Album Notes

Blue Road's new CD was chosen for Hambone's Top 11 CDs of 2009 on ChicagoBluesGuide.com. In his review, Hambone says, "Chicagoland’s Blue Road band is a veteran troupe led by guitarist Gary Gand and keyboardist Joan Gand. Fronting this funky, rockin’ band is legendary blue-eyed soul singer Jimy Rogers. In the 1960s, Jimy and his band The Mauds were the first white band to record at Chess Studios. Some 40 years later, Jimy has blown back onto the local scene without losing any of his chops. I recently had Blue Road perform on the air, and I can honestly say that I never had more fun with a band during my 15 years on the radio. Jimy is one of the finest vocal stylists and dynamic entertainers in Chicago. This excellently recorded live release captures a classic set of blues, soul and rock. Their version of “People Get Ready” is killer!!" On a sad note, vocalist Jimy Rogers passed away in December of 2010 of cancer.

This live recording of Blue Road captures some of the best moments of a band whose fast-paced rock/blues/soul mix is guaranteed to satisfy. When the jammin' starts, they can veer off into an improvised list of the History of Rock with a little Summer of Love and some MTV classics mixed in, never losing site of the journey they are taking. Influences include Booker T and the MGs, Albert King, the Meters, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, and Ray Charles.

The Chicago Sun Times calls vocalist Jimy Rogers (legendary blue-eyed soul singer with the Mercury recording artist The Mauds) "a bundle of dynamite." The Chicago Reader recently described him as the "sweaty soul-rock front man personified."

Guitarist Gary Gand has been called the "Jeff Beck" of Chicago blues-rock players, and his virtuosity is the product of over 30 years on the Chicago music scene, both live and studio. Joan Gand, plays classic Hammond B-3 Booker T-style soulful organ and bluesy piano. This musical couple have played together since they were just out of high school, and they definitely can read each other's minds.

Graham Nelson adds the icing on the cake with his soulfull harp and vocals. Bass and drums are covered by the "bomb squad," one of Chicago's most respected rhythm sections: R Kelly alumnus Joel Treadwell on drums/veteran Steve Nevets on bass and vocals.