ROLLING STONE SPOTLIGHTS MEMPHIS’ IMPALA, FEATURING MEMBERS OF THE BO-KEYS AND AFGHAN WHIGS

Memphis’ Impala – and instrumental band that draws from surf, spaghetti western, noir, blues, and soul and features members of the Afghan Whigs and The Bo-Keys – has released ‘In The Late Hours’ on Electraphonic Recordings and it’s earned notice from Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, Memphis Flyer, Elmore, and Glide. Here’s what we’re reading:

“A truly unique sound, one that’s retro without lapsing into mimicry.”
- Robert Crawford, Rolling Stone, August 24, 2018: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/10-best-country-and-americana-songs-of-the-week-eric-church-jillian-jacqueline-715173/

“4 stars out of 5… mighty… compelling.”
- Hal Horowitz, American Songwriter, August 21, 2018

“Intoxicating.”
- Neil Ferguson, Glide Magazine, August 9, 2018

CREAM OF MEMPHIS CROP HARKENS BACK TO BEALE STREET’S HEYDAY WITH ‘THE LOVE LIGHT ORCHESTRA’ ALBUM, PRODUCED BY MATT ROSS-SPANG (JASON ISBELL, MARGO PRICE, DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS), OUT NOVEMBER 17 ON BLUE BARREL RECORDS

2X BLUES MUSIC AWARD WINNER & “MAGNIFICENT VOICE” (NO DEPRESSION) JOHN NEMETH FRONTS 10-PIECE BAND ALONGSIDE MEMBERS OF THE BO-KEYS

1ST SINGLE “LOVE & HAPPINESS” RECASTS AL GREEN HIT AS EARLY RHYTHM & BLUES

MEMPHIS PRE-RELEASE SHOW OCT 12 AT LEVITT SHELL

Fans of Pokey LaFarge, the California Honeydrops, the Dustbowl Revival, and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats will delight in the debut album by The Love Light Orchestra, a group of the best Memphis has to offer. The self-titled debut album was recorded live in concert to a full house at Bar DKDC in their hometown by Matt Ross-Spang, who produced Margo Price’s breakout album ‘Midwest Farmer’s Daughter’ and whose other credits include Jason Isbell, Brent Cobb, The Drive-By Truckers, and Corb Lund. It comes out November 17 on Blue Barrel Records.

Two-time Blues Music Award winner John Nemeth fronts The Love Light Orchestra. Esquire said, “There aren't many true soul men left in the world, but John Nemeth is one of 'em.” No Depression raved about his “magnificent voice.”

Meanwhile, band arranger, co-founder, and trumpet man Marc Franklin has previously lent his talents to recordings by Robert Cray, Melissa Etheridge, Jim Lauderdale, and Solomon Burke and toured with Bobby “Blue” Bland, a chief inspiration to the Orchestra. Franklin and guitarist Joe Restivo are also members of the “funky” (Wall Street Journal) and “fiery” (LA Times) “masters of the Memphis sound” (NPR) The Bo-Keys.

Bland and his longtime arranger Joe Scott are a chief inspiration behind the formation of the band, which seeks to distill the sounds of the ‘40s and ‘50s rhythm & blues and blues and was named for Bland’s 1961 hit “Turn On Your Love Light.” Saxophonist Art Edmaiston and drummer Earl Lowe also did stints touring with Bland. Additionaly, The Love Light Orchestra draws from the horn-driven Memphis blues sound of B.B. King, Little Milton, and “Junior” Parker. The band brilliantly recasts Al Green’s iconic hit “Love and Happiness” as a shuffle, with parts inspired by Charles Mingus’ “Fables of Faubus.”

Nemeth says, “The Memphis sound of the ‘50s put in the sophistication with the horns, but it never lost that gritty aspect of the blues. And the spirituality in the vocals was tremendous—the melodies have such great movements, and the lyrical rhythms are perfect.”

The band will perform at the Levitt Shell in Memphis, TN on October 12.

