SHOTGUN BLUES: Rich DelGrosso-mandolin & vocals, www.mandolinblues.com; Ernie Scarbrough-bass & keyboards; David Kida-drums.  

An electric band production featuring, on vocals and mandolin, Rich DelGrosso, nominated for the Blues Award as an instrumentalist on the mandolin in ’07 and ’06. Well known writer in the blues realm as well as a music teacher and author of several mandolin instruction books. Associate Editor of Blues Revue.

SHE CAUGHT THE KATY: Karen Irwin-vocals, www.karenoke.com; Craig Peterson-sax; Scott Ballantine-guitar; Craig “Redman”Smith-drums; Jerome Mills-bass; Guy Vreeman-Hammond B3.

Yank’s biggest hit and a part of the Blues Brothers Movie and Soundtrack. A great vocal performance by Karen Irwin.

MOONSHINE WHISKEY: Jerome Mills-vocals & bass; David Clawson-drums; Scott Ballantine-guitar; Wes Beam-harmonica; Mike Butler-Yank’s Harmony mandolin.

A tune about one of Yank’s favorite topics. This tune features Yank’s mandolin.

SEBASTIAN SPEAKS: John Sebastian, www.johnbsebastian.com.

John tells how he met and jammed with Yank, the story is priceless.

TAPPIN’ THAT THING: John Sebastian-vocals & guitar; David Grisman-mandolin; www.dawgnet.com.

John and David Grisman play a tune about another favored Yank topic.

MY BABY’S GONE: Andra Faye-vocals, mandolin & upright bass; www.uppityblueswomen.com, www.andrafaye.com.

Andra Faye, twice nominated for the Blues Awards as a mandolinist.  Andra is a member of the internationally acclaimed all acoustic female blues trio, Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women, and is a music teacher.  Andra did the vocals and played all the instruments, and the result is as close as I have heard lately to Yank's style.

SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD: (trad.)  “Panama” (Peter Rowan) -guitar & vocals; www.peterrowan.com; and “Banana” (Lowell Levinger) - National steelbody mandolin; www.vintageinstruments.com.

Peter Rowan is a singer, songwriter, solo performer, and multi-instrumentalist who played a major role in bluegrass as guitar player and lead singer for the “Father of Bluegrass”, Bill Monroe.  A member of Earth Opera, Seatrain, Jerry Garcia’s bluegrass band Old and In the Way, and many other bands. Peter sings and plays guitar on this number with Gene Lowinger of the folk-rock band, The Youngbloods, on mandolin.

DIVIN’ DUCK: Greg Ashby-vocals; Jason Brolin-guitar; Dan Holmes-piano; Alan Stratyner-harmonica; Tim Messersmith-bass; Tim Duffy-drums; Mike Butler- Schwab electric 5-string mandolin.

One of Yank’s more popular numbers. First recorded in 1929 by Sleepy John Estes, Yank, and Jab Jones as the Three J’s. This version includes a great vocal by Greg Ashby and electric mandolin.

DEEP ELAM BLUES: (trad.) Mike Seeger-played in F on Vega bandurria, a “cylinder-back” mandola-shaped instrument with five pairs of strings; www.mikeseeger.info.

Mike Seeger is an “American Cultural Icon”. It is truly an honor to have a song by this man on the tribute CD.  A powerful solo effort by a master musician.

MY MIND GOT BAD: Karen Irwin-vocals; Scott Ballantine-acoustic guitar.

Recorded by Yank Rachell in ’38. Karen and Scott do a wonderful heartfelt version of this tune.

BLUESY LITTLE TUNE: Words & Music by Stanley Smith/Stanley Smith Music ASCAP; Stanley Smith-vocals & guitar; Robbie Gjersoe-mandolin; David Hamburger-slide guitar; Ryan Gould-upright bass; Stephen Doster-guitar & Producer; Recorded by James Stevens @ E.A.R. Studio, Austin, TX.

It is a pleasure to have Stan Smith on this CD. Stan helped define the Indianapolis music scene in the 70’s and 80’s. It hasn’t been the same since Stan moved to Austin. One of Yank’s best friends.

