Album Notes

Stephen Charles Cecil is a keyboardist who's carving out a home for himself in the modern day song-writer's world. Stephen's performed with Bobby Parker, Sherman Robertson, and Little Jimmy King at Blues Festivals throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

The concept for the "Towing The Heart" project began back in 1993 (during a west coast tour with the Bobby Parker Band) at the Viper Room in Los Angeles. It wasn't until 1995 that it became a reality when Stephen began writing and gathering material. The recording evolved over several years and at numerous locations: (1) first in 1995 with Jeff Sarli (bass) and Parker Townsend (drums) at Be-Bop Recording Studios in Rockville, MD, (2) then in 1998 with Walter Cosby (bass) in Washington D.C., (3) then in 2000 with Parker Townsend (vocals) in Austin, TX. and with Little Ray (guitar) in Beaumont, TX. Stephen continued work thru-out 2004 in Baltimore, MD., under the production skills of Jamie Wilson at Bird House Studios Inc., (& drums) where the project was finally completed. After several years in the making, "Towing The Heart" has proved that it was well worth the wait. Artistic excellence is something you can't rush. Just ask Stephen and the talented musicians who appear on this project.

"Towing The Heart" Isn't just another Honky-Tonk recording. This record is something different: an excursion into musical eclecticism that turns the spotlight on the creative contributions of each of the members of the band as they stretch out in unexpected directions. "towing The Heart" is loaded with some heavy stuff! Stephen Cecil and his groups' raw, punchy sound is a slow-cooked, fortified mixture of the best music has to offer. The band's mastery stems from years of absorbing the real deal. "Towing The Heart" rates five stars on the Gumbo Phil's party jams chart. Get up and Get Some !!!

"Gumbo" Phil Daigle
Host, The Gumbo Music Program
KBON 101.1 FM
www.kbon.com


MUSICIANS ON THIS CD:
Roy "Hip Cat" Jr. - vocals (tracks 2,3,5,7 & 11) and harp
Mike Miller - Vocal (tracks 6 & 10)
Alix Southwick - Vocal (track 8)
Park Townsend - Vocal (track 9)
T.T. Tucker - Vocal (tracks 1 & 4)
Stephen Charles Cecil - Piano, Organ, Clavinet (track 8) & Bass (track 9)
Jamie Wilson - Drums (all tracks)
Al Steel - Guitar, Banjo (track 6), Acoustic Guitar (tracks 2,4 & 5)
Ronnie Edwards - Guitar (tracks 1,3, & 11), Harmony Vocals
Jim Horton - Pedal Steel Guitar, Acoustic Guitar (track 6)
Little Ray Y'Barra - Guitar (tracks 8 & 9)
Walter Cosby - Bass (track 8)
Jeff Sarli - Upright Bass (track 9)
Baruti - Additional Drum Kit (track 8)


All Songs Written by Stephen Charles Cecil copyright 2004
Produced 2004 by Bird House Studios Inc.
2801 Goodwood Road, Baltimore, MD 21214
www.birdhousestudios.biz


Photography - Debbie Kennedy (GlassEye Photography www.glasseyephotography.com
Graphic design - Jim Horton (Flashkat.com)

++++++++++++++

Here is some additional information about :
Stephen Charles Cecil

From Texas to Louisiana, to D.C. and Baltimore, Stephen Charles Cecil has passionately pursued the life of a blues and jazz musician, preserving every experience for shaping and refining his talent.  Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Stephen immersed himself in blues and jazz music first playing (Saxophone and keyboards) in college reggae-blues bands.  In 1989 he made a move to D.C. where he came under the radar of blues legend Bobby Parker. Despite Stephen's inexperience, Parker willingly mentored him as his own sideman.  He gave Stephen a new understanding of music; he taught him how to survive on the road, the importance of integrity and how to become dedicated to the craft.
In 1993 he played at the San Francisco Blues Festival followed by the King Biscuit Blues Festival in 1994 and 1997.  He went on to play various festivals in Chicago, Portland and Montreal.
In the late 90's, Stephen began to invest time in his own songwriting material propelling him to record music with his friends in the Baltimore/D.C. area.  In 1999 Stephen transitioned his east coast life to Houston where he pursued the Gulf Coast Blues and Louisiana swamp pop music circuits where he collaborated with Little Ray, Albert Storo and Phil Deville. Shortly after, he returned to Baltimore.
Stephen has since formed his band Hometown Hillbillies and has released his first 2005 album Towing the Heart on Baltimore-based Bird House Studios Inc. Stephen penned all eleven tracks aided by a broad accompaniment of artists he's befriended along the way. His album can be found at http://www.cdbaby.com or at the Bird House Studio Inc. website: http://homepage.mac.com/birdhousestudios/1.html
Sound History:
San Francisco Blues Festival 1993
King Biscuit Blues Festival 1994 & 1997
Web broadcast of 1997 King Biscuit Festival with Bobby Parker
Chicago Blues Festival 1995
Live at the House of Blues radio broadcast in Boston, Mass. 1995
Vancouver International Jazz Festival 1995
Pocono Blues Festival 2000
Bobby Parker session radio broadcast in the Netherlands 2001
Blues Estafette, Vredenburg Utrecht 1993 & 2001
Handzame Blues Festival 2000
Festival International de Jazz De Montreal 2001
Montreux Jazz Festival 2004
Archive footage in Bobby Parker band from Montreux Jazz Festival 2004