Don Bryant bio

 Don Bryant

Age. Some things do get better with age. Like the slow grind. Kids are always in a hurry—not enough time in the day, not enough minutes in the hour, too many things to do and places to be. Age makes us appreciate the depth in experiences, the range of senses in a single moment, a single touch. Instead of trying to fill 60 different seconds, age opens up the fullness of a single minute. Less becomes so much more.
Oh, the slow grind. Don Bryant gets inside it, slows it further, fills every little crevice with sensuous feeling, with yearning, with pain and love. You know that old song that O. V. Wright did so well in 1971 that no one can ever do the song again (as much as everyone tries)—“Nickel and a Nail”? O. V. Wright has held tight to that song and rightfully so. But not no mo. Don has slowed it, made it a richer and deeper experience. Not to take anything from O.V.—he made it possible for others to try, for Don to succeed. But O. V., after nearly half a century, now you gotta step aside. Don Bryant is here.
Though it ain’t like he just showed up. The roots of this record are in the Memphis church. That’s where Don Bryant began singing when he was 5. He joined his father’s family vocal group, then formed a gospel quartet for a high school radio gig. Broadcasting broadened the audience and they went secular, singing pop at WLOK on Dick “Cane” Cole’s popular show. Kids walking to school every morning listened to Don and the Four Canes. After parting with the DJ, they took a very real step toward careers when, as the Four Kings, they began fronting Willie Mitchell’s band.
Willie Mitchell led the swingingest, groovin’est band in the Memphis-Mississippi-Arkansas area—the American music floodplain. (He would later discover Al Green and make him—and keep him—a star.) Willie’s band was known for instrumental records, but when they’d play at Danny’s in West Memphis. Don’s group fronted them, the voices that pulled dancers onto the floor. But the group broke up, as groups will do, and Willie, who was touring concert venues and dance halls, needed a vocalist who could play with his supple, slinky funky beats. The Four Kings were deposed, but Willie anointed Don Bryant. Don could stand in front of Willie’s orchestra and lead.
Don could also write songs. He was still in his teens when, in 1960, Willie was producing the so-great 5 Royales and Don handed him “I Got To Know.” The 5 Royales put it on wax. Don was hot in the spotlight and in the writer’s room.
As Willie Mitchell carved out his place at Hi Records—first as an artist, then as a songwriter, then a producer and co-owner—Don was close by. Don cut songs at Hi under the Four Kings moniker (dig “That Driving Beat”) and as a solo artist (“Don’t Turn Your Back On Me”). He wrote material for other Hi artists, including Janet & the Jays and Norman West. In 1969, still in the age of 7” singles, Don was popular enough to release an album. But the big hit that would put his name in every household proved elusive.
Around 1970, Willie put Don with the Hi label’s newest act, a petite chanteuse from St. Louis with commanding pipes. Ann Peebles burst on the scene with “Part Time Love.” Don looked at this slight young lady and penned “99 Lbs” for her: “You wouldn't know what I'm talking 'bout/ If you never had a love like this/… 99 lbs of natural born goodness/99 lbs of soul.” The relationship warmed, they co-wrote the hit “I Can’t Stand the Rain” in 1973 and were married the following year. Ann’s performing career continued, as did Don’s writing, and they began raising a family. Between then and now, Don returned to the microphone periodically, sometimes dueting with his wife, sometimes releasing gospel material. Always, he continued to write songs.
And all the while, that voice was maturing, mellowing, until these recordings that find him, at age 74, in peak form and taking O. V.’s song. The band is a mix of lifelong cohorts and upstart stalwarts. They understand where he’s been and where he wants to go, and they take him there, making his song “How Do I Get There,” a rhetorical question, because they have clearly found the way. Again it’s so much about the pacing—restrained and slow to allow the nuance in his voice to ooze and soothe. The organ and keyboard interplay of Charles Hodges and Hubby Mitchell, both from the Hi Rhythm Section, set us firmly in church firmament. Don’s song moves steady and deliberately, like a gang of chained slaves seeking hope, like a doleful band of earthbound angels. The yearning is the thing—spiritual, sensual, and from the heart.
Willie Mitchell died in 2010, but Don makes his presence palpable on “Don’t Give Up On Love,” a song Don co-wrote with bassist Scott Bomar. The strings leap out like a classic Hi record and the mood never breaks. The same team evokes the feel of Willie’s band crowding the Danny’s Club dance floor in West Memphis with “Something About You,” the killer guitar is played by young man/old soul Joe Restivo. And their “What Kind of Love” keeps us at Danny’s Club til much later, when the beats are harder and the moves more angular. “First You Cry,” a contemporary cover, is built on the simplicity of solid soul through the decades; it’s wise, witty, and true.
A few of these songs come from Don’s past. He reprises the 5 Royales’ version of his own “I Got To Know.” Despite its age, it’s fresh as a New Orleans hurricane, and just as tasty. Don’s “It Was Jealousy” has become a soul music standard, familiar to Northern Soul fans as an Otis Clay recording and to southern soul fans by Ann Peebles’ treatment. Today he puts a pop patina atop it, the smooth horns giving it an extra shine.
His new version of “Can’t Hide the Hurt” hits the sweet spot that all contemporary soul music strives for: It’s yesterday’s now music today. Like the whole album, it’s completely new but with an old soul. Do you grab your boogie shoes or a handkerchief to wipe away the tears?
“One Ain’t Enough” is a new track written by some of “the kids” who play on this album. It draws from all the right influences to sound like a fossil that’s been cleaned, polished and robustly reanimated.
I was lucky and popped by the end of the recording sessions. They’d just cut “One Ain’t Enough” and were listening to playback. Veteran drummer Howard Grimes, also of Willie Mitchell’s tutelage and the drummer on many of Don’s Hi sessions—he couldn’t keep from keeping the beat and he stepped to the middle of the control room floor. The Soul Train line formed.
Howard’s arms came up and his feet went down. His eyes took a distant look and he was transported beyond the slow grind. His backbone slipped, he began to dip, everyone shouted and clapped. This kind of music moved audiences then and it moves them now. Even the music makers can’t stand still. Soul survivors, young and old—nothing holds them back.
--Robert Gordon, Memphis, 2017
Robert Gordon is the author of Respect Yourself: Stax Records and the Soul Explosion, among other books and films.

