b. April 7th, 1932 in Indianola (Mississippi)

d. September 19th, 1995 in Detroit (Michigan)

3 SHADES OF THE BLUES

Lupine - Relic

1959 - 1960

Né dans le delta du Mississippi, il s'installe à Chicago en 1946 puis à Detroit quatre ans plus tard. Avec son frère Little Mack Collins, il forme son groupe et joue dans les clubs de Hastings Street dans les années 50. Pour le label Northern, il grave ses premiers morceaux sous la supervision du producteur Robert West dans lesquels brille sa guitare élégante en particulier "Live my life all over", "Until the day I die" et "Hard times once more".

Born in the Mississippi Delta, he moved to Chicago in 1946 and then to Detroit four years later. With his brother Little Mack Collins, he formed his own band and played in the clubs of Hastings Street in the 50's. For the Northern label, he cut his first tracks under the supervision of producer Robert West in which his elegant guitar shines, in particular "Live my life all over", "Until the day I die" and "Hard times once more".

WHEN GIRLS DO IT

Red Lightnin'

1966 - 1967

Pour le producteur Diamond Jim Riley, Mr Bo enregistre plusieurs titres au milieu des années 60 en particulier les excellents "I ain't gonna suffer" et "If trouble was money" repris sur cette anthologie Red Lightnin'. Il poursuit la collaboration avec Riley sur ses différents labels jusqu'en 1971, date à laquelle ce dernier est assassiné.

For producer Diamond Jim Riley, Mr Bo recorded several titles in the mid-1960's, in particular the excellent "I ain't gonna suffer" and "If trouble was money" featured on this Red Lightnin' anthology. He continued to collaborate with Riley on his various labels until 1971, when the latter was assassinated.

PLEASE MR FOREMAN

Schoolkids

Total Energy

Sequel

September 1973

Apparition de Mr Bo sur la scène du fameux festival d'Ann Arbor en 1973. Il joue ici un superbe "Don't want no woman".

Appearance of Mr Bo on the stage of the famous Ann Arbor festival in 1973. He plays here a superb "Don't want no woman".

IF TROUBLE WAS MONEY

Blue Suit

Spring 1995

Originaire de la scène de Detroit, régulièrement actif depuis les années 50, Mr Bo n'a pu graver son premier et seul album que dans les derniers jours de sa vie. Pourtant, il avait déjà brillé sur plusieurs simples et avait même fait une tournée en Europe en 1993 (notamment au Blues Estafette d'Utrecht). Sa musique s'inscrit dans la lignée d'un B.B. King dont il reprend le style avec goût : voix suave, guitare au jeu fluide. L'album produit par John Henry pour le label Blue Suit montre le talent de ce bluesman inspiré qui teinte son Blues d'éléments de Jazz. Un programme consistant en particulier "If trouble was money", "Fire down below", "Detroit Michigan", "Born in the country", "Buzz me", "Bo's groove".

Originally from the Detroit scene, regularly active since the 1950's, Mr Bo was only able to record his first and only album in the last days of his life. Yet he had already shone on several singles and had even toured Europe in 1993 (notably at the Blues Estafette in Utrecht). His music is in line with B.B. King whose style he takes up with taste : suave voice, fluid guitar playing. The album produced by John Henry for the Blue Suit label shows the talent of this inspired bluesman who colors his Blues with elements of Jazz. A consistent program in particular "If trouble was money", "Fire down below", "Detroit Michigan", "Born in the country", "Buzz me", "Bo's groove".