Little Walter was born on May 1, 1930 and was regarded as the greatest Harmonica player of all time. 80 years later to the day, we have the release of, "Blue Midnight - A Tribute To Little Walter", perhaps the finest harmonica tribute album ever created.

"Blue Midnight - A Tribute To Little Walter" was recorded live at the famed Silver Dollar Room in Toronto Canada, January 5th, 2008 and was hosted by the critically acclaimed band Raoul And The Big Time.

Joining Raoul And The Big Time on this Album was a literal who's who of Canadian Blues Harp Artists, including BHARATH RAJAKUMAR, DR. NICK OUROUMOV, TORTOISE BLUE, and MIKE SHRIMP DADDY REID. Now one would think that would be enough talent needed for this Album, but you would be wrong as other participants in the making of "Blue Midnight - A Tribute To Little Walter", included Paul Reddick Bill "Mojo Willie" Rymer, Wayne Charles, Mr. Rick Zolkower, Aaron Kazmer, and countless other greats in the music industry.

As mentioned earlier, this is a live Album and one of the best live Albums I have had the pleasure of listening to in quite a while, in fact I don't think you could of caught the essence of what Little Walter was all about any other way. With "Blue Midnight - A Tribute To Little Walter", you truly get the sense that you are in the room right their with everyone else, experiencing not only the fantastic music but also all the other spontaneity that makes a Live Album so special.

Little Walter was certainly a king when it came to the Harmonica and Raoul And The Big Time, plus all the other participants, have done nothing less than give him the royal treatment on "Blue Midnight - A Tribute To Little Walter", by offering us a unique opportunity to feel and experience the greatness that was, Little Walter.

"Blue Midnight - A Tribute To Little Walter" is one of the best Tribute Albums around, filled not only with a broad spectrum of songs from his famed career, but also an Tribute Album that would of made Little Walter, not only proud, but also honored.

I Highly Recommend this Album to any lover of the Blues Harp... Thoroughly Enjoyable...

John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

Other Info

Tracklist

1. Don't Have To Hunt No More - featuring BHARATH RAJAKUMAR on harp
2. Driftin' Blues - featuring DR. NICK OUROUMOV on harp
3. Crazy Legs - featuring DR. NICK OUROUMOV on harp
4. Ludella - featuring BHARATH RAJAKUMAR on harp & vocals - JULIAN FAUTH on piano
5. Just Your Fool - featuring TORTOISE BLUE on harp & vocals
6. Sad Hours - featuring MARK BIRD STAFFORD on harp
7. Mellow Down Easy - featuring DR NICK OUROUMOV on harp & vocals
8. Hoochie Coochie Man - featuring BHARATH RAJAKUMAR on harp
9. Baby Please Don't Go - featuring BHARATH RAJAKUMAR on guitar & JULIAN FAUTH on piano & vocals
10. Little Girl- featuring MIKE SHRIMP DADDY REID on vocals & harp & BHARATH RAJAKUMAR on slide guitar
11. Just Keep Lovin You- featuring BHARATH RAJAKUMAR on vocals & harp..........
12. Honey Bee - featuring DR NICK OUROUMOV on harp & BHARATH RAJAKUMAR on slide guitar
13. I Want To Be Loved - featuring DARREN GALLEN on vocals & RAOUL BHANEJA on harp
14. Blue Midnight- featuring DR NICK OUROUMOV on harp

Listen To Samples Here

About Raoul And The Big Time

Raoul and The Big Time is one of the most highly regarded and awarded young blues acts in Canada. Since forming in the summer of 1998 they have released two records to critical acclaim - BIG TIME BLUES and COLD OUTSIDE. They have performed as part of many major festivals having opened for the likes of Bobby Blue Bland, The Downchild Blues Band, Junior Watson, Big Dave Mclean and many more. 

RAOUL AND THE BIG TIME was formed in July 1998 by Ottawa raised actor/musician Raoul Bhaneja. 

THE BIG TIME features Darren Gallen on guitar, Terry Wilkins on upright bass, and Tom Bona on drums.

Raoul and The Big Time have been awarded numerous Maple Blues and Real Blues Awards including Best New Artist, Best Electric Blues Harmonica Player, Drummer of the Year, Best Acoustic Bass Player and more.  BABY DON'T STOP, their second video, was in the TOP 10 on the BRAVO Video Chart in 2005 and their first video COLD OUTSIDE was featured on JAZZLAND with Ross Porter on COOL TV.

They have performed on national television several times and have appeared on CANADA AM (CTV) , STUDIO 2 (TVO), METROPIA (Omni) and KEVIN HILL (UPN).  International radio play for the band has also accompanied several reviews and print articles in The Toronto Star, The London Free Press, The Ottawa Citizen, The Ottawa Sun, The Globe and Mail, Now Magazine, Real Blues Magazine, Blues Revue and many more.

BLUE MIDNIGHT: A TRIBUTE TO LITTLE WALTER

Little Walter Jacobs CD Release and Live Tribute. May 1, 2010 at The Silver Dollar Room Toronto
 ©Stiletto Rose Photography 2010 http://stilettorose.webs.com/

Raoul and The Big Time - Baby Don't Stop
Raoul and The Big Time in their video Baby Don't Stop. Darren, Cheong, Tom and Raoul stop for a late night breakfast on the search for inspiration... then it strikes. This was directed by Jeff Stephenson who has also recently done "Work" by Jars of Clay and "My Idea of Heaven" by Leigh Nash.

http://www.raoulandthebigtime.com/

http://www.myspace.com/raoulandthebigtime