“MORE THAN CONVINCING” (NY TIMES) MAJOR NEW SOUL VOICE ROBERT FINLEY MAKES RECORDED DEBUT AT 62 ON FAT POSSUM IMPRINT BIG LEGAL MESS

FORMER US ARMY SERVICEMAN & LOUISIANA CARPENTER TURNS TO MUSIC CAREER, MUSIC MAKER RELIEF FOUNDATION AS HE FACES TROUBLES WITH HIS VISION

September 30 will see the emergence of a major new soul music voice with Robert Finley’s debut album ‘Age Don’t Mean a Thing’ on Big Legal Mess Records, a Fat Possum imprint. Already, the New York Times has called the 62 year old north Louisianan singer “more than convincing… venerable but vigorous.” NPR Music reviewed a performance of the Music Maker Blues Revue featuring Finley, calling it “exciting… amazing… great stuff.” He has performed at NYC’s prestigious GlobalFest and at the King Biscuit Festival. He is set to follow that with an appearance at LA’s Skirball Center on August 18.

Produced by Bruce Watson and Jimbo Mathus, the album traverses the classic Booker T & The MGs-esque Memphis groove of “I Just Want To Tell You,” the tough soul-blues of the title track, “Snake In My Grass,” and “Is It Possible To Love 2 People,” the romantic deep soul of “Make It With You,” danceable funk on “You Make Me Want To Dance,” the tremolo- and organ-soaked heartache of “It’s Too Late.” Finley proves himself a powerful songwriter, penning seven of the album’s nine tracks himself.

Facing vision troubles after careers in the US Army and as a civilian carpenter, Finley has decided to pursue music full-time with the assistance of the Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Finley traveled north to Memphis to work with members of the Bo-Keys. Players include a who’s who of the Memphis soul scene including drummer Howard Grimes (Al Green, Otis Clay, Syl Johnson, OV Wright), Marc Franklin (Bobby “Blue” Bland), Jimbo Mathus (Elvis Costello), Al Gamble (St. Paul & The Broken Bones, the Hold Steady, Alex Chilton), Kirk Smothers (Jim Lauderdale, Buddy Guy), Reba Russell (U2, BB King), Harold Thomas (James Carr), Daunielle Hill (Solomon Burke).

