Album Notes

A veteran New York City blues guitarist and bandleader, Michael Packer did his first gig at the Bitter End at the age of 15 in 1965.Teaming up with jazz saxophonist Bob Mintzer in 1969,he formed Papa Nebo and recorded an album for Atlantic records.He later recorded 3 more albums for Buddah and RCA Records with the 70's progressive country band Free Beer.He toured with Johnny Rivers,Clifton Chanier and Dr.Hook among others in the 1970's.He also sang in the Matt Murphy Band.On Bleecker-Bowery you can hear a distinctly New York kind of blues sound.Working with reed player (Ric Frank) and percussionist (Ed Jackson) as well as harmonica,bass,drums,guitars,piano and back-up singers.The band has a fuller more jazz influenced blues sound than other styles of blues.The CD's 11 tracks include original songs by Packer as well as covers of Utah Phillips (Going Away) and Bob Dylan's (All Along The Watchtower).....Rick Congress-Random Chance Records distributed by City Hall Records.