Elvin Richard Bishop
b. October 21st, 1942 in Glendale (California)
ELVIN BISHOP GROUP
Fillmore
CBS
1969
Né en Californie, Elvin grandit dans une ferme dans l'Iowa puis à Tulsa. Il arrive à Chicago pour faire ses études en physique en 1960. Devenu ami avec Paul Butterfield, il fréquente les clubs de blues de la ville. Les deux hommes forment le Paul Butterfield Blues Band dans lequel Elvin tient la guitare de 1963 à 1968. Cette même année, il se lance dans une carrière en leader et signe sur le label Fillmore de Bill Graham. Produit par David Rubinson, ce premier album propose un inégal mélange de Blues et de Rock. Il existe une version allongée avec deux titres live.
Born in California, Elvin grew up on a farm in Iowa and then in Tulsa. He arrives in Chicago to study physics in 1960. Becoming friends with Paul Butterfield, he frequents the blues clubs of the city. The two men formed the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in which Elvin held the guitar from 1963 to 1968. That same year, he embarked on a career as a leader and signed on Bill Graham's Fillmore label. Produced by David Rubinson, this first album offers an uneven mix of Blues and Rock. There is an extended version with two live tracks.
FEEL IT
Fillmore
CBS
1970
Elvin ne chante que sur un morceau ici se concentrant sur sa guitare. Ce second album possède une influence à la fois Soul et Latino avec la reprise de "Don't fight it (Feel it)" de Wilson Pickett, "I just can't go on" (chanté par les Pointer Sisters) ou "Crazy 'bout you baby" avec des musiciens de Santana. On remarque également le puissant "Party 'till the cows come home" et l'instrumental atmosphérique "Hogbottom". Il existe une version CD avec un titre additionnel ("Stealin' watermelons").
Elvin only sings on one track here focusing on his guitar. This second album has both Soul and Latin influence with the cover of Wilson Pickett's "Don't fight it (Feel it)", "I just can't go on" (sung by the Pointer Sisters) or "Crazy 'bout you baby" with some Santana's musicians. We also notice the powerful "Party 'till the cows come home" and the atmospheric instrumental "Hogbottom". There is a CD version with an additional title ("Stealin' watermelons").
ROCK MY SOUL
Epic
CBS
1972
Le plus souvent, le chant est assuré par Jo Baker, la compagne d'Elvin Bishop. Assez inégal, l'album (co-produit par Delaney Bramlett) combine Soul, Rock, Country et même d'autres influences sans grande inspiration. Malheureusement, la tracklist s'avère peu convaincante. Deux titres live additionnels dans la version CD.
Most often, the vocals are provided by Jo Baker, Elvin Bishop's girlfriend. Quite uneven, the album (co-produced by Delaney Bramlett) combines Soul, Rock, Country and even other influences without much inspiration. Unfortunately, the tracklist turns out to be unconvincing. Two additional live tracks in the CD version.
PARTY 'TILL THE COWS COME HOME
Acadia
1969 - 1972
LET IT FLOW
Capricorn
1974
Grâce à Dicky Betts (Allman Brothers Band), Elvin signe chez Capricorn. Il opte alors pour un puissant alliage de rock sudiste matiné de country avec des titres accrocheurs comme "Ground hog", "Honey babe", "Travelin' shoes", "Fishin'". L'album est produit par Johnny Sandlin (aussi producteur du Allman Brothers Band).
Thanks to Dicky Betts (Allman Brothers Band), Elvin signs with Capricorn. He then opted for a powerful alloy of southern rock with a touch of country with catchy titles like "Ground hog", "Honey babe", "Travelin' shoes", "Fishin'". The album is produced by Johnny Sandlin (also producer of the Allman Brothers Band).
