b. November 26th, 1938 in Hatchie Bottom (Mississippi)
WRONG SIDE OUT
Ichiban
1988
Né dans une famille de métayers, il grandit aux côtés de quatre frères et cinq soeurs. Lorsqu'il a 9 ans, la famille déménage à Walnut (Mississippi). Son père Chalmus "Rooster" Haddix - un bluesman du Delta - lui apprend la guitare. En 1958, ils s'installent à Milwaukee. Travis partage son temps entre ses études, le basket et la musique. A son retour de l'armée (1961-63), il prend un poste d'électricien dans un supermarché de Cleveland. Plus tard, installé à Bedford, Travis travaille désormais pour les services postaux. Vers 1985-86, il forme son propre groupe. Suivant les conseils de Clarence Carter, il contacte le label Ichiban qui se montre intéressé. Il trouve ainsi l'opportunité de graver son premier disque avec le producteur-maison Gary "B.B." Coleman. Très bon chanteur, guitariste compétent, Travis y montre aussi ses talents de compositeur dans un style Soul-Blues cuivré et agréable. On peut ressortir notamment "Nobody wants you when you're old and gray", "Wrong side out", le slow-blues "Time to take charge" et le funky "Old time music".
Born in a family of sharecroppers, he grew up alongside four brothers and five sisters. When he was 9, the family moved to Walnut, Mississippi. His father Chalmus "Rooster" Haddix - a Delta bluesman - taught him the guitar. In 1958, they moved to Milwaukee. Travis shares his time between his studies, basketball and music. Upon his return from the army (1961-63), he took a job as an electrician in a Cleveland supermarket. Later, based in Bedford, Travis now works for postal services. Towards 1985-86, he formed his own band. Following the advice of Clarence Carter, he contacted the Ichiban label who was interested. He thus finds the opportunity to cut his first record with house-producer Gary "B.B." Coleman. Very good singer, competent guitarist, Travis also shows his talents of composer in a brassy Soul-Blues enjoyable style. We can point out "Nobody wants you when you're old and gray", "Wrong side out", the slow-blues "Time to take charge" and the funky "Old time music".
WINNERS NEVER QUIT
Ichiban
Elite Special
1991
Dans la continuité de "Wrong side out", Travis remplit son deuxième disque de bonnes compositions de Soul sudiste chaleureuse : "Homeslice", "Bag lady" (avec le bon apport de l'harmoniciste Jeff Baker), "Better than nothing", "Beggin' business". Son excellente voix chaude est bien mise en valeur mais il délaisse la guitare à d'autres musiciens. Cette fois, la production est assurée par le batteur Bryan Cole (autre producteur-maison chez Ichiban). Entretemps, Travis a crée, en 1989, Wann-Sonn son propre label (d'après le prénom de ses filles, Wanda et Sonya).
In the continuity of "Wrong side out", Travis fills his second album with good compositions of warm Southern Soul : "Homeslice", "Bag lady" (with the good contribution of the harmonicist Jeff Baker), "Better than nothing", "Beggin' business". His excellent warm voice is well placed but he leaves the guitar to other musicians. This time, the production is ensured by the drummer Bryan Cole (another house-producer at Ichiban). Meanwhile, Travis created in 1989, his own label Wann-Sonn (inspired by the first names of his daughters, Wanda and Sonya).
WHAT I KNOW RIGHT NOW
Ichiban
1991
Moins inspiré et plus empesé que les deux opus précédents, l'album possède beaucoup moins de force et ennuie parfois. Même si on trouve quelques bons moments ça et là ("Enough is enough", "Getting by with a lie", "What I know right now"), la production est trop lisse donnant un son synthétique peu attractif. Enregistré la même année que "Winners never quit", il pourrait s'agir de pistes non retenues pour le précédent album.
Less inspired and more affected than the previous two opus, this album has much less strength and sometimes bores. Even if we find some good moments here and there ("Enough is enough", "Getting by with a lie", "What I know right now"), the production is too smooth giving an unattractive synthetic sound. Recorded the same year than "Winners never quit", it might be tracks that were not retained for the previous album.
