4/20 ~ AJ Crawdaddy wrapped up their latest CD, "Steppin' Out" produced by Christoffer "Kid' Andersen and recorded at Greaseland Studios in San Jose, CA.  11 dynamite tracks of bluesy gumbo consisting of originals and covers, a greasy stew of savory vocalists simmering in tasty horn arrangements with plenty of sweet steely guitar riffs and harmonica spice.  Bring your appetite because you will not leave hungry.  BUY IT HERE!

​

 

                AJ is available for Station I.D.s and Interviews .. Please contact him at aj@ajcrawdaddy.com

​

"AJ has deep friendship with many in the Bay Area blues scene, and that’s a key to his popularity and success. Most of the musicians who play with him have been bandmates for more than two decades. “We’re playing blues, and that’s a simple language,” he says. “And it’s a very fun language.”   Bill Koop, Metro Activate Magazine, San Jose, CA

​

 

 

AJ Crawdaddy – Steppin’ Out!

Cave Records

www.ajcrawdaddy.com

11 Tracks – 50 minutes

​

With his third solo album, guitarist Angelo Rossi, aka AJ Crawdaddy, continues his exploration of the blues music genre. He got a three year taste of the spotlight in the early 1980s when he joined the hit-making pop group Pablo Cruise. After a long hiatus, Crawdaddy returned to the music business in 2015 with his independent release, Vaporized.

​

For his latest project, he joined a long list of artists who have entrusted the brilliant Kid Andersen and his Greaseland Studios to make their musical vision come to life. In addition to recording and producing the album, Andersen also contributes on guitar, bass, Hammond B3 organ, and Wurlitzer piano. Crawdaddy is featured on guitar as well as lead vocal on four cuts.

​

Several members of the backing band have played on all of three of Cradaddy’s recent releases – Baxter Robertson on piano and vocals, Jim Dewrance on vocals and harmonica, Greg Jones on bass and Peter Booras on drums. June Core and Donnie Green also contribute on drums. The horn section features returnees Michael Peloquin on tenor saxophone and Marcel Marchetti on trumpet, plus Doug Rowan on baritone sax and Mike Rinta on trombone.

​

On the opener, guest vocalist Marcel Smith gives “Big Hurt” a deep, soulful sound, his mournful cries answered by Crawdaddy’s cutting guitar licks. Smith makes another appearance on the closer, “Rain Of Tears,” one of three songs recycled from the Vaporized recording. He once again draws listeners in, his exceptional voice giving them a palpable sense of the sorrow and heartache portrayed in the lyrics. Lisa Leuschner Andersen helps out on backing vocals. John Blues Boyd takes listeners down in the alley on a B.B. King slow blues, “Ten Long Years,” his raw vocals matched by the intensity of the bent notes Crawdaddy elicits from his guitar.

​

“Steppin’ Out” is one of four tracks with the leader taking over the lead vocal role, sharing the spotlight with Andersen on the Hammond organ and another guest, Quique Gomez, blowing sweet harmonica accompaniment. The band tears through a cover of “Bony Moronie,” Crawdaddy’s vocal exuding a sense of calm in contrast to the wild sounds surrounding him. “Mean Man” has plenty of six string fireworks wrapped around a brawny tenor solo from Peloquin. Fans of Little Milton will recognize “That’s What Love Will Do”. Crawdaddy may not have Milton’s vocal skills, but the arrangement brings out the best in his singing style.

The proceedings shift gears on a cover of Frank Frost’s “My Back Scratcher,” with Dewrance on vocals and harmonica, the band laying down a slinky, belly-rubbing groove that harks back to the Slim Harpo sound. Dewrance is also featured on “Country Girl (Home At Last),” a tight, Chicago-style shuffle with Robert Welsh setting the mood with some usual fine piano playing. Robertson gives Johnny Taylor’s “Need Another Favor” a solid reading while Crawdaddy takes his time on his solo segment, slipping in some references to the B.B. King style.