JUKE JOINT JUMP
Capricorn
1975
Second album pour Capricorn toujours avec le producteur Johnny Sandlin. Elvin Bishop, comme sur le précédent album, joue un bon cocktail de Country-Rock avec une poignée de titres efficaces : "Juke joint jump", "Calling all cows", "Arkansas line". On peut noter aussi une reprise méconnaissable (et peu convaincante) du "Crawling kingsnake" de John Lee Hooker.
Second album for Capricorn still with producer Johnny Sandlin. Elvin Bishop, as on the previous album, plays a good cocktail of Country-Rock with a handful of effective titles : "Juke joint jump", "Calling all cows", "Arkansas line". We can also note an unrecognizable (and unconvincing) cover of John Lee Hooker's "Crawling kingsnake".
STRUTTIN' MY STUFF
Capricorn
1975
Pour ce troisième album chez Capricorn, Elvin est produit par Allan Blazek et Bill Szymczyk. Le son évolue vers un Rock plus contemporain et plus commercial teinté parfois de Funk (comme sur la chanson titre "Struttin' my stuff). Elvin partage le chant avec Mickey Thomas ("Fooled around and fell in love").
For this third album on Capricorn, Elvin is produced by Allan Blazek and Bill Szymczyk. The sound evolves towards a more contemporary and more commercial Rock sometimes tinged with Funk (as on the title song "Struttin' my stuff). Elvin shares vocals with Mickey Thomas ("Fooled around and fell in love").
HOMETOWN BOY MAKES GOOD
Capricorn
1976
Cette fois, Elvin tourne son Rock vers le Reggae et le Disco. Mais, comme sur l'album précédent, on sent un flagrant manque d'inspiration et d'unité qui rend la tracklist peu convaincante. Production d'Allan Blazek.
This time, Elvin turns his Rock towards Reggae and Disco. But, as on the previous album, we feel a flagrant lack of inspiration and unity which makes the tracklist unconvincing. Produced by Allan Blazek.
RAISIN' HELL
Capricorn
March 1976 - February 1977
Ce double album live fut constitué à partir des bandes récupérées sur une année complète de tournée. Une set-list puissante consacrée surtout aux années Capricorn, réhaussée d'une chaude ambiance, font de cet album, un opus sympathique.
This double live album was made from tapes gathered over a full year of touring. A powerful set-list devoted above all to the Capricorn years, enhanced by a warm atmosphere, make this album a nice opus.
KING BISCUIT FLOWER HOUR
King Biscuit
April 1976
HOG HEAVEN
Capricorn
1978
Pour ce sixième et dernier album pour Capricorn, Elvin Bishop est cette fois son propre producteur et revient au son entre Country-Rock et Rock sudiste. En dépit de quelques moments intéressants (la chanteuse Maria Muldaur chante sur le bon "True love"), l'album semble bien peu convaincant. Amusante photographie sur la pochette de l'album.
For this sixth and last album for Capricorn, Elvin Bishop is this time his own producer and returns to a sound between Country-Rock and Southern Rock. Despite some interesting moments (the singer Maria Muldaur sings on the nice "True love"), the album seems very unconvincing. Amusing photograph on the album cover.
IS YOU IS OR IS YOU AIN'T MY BABY
Line
1981
Au creux de la vague, Elvin grave cet album pour le label allemand Line. Un contenu hétéroclite et peu convaincant malgré le retour de quelques éléments Blues. On trouve un titre supplémentaire sur la version CD.
At the bottom of the wave, Elvin cut this album for the german label Line. A heterogeneous and unconvincing content despite the return of some Blues elements. There is an additional title on the CD version.
BIG FUN
Alligator
1988
Ce premier album enregistré pour le label Alligator symbolise le retour aux affaires d'Elvin Bishop après une décennie dans l'oubli. Il reste producteur, assisté de Bruce Iglauer et Stevie Gurr. La tracklist entre Blues et Country-Rock est constituée de reprises inégales (on retient une relecture originale de "Beer drinking woman") et d'intéressantes compositions personnelles ("Oklahoma country girl", "She puts me in the mood", "Country boy").
