Album Notes

Red China Blues!

- The Big Easy Band - Blue Mondays

"Humble" Mike Hall learned blues harmonica & guitar growing up in the deep south. That is, the deep south of Africa! After over a decade of playing in central & southern Africa, Humble Mike brought his talents to
Beijing, China where he quickly joined forces with the international talents of drummer Danny California, guitarist "Fast Eddie", and local legends Zhang Ling (Bass), Jin Hao (Sax) and Xiao Kong (Keyboards).

"Blue Mondays" is the band's first full studio CD and this studio recording captures the live spirit of the band's acclaimed performances at Beijing's premier blues venue, The Big Easy. Featuring musicians from four
continents, this CD showcases the awesome individual talents of this cross-cultural joint venture.

Humble Mike plays a mean harp that drives a great repertoire of original and cover songs, while his rasping
vocals evoke a lifetime of smoky bars and late night blues. Fast Eddie's funk-edged guitar is perfectly complemented by Danny California's vintage-style drumming while Kong's sterling piano & organ work and Jin Hao's hot-rod sax underlines their status as the foremost sidemen in China. Zhang Ling's accomplished bass playing and impassioned vocal work makes it difficult to believe that he's actually a Beijinger and didn't grow
up on Chicago's south side!