It?s been over 40 years since harmonicist/pianist/vocalist Corky Siegel and guitarist/vocalist Jim Schwall met as college students and formed The Siegel-Schwall Band, one of Chicago?s most beloved blues groups. From the mi... more »d-1960s through the mid-1970s, The Siegel-Schwall Band recorded ten critically acclaimed albums, toured relentlessly, and shared stages with artists such as The Allman Brothers, Janis Joplin, and Jefferson Airplane. Their subtle, acoustic-flavored blues, original songs and inventive interpretations of classics by Jimmy Reed, Willie Dixon and other blues greats were their calling card, fusing urban blues and folk into their own unique sound. In addition to their recordings, the band was renowned for their high energy, good-time live shows. They played to adoring audiences all over the U.S., which prompted Billboard magazine in 1966 to call The Siegel-Schwall Band "the latest addition to the list of great South Side performers that has included Muddy Waters, Howlin? Wolf and Chuck Berry." In 1968, they defied boundaries by combining blues and classical music with their unprecedented performance of Three Pieces For Blues Band And Symphony Orchestra with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and established themselves as one of the most adventurous bands around. The Siegel-Schwall Band went on hiatus in 1974, and while band members pursued other interests and solo projects, they never stopped playing music Flash Forward rekindles The Siegel-Schwall Band magic as Corky, Jim, Rollo and Sam share the spotlight on 13 new songs. From Sam?s straight-ahead blues shuffle "Afraid of Love" to the politically charged humor of Jim?s "Underqualified Blues" to Corky?s playful blues tango Twisted, and the edgy lament of Rollo?s "Krazy," Flash Forward is an infectious, joyful listen from beginning to end. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed, "The news that The Siegel-Schwall Band is back together is something to celebrate." And so is Flash Forward, The Siegel-Schwall Band?s new CD, and their first full album of new material in 30 years. Flash Forward picks up right where they left off.« less
It?s been over 40 years since harmonicist/pianist/vocalist Corky Siegel and guitarist/vocalist Jim Schwall met as college students and formed The Siegel-Schwall Band, one of Chicago?s most beloved blues groups. From the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s, The Siegel-Schwall Band recorded ten critically acclaimed albums, toured relentlessly, and shared stages with artists such as The Allman Brothers, Janis Joplin, and Jefferson Airplane. Their subtle, acoustic-flavored blues, original songs and inventive interpretations of classics by Jimmy Reed, Willie Dixon and other blues greats were their calling card, fusing urban blues and folk into their own unique sound. In addition to their recordings, the band was renowned for their high energy, good-time live shows. They played to adoring audiences all over the U.S., which prompted Billboard magazine in 1966 to call The Siegel-Schwall Band "the latest addition to the list of great South Side performers that has included Muddy Waters, Howlin? Wolf and Chuck Berry." In 1968, they defied boundaries by combining blues and classical music with their unprecedented performance of Three Pieces For Blues Band And Symphony Orchestra with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and established themselves as one of the most adventurous bands around. The Siegel-Schwall Band went on hiatus in 1974, and while band members pursued other interests and solo projects, they never stopped playing music Flash Forward rekindles The Siegel-Schwall Band magic as Corky, Jim, Rollo and Sam share the spotlight on 13 new songs. From Sam?s straight-ahead blues shuffle "Afraid of Love" to the politically charged humor of Jim?s "Underqualified Blues" to Corky?s playful blues tango Twisted, and the edgy lament of Rollo?s "Krazy," Flash Forward is an infectious, joyful listen from beginning to end. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed, "The news that The Siegel-Schwall Band is back together is something to celebrate." And so is Flash Forward, The Siegel-Schwall Band?s new CD, and their first full album of new material in 30 years. Flash Forward picks up right where they left off.
CD Reviews
Siegel-Schwall returns, with a warm vibe
Andrew Hughes | South Bend, IN United States | 08/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With "Flash Forward," The Siegel-Schwall Band releases its first album of new studio recordings in 31 years.
Despite the title, the band serves notice from the top that its Chicago blues sound and sense of humor both remain intact with the kickoff shout from Corky Siegel's harmonica and the line "If I don't tell you I love you, you should kick me in the shin."
Highlights include "Afraid of Love," the song quoted above, written by Siegel and sung by drummer Sam Lay; Siegel's "Twisted," a first cousin to his 1970 classic "I Don't Want You to Be My Girl"; and Lay's "Going Back to Alabama," which injects country blues changes on the guitar into a full band setting.
Guitarist Jim Schwall grabs his mandolin and hops in his Geo Metro for the Old-Timey romp "On the Road" and has some fun with a too-literal reading of the Bible in "Hey Leviticus." A not-so-subtle dig at George W. Bush, Schwall's down-and-dirty "The Underqualified Blues" recalls the band's "I Won't Hold My Breath" and "Out-a-Gas?" from the `70s and features perhaps the grungiest solo he's ever recorded.
The album's real gem, however, is bass player Rollo Radford's surprising jazz song, "Pauline," which features perhaps the sweetest, most melodic playing Schwall has ever recorded.
Fans of 1973's "953 West," in particular, should feel a warm vibe listening to "Flash Forward," but, really, any fan of Siegel-Schwall should rejoice at hearing this smart, fresh set of new songs.
"
Laidback, smooth, and genuine blues songs
Brian D. Holland | Modern Guitars Magazine | 09/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For the unacquainted, it's better to know the players involved to fully understand the music of the Siegel-Schwall Band. Though not as renowned in all circles, the predominantly white band was brewing Chicago-style blues at just about the same time the Paul Butterfield Blues Band was doing it. They opened for the likes of Quicksilver Messenger Service in the '60s, played the Fillmore West, and were an omnipresent force in '70s Chicago.
Formed in the mid-'60s by harpist Corky Siegel and guitarist Jim Schwall, their self-titled first album was released in 1966. They were known for amazing covers such as Jimmy Reed's `Going To New York' and Howlin' Wolf's `Shake For Me', among titles of their own, like Corky Siegel's `Angel Food Cake' and Jim Schwall's `You Don't Love Me Like That'.
Flash Forward is the Siegel-Schwall Band's first studio release in thirty years, marking it a milestone for fans, to say the least. The lineup is still Siegel and Schwall, along with longtime bassist, Rollo Radford, who joined the band in the early seventies. Add in former Howlin Wolf and Paul Butterfield drummer, Sam Lay, and you've got the `Flash Forward' version of the Siegel-Schwall Band.
Though it may not be for everyone, true blues fans, especially Siegel-Schwall fans of old, will love the laidback, smooth, and genuine blues songs on Flash Forward. It's a blues collage, proving to all that they're a very different and innovative band.
"
WOW!!!!
M. Newmister | Indianapolis, IN United States | 11/02/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"All I have to say is wow! My friends stumbled upon the Siegel-Schwall Band in a record store a while back and now we're all hooked. These guys sound like they're just having a good ol' time making music. They would be a great band even if the music wasn't phenomenal."
Seems strained
AL.W PITTMAN | anderson, in United States | 04/12/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I like it ok, but why the back-up singers?, not needed at all, ruins it, the whole album seems forced, it isn't loose like, say, in the Wooden Nickel era, I guess you can't go home after all, some of the songs don't seem to fit, o'well, I guess I should be happy they got together at all, Jim Schwall still is "Mr. Slowhand", Corky sounds great, maybe it will grow on me."
Flash forward cd
Mary Provenzano | phzx az | 01/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"given as a gift to a blues expert and he loved it!!"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1