This first album recorded for the Alligator label symbolizes the return to business of Elvin Bishop after a decade in oblivion. He remains producer, assisted by Bruce Iglauer and Stevie Gurr. The tracklist between Blues and Country-Rock is made up of uneven covers (we point out an original reading of "Beer drinking woman") and interesting personal compositions ("Oklahoma country girl", "She puts me in the mood", "Country boy").
DON'T LET THE BOSSMAN GET YOU DOWN
Alligator
1991
Plus abouti que l'album précédent, ce second opus pour Alligator (entièrement produit par Elvin lui-même) offre une intense tracklist remplie de beaux blues : "Don't let the bossman get you down", "Murder in the first degree", "Kissing in the dark", "You got to rock 'em", "Devil's slide" et "Just your fool" (avec la guitare de Luther Tucker).
More achieved than the previous album, this second opus for Alligator (entirely produced by Elvin himself) offers an intense tracklist filled with beautiful blues : "Don't let the bossman get you down", "Murder in the first degree", "Kissing in the dark", "You got to rock 'em", "Devil's slide" and "Just your fool" (featuring Luther Tucker's guitar).
CHICAGO BLUES BUDDIES
Black Derby
December 1992 / May 1993 / January 2000 / October 2006
Elvin Bishop et Little Smokey Smothers se connaissent depuis 1960 et ont souvent joué ensemble dans les clubs de Chicago. Dans ce CD - publié à l'initiative d'Elvin Bishop - sont réunies la plupart de leurs collaborations : deux titres formidables issus de l'album de Little Smokey Smothers "Bossman" (en particulier l'excellent "Talkin' blues"), des morceaux live capturés lors du Chicago Blues Festival 1993 (avec les intenses "Crackhead woman" et "Mother in law blues"), dans un club de San Francisco en 2000 (également dans le CD "That's my partner") ou au club Ground Zero à Clarksdale en 2006.
Elvin Bishop and Little Smokey Smothers have known each other since 1960 and often played together in Chicago clubs. In this CD - issued on the initiative of Elvin Bishop - are brought together most of their collaborations : two great tracks from Little Smokey Smothers' album "Bossman" (in particular the excellent "Talkin' blues"), live tracks captured during the 1993 Chicago Blues Festival (with the intense "Crackhead woman" and "Mother in law blues"), in a club in San Francisco in 2000 (also in the "That's my partner" CD) or at the Ground Zero club in Clarksdale in 2006.
ACE IN THE HOLE
Alligator
1995
Troisième album pour Alligator produit par Elvin et Bill Thompson. Une belle tranche de blues cuivré et festif avec des morceaux accrocheurs comme "Give me some of that money", "Party 'til the cows come home" (dans sa meilleure version ici), "Think", "Talkin' mood". Il faut aussi ressorti le blues terrien "Ace in the hole" avec l'harmoniciste Charlie Musselwhite.
Third album for Alligator produced by Elvin and Bill Thompson. A beautiful slice of brassy and festive blues with catchy tracks like "Give me some of that money", "Party 'til the cows come home" (in its best version here), "Think", "Talkin' mood". We must also point out the down-home blues "Ace in the hole" with harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite.
THE SKIN I'M IN
Alligator
1998
Avec la même équipe que sur l'excellent "Ace in the hole", Elvin Bishop délivre ici un magnifique album, certainement son meilleur. Elvin et ses musiciens jouent un blues puissant et cuivré, inspiré et varié. Une tracklist remarquable avec notamment "Right now is the hour", "The skin they're in", "Middle aged man", "Country blues" (avec Charlie Musselwhite et Joe Louis Walker), "Slow down".
With the same team as on the excellent "Ace in the hole", Elvin Bishop delivers here a magnificent album, certainly his best. Elvin and his musicians play a powerful and brassy blues, inspired and varied. A remarkable tracklist including "Right now is the hour", "The skin they're in", "Middle aged man", "Country blues" (with Charlie Musselwhite and Joe Louis Walker), "Slow down".
