Old time boogie woogie/classic blues fans, there is an album that was released yesterday that I think is worth checking out. The album is called Ben Waters: Boogie 4 Stu-A Tribute To Ian Stewart. Ben Waters is one of the world’s leading Boogie Woogie/Rock N Roll piano players with over 3000 gigs in festivals, theatres, and clubs and has been doing shows worldwide for the past twenty years.
“Boogie 4 Stu” is a special album that was created and produced by Ben Waters as a dedication to one of the founding members of the Rolling Stones whom eventually became their long-term road manager. That founding member is Ian Stewart who has been deceased for close to twenty-five years. Boogie 4 Stu has total of eleven songs; here’s the track listing:
1. Boogie Woogie Stomp (Albert Ammons)
Piano-Ben Waters
2. Rooming House Boogie (Amos Milburn)
Guitar-Keith Richards
Bass-Bill Wyman
Piano/Vocals-Ben Waters
Drums-Ady Milward
Sax-Derak Nash
Sax-Clive Ashley
3. Worried Life Blues (Maceo Merriweather)
Drums-Charlie Watts
Vocals-Keith Richards
Vocals/Guitars-Ronnie Wood
Double Bass-Dave Green
Hammond Organ-Jools Holland
Sax-Willy Garnet
Sax-Don Wellor
Piano-Ben Waters
4. Boogie For Stu (Ben Waters/Jools Holland)
Piano-Ben Waters
Piano-Jools Holland
Double Bass-Dave Green
Drums-Charlie Watts
Sax-Willy Garnet
Sax-Don Wellor
5. Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor (Jimmy Yancy)
Piano/Vocals-Jools Holland
Hammond Organ-Ben Waters
Double Bass-Dave Green
Drums-Charlie Watts
Sax-Willy Garnet
Sax-Don Wellor
Baritone Sax-Alex Garnet
6. Midnight Blues (Traditional)
Drums-Charlie Watts
Piano-Jools Holland
Piano-Ben Waters
7. Lonely Avenue (Stephen Marley)
Vocals/BV’s/Sax-PJ Harvey
Piano/Organ/BV’s-Ben Waters
8. Watching The River Flow (Bob Dylan)
Guitar-Keith Richards
Vocals/Harmonica-Mick Jagger
Drums-Charlie Watts
Guitar-Ronnie Wood
Bass-Bill Wyman
Piano-Ben Waters
Alto Sax-Tom Waters
Sax-Willy Garnet
Sax-Don Wellor
Baritone Sax-Alex Garnet
Tambourine-Dave Swift
9. Roll ‘Em Pete (Joe Turner/Pete Johnson)
Vocals-Hamish Mexwell
Drums-Charlie Watts
Double Bass-Dave Green
Piano-Jools Holland
Piano-Ben Waters
Sax-Willy Garnet
Sax-Don Wellor
Guitar-Terry Taylor
10. Suitcase Blues (Albert Ammons)
Piano-Ben Waters
11. Bring It On Home To Me (Sam Cooke)
Ian Stewart Live From Montreux Jazz Festival With Rocket 88 (1982)
Boogie 4 Stu is an incredible album and is filled with a ton of musical creativity. For those that pick up the physical cd, I would highly suggest reading the inside booklet. Ben Waters tell this fascinating story on how Boogie 4 Stu came about and how he was able to team up with these amazing musicians. Long story short, Ben Waters is really honored to playing with everyone on this album and it was a great surprise to team up with some. There is not a single track I dislike on this album. Musically the songs are light on the ears and are relaxing to listen to . For those that are into this genre of music, you will not be disappointed and I highly recommend downloading the mp3’s or purchasing the cd through Amazon. All sales from Ben Waters: Boogie 4 Stu A Tribute To Ian Stewart will benefit The British Heart Foundation. My rating for this album is A and I congradulate everyone involved with the album for their efforts
For more info on Ben Waters, head to http://Benwaters.com or http://eaglerockent.com/product/ER202072/Boogie+4+Stu