Right: King Biscuit Festival 2001 performance
(photos on this page by Hairy Larry)
Our next gig:
see schedule below.
RIP Freddie Robinson 2/24/39 - 10/8/09 Guitarist/vocalist Freddie Robinson, who would later become known as Abu Talib, passed away at a hospital in Lancaster, California on Thursday, Oct 8th at age 70 after a battle with cancer. A spectacular guitarist with leanings in both blues and jazz, he was highly respected among his peers. Born in Memphis on February 24th, 1939, and raised in various towns in Arkansas, Robinson would move to Chicago in 1956. His first recorded work was later that year backing Birmingham Jr. (AKA Birmingham Jones) on the Ebony single "Birmingham 's Late Hours" b/w "Your Too Bad". He then did some great session work for the Chess label, backing Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, and Howlin' Wolf on a number of classic sides. He first recorded as a leader during the 1960s for the Queen, Raries, Limelight and One-derful record labels. During the late 1960's he settled in California where he joined Ray Charles band for a period before re-emerging as a band leader. He went on to cut many spectacular albums, most notably At The Drive-In with the song "Bluesology" which is a spoken story with musical examples of the memorable times at Theresa's basement blues bar in Chicago's south side. Robinson’s discography includes records with Harold Burrage, Bobby Bland, Louis Myers, Big Leon Brooks, Lee Shot Williams, Stanley Turrentine, Blue Mitchell, Jimmy McCracklin, Monk Higgins, John Mayall, Shakey Jake, Gary Sloan, and Mitch Kashmar. In 1975 he embraced the Islam religion and a few years later changed his name to Abu Talib, though he sometimes used his established moniker when recording. Freddie Robinson was simply a cool guy; always perfectly dressed in the most soulful of clothes, always articulate in his speech, and always brilliant in his playing. To see a detailed Freddie Robinson discography (with some omissions) click here. Thanks for all the great music Freddie. We will remember you always.
the first two days at the biscuit were marred by tornado warnings and rain blowing sideways. The last acts: Bobby Rush still put his hilarious show on the main stage, and Lonnie Shields played his heart on as power came and went on our stage.
Only a few acts were cancelled. gary Alaska Sloan saw a great last day on the Lockwood/Stackhouse stage at King Biscuit: closing act Blind Mississippi Morris played all day on the street! Adam ("Satan &"...) was also on the street. Ran into John Hammond and Bob Margolin. Sat in saturday August 28 in Flint MI w/ guitarist Howard Glazer, who we met on myspace. this has opened another tour door by having a great band up there!
The last tour stop was the Howling Dog on blues night, Aug 20. We had a 1/2 page article in the DNewsM, so the joint was jumpin'! Then R & R in Michigan until the 9/11 gig in Kansas City.
We played Blues Central in gary's home town of Anchorage 7/31-8/1. Full page in the ADNews filled the club, many. many CDs sold. The Kodiak gig was the first concert of their season to make $: the first two shows they had didn't. The Moose Dropping Fest in July and Talkeetna's Fairview Inn rocked July and August. Friday 7/17 at N. Orleans in Seattle we had a great college age crowd all night. Wednesday in Kirkland was like Saturday night on a Wednesday!
We have been hired to play for the Kenai Penninsula Harley Association's hosting of a ralley for the state in June 2010 at Kenai Landing after a great gig there. way cool... We rocked Duggan's Pub June and August on the bay in Homer. during FOODSTOCK at the Howling Dog June 19/20 we played until way too late inside both nights plus a set early Friday evening on the outside stage. Sunday from 4-6 we rocked the "blue suit tour" on two street for the city: solstice. longest day of the year. 80 bands. after our set the Cattail Kid & the Armends nocked 'em dead. Friday, Saturday & Sunday 6/5, 6 & 7 at the Bear Bottom Resort (formerly Hooligan Bay) in Sunshine Beach on Lake of the Ozarks we had a wonderful time. The new owners have really done up the place, we just rocked out! (p.s. longest water slide in MO) Our drive up the AlCan hiway, except for a few minor repairs, was wonderful.
We had a great summer on the "Blue Suit Tour". It stared in MO, with stops in AK & WA, then back to MO. See schedule at the bottom of this page. AK celebrates 50 years of statehood this year. Next year's title is (for now) NINJA HARP TOUR 2010.
Go to either myspace (some) or facebook (many) for current photos of "2 Garys in the UK" and a gig with my sons band in Fayetteville. Over Columbus Day weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to play the King Biscuit main stage w/ Trampled Under Foot, IBC winner from K.C. Great bunch of young folks: they got a standing ovation at set end. Roger "Hurricane" Wilson asked me to sit in for one song then made me stay for four. Elrod and I played twice as well. Bobby Rush RAW was my favorite performance all weekend, and keep your eyes open for Samuel James.
From: Cindy Terwilliger Subject: Gary Alaska Sloan CD Review for
HAIRY LARRY ADDED TWO TUNES FROM THE NEW "blues/the Twilight Sloan" DOUBLE CD: LINKS BELOW.
