For those of you that are fans of old time boogie/blues music, you may be interested in this upcoming album from Ben Waters. The album is called Boogie 4 Stu: A Tribute To Ian Stewart and will be released April 19th, 2011 on the Eagle Records label. Here’s what the press release had to say:
Ben Waters- Boogie 4 Stu: A Tribute To Ian Stewart
New Album Dedicated To The Rolling Stones Pianist and Stalwart, Featuring A Host Of Guest Stars
Eagle Rock Entertainment through it’s subsidiary Eagle Records, is delighted to release Boogie 4 Stu on April 19th, 2011. A tribute to pianist Ian Stewart, a founding member of the Rolling Stones who went on to serve as their long-term road manager, this album will be released near the 25th anniversary of his passing. Sales from Boogie 4 Stu will benefit the British Heart Foundation.
Boogie 4 Stu, mixed by Glynn Johns, was created and produced by fellow pianist Ben Waters, a member The A, B, C & D of Boogie Woogie, which also features Charlie Watts. Initially planned by Waters as a solo album, Boogie 4 Stu soon took on a life of its own. The album highlight for many will be the version of Bob Dylan’s song “Watchin’ The River Flow,” which features Mick Jagger on vocals and harmonica, Keith Richards on guitar, Charlie Watts on drums, Ronnie Wood on guitar and Bill Wyman on bass. Although all musicians recorded their respective tracks at different times and locations, this song marks the first time Wyman has recorded with his colleagues since 1992. PJ Harvey, who happens to be Waters’ cousin, also contributes to the album, as well as Jools Holland, whose studio the CD was recorded in. The album finishes with the Sam Cooke track “Bring It On Home,” performed by Ian Stewart with Rocket 88 at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
As well as his work with the Rolling Stones, Ian Stewart played with a host of other talents including Led Zeppelin [this album is named after their track Boogie With Stu], Howlin’ Wolf, The Yardbirds, his own band Rocket88 and more. Keith Richards said, “Ian Stewart. I’m still working for him. To me the Rolling Stones is his band. Without his knowledge and organization … we’d be nowhere.”
“Everyone who is on the Boogie 4 Stu album knew Ian Stewart really well,” says Waters. “…Despite this I felt many music fans needed an introduction to the man and his music. To some he was a roadie that played a bit of piano, to his friends and fans the opposite was true.”
If you’re still not convinced to check out the album April 19th, here’s an audio link to Soundcloud to hear the entire song “Watchin’ The River Flow” and the video teaser for Boogie 4 Stu to give you a feel for what you’ll be listening to:
Ben Waters: Boogie 4 Stu will be available April 19th, 2011 on Amazon, Itunes, and in stores. For more information about Ben Waters, head to http://benwaters.com/