HYDE PARK — “If you don’t love the blues, you probably don’t love your mama.”
This might sound like a comedic aside uttered on the opening tune for legendary Chicago blues harpist Billy Branch’s latest album, “Blues Is My Biography.” But it also reflects an often-overlooked fact: Blues is indeed the mother of American popular music and any disregard or disrespect basically amounts to neglecting a parent who nurtured you. Never fear, Billy Branch and his potent new album are here to get you together.
“These are the things I wanted to express my whole career,” Branch said of the 11 mostly socio-political tunes he wrote for the release. The harpist boasts a landmark career that spans 20 years, with appearances on 300 albums (including notables like Taj Mahal, Lonnie Brooks, R.E.M. and Lou Rawls), an Emmy, three Grammy nominations, three Blues Music Awards and two Living Blues Critics Awards.
His new album, “Blues Is My Biography” — the first offering for the new Rosa’s Lounge Records label — serves as a dynamic map for his musical path.
“Hole in Your Soul,” the previously mentioned high-energy opener, serves up a funky history lesson with the aid of blues icon Bobby Rush. Citing the differences between jazz and blues and the importance of legends like Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Koko Taylor, the track guides listeners through a journey of blues discovery.
Born in Chicago and raised in Los Angeles, Branch seemed to be followed by the blues as he grew up. Although he wouldn’t hear his first blues song until he was 17, he randomly bought a harmonica when he was 10 years old. He had never seen or heard one played, but as soon as he put the harmonica to his mouth, he was immediately able to blow out tunes. He played Christmas carols and songs he heard on the radio; the small instrument was his constant companion.
Branch moved back to Chicago to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago in the summer of 1969, the same year as the precursor to the first Chicago Blues Fest. Determined to create a more positive image for the city after the disastrous 1968 Democratic National Convention, the mayor tapped famed Chicago blues musician, producer and songwriter Willie Dixon and Murphy Dunne (“The Blues Brothers”) to organize a free blues concert. The 10-hour show featured a dazzling lineup of blues stars like Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, Big Mama Thornton and Big Walter Horton. There, Branch not only heard his first blues songs but witnessed his future mentors — Dixon, Wells and Horton — in action.
Branch played his harp everywhere, on the bus, on the “L”, in the streets and in hallways headed to class. The new album’s stylish blues ballad “The Harmonica Man” references the name neighborhood kids gave him and his determination to perfect his talents.
All that practice paid off six years later, in 1975, when he joined the Willie Dixon Chicago Blues All Stars and performed around the world.
“My time with Willie Dixon was the highlight of my entire career,” he said. “Willie lived, ate, drank, slept the blues. He taught me the cultural relevance of the music for African Americans and the world. The British invasion is a direct result of the blues.”
By 1977, Branch had founded his group, the Sons of the Blues, and started writing songs and albums. Branch would go on to collaborate with all the influential musicians of the genre and beyond.
Blasting out with riveting power, new track “Beggin’ For Change” showcases his best collab yet, with Chicago Blues royalty Shemekia Copeland and Ronnie Baker Brooks adding soulful vocals and guitar riffs on the political tune lamenting the harsh state of the world.
As a passionate ambassador for the blues, Branch has taken the music everywhere from China, Africa, Australia, Europe and South America as well as Chicago classrooms with his award-winning “Blues in Schools” Program.
But he doesn’t always stick to just blues; he likes to be innovative with his sound, occasionally mixing in other elements. “Ballad of the Million Man” chronicles the 1995 unity event with a rollicking reggae beat, and the swaggering “How You Livin” adds hip-hop influences.
“It’s not all straight Chicago blues but they’re all bluesy,” is how Branch described the songs on the new record. “I came up on Motown, the Stones, Hendrix and Peter, Paul and Mary. I like to mix things up.”
The album closes with a sizzling instrumental, “Return of the Roaches,” highlighting Branch’s dizzying virtuosity. A new take on a silly tune he and his band included in their sets, it recalls the classic foot-stomping blues of Little Walter, closing the music circle from contemporary to old school.
“I’ve finally been able to express what’s been in my heart and soul for decades,” Branch said. “It’s message music with a groove.”
Branch has some record release events scheduled to celebrate “Blues Is My Biography.” On Friday, he and the Sons of the Blues will perform at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. More info here.
Then on Dec. 19, Branch and his band will play a record release party at Rosa’s, 3420 W. Armitage Ave. More information and ticket information is available here.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source blockclubchicago.org ’