Date: Mon, 21 May 2007 11:32:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: Cindy Terwilliger
Subject: Gary Alaska Sloan CD Review for Kansas City blues society magazine
Gary Alaska Sloan and the Kansas City Rhythm Revue
What a long strange trip it has been: no truer words were ever spoken in Truckin' that classic Grateful Dead tune This song came to mind as I gathered my thoughts about Gary Alaska Sloan and the Kansas City Rhythm Revue for this CD review. I have had the pleasure of experiencing Gary Alaska Sloan's musical expressions as well as the good fortune of sharing a friendship with Gary and his wife Sandy and members of the band since 2001. We have had many strange trips together over the years and I have been blessed with musical memories to last a lifetime.
There are many words that come to mind to describe Gary: exuberant, silly but most importantly a rock solid vocalist and harp player with an encyclopedic memory of songs, musical beats and harmonica riffs from every musical genre. Gary's live performances are always a musical adventure leading the listener across the spectrum of rhythm and blues and wherever else his spirit may lead him at the time! This latest two-disc CD is an example of Gary and the band doing exactly that with blues gospel, reggae and straight up old fashioned rock and roll.
The double CD set contains a variety of live and studio performance captured dating from 1996 to the present at a variety of venues including BBs Lawnside BBQ, King Biscuit Blues Festival, Belgrade Serbia and a number of clubs in Alaska. The first disc features the Kansas City Rhythm Revue & Twilight Sloan horns plus the Curtis Cunningham band & Mighty Untouchables. Special guests on some tracks include Lazy Lester and Harvey Mandel plus Serbian band Rawhide. The second disc features "the Twilight Sloan" backed up by a variety of musicians from all over the world performing live big band, gospel, classical and rock songs that did not fit the format of the first disc.
Some of my favorite cuts on the CD are his version of "Raining in My Heart" which has a nice Louisiana R&B feel, "Turn on Your Love Light" slides effortlessly from gospel to reggae and a the classic Sloan tracks "Screaming Skull" and "Lets Work Together". I love the horn riffs on these tracks which are performed by Gary's twin sons Jim and Gary: the Twilight Sloan horns. Jim is featured on saxophone and guitar and Gary plays trumpet and trombone and bass. I remember one of their first live gigs at the Kansas City Speedway when they were just teenagers. Now they are in college studying music and have their own band! Other occasional horn personnel include Tom Mulinix on baritone sax.
As I mentioned earlier, the CD features the Kansas City Rhythm Revue on many tracks. Their last live performance BBs Lawnside BBQ was one of the finest performances I have heard. The band was tight and smoking. Gary's vocals and harp were at their peak, Michael Elrod on lead guitar smoked and seared the barbecue with his electric guitar and Curt Rosy steady and insightful bass playing and Matt Ronan's energetic drumming provided the solid background for a pumping set of music.
You too can experience Gary Alaska Sloan and the Kansas City Rhythm Revue at BBs Lawnside BBQ on Saturday May 23rd. Bring some extra money and pick up copies of Gary's latest CD for yourself and your friends. You can also buy the CD and learn more about Gary's music at his websites: http://www.deltaboogie.com/garysloan or www.myspace.com/garyalaskasloan
P.S. If you like to buy musicians drinks Gary preferred drink of choice is tequila!
Cindy Terwilliger
The new double cd is now available. $20+1.50 s/h
2 covers
2 discs
over 2 hours of music
only 2 ten dollar bills!
check or money orders only, payable to:
BOOGIE-TIL-DAWN
P O Box 1348
Diamond City AR 72630
The first cd release of the 1981 "Southside Blues" lp (with outtakes & bonus tracks from back in the day plus the 21st century!) is in black and white, and available for $15+1.50 s/h from Boogie-til-dawn. This record is our 2nd best seller after "Blue Shoes".
MICHAEL ELROD's new cd "Michael Elrod & the Roosters" is also available, and it features Gary on 5 tracks.
For information on 35 years of his past recordings on the "Proof" label featuring guitarists HARVEY MANDEL, RICK HOLMSTROM, ABU TALIB ("Freddy Robinson"), CURTIS CUNNINGHAM and LINDY & LARRY RAINES along with biographical information, click the "Delta Musicians" link below the list of new discs.
We received a copy of beautiful a new book by Tim Kennedy: "MIDNIGHT SON: A Tribute to JOHN LEE HOOKER" with photos of John, Gary & band in Anchorage on summer solstice 1975. Visit http://utpress.ut.edu for more information.
