The Hitman Blues Band
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Comment: Lacks independent verifiable sources need to establish whether it satisfies WP:NMUSICIAN. It is likely that if proof is provided establishing the band's Grammy nominations and international touring then that should be sufficient to satisfy the notability requirements. I would suggest that you look at re-formatting the article so it meets the same layout/standards as other musical acts. Dan arndt (talk) 04:02, 2 July 2018 (UTC)
The Hitman Blues Band are a New York based blues band, formed in 1989 by Russell "Hitman" Alexander, and have recorded five studio albums and one live album.
The band's first album, Blooztown, was released in 2000 on Nerus Records and re-released in 2001 on Biograph. The album was recorded with Bobby Forester, Bernard Purdie, Johnny Gale (Cyndi Lauper, Aaron Carter, M2M, Loudon Wainwright III, Dave Mason, Jules Shear, Hank Ballard, The Ramones, Joan Osborne, James Brown, Aaron Neville), and special guest Ray Alexander (musician) (on two cuts).
Their second album, Angel in the Shadows, released in 2003, was recorded with Johnny Gale, Richard Crooks (Dr. John, David Bromberg and Bob Dylan), Seth Glassman (James Brown, Paul McCartney, Aaron Neville, Brian McKnight, Jill Sobule, J.D Souther, Bobby Womack, Dr. John, Hall and Oates, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Rogers, Carole King), Kevin Rymer, Murray Weinstock (The Manhattan Transfer, Esther Phillips, Richie Havens, Don Covay and Buddy Miles), Greg "Clutch" Reilly, and Michael Snyder.
It was following this that Hitman did his first UK tour, using the UK band Groove Juice as a backing group. He also played the Eel Pie Club with Storm Warning as backup.
In 2006 they released a live album, Live at Stonybrook University, which comprises songs from their first two album together with a number of original unrecorded songs. The album was in the running for a Grammy nomination in 2007, and featured Hitman, Kevin Rymer (keys), Mike Porter (bass) and Jay Sharkey (drums). Another UK tour followed.
The band's next release in 2009, Pale Rider, featured the live band (with Ed "The Hat" D'Alessio on drums). Pale Rider was in the running for four Grammy nominations in 2009. It was also the first time the band recorded with horns, on the track "Miss Catherine".
Hitman did his first European tour after this release.
In 2010, Alt-Strum Productions licensed "Two Minute Warning" from the Angel in the Shadows to be an add-on for the Rockband game, third edition. Examples can be found on YouTube under the search term "two minute warning rock band 3".
The band's fifth album, Blues Enough, released in 2013, featured the live band with the new drummer, Guy LaFountaine. It also featured a horn section comprised of Michael Snyder on all saxes, Eric Altarac on trumpet, and Al Alpert on trombone. Neil Alexander performed on harmonica on two cuts, "Life's Too Short" and "Blues Enough". Additionally, a female backup vocal section was used comprised of Joanne Alexander and Victoria Anyah.
Hitman resumed touring in the UK, but brought over the entire US band minus the female backup singers. However, in 2014 he added Joanne Alexander and Nancy Hampton to the live lineup, singing backup.
In 2013, "Trouble On The Line" and "I'm Coming For You", both from the Pale Rider album, were used in the feature film Ghostline - the former in the beginning of the movie, and the latter during closing credits.
Their sixth album, The World Moves On, released in 2016, featured the live band with the substitution of Kevin Bents (Donald Fagen and Walter Becker of Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, Phoebe Snow, Jewel, and John Fogerty) on keyboards. It also featured newcomer Nick Clifford on baritone sax, replacing the trombone, and Mikey Vitale on tenor sax.
Additional tours of the UK and France followed, using the American lineup. However, in 2017 John Kelly replaced Mikey Vitale on tenor.
In June 2017, Hitman was featured on the cover of Blues In Britain.
Discography
Albums
- Blooztown - Nerus Records (2000)
- Angels in Shadows - Nerus Records (2003)
- Live at Stonybrook University - Nerus Records (2006)
- Pale Rider - Nerus Records (2009)
- Blues Enough - Nerus Records (2013)
- The World Moves On - Nerus Records (NR4491) (2016)
References
- ^ Bowling, David. "Cashbox Music Reviews - The Hitman Blues Band". Cashbox Reviews. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
- ^ Campbell, Colin (June 2017). "Straight To The Point". Blues Matters (96): 76–79.
- ^ Weale, Darren (June 1, 2017). "Hitman Blues Band: New York Class and Brass". Blues In Britain. 186: 24–25.
- ^ Ghostline - IMDB "Ghostline Soundtrack".
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Bishop, Rachel (August 9 2013). "Hitting The Blues". Richmond & Twickenham Times: 29.
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The Hitman Blues Band for review
- ^ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKbBnSCFsOE.
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