"Sooner or Later" MP3 from John Nemeth's 'Memphis Grease'

 

THE BO-KEYS MUSIC FEATURED IN ROBERT DE NIRO FILM; FEATURED IN OXFORD AMERICAN MUSIC ISSUE; PLANNING TOUR WITH JOHN NEMETH AND SPOT ON MUSIC CITY ROOTS; COLLABORATE ON EP WITH NIKKI HILL & DEKE DICKERSON

The Bo-Keys are very excited to announce that their late 2013 Electraphonic Recording single "I’m Still in Need"  -- featuring ATCO vocalist Percy Wiggins -- is featured in the major motion picture Grudge Match. which came out Christmas Day and stars Robert De Niro, Alan Arkin, and Sylvester Stallone. Click here to hear the new song.

Oxford American featured the band in its most recent music issue and its song "Deuce and a Quarter" in the accompanying CD, saying, "[Scott Bomar's] band The Bo-Keys captures the sounds of the great Stax and Hi recordings, and that's probably because it's composed of seasoned soul vets who played with Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, David Porter, an the Bar-Kays. The band currently records at Bomar's Electraphonic Recording, which is practically a temple to old-school recording."

The Memphis soul group is finalizing a spring tour with soul man John Nemeth.

The Bo-Keys will appear on the syndicated radio show Music City Roots, taping April 18 from Nashville, TN.

In 2013, The Bo-Keys also appeared on the EP 'Soul Meets Country!' alongside Deke Dickerson and Nikki Hill, recorded at Electraphonic Studios in Memphis, TN.

MEMPHIS SOUL MEN THE BO-KEYS RELEASE TWO VINYL/DIGITAL 45s TODAY ON ELECTRAPHONIC RECORDINGS

KILLER TAKES ON ENNIO MORRICONE AND "DARK END OF THE STREET" PLUS TWO DEEP SOUL ORIGINALS

Memphis soul men The Bo-Keys will release two vinyl/digital-only 45s today on Electraphonic Recordings. The band joins with legendary vocalists Spencer Wiggings and Percy Wiggins for a deep soul rendition of the Dan Penn and Chips Moman classic hit "At The Dark End of the Street." Versions by Cat Power, Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Ryan Adams, and in the film "The Commitments" have kept it in the public eye and Penn and Moman are most recently celebrated in the new documentary "Muscle Shoals." B-side "Wind Up Monkey" sounds like a lost, funky instrumental cut from Stax or Duke/Peacock, which debuted yesterday at Wax Poetics.

The Bo-Keys also teamed up with soul powerhouse Percy Wiggins to bring you their other new single steeped in the Bluff City heat, the original "I Need More Than One Lifetime." The B-side is a funky instrumental take on Ennio Morricone’s cult Western film theme "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly."

Check out a mini-documentary on the singles series, which premiered on the Huffington Post last week.

THE BO-KEYS - Making of The Electraphonic Singles Series

The Bo-Keys 2013 publicity photo with Percy Wiggins

Credit: Nathan Black

THE BO-KEYS SONG "WRITING ON THE WALL" TO BE FEATURED ON SEASON PREMIERE OF "SCANDAL" (ABC)

The Bo-Keys song "Writing On the Wall" featuring Percy Wiggins on vocals will be featured in the season premier of the ABC series Scandal tonight.

The Memphis soul masters have two new singles in the works and details will be announced on those shortly.

Of The Bo-Keys, The Wall Street Journal said, "Funky… authentic groove… If the Bo-Keys sound like Memphis in the 1960s and early '70s, it's probably because most of the band's musicians were recording back then for the city's top labels."

The Associated Press said, "Strong… The Bo-Keys present a muscular yet spare sound that captures the grit and grease of classic, horn-driven R&B. Where many revivalists pale compared to the originals, the Bo-Keys would have fit right in next to legendary Memphis musical crews the Bar-Kays and Booker T. & the M.G.'s."

The LA Times reviewed a recent concert, calling it "a fiery set that unfolded like a classic soul revue."

Percy Wiggins cut classic soul sides in the 1960s for ATCO and RCA with a Nashville studio band including Billy Cox and Larry Lee who later went on to become members of Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypies.

