Album Notes

I have been very fortunate to have stood and played on the bandstand with many of the true Blues legends. From Albert, BB, and Freddie King, to Lightnin’ Hopkins, Charlie Musselwhite, J.B. Hutto, John Lee Hooker, Otis Rush, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield, Big Walter Horton, Sonny Rhoades, Pete “King” Karnes, Luther Tucker, Snooky Pryour, Robert “Jr.” Lockwood, etc, to the newer guys like Jimmy Mesi, Paul DeLay, Lloyd Jones, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. It has been a great time so far.
I did, however, have a sound lurking in my heart, mind, and soul. Blues with a certain GROOVE and Fire. A much more free, non rehearsed, and straight from the soul type sound. After many years it happened. In a greasy little bar in Baker City, Oregon in the mid 1980’s with guys I had not played with before. Reverend Dan and Vince Hozier on guitars, and Rocket Johnson on drums. I named it Jimmy Lloyd Rea and The Switchmasters.
After too many miles and not much money, the band drifted apart. All of us still remembering the power and the GROOVE of the original band. It drove us all in a strange circle, searching for the GROOVE.
To make a long story short., we are GROOVIN’ again. The “new” guy in the band is a killer player named Jerry Smith. A perfect fit indeed.
Here, then, is our latest offering “CRUZIN’ FOR A BLOOZIN’”. Live, Loud, Simple, Unrehearsed, and Real. It has that JLR and The Switchmasters signature OLD, FAT, AND CRIPPLINGLY LOUD GROOVE. All the mistakes are left in. The guitars solos uncut. It is recorded just like it happened.
Enjoy listening to it. We enjoyed making it !!!
JLR