in 2007, the band reaches new heights with their strongest piece of work to date. Beautifully recorded and boasting well crafted material along with stellar performances, this will not only satisfy the fans, but will win over new ones as well. Marrying blues with elements of soul, R&B, and a little bit of Cajun spice, Fathead has a sound immediately recognizable as their own. They will be touring extensively this year in support of the new disc.
Reviews
"The joy, love and appreciation in the music here is infectious. These Canadians deliver the goods. - Blues Revue
"A great CD by a Canadian band that has paid its dues... all the songs are standouts" - Scene magazine (Canada)
"Canada's hottest blues band scores again with new CD" - Toronto Star
"FATHEAD owns an undeniable groove... These boys boogie with heart." - Eric Thom, Exclaim Magazine
"The sound quality and production are first rate and there's no doubt this CD contains international-calibre talent and music... one of the best blues/R&B recordings in Canadian music history. Fathead has found a winning formula. - Andy Grigg, Westcoast Blues Review
"Very well done all around. A fine band." - Bruce Igluaer, ALLIGATOR RECORDS
Song List:
1. Jellyfish Blues
2. Fire In The Hole
3. What About Me?
4. Bitter When I'm Old
5. Katrina
6. One Day The Sun Will Shine
7. Apartment 10
8. Pity The Fool
9. Too Many Heartaches
10. Backwoods Paradise
11. The Last Time
12. Building Full Of Blues|
Produced by Fathead and Tom Jardin
