Kilborn Alley Blues Band presents

The Tolono Tapes

Run It Back Records

The Kilborn Alley Blues Band was formed some seventeen years ago. Their very first album was self-titled and released in 2003 on Peedee Records. No other information on this recording is available.

The bands next four albums were on Nick Moss’s Blue Bella Records distributed by Burnside Distribution. “Put It in the Alley” is considered their first legitimate studio recording and it was produced by Moss. The five member band included singer/guitarist Andrew Duncanson, harp player Joe Asselin, organist Gerry Hundt, bassist Christopher Breen and drummer Edward O’Hara. As a result the band received a 2007 Blues Award nomination as “Best New Artist Debut”.

Their sophomore effort “Tear Chicago Down” was also produced by Moss who provided some additional guitar. They received a 2008 Blues Music Award nomination this time for “Contemporary Blues Album of the Year”. During the BMA weekend they also opened the show at The Gibson Guitar Factory.

In 2010 The KABB followed up with “Better Off Now”; a year later they recorded “Four”, both albums produced by Moss. The KABB received their third BMA nomination in 2011 this time for “Band of The Year”.

This new album, released April 21^st 2017, is on their new “Run It Back Records” label. All tracks were written by the band, unless noted otherwise, and recorded at the Earth Analog Studio in Tolono, IL. The band now includes guitarist Josh Rasner Stimmel and their newest member Aaron “aTrain” Wilson who has replaced O’Hara on drums.

Four older tracks are reprised including “Fire With Fire” and “Christmas in County”; the latter about the pain and despair of being busted for weed during the holiday season. Duncanson fronts the band and as usual his emotive vocals are the glue that holds everything together. Guesting on these tracks are Monster Mike Welch, guitar; and Anthony Geraci, piano, both from Sugar Ray and The Bluetones. “Going Hard” includes the harp of Ronnie Shellist and a fierce guitar solo from Stimmel.  “Home To My Baby” features piano from 92 year old Henry Gray and the harmonica of Bob Corritore.

Shellist’s harp is heard again on both “Terre Haute” and “Town Saint”; the latter featuring some nice bass from Breen. Gray sings on his own song, “Cold Chills”, and they are once again accompanied by Corritore on harp.

Virginia blues woman Jackie Scott sings on two songs she wrote “Been Trying To Figure Out” and “Easy To Love You, hard to let you go”; the latter including some fine harp from Asselin.

On “Misti” Duncanson is joined on the vocals by Delmark’s Corey Dennison; Hundt, now with Dennison’s band joins Stimmel on guitar, while another of Dennison’s bandmates, Joel Baer, plays drums and Wilson plays percussion. “It’s raining in Macon but it’s cloudy in my heart”.

“Sure is Hot” was written by the band with Anthony DeCerbo; who contributes some rap which contrasts nicely with Duncanson’s soulful vocal. Stimmel’s guitar playing is beautiful.

“Night Creeper”, written by the KABB with Dennison and Hundt closes out this fine album. Stimmel is once again joined by Hundt on guitar.

It’s been six years since the bands last recording. The Kilborn Alley Blues Band has returned and they sound as good as ever.

Richard Ludmerer

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