I GOT A SURE THING
Ichiban
1993
A l'image de "What I know right now", ce disque reprend la même formule : Soul contemporaine bien chantée mais peu originale, production convenue. On apprécie néanmoins "A day late and a dollar short" et "Caught in the middle".
Like "What I know right now", this disc reproduces the same formula : contemporary Soul well sung but not very original, conventional production. We appreciate "A day late and a dollar short" and "Caught in the middle" nevertheless.
A BIG OLE GOODUN'
Ichiban
1993
Dernier album pour la firme d'Atlanta - Ichiban - Travis reprend son cocktail de Soul-Blues cuivré rempli de compositions personnelles abouties et percutantes : "A big ole goodun'", "Texas toothpick", "Bad to worse", "My dessert", "You can't have your cake and eat it too".
Last album for the Atlanta's imprint - Ichiban - Travis takes back his cocktail of brassy Soul-Blues filled with accomplished and catchy personal compositions : "A big ole goodun'", "Texas toothpick", "Bad to worse", "My dessert", "You can't have your cake and eat it too".
ICHIBAN BLUES AT CHRISTMAS vol.3
Ichiban
1994
Pour cette anthologie de Noël, Travis Haddix grave "Santa Claus got the blues", un titre sympathique qui sera son dernier pour Ichiban.
For this Christmas anthology, Travis Haddix cut "Santa Claus got the blues", a nice title that will be his last for Ichiban.
DANCE TO THE BLUES
Wann-Sonn
1995
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Wann-Sonn
1998
Travis compose la plupart de ses morceaux, est son propre producteur sur son propre label, ce lui garantit une parfaite liberté dans le process de création. Dans son style habituel, il délivre un disque intéressant ("You've got another think coming", "My wife my woman my girlfriend", "Signs of the times") mais peu original. Curieusement, quatre morceaux sont repris du disque "What I know right now". Il n'y a donc qu'une seule face d'inédite.
Travis composes most of his tracks, is his own producer on his own label, it guarantees him a perfect freedom in the process of creation. In his usual style, he delivers an interesting record ("You've got another think coming", "My wife my woman my girlfriend", "Signs of the times") but not very original. Oddly enough, four songs are taken from "What I know right now". There is therefore only one unissued side.
KNEE DEEP IN THE BLUES
Jazz Elite Special
June 1998
Gravé en Suisse avec des musiciens locaux - The Harlem Ramblers - ce disque est produit par Martin Pearson. Dans une veine entre Jazz et Blues, Travis chante et joue de la guitare bien supporté par ce solide jazz-band helvète. Un disque plaisant - pourvu d'une orchestration délicate et inspirée - qui s'avère original dans sa discographie Soul-Blues habituelle. On peut retenir notamment "Homeslice", "Knee deep in the blues", une belle version de "Precious Lord", "Begging business".
Recorded in Switzerland with local musicians - The Harlem Ramblers - this record is produced by Martin Pearson. In a vein between Jazz and Blues, Travis sings and plays guitar well supported by this solid swiss jazz band. A pleasant record - endowed with a delicate and inspired orchestration - which is original in his usual Soul-Blues discography. We can point out "Homeslice", "Knee deep in the blues", a nice version of "Precious Lord", "Begging business".
SHOOTUM UP
Jazz Elite Special
1999
OLD AND EASY
Wann-Sonn
1999
Enregistré chez lui à Bedford (Ohio) avec des musiciens restés inconnus. Hormis le morceau d'ouverture funky "Women with clout", il s'agit probablement d'un de ses albums les plus blues avec des compositions personnelles typiques comme "Job close to home", "Beggin' or not", "My secret".
Recorded at his home in Bedford (Ohio) with musicians remained unknown. Apart from the funky opening song "Women with clout", it's probably one of his most blues albums with typical personal compositions like "Job close to home", "Beggin' or not", "My secret".
