DESCRIPTION: Guitarist Frank "Paris Slim" Goldwasser is no stranger to those who've been paying attention to the West Coast blues scene over the last two decades. Born in Paris, France in 1960, his initial blues inspiration came from Hound Dog Taylor's "Natural Boogie" LP. Upon relocating to the Bay area while still in his early 20’s, Goldwasser became deeply immersed in the area's still-vibrant blues scene. He racked up three years touring with Jimmy McCracklin, as well as positive reviews for appearances at most of the prominent local venues with a distinguished roster of blues talent including Lowell Fulson, Percy Mayfield and Charlie Musselwhite.
Four years after his first single was issued in 1984 on San Francisco's Backtrack label, his CD debut "Blues For Esther” appeared, a strong outing which received a nomination from the prestigious W.C. Handy Awards. Its follow-up, "Bleedin’ Heart", was co-produced with Joe Louis Walker, who guested along with Sonny Rhodes. More recently Goldwasser contributed his talents for two releases by the Mannish Boys, including “That Represent Man” nominated for both “Album of the Year” and “Traditional Blues Album of the Year” in the 2006 Blues Music Awards (formerly the W.C. Handy Awards).
His new CD “Bluju”, produced by Delta Groove founder Randy Chortkoff, has won praise in Europe as one of the most progressive blues releases in years. Goldwasser taps into a deep wellspring of influences, from blues and soul, to world music, to rock and beyond, while at the same time remaining deeply rooted in the blues tradition. Included on this newly expanded edition available for the first time here in the U.S. are two bonus tracks featuring wild renditions of the Hound Dog Taylor songs “She’s Gone” and “55th Street Boogie”, bringing Frank “Paris Slim” Goldwasser full circle back to his roots and the music that initially inspired him in his youth.
This is a very personal approach
to the blues, with deft, hypnotic grooves,
horns, percussions, etc. Intense, scorching
guitar leads and impassioned vocals. Blues
greats JJ Malone and Philip Walker guest,
as well as Lebanese master tabla player
Souhail Kaspar. On this unique project
Frank "Paris Slim" Goldwassr
invokes the sound and soul of his blues
roots in Oakland, California and combines
them with brilliant guitar playing and
vocals, creating an album which can only
be called one of a kind.
“Simply stunning…everything a record should be, inventive, truthful, filled with power and an absolutely exceptional level of musicianship” – Southland Blues Magazine
“The French ambassador of American Blues…I hear a number of vocal influences, perhaps most prominent being Texas master Johnny Winter. Slim has that level of intensity in his delivery…Forceful and soulful playing.” – Vintage Guitar Magazine
"One of the most accomplished and inspired guitarists on today's California Blues scene...With extreme sensitivity, he displayed a perfect mastery of his instrument and a deep knowledge of his subject." - Soul Bag
MUSICANS: Frank Goldwasser – guitar and vocals on all tracks, harmonica (5) & hand percussion (6) / Jim Calire – piano, organ, accordion (1), tenor & baritone sax (11) / Lee Thornburg – valve trombone / Dave “Woody” Woodford – tenor & baritone sax / Red Young – organ (2, 7) / Kirk Eli Fletcher – guitar (2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12) / Alex Schultz – guitar (1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13), bass (11, 12) / Gerald Johnson – bass (1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 13) / Rick Reed – bass (2, 7) / Lorenzo Martinez – congas & percussion / John Hanes – drums, congas & percussions (6, 8) / Paul Fasulo – drums (2, 7) / Cynthia Manley – background vocals / Jessica Williams – background vocals / Extraordinary guests: Souhail Kaspar – Egyptian tabla (7) / Phillip Walker – guitar (11 - right channel) / J.J. Malone – piano (11, 12) / Alastair Greene - guitar (14, 15) / Jack Kennedy - bass (14, 15) / Tom Lackner - drums (14, 15)
Horns written and arranged by Dave “Woody” Woodford
CREDITS:
Produced by Randy Chortkoff and Frank Goldwasser / Recorded October – November 2001 at Clear Lake Studios, Burbank, California; Peace In The Valley Studios, Arleta, California; Rock’s Cool Records, Van Nuys, California / Engineered by Jerry Hall, Joe Bellamy and Willie Basse / Mixed by Randy Chortkoff and Joe Bellamy / Bonus Tracks Produced by Jack Kenedy / Bonus Tracks Co-Produced by Frank Goldwasser and Alastair Greene / Bonus Tracks Recorded, Engineered & Mixed by Tom Lackner, The Tompound, Santa Barbara CA. (Dec. 2004 - Jan. 2005) / Mastered by Robert Hadley, The Mastering Lab (Hollywood, California) / Photography by Anthony Peres, (www.anthonyperes.com) / Artwork & Design by Joshua Temkin (joshuatemkin@gmail.com) / Liner Notes by Dick Shurman / Radio Promotion by Frank Roszak / Retail by Jeff Fleenor / Business Affairs by Malcolm Wiseman