THAT'S MY PARTNER
Alligator
January 2000
Concert conjoint d'Elvin Bishop et de Little Smokey Smothers dans un club de San Francisco dans les premiers jours de l'an 2000. Un bon set de Chicago Blues cuivré constellé de beaux moments comme "That's my partner", "Slow down", "Hello baby", "The skin they're in", "Annie Mae", "Pleading with you".
Joint concert of Elvin Bishop and Little Smokey Smothers in a San Francisco club in the first days of the year 2000. A good set of brassy Chicago Blues studded with nice moments like "That's my partner", "Slow down", "Hello baby", "The skin they're in", "Annie Mae", "Pleading with you".
GETTIN' MY GROOVE BACK
Blind Pig
2005
En aout 2000, sa fille Selina et sa femme Jennifer Villarin sont tragiquement assassinées. Pour récupérer d'une telle tragédie, Elvin se terre dans l'ombre le temps du deuil. Il revient finalement en 2005 et signe pour l'occasion avec le label Blind Pig. Un excellent opus avec le puissant et brut "What the hell is going on" mais aussi "That's my thing", "Blues train", "Got to be New Orleans" sans oublier "Sweet dreams" une reprise de Don Gibson.
In august 2000, his daughter Selina and his wife Jennifer Villarin were tragically murdered. To recover from such a tragedy, Elvin hides in the shadows during the time of mourning. He finally comes back in 2005 and signed for the occasion with the Blind Pig label. An excellent opus with the powerful and raw "What the hell is going on" but also "That's my thing", "Blues train", "Got to be New Orleans" without forgetting "Sweet dreams" a cover of Don Gibson.
BOOTY BUMPIN'
Blind Pig
December 2006
Un concert capturé dans un club californien avec une set-list peu originale malgré une belle version de "What the hell is going on" ou l'instrumental "Booty bumpin'".
A concert captured in a californian club with an unoriginal set-list despite a nice version of "What the hell is going on" or the instrumental "Booty bumpin'".
IN CONCERT
Disky
?
THE BLUES ROLLS ON
Delta Groove
October 2007 / 2008
Après Blind Pig, Elvin enregistre pour le label Delta Groove de Randy Chortkoff. Pour l'occasion, de nombreux artistes sont invités à rejoindre Elvin. Dans ce superbe programme, on apprécie en particulier "The blues rolls on" (avec Warren Haynes et Kim Wilson), "Yonder's wall" (avec Ronnie Baker Brooks et Tommy Castro), "Keep a dollar in your pocket" (avec B.B. King), "Black Gal" (avec R.C. Carrier et Andre Thierry) en hommage à Clifton Chenier, "Come on in this house" (avec le Homemade Jamz Band) sans oublier le puissant "Oklahoma" dans lequel Elvin est seul à la guitare électrique.
After Blind Pig, Elvin recorded for Randy Chortkoff's Delta Groove label. For the occasion, many artists are invited to join Elvin. In this superb program, we appreciate in particular "The blues rolls on" (with Warren Haynes and Kim Wilson), "Yonder's wall" (with Ronnie Baker Brooks and Tommy Castro), "Keep a dollar in your pocket" (with B.B. King), "Black Gal" (with R.C. Carrier and Andre Thierry) in homage to Clifton Chenier, "Come on in this house" (with the Homemade Jamz Band) without forgetting the powerful "Oklahoma" in which Elvin is alone on electric guitar.
RED DOG SPEAKS
Delta Groove
2010
Dans ce second album pour Delta Groove, Elvin rend hommage à sa guitare fétiche (une Gibson ES-345). Il brille notamment sur "Red dog speaks", "Neighbor neighbor" (chanté par John Nemeth), "Blues cruise" (avec Ronnie Baker Brooks, Tommy Castro, Buckwheat Zydeco et Roy Gaines), "Get your hand out of my pocket" (avec John Nemeth et R.C. Carrier) et "Clean livin'" dans lequel Elvin est seul à la guitare électrique.