MILK AND BREAD
Wann-Sonn
November 2001
Supporté par des musiciens convaincants comme Greg Nicholson (basse), Frank "Silk" Smith (guitare), Gil Zachary (claviers), Vernondo Parker (batterie) et une belle section cuivres (Jeff Hager, David Ruffin, Tony "T.J." Fortunato), Travis livre une série de titres Soul-Blues bien ficelés sans être très originaux : "Problem with that", "Milk and bread", "Why wait" parmi d'autres.
Supported by convincing musicians like Greg Nicholson (bass), Frank "Silk" Smith (guitar), Gil Zachary (keyboards), Vernondo Parker (drums) and a beautiful horn section (Jeff Hager, David Ruffin, Tony "T.J." Fortunato), Travis delivers a serie of well-crafted Soul-Blues tracks : "Problem with that", "Milk and bread", "Why wait" among others.
COMPANY IS COMING
Wann-Sonn
November 2002
Blues cuivré de bon aloi avec la même équipe que sur "Milk and bread". Avec son savoir-faire habituel, Travis compose les douze morceaux du CD dont certains valent une écoute attentive : "Tuesday morning", "Grandsons are fun", "We spell OX", "Bad news woman", "Loneliness". Un album solide dans la lignée de "Old and easy" et "Milk and bread".
Genuine brassy blues with the same team than on "Milk and bread". With his usual know-how, Travis composes the twelve tracks of the CD, some of which are worth listening attentively : "Tuesday morning", "Grandsons are fun", "We spell OX", "Bad news woman", "Loneliness". A solid album in the continuation of "Old and easy" and "Milk and bread".
BLUES FROM STAGHORN STREET
Wann-Sonn
December 2003
Gravé dans le studio habituel de Cleveland (Closer Look studios) avec son groupe régulier (Greg Nicholson, Gil Zachary, Vernondo Parker) et sa section cuivres (dirigée par David Hager), Travis se montre - comme à son habitude - un superbe chanteur et un guitariste influencé par B.B. King et Albert King selon les moments. Particulièrement réussi, ce CD récèle plusieurs pistes vraiment abouties : "Andy's", "Nice to be needed", "Cut off your money", "Blues from Staghorn Street", "Shatterproof heart".
Recorded in the usual Cleveland studio (Closer Look studios) with his regular band (Greg Nicholson, Gil Zachary, Vernondo Parker) and his horn section (led by David Hager), Travis shows himself - as usual - as a superb singer and a guitarist influenced by B.B. King and Albert King depending on the time. Particularly achieved, this CD is filled with several really accomplished tracks : "Andy's", "Nice to be needed", "Cut off your money", "Blues from Staghorn Street", "Shatterproof heart".
MUD CAKES
Wann-Sonn
2005
Ce disque relate une performance de Travis Haddix sur le sol allemand. Ces prises live assez hétérogènes comportent plusieurs bons moments ("Job close to home", "Mud cakes") mais également des longueurs ("My secret" et une reprise très inégale de "T-Bone shuffle").
This record captures a performance of Travis Haddix on German ground. These quite heterogeneous live takes have several good moments ("Job close to home", "Mud cakes") but also some lengths ("My secret" and a very uneven cover of "T-Bone shuffle").
MEAN OLE YESTERDAY
Wann-Sonn
January 2007
Pour une fois, Travis propose quelques reprises, lui qui est un très bon compositeur. Mais, le mixage et la production laissent à désirer : cuivres et claviers écrasant tout le reste.
For once, Travis proposes a few covers whereas he is a very good composer. But, mixing and production are not really convincing : horns and keyboards crushing everything else.
DAYLIGHT AT MIDNIGHT
Wann-Sonn
Earwig
2007
Plus varié qu'à l'accoutumée, cet album confirme le retour de Travis Haddix après deux livraisons en demi-teinte. "Word a lie" (avec l'harmonica de Bob Frank), "Backward baby", "Daylight at midnight" (qui s'inspire d'un voyage en Finlande), "What to do", "Blues leftovers" figurent parmi les meilleurs pistes dans son style Soul-Blues habituel.