We also got a letter from Bruce Iglaur, president of Alligator Records. About our "KING BISCUIT 2005" cd he said: "Very tastefully done. Lovely slide guitar, tasteful harp, and heartfelt and personal vocals." "I can tell you guys are really having a good time." "...lots of fun." "Thanks for a very enjoyable listen." (a copy of the letter is included with the cd) The cover is similar to the first picture in the photo section. Purchase the CD-R for $10.00+$1.50 s/h (check or m.o.) from
Boogie-til-dawn
P. O. Box 1348
Diamond City AR
72630
Photo Gallery updated
9/09/06 w/ Ana Popovic, Springfield MO
5/24/06 w/ Chick Willis & D.C. Bellamy at BB's
10/16/05 King Biscuit Fest pics
8/24/05 Lazy Lester & Gary in Alaska
photos by Sandy except for 9/11/05 by gary
T H E
B A N D S
SINCE 2001 THE ROAD BAND HAS BEEN:
gary "Alaska" Sloan; lead vocal, Hohner harmonicas. Shaker* harp mics w/ Nady wireless, Shure vocal mics. KBB and Fender amplifiers. Robert Howard custom 'Bo Diddley' guitar.
*Gary road tested several new Shaker mics before they were to be marketed: the prototype crystal cuts right through those guitars!
with "the KANSAS CITY RHYTHM REVUE":
Michael Elrod; guitar & vocal (since 2000),
Curt Rosy; bass & vocal (since 1999),
Matt Ronan; drums (since 2001).
occasionally featuring "the TWILIGHT SLOAN" horns:
Jim Sloan; saxes & guitar,
Gary C. Sloan; trumpet, trombone & bass,
Tom Mulinix; baritone sax.
Curt has been touring for the last few years with legendary bluesman D. C. BELLAMY, and Michael has been on the road with Kansas City R&B singer LINDA SHELL'S BLUES THANG for over 10 years. Matt is now the voice of the Drum Emporium.
In Alaska, gary has played with the same musicians for decades:
guitarists Curtis Cunningham, Lindy and Larry Raines since the late 60's; bassists Jim Wright & Rif Rafson, drummer Jim Fenster and guitarist Robert Howard since the 70's;
bassist/mandolinist Bernard Glansbeek, bassist Dave Arrowsmith & guitarist Mike Lassley since the 80's;
guitarist & producer Stu Schulman since the 90's
drummers Louis Boreguard & John Nyman since the passing of longtime friend & drummer (since 1972) Michael "Pinky" McDonald in 2001.
RECENTLY RELEASED CDs
(*limited editions of 50: sold out, available on CD-R $10 + $1.50 s/h)
"*Sloan & Elrod at King Biscuit 2005" live #5
"*Fairbanks to Kansas City 2005" live #4
feat. LAZY LESTER, horns
"*PROOF #THREE" (recorded in 1972)
"*AK Tour 2004" live #3
feat. Mighty Untouchables
"*Parkville Festival" 6/19/2004 live #2
feat. Elrod & horns
"*BB's BBQ 6/28/03" live #1
feat. Maddog & horns
"down south" (released Feb 2002) is still our best seller.
("Blue Shoes", "Live:Arkansas to Yugoslavia"++ & "Dedicated to Binky" are pictured on the Delta Musicians link below)
++cassettes $5 + $1.50 s/h
The first two albums "PROOF" (1971) & "PROOF: 5th ANNIVERSARY PHONOGRAPH RECORD" (1972)
These were re-released in 2002 by Akarma Records in Milan Italy. Pressings are available on virgin vinyl or CD, that include the inserts plus liner notes by record historian Clark Faville. The 1972 vinyl is sold out here, but may be purchased from Comet Records, Milan, Italy. 7 vinyl remain of the 1971 release. Both are available on CD-R.
$20.00 each (specify LP or CD) $1.50 s/h.
European shipping is $6.00
TWILIGHT SLOAN t-shirts are also Black w/ white logo or pink w/ black logo (similar to the old TV show logo). sizes vary. Sold out at this time.
All the above cds, except where noted, are $15 +$1.50 s/h per order. Sorry, no credit cards. Money Order or Certified Checks only, payable to Boogie-til-dawn or Gary Sloan.
all the above and more are available from
Boogie-til-dawn
P.O.Box 1348
Diamond City AR 72630.
- Gary Sloan on Delta Musicians
- "Get Myself Together" from the new CD "Blues"
- "Main Squeeze" from the new CD "Blues"
- Ain't That The Blues (0.7 meg mp3) (song: down south cd)
- Ain't That The Blues (2.6 meg ogg) (song: down south cd)
- farthest north blues/rock bar in America!
- I Like To Sleep (0.8 meg mp3) (song: down south cd)
- I Like To Sleep (3.6 meg ogg) (song: down south cd)
- in Kansas City: the real deal!
- Workin' Man Blues (1.1 meg mp3) (song: down south cd)
- Workin' Man Blues (4.8 meg ogg) (song: down south cd)
Gary Alaska Sloan - Photos
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Michael & Gary KBBF Heritage Stage 10/08/05
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w/ Ana Popovic: 10 year reunion. (Springfield MO 9/9/06)
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with Chick Willis BB's BBQ April 23, 2006
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w/ D. C. Bellamy & Curt Rosy BB's April 23, 2006
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w "Little Charlie" Baty KBBF 10/8/05. (Photo by Bruce Iglaur!)
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Raindog, gary & Lazy Lester Howling Dog 7/9/05
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Lazy Lester & gary Howling Dog 7/9/05
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