Blind Pig artists: The Cash Box Kings - Black Toppin' - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Black Toppin' from The Cash Box Kings and it's super! Opening with Blues Falling Down On Me, Joe Nosek takes the lead on vocals and is chased by Joel Paterson with some cool slide work over the top of the straightforward drumming of Mark Haines. Black Toppin', the title track, Nosek revs up the heat talking the lyrics over constant harp reinforcement. Oscar's Jump is a hot number with Oscar Wilson on vocal and really hot guitar riffs from Paterson and cool harp work from Nosek. Down and dirty it goes for Money, Marbles and Chalk,where Wilson continues on vocals. Barrelhouse Chuck adds some trademark piano work on this track and Nosek gets some of his most authentic vintage tones on harp. Billy Flynn steps up to lead guitar on this track as well and does a really nice job. On Willie Dixon's Too Late, the Kings lay down a cool rendering of this classic track. Covering both lead vocals and harp, Nosek really brings it on this track. Wilson takes the lead on vocals again for Walkin' Blues which has a slight update in sound but retains a fat part of tradition with simple unpretentious slide work from Paterson. Probably my favorite track on the set. I Don't Wanna Fight takes a rockin stance with Nosek on vocal. Barrelhouse Chuck takes a cool key interlude and Paterson has a short rockin guitar solo keeping the punches coming. Tom Cat Blues is a great track that smells like Mississippi Mud. Featuring Wilson on lead vocal with simple acoustic (and electric) guitar work from Paterson, this is another really authentic track and one that really stands tall. Staying with simplicity, Hot Biscuit Baby is a primitive style Chicago blues really featuring Wilson on vocal and Nosek on harp with minimal backing. Very cool. Gimme Some Of That is a real toe tapper featuring Nosek on vocal and harp and light instrumentation. Kenny Beedy Eyes Smith keeps a tight rhythm with rim shots and Paterson plays jazz rhythm backing on guitar cutting loose for some hot riffs. His slide style is really quite interesting. Wrapping the release is Run Run Run, based on a boogie rhythm. This track, again featuring Nosek on vocal gives Paterson and Nosek the opportunity to play some cool blues boogie riffs over what is primarily an instrumental track. Another favorite. This is a cool release and one that I believe will win more fans for the already popular Cash Box Kings.   

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Havin' A Hard Time - BILLY FLYNN

Over the last 40 years, Billy Flynn has played with a “who’s who” of Chicago blues legends including Jimmy Rogers, Jr. Wells, Otis Rush, Pinetop Perkins, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Dawkins, Koko Taylor, Willie Kent and countless others. Billy’s encyclopedic knowledge and mastery of a wide array of guitar styles from the 1920’s though the present make him the “go to” guy when bands and record producers want to recreate a certain blues guitar sound. It’s no wonder that Billy was tapped to play guitar for the soundtrack for the recent major motion picture “Cadillac Records” which chronicled the heyday of the legendary Chicago blues label, Chess Records. As part of the soundtrack, Billy backed Beyonce in her 2010 Grammy Winning recording of Etta James’ “At Last.”

In addition to his virtuosic guitar playing, Billy can also shred on mandolin, banjo, lap steel, harmonica, bass, drums, piano or just about anything else that produces sound, including electric sitar (seriously). Billy has toured, recorded, and played with the CBKs for over 6 years now and also produced their second album “Black Night Falling.”
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

CASH BOX KINGS #1 ON LIVING BLUES CHART TOO!

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CASH BOX KINGS #1 ON LIVING BLUES CHART TOO!

The Cash Box Kings cashed in on a parlay with the announcement that their new release, Holler and Stomp, debuted at #1 on the Living Blues radio chart for November. This follows news that the album was also #1 on this week's Roots Music Report blues chart. Both charts are determined by radio airplay as reported by blues programmers around the world.

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That blues radio is embracing the album is not surprising considering that the recording authentically captures the sound and spirit of vintage Chicago blues and rockabilly sides from the Chess and Sun Records labels.




In its review, the Chicago Blues Guide said, "Holler and Stomp is easily one of the best sounding recordings in ages...it has all of the atmosphere and warmth of your favorite vintage blues recordings without the scratches and hiss...effortlessly captures the sounds of bygone days without getting stuck in a retro straitjacket."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette added, "Now it's one thing to say you're interested in this old music, and even to be able to play a few of the tunes with some accuracy. But it's another thing entirely to be able to re-create the originals and write new material that's faithful to this 1940's and 50's style, and do it with authentic vitality."

CASH BOX KINGS #1 ON BLUES RADIO CHART!

CASH BOX KINGS #1 ON BLUES RADIO CHART!

"Holler and Stomp," the new release from The Cash Box Kings is #1 on this week's blues chart issued by the Roots Music Report. The chart is compiled from airplay reports from radio stations around the globe, including XM Sirius satellite radio and syndicated shows such as the House of Blues Radio Hour.

Upon hearing the news that it was the most-played album on blues radio, bandleader Joe Nosek said, "That's awesome! It's a good album, so it's great that everyone is digging it, especially the cool angle that it's a throwback to the sounds of Chess and Sun Records, combining the best of blues and rockabilly."

Radio programmers are not the only ones appreciating one of the freshest and most distinctive blues records in recent memory. Vintage Guitar said, "When it's as good as it is here, it's all one can do to refrain from doing just what the album title suggests." Living Blues magazine added, "Holler and Stomp, with its interesting song selections and depth of musical talent, is certain to amaze and entertain."

Preachin' Blues - Cash Box Kings

The band features "Low Rollin'" Joe Nosek on harmonica, rhythm guitar, and vocals, Chris "CB" Boeger on upright bass and vocals, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith on drums and vocals, and Oscar "43rd Street" Wilson on vocals, guitar, and harmonica. The band is now frequently joined by newly crowned Kings Billy Flynn, guitar, mandolin, vocals, harmonica, Joel Paterson, guitar and vocals, and Jimmy Sutton, upright bass and vocals. Barrelhouse Chuck, piano and vocals, serves as a royal advisor to the group.

Now residing on a tropical island far away from the long, cold winters of the Midwest, Travis "White Lighting" Koopman, guitar and vocals, is an emeritus member of the Cash Box Kings. Travis still collaborates with the CBKs from time to time and makes occasional festival performances with the band.