Album Notes

Kevin Purcell Welds Chicago Blues with Southern Rock

Kevin Purcell grew up steeped in Chicago blues and inspired by Southern rock.
Years of playing has earned Purcell a reputation as a smokin’ harmonica player, a powerful vocalist, and a respected songwriter. Singer/songwriter Kevin Purcell welds the gritty, back alley sounds of Chicago blues with the back roads soul of southern rock. Kevin’s award winning band has shared the stage with the likes of BB King, Etta James, Koko Taylor, Taj Mahal and other blues greats and switching easily to sharing the spotlight with Delbert McClinton, Marshall Tucker, The Outlaws, Wayne Toups and Zydecajun and many more southern rockers.

“The intense showmanship of this rockin’ blues band will give the right combination for a great evening of live music and fun….” Arts and Entertainment Weekly

Purcell delivers an intense, crowd pleasing performance because he thrives on the magical connection between performer and audience. His shows are packed with great showmanship, high energy, intimacy, soul and plain ole’ fun. He leads a band of alchemists bringing crowds to their feet. Purcell has successfully distilled the essence of his roots, the blues, and the great southern traditions that consistently enlighten in a true and original musical experience.

Make no mistake about it; this is one performer you will want to meet.


CD Review
Kevin Purcell and The Nightburners
"Live at the Crawdaddy Bayou"
Bigwood Records (00SPY)
by Dave Thomas
Review date: March 2001

This CD was recorded at the Crawdaddy Bayou in Wheeling Illinois, during May 2000 and was recorded live without any overdubs. I am very pleased to say that this album has a great feel to it and works very well, giving the listener a feeling of being present at the live recording.
The album kicks off with the thrusting harp of Kevin Purcell driving the song "Boogie 'Til Midnight" along at a cracking pace until Kevin switches to vocal, then back to the driving harp. Bill LeClair provides some nice piano playing along the way and Dave Steffen on guitar also provides a good solo before a final crescendo at the end. Kevin Purcell also wrote 5 of the 10 songs on this album and comes across as a very good front man playing some great harp throughout. The Nightburners have plenty of guests stepping up to help on guitar duties, Jim Egan and Shaun Ferguson provide some great interplay on the romping "Rock With Me" written by Kim Wilson. Memphis Slim's "Everyday" sees both guitarists again sharing the honours, Bill LeClair also shines with his keyboard skills on this delightful song. "Crawdaddy Blues" starts with a powerful solo from Kevin on harp before mellowing out into a walking pace groove giving plenty of space for the band to open up. "Moving In For The Kill" has the Reverend G (Greg Simmons) and Pete Flynn on slide guitar joining the band for this very riffy powerful number. "Shakey Ground" also is a powerhouse track for the band and seems to be one of the highlights of watching the band live. The final song "Man U Crazy" is a showcase for Kevin's excellent harp playing which explodes on this final blow-out number which sees the band tearing up the place and is a fitting end to this powerful live recording by a classy band. As a live album this works very well and if your ever near the Crawdaddy Bayou club it would be worth while calling to see if Kevin & The Nightburners are tearing up the place.

The Nightburners have a website: www.nightburners.com