Toronzo Cannon Shut up and Play

May 22, 2024

Toronzo Cannon

Shut up and Play

Alligator Records

Toronzo Cannon was born on Chicago’s southside in 1968. As a youngster he would sit outside Theresa’s Lounge listening to the sounds spilling onto the street. He purchased his first guitar at the age of twenty-two. The blues guitarist’s early influences included Albert Collins and Albert King. Cannon, a Chicago Transit Authority bus driver, worked as a sideman for Tommy McCracken, Joanna Connor, and Wayne Baker Brooks. He formed his own band “The Cannonball Express” in 2003, and recorded his debut album “My Woman” on his independent TA Records label in 2007. Cannon followed up with two albums for Delmark Records, 2011’s “Leaving Mood”; and 2013’s Blues Music Award nominated “John The Conquer Root”.

Cannon was signed to Alligator Records and released “The Chicago Way” in 2016, resulting in four more BMA nominations. His follow-up album was 2019’s “The Preacher, The Politician Or The Pimp”. Cannon began to rack up more nominations in the category of Contemporary Blues Male Artist of The Year; Blues album of The Year; and Song of The Year.

Toronzo wrote twelve new songs for “Shut Up & Play!” due to be released on June 7th. Toronzo plays all guitars and sings all vocals. He opens with “Can’t Fix The World” as he sings “I can’t fix the world right now I’ve got to play these blues”. The band is rounded out by Cole DeGenova, keyboards and Clavinet; Brian Quinn, electric and upright bass; and Jason “Jroc” Edwards, drums, on all but two songs.

“I Hate Love” is the first single released to radio. On both “Him” with the lyric “I want you girl”, and “Had To Go Through It To Get To It” the drummer is Phillip “Dante” Burgess, Jr.

“Message To My Daughter” is an especially sentimental muse as Toronzo waited until his daughter was grown before leaving his twenty-five year old bus driving day job. Toronzo sings “I know it’s been hard on you…what hurts you, hurts me too.

On “Unlovable” Toronzo plays unbelievable slide guitar. “Guilty” is a lowdown blues; while “Got Me By The Short Hairs” ends in The Chicago Way style as by the songs end Toronzo sings “I’ve got him by the short hairs”. “My Woman Loves Me Too Much” opens with the narrative “this is my story and I’m sticking to it” and features Matthew Skoller on harmonica.

“If I’m Always Wrong” includes the lyric “then leave me alone and I’ll be gone”. The closer is “Shut Up And Play!”. Toronzo was always told that it was his job to be an entertainer and not to express himself on social issues. He was inspired by racism and Black Lives Matter on this fabulous song.

Guitar World calls Toronzo “among the most inspiring southpaws to ever pick up a six-string. Toronzo sends a “big shout out to Alligator Records and Bruce mf’n Iglauer for taking a chance on a bus driving BluesMan and putting my songs into the universe for all to hear”.

Repeated listening is recommended as this is a break through recording for Toronzo Cannon.

Richard Ludmerer
Contributing Editor/Making A Scene

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