DEPRESSION BLUES: Steve Brown-vocals & guitar; Allen Statyner-harmonica; Tim Duffy-drums; Tim Messersmith-bass; Dan Holmes-piano; Mike Butler-Yank’s Harmony mandolin.

Vocals by Steve Brown on this number. The lyrics sound like they could have been written today. Yank’s mandolin is used on here with a lower “Yank” tuning.

GONNA GET UP IN THE MORNING:  Dennis Buckhannon-guitar; Curtis Buckhannon-mandolin; Les Lewis-National guitar; Judy Waters-washboard; Dave Landreth-banjo-uke; Rush McAllister, clogger and producer.  Check out  www.thebuckhannonbrothers.com for more information on the Buckhannon brothers old time music.

If you like old timey mandolin music then you will like Curtis’s version of this tune.  A great job by those folks over in Missouri.

LET ME TANGLE IN YOUR POTATO VINES: Orville Johnson-vocals & all instruments, www.orvillejohnson.com.

Just wondering what Yank might be singing about on this tune… A strong smooth vocal by multi-instrumentalist Orville Johnson.

BROWNSVILLE BLUES: Written by Sleepy John Estes; Jim Richter-Kimble mandolin; www.jimrichter.com; Gordon Bonham-Vocals & Martin guitar; www.gordonbonham.com; Engineered by Gordon Bonham; Mixed and Produced by Jim Richter.

This is a great Sleepy John Estes tune. Yank played mandolin on the original recording and Jim Richter does a great job here as does his partner Gordon Bonham on vocals and guitar.

SEEMS LIKE A DREAM: Bert Deivert-Gibson 1919 A-3 mandolin & vocals, www.deivert.com; Janne Zander-Amistar Crossroads resonator guitar, backing vocals; Dan Magnusson-drums; Mats Qwarfordt-harmonica; (Recorded & mixed by Bert Deivert & Gunnar Backman-Brakophonic Studio).

Bert Deivert on the mandolin and vocals. A Massachusetts native now living in Sweden.  A good fast paced tune on the order of Yank’s version of Tappin’ That Thing. Great acoustic band!

WADIE GREEN: Curtis Tipton-vocals; Daryl Jones-guitar; Dan Holmes-piano; Tim Messersmith-acoustic bass; Tim Duffy-drums; Allen Stratyner-harmonica; Mike Butler-Yank’s Harmony mandolin.

A great tune about one of Yank’s girlfriends. Wadie’s sister, Mary, also gets a mention. Yank’s mandolin at work with  “Cactus” on the vocals. One of my favorite Yank lyrics when he refers to Wadie as “a burning hell”.

LAKE MICHIGAN BLUES: Sheena Rachell-vocals; Craig “Redman” Smith-drums; Al Stone-bass; Guy Vreeman-Hammond B3; Jim Lynch-slide guitar; Mike Butler-Schwab electric 5-string slide mandolin.

Due to Sheena’s illness possibly her last vocal… Sheena said “Mike, get ‘em to play as slow as they can.” A slow minor blues with slide electric mandolin and Jimmy’s slide guitar. This woman is a powerful singer!

CIGARETTE BLUES: Jean-Louis Mahjun-vocals & all instruments (includes programmed bass, drums & accordion), http://Mahjun.free.fr. Mahjun appears courtesy Last Call Records,  http://www.lastcallrecords.com 

I discovered Jean Louis on YouTube.  A Cajun rock version of this tune. Hold on to your hat!

FREEDOM: (trad.) Yank’s favorite gospel song recorded by daughters May Nell & Willia B. and granddaughter, Sheena: May Nell-lead vocal; Willia B.-backing alto vocals; Sheena Rachell-backing soprano vocals.

A public domain gospel tune that was Yank’s favorite. Sung a cappella by Yank’ daughters and granddaughter Sheena.

 
All songs were written by James “Yank” Rachell except #8,#10, #12, #16, & #21. Net proceeds from the sale of this album benefit the Yank Rachell family.  For more information on proceed distribution, click here.

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