Album Notes

This recording is a tribute to the music popularized by the British blues boom of the 60s which was spearheaded by Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Fleetwood Mac.

The survival of interest in this hybrid of the blues family has been maintained by a minority of listeners and players who may remember it from the first time around.

During the 70s and 80s various musical styles country rock, disco, -punk and pop music took this music further away from the mainstream until the blues revival of the 90s.

This was characterized most notably by Gary Moore's return to these roots with his blues album - a good example of a musician turning full circle to a very enjoyable form of music.

The influence of the British blues boom has, I think, been underestimated.

"Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is the album which is most quoted as epitomizing the swinging 60s and paving the way for the explosion of progressive music which followed in its wake.

However the Bluesbreakers led by John Mayall put the guitar soloist center stage in a very dramatic fashion and paved the way for the massive success of Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Fleetwood Mac, Free, Santana and many others - a guitar heroes pantheon.

Guitar based bands have always found a niche for themselves as a result of this tradition with the result that today we can enjoy high quality local and international blues artists who record successfully and have a wider audience than ever before. Many blues festivals currently cater to this audience, many of them new to the blues.

The Purple Gang's first album unashamedly returns to those same roots rediscovering the enjoyment of playing some of the old standards. It is English Blues played by Irish Men.

We hope you enjoy playing this at the highest possible volume!