Americana Music Festival & Conference Artist Schedule

* Corb Lund AMA showcase – Wednesday, September 12, 10pm – Mercy Lounge - 1 Cannery Row

Amid raves from NPR, NY Times, UNCUT and others, Corb Lund scored a personal best with a #13 debut on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and a #60 debut on the Billboard Indie Chart for his "breakthrough" (Washington Post) album 'Cabin Fever.' The album also debuted at #1 on Billboard's Canadian Top 200 albums chart. NPR said, "Impressive… great songs… Lund finds glory in tough work, spotting characters most people would overlook, and celebrating them with colorful sketches… Corb Lund's ironic humor and keen sense of American culture is similar to Hayes Carll."

* Scott Bomar of the Bo-Keys on panel – Thursday, September 13, 2:30pm – The Music of Memphis - Sheraton Hotel, Davidson Room, 623 Union St.

Bo-Keys leader and producer Scott Bomar (Jay Reatard, Hustle & Flow, Cyndi Lauper) will also join "The Music of Memphis," a panel moderated by Memphis native and producer Rick Clark, alongside Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi All-Stars; Jody Stephens of Memphis-based Ardent Music and musician for Big Star and Golden Smog; Robert Gordon, author of "It Came From Memphis," "Can't Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters," and "Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Rocker Standing"; and John Hampton of Ardent Music and a GRAMMY-winning producer.

* Amy Black on panel - Thursday, September 13, 4:00 – 5:00 pm - Channeling Your Inner CEO: Business Best Practices Panel - Sheraton Hotel, Suite 7, 623 Union St.

Amy Black will speak on a panel, alongside moderator Ralph Jaccodine, Boston Management Group; Susan Cattaneo, Berklee College of Music; Thad Beatty, writer, instrumentalist, producer; and Dino Cattaneo, Jersey Girl Music. A latecomer to the craft of songwriting, Black spent more than a decade in the business world as a professional marketer before discovering her writing talents. The panelists will discuss setting and tracking goals; creating a strategy; smart marketing; and building a team on a shoestring budget or with no budget at all.

* The Bo-Keys AMA showcase – Thursday, September 13, 11pm – The Rutledge - 410 4th Avenue South

Memphis soul men The Bo-Keys will perform at a showcase of The Music of Memphis

on Thursday, September 13 at 11pm at the Rutledge, on a bill with Luther

Dickinson and Jim Lauderdale; “The Songs of Big Star” featuring Chris Stamey

(db’s), Mike Mills (REM), and the surviving member of Big Star’s original

lineup, Jody Stephens; and up-and-comers Star & Micey. Of The Bo-Keys, The Wall Street Journal said, “Funky[,] authentic groove… If the Bo-Keys sound like Memphis in the 1960s and early '70s, it's probably because most of the band's musicians were recording back then for the city's top labels.”

* Amy Black AMA showcase - Friday, September 14, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm - Sheraton Hotel, Listening Lounge, 623 Union St.

Amy Black – the minister's daughter with storytelling and Southern tradition in her blood – will perform in the round with Susan Cattaneo, Rose Cousins and Rod Picott. No Depression has written, "Amy Black has a smooth, seductive sound that commands attention… [She] sings in a folk-styled country voice that suggests bits of Patty Loveless, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Judy Collins, edged by the blues of Bonnie Raitt and a hint of Jennifer Nettle’s sass." WUMB-FM Boston wrote that “her latest album, One Time, reveals her as one of the best storytelling songwriters working today.”

* Lowe Country: The Songs of Nick Lowe - Friday, September 14, 2012, 4-5pm - OutLowe Country: The Songs of Nick Lowe performance and broadcast - SiriusXM Music City Theatre, Bridgestone Arena Tower, 501 Broadway

This live radio broadcast will celebrate Nick Lowe and the new tribute album Lowe Country with performances from Robert Ellis, Caitlin Rose, Amanda Shires, Colin Gilmore, and surprise guests.

THE BO-KEYS AND ATLANTIC RECORDS SOUL MAN PERCY WIGGINS COLLABORATE ON DOUBLE SHOT OF MEMPHIS SOUL FOR "WRITING ON THE WALL" 7" AND DIGITAL SINGLE AUGUST 7

NEW YORKERS: THE BO-KEYS TO HEADLINE HUDSON RIVER PARK BLUES BBQ FESTIVAL AUGUST 25

“Masters of the Memphis sound” (NPR) the Bo-Keys will perform in Hudson River Park on August 25, following a wave of acclaim for last year's 'Got To Get Back!' (Electraphonic Recordings), joined by vocalist and Atlantic Records singer Percy Wiggins. "Writing on the Wall" is a hard-hitting minor key R&B, reminiscent of Bobby "Blue" Bland. For more information, please go to: http://www.hudsonriverpark.org/events/blues-bbq

Photos.

