Lawrence M. Nolan
b. September 23rd, 1937 in Terre Haute (Indiana)
d. March 14th, 1990 in Broadview (Illinois)
CHICAGO BLUES SHOWS OF THE 70'S
CSR
June 1977
Big Twist est le pseudonyme du chanteur Larry Nolan. Il commence à chanter à l'église durant l'enfance. Au début des années 70, il monte le groupe The Mellow Fellows avec le guitariste Peter Special, le saxophoniste Terry Ogolini et quelques autres. En parallèle, Big Twist chante occasionnellement avec le groupe de Bob Riedy. On trouve dans ce CD, trois excellents morceaux où Big Twist est présenté en leader du groupe de Bob Riedy : "It's love baby", "We're gonna make it" et surtout une puissante version de "Grits ain't groceries".
Big Twist is the pseudonym of singer Larry Nolan. He begins to sing in church during childhood. In the early 70's, he formed The Mellow Fellows with guitarist Peter Special, saxophonist Terry Ogolini and a few others. In parallel, Big Twist occasionally sings with Bob Riedy's band. This CD features three great songs featuring Big Twist as a leader of Bob Riedy's band : "It's love baby", "We're gonna make it" and especially a powerful version of "Grits ain't groceries".
BIG TWIST & THE MELLOW FELLOWS
Flying Fish
1980
Autour de Big Twist, on trouve donc Pete Special, Terry Ogolini, Bob Pina, Tim Caron, Melvin Crisp. Le répertoire se situe entre Soul et Rhythm & Blues (on retient une belle version de "Nobody wants to lose" et "Sweet sound of Rhythm & Blues"). La production - un peu trop lisse - est l'oeuvre de Jim Tullio. Un album bien construit mais peu original.
Around Big Twist, we find Pete Special, Terry Ogolini, Bob Pina, Tim Caron, Melvin Crisp. The repertoire is between Soul and Rhythm & Blues (we point out a nice version of "Nobody wants to lose" and "Sweet sound of Rhythm & Blues"). The production - a little too slick - is the work of Jim Tullio. A well built but not very original album.
ONE TRACK MIND
Flying Fish
Red Lightnin'
August - December 1981
PLAYING FOR KEEPS
Alligator
Sonet
1983
Pour Alligator, la production de cet album est assurée par le légendaire Gene "Daddy G" Barge et Pete Special. Si le répertoire reste relativement convenu, il est joué avec conviction et feeling : "300 pounds of heavenly joy", "Polk salad Annie", "I got a problem", "I brought the blues on myself". Un disque solide.
For Alligator, the production of this album is the work of the legendary Gene "Daddy G" Barge and Pete Special. If the repertoire remains relatively conventional, it is played with conviction and feeling : "300 pounds of heavenly joy", "Polk salad Annie", "I got a problem", "I brought the blues on myself". A solid record.
LIVE FROM CHICAGO
Alligator
Sonet
January - February 1987
Concert au Biddy's Mulligan de Chicago pour cet excellent groupe de scène : ambiance festive, superbe section cuivres, répertoire classique mais solide. Quelques beaux moments comme "The sweet sound of Rhythm & Blues", "Steamroller blues", "Too much barbeque", "300 pounds of heavenly joy".
Concert at Biddy's Mulligan in Chicago for this excellent stage band : warm atmosphere, superb horn section, classic but solid repertoire. Some beautiful moments like "The sweet sound of Rhythm & Blues", "Steamroller blues", "Too much barbeque", "300 pounds of heavenly joy".
STREET PARTY
Alligator
1990
CHICAGO RHYTHM & BLUES KINGS
Blind Pig
1999
Après le départ de Pete Special, ils changent le nom du groupe en Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings. Sous ce nouveau nom, on retrouve quelques musiciens de l'ossature des Mellow Fellows : Terry Ogolini, Don Tenuto, Gene Barge (également producteur et compositeur). Le chant est désormais assuré par Ernie Peniston. L'étincelante section cuivres est particulièrement en vue. Une musique dynamique et entrainante, des pistes remarquables : "Love is a five letter word", "Poor man's blues", "Creepin' under my skin", "Hide & seek", "Things that make me mad".
After the departure of Pete Special, they change the name of the band in Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings. Under this new name, we find some musicians of the Mellow Fellows backbone : Terry Ogolini, Don Tenuto, Gene Barge (also producer and composer). The singer is now Ernie Peniston. The sparkling horn section is particularly in view. A dynamic and catchy music, some remarkable tracks : "Love is a five letter word", "Poor man's blues", "Creepin' under my skin", "Hide & seek", "Things that make me mad".