Bobby Rush, Blind Boys Of Alabama, Dom Flemons, Dustbowl Revival 99 And A 1/2 Won’t Do 7″ (RSD 2024)

For the first time ever, the legends Blind Boys of Alabama and Bobby Rush have collaborated on a recording bringing together the Blind Boys over 80 years of history in Gospel and Americana music including soundtracking the Civil Rights Movement with the 70 years of soulful blues of Bobby Rush. The rich history of these GRAMMY winning artists goes back to the Golden Age of Gospel for the Blind Boys and the classic era of Chicago blues for Bobby Rush alongside the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed, and Little Walter. The track includes Dom Flemons whose work for Smithsonian Folkways has included his Grammy nominated album Black Cowboys as well as L.A.-based soulful folk rock band Dustbowl Revival. “99 and 1/2 Won’t Do” was curated by the artists’ management who organized this recording following 10 years of management, in an effort to not only celebrate that milestone but most importantly celebrate the music, artists, and their legacies. All profits from sales and streams of this release will be donated to the Mid-South Food Bank who contribute over 4 million meals per month to people in and around Memphis, Tennessee, including a high percentage of children and the elderly. The recording is co-produced by Jeff DeLia of 72 Music Management and GRAMMY winning producer, songwriter, musician Colin Linden whose work includes being Music Director for ABC’s hit show ‘Nashville’, touring within Bob Dylan’s band, producing for Keb’ Mo’ and Colin James, and is a member of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. The B side will be the original “I Found Faith” by singer-songwriter A.J. Croce, a very fitting composition and recording to combine with the soulful gospel traditional “99 and 1/2 Won’t Do”. “I Found Faith” was originally released on Croce’s debut self-titled album via BMG in 1993. “99 and 1/2 Don’t Do” was recorded with musicians bassist Dominic Davis (Jack White), drummer Bryan Owings (Lucinda Williams), plus Colin Linden on guitar. The track was recorded throughout the United States with Bobby Rush and core tracking in Nashville, the Blind Boys in Minneapolis, Dom in Chicago, and Dustbowl in Los Angeles.

Tracklist
99 and 1/2 Won’t Do / B Side: I Found Faith