In this second album for Delta Groove, Elvin pays homage to his favorite guitar (a Gibson ES-345). He shines in particular on "Red dog speaks", "Neighbor neighbor" (sung by John Nemeth), "Blues cruise" (with Ronnie Baker Brooks, Tommy Castro, Buckwheat Zydeco and Roy Gaines), "Get your hand out of my pocket" (with John Nemeth and R.C. Carrier) and "Clean livin'" in which Elvin is alone on electric guitar.
RAISIN' HELL REVUE
Delta Groove
2011
Concert capturé lors de la Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Elvin est entouré de nombreux amis comme Kid Andersen, Finis Tasby ou John Nemeth. Un moment parfois sympathique mais souvent inégal. On peut retenir tout de même un "Dyin' flu" en hommage à Albert Collins.
Concert captured during the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Elvin is surrounded by many friends like Kid Andersen, Finis Tasby or John Nemeth. A sometimes nice moment but often uneven. We can still point out a "Dyin' flu" in homage to Albert Collins.
CAN'T EVEN DO WRONG RIGHT
Alligator
2014
Retour chez Alligator en 2014 après y avoir délivré de nombreux superbes albums dans les années 90. Une belle tranche de blues brut parsemée de titres accrocheurs et inspirés comme "Can't even do wrong right", "Blues with a feeling", "Old school", "No more doggin'" (deux morceaux avec Charlie Musselwhite), "Dancin'", "Bo weevil".
Return to Alligator in 2014 after delivering many superb albums there in the 90's. A beautiful slice of raw blues sprinkled with catchy and inspired titles like "Can't even do wrong right", "Blues with a feeling", "Old school", "No more doggin'" (two tracks with Charlie Musselwhite), "Dancin'", "Bo weevil".
LIVE AT THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Munck Music
April 2016
BIG FUN TRIO
Alligator
2017
Elvin Bishop a formé le Big Fun Trio avec son fidèle pianiste Bob Welsh et le percussioniste Willy Jordan. Ils sont parfois rejoints par les meilleurs harmonicistes (Rick Estrin, Kim Wilson, Charlie Musselwhite) pour un set de blues terrien et excitant. On peut ressortir "Keep on rollin'", "It's you baby", "Let's go" et "100 years of blues".
Elvin Bishop formed the Big Fun Trio with his faithful pianist Bob Welsh and percussionist Willy Jordan. They are sometimes joined by the best harmonica players (Rick Estrin, Kim Wilson, Charlie Musselwhite) for a down-home and exciting set of blues. We can point out "Keep on rollin'", "It's you baby", "Let's go" and "100 years of blues".
SOMETHING SMELLS FUNKY 'ROUND HERE
Alligator
2018
LIVE AT THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Munck Music
April 2019
100 YEARS OF BLUES
Alligator
2020
Réunion de deux grands bluesmen - amis de longue date - sous la supervision du producteur Kid Andersen. En pleine forme, le guitariste Elvin Bishop et l'harmoniciste Charlie Musselwhite délivrent un set de blues terrien uniquement accompagnés de Bob Welsh (guitare et piano) et de Kid Andersen (basse). On peut ressortir de ce programme intense et excitant les excellents "Birds of a feather", "West Helena blues", "Good times", "If I should have bad luck", "Blues why do you worry me", "Help me", "100 years of blues".
Reunion of two great bluesmen - longtime friends - under the supervision of producer Kid Andersen. In top form, guitarist Elvin Bishop and harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite deliver a set of down-home blues only accompanied by Bob Welsh (guitar and piano) and Kid Andersen (bass). We can point out from this intense and exciting program the excellent "Birds of a feather", "West Helena blues", "Good times", "If I should have bad luck", "Blues why do you worry me", "Help me", "100 years of blues".