Last year's 'Got To Get Back!' appeared on Associated Press' list of top albums of 2011, alongside albums by Adele, Beyonce, Jay-Z & Kanye West, The Roots, The Black Keys, and others. Meanwhile, the band has earned two Blues Music Award nominations, for Band of the Year and for Best Soul Blues Album of the Year.

Percy Wiggins cut classic soul sides in the 60s for ATCO and RCA with a Nashville studio band including Billy Cox and Larry Lee who later went on to become members of Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypies.

Of The Bo-Keys, The Wall Street Journal said, “Funky[,] authentic groove… If the Bo-Keys sound like Memphis in the 1960s and early '70s, it's probably because most of the band's musicians were recording back then for the city's top labels.”

The Associated Press said, “Strong… The Bo-Keys present a muscular yet spare sound that captures the grit and grease of classic, horn-driven R&B. Where many revivalists pale compared to the originals, the Bo-Keys would have fit right in next to legendary Memphis musical crews the Bar-Kays and Booker T. & the M.G.'s.”

The LA Times reviewed a recent concert, calling it "a fiery set that unfolded like a classic soul revue."

The Bo-Keys' co-founder Charles "Skip" Pitts passed away May 1 of this year and was remembered in a segment on NBC NightlyNews with Brian Williams.

CHARLES "SKIP" PITTS: APRIL 7, 1947 - MAY 1, 2012

Charles “Skip” Pitts, one of the architects of soul, R&B, and funk guitar and a member of the Bo-Keys, passed away this morning at the age of 65. Pitts is best known for creating two of the signature guitar riffs of all time: The Isley Brothers’ “It’s Your Thing” and the wah-wah on Isaac Hayes’ “Theme From Shaft.”

Getting tips from his neighbor Bo Diddley, Pitts learned to play guitar at age 11 on the street corners of his childhood home of Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Pitts’ uncle owned a hotel next to the prestigious Howard Theater, where he met a who’s who of soul and rhythm and blues legends, including James Brown and Otis Redding. He was soon on stage himself, performing with Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, and performing and recording with the Isley Brothers and Rufus Thomas.

He first recorded at the age of 15 on Gene Chandler's "Rainbow 65." Following this time with the Isley Brothers' backing band The Midnight Movers, Pitts experienced the longest collaboration of his career with Isaac Hayes, staying with him from 1971 to 2008. After the success of “Shaft,” he appeared in the concert film “Wattstax” and started recorded with other Stax artists, holding his own with Albert King, among others. (He is associated so deeply with the wah-wah pedal that he is interviewed in a new documentary “Cry Baby: The Pedal That Rocks The World” alongside Slash, Buddy Guy, Eddie Van Halen, Kirk Hammett.)

When not on the road or in the studio with Hayes, Pitts was a session player at Stax, and played on many hit recordings by artists such as Albert King and Rufus Thomas. More recently, he has performed on the score for the Academy Award-winning film "Hustle and Flow" with The Bo-Keys and  performed on the Grammy-nominated Al Green record, "I Can't Stop," produced by Willie Mitchell.

Pitts’ accomplishments continue deep into the 21st century; alongside the Bo-Keys, he performed on Cyndi Lauper’s GRAMMY-nominated 2010 album ‘Memphis Blues’ and backed her on the Late Show with David Letterman (CBS). He has also given back to his Memphis community, teaching at-risk youth in Memphis at the Stax Music Academy. He is heavily featured on the Bo-Keys' 2011 release 'Got To Get Back!,' which earned year-end best status from the Associated Press and several Blues Music Award nominations. Guitar Player Magazine did a feature on Pitts. Click here to read it.

Pitts' classic guitar riffs have been sampled by hip hop royalty such as Dr. Dre with Snoop Dogg, Beastie Boys, Massive Attack, Eazy-E, and DJ Shadow with Cut Chemist.