​

Blues Blast senior writer Marty Gunther found plenty to like on Slow Cookin’, Crawdaddy’s previous release. The guitarist keeps the streak going, putting together another strong offering built around his incisive fretwork. Andersen once again brings all of the pieces together to frame each song in a glorious mix that allows listeners to appreciate each and every contribution.

​

It sure sounds like everybody had a whole lot of fun recording this project. You owe to yourself to check it out!

​

Blues Blast Magazine Senior writer Mark Thompson lives in Florida.

​

​

​

"Slow Cookin'" Released

3/31/2017

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

​

 

AJ CRAWDADDY - BACKGROUND

Angelo J. Rossi, aka “AJ Crawdaddy” is an American Blues Guitarist born in Palo Alto, California and a long-time San Francisco Bay Area Artist. Angelo has worked with Graham Nash, and has toured with the popular Marin-based group, Pablo Cruise, which charted multi-platinum albums, “A Place in the Sun” and “Worlds Away.” Angelo is also a BMI published writer and a voting member of N.A.R.A.S. (The Grammy's).

​
 

THE “AJ CRAWDADDY” BAND

Angelo J. Rossi - Guitar, Vocal

Baxter Robertson - Piano, Vocal

Jimmy Dewrance - Harmonica, Vocal

Greg Jones - Bass Guitar

Peter Booras - Drums and Percussion

Michael Peloquin - Saxophones

Marcel Marchetti - Trumpets

​

​

REVIEWS

"Slow Cookin" simmers and steams with everything that down home blues is all about .....well worth checking out.”

James "Hutch” Hutchinson, Bassist and long time bassist (32years) for Bonnie Raitt

 

"AJ Crawdaddy is a real tasty, down home guitar player with great tone! I'm proud to call him a friend, and to be on this CD, which is a great sounding production!”

Christoffer “Kid” Andersen, Multiple BMA Award Winner

 

"AJ Crawdaddy’s new CD is fun and just makes you feel good. It’s not pretentious, it’s lighthearted and makes you wanna dance."

 Terrie Odabi, Two-time BMA Award Nominee (2016)

 

“The AJ Crawdaddy Band delivers on this record. Great playing, wonderful song arrangements and great production. I dig this record!”

Daniel Castro, Renowned SF Bay Area Blues Guitarist.

 

"AJ has delivered an excellent album full of quality Blues…. A great varied Blues album, right after the first number "Slow Cookin” already boiled!”

Peter Marinus, BLUES MAGAZINE, Netherlands

​

CD REVIEWs:

AJ CRAWDADDY

SLOW COOKIN’

​

The guitarist and composer AJ Crawdaddy has assembled a crack team of musicians for his latest release, Slow Cookin’. The albums features a number of original pieces, and some well chosen covers by the likes of BB King and Lowell Fulson that shows the brass heavy ensemble at their best. The album starts with the lively AJ’s Shuffle, replete with fluid guitar, and the type of brass interjection that made the classic soul songs so popular. The fact that there are so many musicians, and three lead singers on the album means that it doesn’t have the same ensemble on each number, but that is also a strength for the band, allowing each musician some time in the spotlight. The solos are all well integrated into the songs, and organic with the grooves. In terms of blues moods, Cold Cold Feeling by Jessie Mae Robinson is the highlight of the album, but Slow Cookin’ by Endre Tarczy, who also provides piano, bass and guitar is also a fine display of the ensembles talents. This is mainstream blues, with gloss, and high production values, but the musicians are all talented, and it is a good collection of songs and instrumentals.  BLUES MATTERS!   PO Box 18, Bridgend, CF33 6YW. UK

​

INTERVIEWS & STATION ID

Phone:  (650) 245-0984

Email:  AngeloJ.Rossi@gmail.com 

 

MEDIA

Web:  www.AJCrawdaddy.com 

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/AJCrawdaddy 

Twitter:  www.Twitter.com/AngeloJ 

Instagram:  www.Instagram.com/AJ_Crawdaddy 

 

​

Radio Contact:
Todd Glazer Promotions 
Ph / Fax 907-279-8546
Email toddg@gci.net