More varied than usual, this album confirms the return of Travis Haddix after two uneven installments. "Word a lie" (with the harmonica of Bob Frank), "Backward baby", "Daylight at midnight" (inspired by a trip to Finland), "What to do", "Blues leftovers" are among the best tracks in his usual Soul-Blues style.
IF I'M THE ONE, YOU'RE ONE TOO
CDS - Benevolent Blues
September 2009
Encore une fois, un soin particulier a été apporté à la section cuivres (Jeff Hager, David Ruffin, Norm Tischler, "T.J." Fortunato) bien arrangée et bien placée. Celle-ci donne un souffle supplémentaire à des morceaux comme "Scared half to death twice", "Clean out love" ou "Dollar's worth of gas". Parfait au chant et à la guitare (dans un style proche de B.B. King), Travis remplit ce disque de belles réussites : "If I'm one, you're one too", "Lump in my throat" sans oublier le bel hommage acoustique à son père bluesman avec "It's rooster again".
Again, a special care has been given to the horn section (Jeff Hager, David Ruffin, Norm Tischler, "T.J." Fortunato) well arranged and well placed. It gives an extra breath to songs like "Scared half to death twice", "Clean out love" or "Dollar's worth of gas". Perfect on singing and guitar (in a B.B. King close style), Travis fills this record with great achieved tracks : "If I'm one, you're one too", "Lump in my throat" without forgetting the beautiful acoustic tribute to his father bluesman with "It's rooster again".
A DOZEN TIMES
CDS - Benevolent Blues
December 2009
Concert donné à Cleveland par Travis et son groupe, bien supérieur à "Mud cakes". Un programme Soul-Blues comprenant d'excellents moments comme "First thing tuesday morning", "Job close to home", "If I'm one you're one too", "Down home blues". La section cuivres, emmenée par Jeff Hager, est particulièrement en vue. A la fin du disque, on trouve deux morceaux en studio (l'excitant "This foolishness").
Concert given in Cleveland by Travis and his band, much superior to "Mud cakes". A Soul-Blues program featuring great moments like "First thing tuesday morning", "Job close to home", "If I'm one you're one too", "Down home blues". The brass section, led by Jeff Hager, is particularly prominent. At the end of the disc, there are two studio tracks (the exciting "This foolishness").
OLD MAN IN LOVE
CDS - Benevolent Blues
March 2011
Même si parfois ses disques se ressemblent un peu, il faut reconnaitre les talents remarquables de compositeur de Travis Haddix. Sur ce nouvel opus, on peut écouter une poignée d'excellentes réalisations qui sortent du lot : "She hit a grand slam", "Old man in love", "Cialis before I see Alice", "Two steps from a lie", "Too narrow", "Dreamed I was dreaming", "Stop lying about your age". Sans aucun doute, un de ses meilleurs CD.
Even if sometimes his records look a bit alike, we must recognize the remarkable talents of composer of Travis Haddix. On this new opus, we can listen to a handle of excellent tracks which really stand out : "She hit a grand slam", "Old man in love", "Cialis before I see Alice", "Two steps from a lie", "Too narrow", "Dreamed I was dreaming", "Stop lying about your age". Undoubtedly, one of his best CDs.
RING ON HER FINGER, ROPE AROUND MY NECK
CDS - Benevolent Blues
2012
Moins achevé que le disque précédent, cet opus possède, néanmoins, quelques titres notables proposés dans le style Soul-Blues habituel de Travis Haddix : "Jodie", "Patience with a purpose", "Ring on her finger".
Less accomplished than the previous record, this opus has, nevertheless, some notable titles proposed in the traditional Soul-Blues style of Travis Haddix : "Jodie", "Patience with a purpose", "Ring on her finger".
LOVE COUPONS
CDS - Benevolent Blues
February - March 2013
Alors que sa voix s'est faite un peu plus faible qu'avant, ses qualités de compositeur sont toujours bien présentes. Un disque intéressant même si un manque de renouvellement se fait parfois sentir.
While his voice is a little weaker than before, his skills as a composer are always present. An interesting record even if a lack of originality may sometimes be felt.