In addition to music, Pitts also delved into acting in his latter years, appearing in the award-winning "Forty Shades of Blue," "Black Snake Moan" and appeared with the Bo-keys along with Samuel L Jackson and Bernie Mac in "Soul Men."

He passed away this morning at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, TN. A burial is planned in Washington, D.C. He is survived by his wife.

Bo-Keys on AP Best Of '11 List & Earn Blues Music Award Nominations

The Bo-Keys' 'Got To Get Back!' (Electraphonic Recordings) has appeared on Associated Press' list of top albums of 2011, alongside albums by Adele, Beyonce, Jay-Z & Kanye West, The Roots, The Black Keys, and others.

Meanwhile, the band has earned two Blues Music Award nominations, for Band of the Year and for Best Soul Blues Album of the Year.

Click here for upcoming Bo-Keys shows.

THE BO-KEYS EARN RAVES, BEST OF 2011 CONSIDERATION FOR 'GOT TO GET BACK!' (ELECTRAPHONIC RECORDINGS) FOLLOWING LONGEST TOUR TO DATE

Memphis soul music masters The Bo-Keys have earned consideration on best of 2011 lists following their longest tour to date. They previously earned raves from NPR, Tavis Smiley, Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and MOJO, capping off an amazing year for the band. In that time, The Bo-Keys have shared remarkable stories from Ben Cauley, trumpet player and only survivor of the crash that killed Otis Redding; guitar master Charles "Skip" Pitts, whose guitar is heard on "Theme From Shaft"; Howard Grimes, who played drums on many of Al Green's greatest sides; and bassist/producer Scott Bomar, who has also done music for major Hollywood films such as "Hustle & Flow" and "Black Snake Moan."

Check out a mini-documentary on the Bo-Keys.

New acclaim for 'Got To Get Back!' (Electraphonic Recordings):

"The real deal."
– WNYC Soundcheck

"A fiery set that unfolded like a classic soul revue."
– LA Times

"In-the-pocket."
– Chicago Sun-Times

"Recommended."
– Chicago Reader

"An album that oozes authenticity."
– Time Out Chicago

"Epic... It was all smiles in the audience"
– Phoenix New Times

"I was very enthused about their performance… For those who dig a deep soul sound with definitive Stax and Memphis roots, this band should be the right choice for you. Their Got To Get Back disc will definitely be in my Top Ten favorites for 2011."
– Blues Revue Online

"One bad ass bunch… No one does it better. [They] balance fire and finesse like they were born to do it… [The music] speaks so strongly straight to the center of the mind and body. And, of course, always the heart. Always."
– Bill Bentley, The Morton Report

"This band is testifying, tight and terrific."
– Elmore Magazine

"The Bo-Keys deliver… [They] really sound like an undiscovered ’60s soul act — and, in a way, they are."
– Pitch

Previous acclaim:

"Masters of the Memphis sound."
- NPR

“The Bo-Keys, a 12-member band, delivers a hard-hitting and authentic take on the city’s original soul sound with their new album ‘Got To Get Back!’”
- Tavis Smiley, The Tavis Smiley Show, PRI

“Funky[,] authentic groove… If the Bo-Keys sound like Memphis in the 1960s and early '70s, it's probably because most of the band's musicians were recording back then for the city's top labels.”
- Wall Street Journal

“[This music] gets me dancing in ways I hope the neighbors don't see... I can’t imagine anyone disliking it.”
- USA Today Online

“Strong… The Bo-Keys present a muscular yet spare sound that captures the grit and grease of classic, horn-driven R&B. Where many revivalists pale compared to the originals, the Bo-Keys would have fit right in next to legendary Memphis musical crews the Bar-Kays and Booker T. & the M.G.'s.”
- Associated Press

“What’s not to like?... It’s done incredibly well, which isn’t surprising when you consider the claibre of founder and bassist Scott Bomar’s excellent band. [It’s] a supergroup of sorts.”
- MOJO

“Gritty, funky Southern soul.”
- The New York Daily News

The Bo-Keys in the Chicago Tribune

(Click to enlarge.)

Video: The Bo-Keys on WNYC Soundcheck

WNYC Soundcheck aired a performance and interview with Memphis soulsters the Bo-Keys yesterday. Here's the blues "Sundown on Beale":

The Bo-Keys Mini-Doc

Click here for tour dates.