|  By
Cornbread
 RUF
RECORDS ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBER 8th RELEASE DATE IN
THE U.S. FOR JEFF HEALEY’S SONGS FROM THE
ROAD
NEW ALBUM FEATURES 11 PREVIOUSLY
UNRELEASED LIVE TRACKS RECORDED IN LONDON, TORONTO
AND NOTODDEN
ATLANTA, GA – Ruf Records announces a September
8 release date in the U.S. for Songs from the Road,
a new album featuring 11 previously unreleased live
tracks from the late, uniquely-gifted guitarist
Jeff Healey. The recordings were done over a 15
month period at the famous Notodden Blues Festival
in Norway (8/5/06), the Islington Academy in London
(5/20/07) and Jeff Healey’s Roadhouse in Toronto
(11/15/07). Germany-based Ruf Records is distributed
in the U.S. by the Allegro Corporation, and will
also release the album internationally, except in
Canada, where Songs from the Road will be released
by Stony Plain Records.
Songs from the Road is the
follow-up to Mess of Blues, which was released just
weeks after Jeff’s untimely death from cancer
at age 41 on March 2nd of last year. Mess of Blues
was honored at this year’s Blues Music Awards
as “Blues-Rock Album of the Year,” the
debut of that award category. Jeff’s widow,
Cristie, was there to receive the award, giving
an emotional acceptance speech to a standing ovation.
Songs from the Road showcases
the amazing breadth of Jeff Healey’s guitar
playing and soulful vocals, including psychedelic
rock (“White Room”), bluesy versions
of pop songs (“Teach Your Children,”
“Come Together” and “While My
Guitar Gently Weeps,” the latter which Jeff
originally recorded with George Harrison), Chicago
and Delta blues (“I’m Ready,”
“Stop Breaking Down”) and an updated
version of Jeff’s biggest international hit,
“Angel Eyes.” Other tracks include his
take on The Allman Brothers Band’s “Whipping
Post,” Mark Knopfler’s “I Think
I Love You Too Much” and the rockin’
Christmas chestnut, “Santa, Bring My Baby
Back to Me.”
Songs from the Road features
Jeff Healey backed by his long-time touring band,
including good friend Alec Fraser, who also produced
the new album. Guitarist Randy Bachman makes a guest
appearance on a rousing version of “Hoochie
Coochie Man.”
“It’s such a flashback; Jeff was in
top form,” says Alec Fraser in the liner notes.
“As always, his repertoire was as wide as
the Mississippi – Jeff always gave his best,
even in the last days when he was seriously ill.
I believe Jeff was one of a kind and it’s
doubtful there will ever be another one like him.”
“All of us in Jeff’s
family, a family that includes thousands of fans
around the world, are so pleased to see the release
of this recording,” says Cristie Healey in
the liner notes. “Today, more than a year
after he left us, we recommend this wonderful recording
to you. Songs from the Road is the way we all want
to remember him: Smiling, laughing and playing and
singing from his heart.”
For
more information, visit www.jeffhealey.com.
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