Album Notes

'Osgood & Blaque Blues Band: Rebirth of the Blues' exerts a strong presence. The inspiration for creating Rebirth of the Blues comes from several factors. Joe Whitmer, Director and Coordinator of the 22nd International Blues Challenge held on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee said regarding our 2006 performance: "I want to personally congratulate as well as thank you for making this years' challenge the best in history. You should be very proud of your performance on Beale Street! Everyone is raving about the great talent that you brought to town for the International Blues Challenge. My hat off to you".

What you hear is what you get! People love our live performances and a big challenge was to get that same live sound onto the recording. "A main motivation continues to be our love for the blues, our fans, and our deep respect and admiration for the blues pioneers who paved the way blues to exist in our day" says Blaque.

Blaque's harmonica style has been compared to that of Louisiana born, Little Walter, who achieved a saxophone-like sound on his harmonica, that expressed his highly imaginative improvisations reminiscent of the bop jazz saxophonists of his day. Cross Harp Chronicles called Blaque's harmonica style "seductive". Blaque's harmonica style as portrayed on the CD brings to the performance a horn-like effect, which contributes much to the sound.

Osgood says: "'Walkin' My Way Back Home' reminds me of a time in 2004 where I felt I got overlooked by the judging panel during a local blues competition. A line from the song says: "It's too hot baby, I'm tired of bein' yo' fool. It's time for me to move on, pack my bags and 'my blues'." I believe that true pioneers don't wait around for somebody to grab them by the hand to take them somewhere. Even if 'My Blues' is not the popular favorite we're still happy to be a part of the sensational album that is bringing tremendous changes to the music industry, especially in the area of live performance here in Vicksburg, Mississippi".