Album Notes

Midnight Rooster is the 3rd CD by Pittsburgh blues guitarist, Jimmy Adler, and the first full collaboration between Jimmy and bassist/songwriter Mike Sweeney. The result is a solid CD that travels from the rural south up through post-war Chicago, with sojourns to the West coast.

The CD explores the sounds of Chicago blues, with ventures moving from the West-side strut of “Lion’s Mouth,” to the Chess sounds of “Headhunters,” and the “Hair of the Dog” slide guitar homage to Hound Dog Taylor. The journey also stops at the West coast, via the T-Bone Walker influenced swing of “All About It,” “Swing It,” “Basement Boogie,” and “Wild Imagination,” where Jimmy shows his respect to players like Jr. Watson, Alex Schultz, and Little Charlie Baty.

Another stop along the way is the rural sound of “Scratchin’ at My Screen Door” as well as the train flavored “Horseshoe Curve,” providing more room for Adler’s slide guitar work. In addition, “Jersey Joe” is a short story ballad, while “Sugar Cookie” and “St. Charles Line” offer New Orleans flavored sounds, with the former more playful lyrics juxtaposed by the latter’s more somber images yet solid guitar voice. “Let’s Cut Loose” features members of award winning Blue Bella recording artists, The Kilborn Alley Blues Band.

All songs highlight Adler’s guitar as the front voice that travels between fat guitar tones and slide guitar. The CD is grounded by the road tested solid rhythm backing of Sweeney’s bass and Kenny Kellner’s drums. In addition, John Burgh’s piano and organ add spice and flavor while Robert Peckman’s background vocals fatten the choruses on several songs on this musical journey. The band has honed their skills by performing as a unit for many years in clubs and festivals throughout western PA, West Virginia, and Ohio; and Jimmy will be touring France in April 2012.

Jimmy Adler. Booking: 254 Institute Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 412.481.2826