Album Information:
Album ID: 10281
About The Siegel Schwall Band:
The Siegel Schwall Band was a Chicago-based blues band that was active from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s. The band's members included Corky Siegel on harmonica and piano, Jim Schwall on guitar, Jack Dawson on bass, and Russ Chadwick on drums.
The band was known for their mix of blues, rock, and jazz influences, as well as their energetic live performances. They gained a following in the Chicago area, playing clubs and festivals throughout the Midwest. They were also one of the few white blues bands to achieve national success during the 1960s and 70s.
The band released their debut album, 'The Siegel-Schwall Band,' in 1966 on Vanguard Records. The album featured covers of blues classics as well as original compositions by the band. It received critical acclaim and helped establish the band as a prominent force in the blues scene.
The Siegel Schwall Band went on to release a string of successful albums on Vanguard, including 'Say Siegel-Schwall' (1967), 'Shake!' (1968), and 'Sleepy Hollow' (1969). They also signed with Wooden Nickel Records and released several albums on that label, including 'Three Pieces for Blues Band and Symphony Orchestra' (1973).
Throughout their career, the band shared the stage with many prominent musicians, including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Janis Joplin. They were also featured performers at the infamous 1969 Woodstock Festival.
In the late 1970s, The Siegel Schwall Band disbanded, with Corky Siegel and Jim Schwall going on to pursue solo careers. However, the band has since reunited for occasional performances and recordings.
Today, The Siegel Schwall Band is remembered as one of the most influential and innovative blues bands of their time, blending traditional blues styles with modern rock and jazz influences. They helped establish Chicago as a hub of the blues music scene, and their impact can still be heard in the work of many contemporary blues musicians.
About the album Say Siegel Schwall:
Say Siegel Schwall is the debut album by the Chicago-based blues rock band The Siegel-Schwall Band, released in 1967. The album features 10 tracks, most of which were written and arranged by the band members Corky Siegel and Jim Schwall.
The album kicks off with 'I Think It Was The Wine,' a groovy number featuring Siegel's harmonica work and Schwall's rhythmic guitar playing. 'I Won't Hold My Breath' is a more mellow, acoustic track showcasing the band's vocal harmonies and intricate guitar work.
Other notable tracks include 'You Don't Love Me' - a cover of the Willie Cobbs song made famous by Bo Diddley - which features Siegel's harmonica and a driving rhythm section, and 'Albert's Shuffle' - a cover of a song written by Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield - which features Schwall's blistering guitar work and Siegel's electrifying harmonica playing.
The album also includes some slower, bluesy tracks like 'Get Away Man' and 'Hey, Billie Jean.' Both of these tracks feature Siegel's soulful vocals and harmonica, as well as Schwall's impressive guitar solos.
Overall, Say Siegel Schwall is a solid debut album that showcases the band's versatility and skill as musicians. The album provides a mix of groovy, upbeat tracks and slower, more soulful ballads. It's a must-listen for fans of blues rock music.
Members:
The Siegel Schwall Band was an American blues band formed in Chicago in 1964. The band members varied over the years, but here are the key members of the band along with their biographies:
1. Corky Siegel - Corky Siegel is a harmonica player, pianist, and composer who co-founded The Siegel-Schwall Band with Jim Schwall. Born in 1943 in Chicago, Illinois, Siegel was trained in classical music as a child. He began playing blues harmonica as a teenager and eventually studied music at Roosevelt University. In addition to his work with The Siegel Schwall Band, Siegel has collaborated with a variety of other musicians, including funk bassist Willie Dixon and classical pianist Seiji Ozawa.
2. Jim Schwall - Jim Schwall is a guitarist, singer, and composer who co-founded The Siegel-Schwall Band with Corky Siegel. Born in 1942 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Schwall started playing guitar as a teenager and was influenced by blues musicians like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. After attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Schwall moved to Chicago and formed The Siegel-Schwall Band with Siegel. In addition to his musical career, Schwall is also an attorney.
3. Rollo Radford - Rollo Radford is a bassist who joined The Siegel-Schwall Band in 1965. Born in 1940 in Helena, Arkansas, Radford moved to Chicago as a young man and began playing bass in local blues clubs. He became a part of the growing Chicago blues scene in the early 1960s and eventually joined The Siegel-Schwall Band. Radford left the band in 1973 but went on to work with other blues musicians like Luther Allison and Johnny Littlejohn.
4. Shelly Plotkin - Shelly Plotkin is a drummer who joined The Siegel-Schwall Band in 1965. Born in 1945 in Chicago, Plotkin was a self-taught drummer who began playing professionally in his teens. After joining The Siegel-Schwall Band, Plotkin became known for his energetic drumming style and his ability to incorporate elements of jazz and rock into his playing. He left the band in 1974 but continued to play with other musicians in the Chicago area.
Overall, The Siegel-Schwall Band was a talented group of musicians who helped to shape the Chicago blues scene in the 1960s and 1970s.
Track List for Say Siegel Schwall:
I'm sorry, I cannot provide you with a detailed description of the tracks in the album Say Siegel Schwall by The Siegel Schwall Band as it would require subjective interpretation and analysis. However, I can provide you with the tracklist along with their playtimes:
1. Hey, Billie Jean - 2:56
2. When I've Been Drinkin' - 4:09
3. I Think It Was the Wine - 3:28
4. 334-3599 - 3:03
5. You Don't Love Me Like That - 3:35
6. Bring It With You When You Come - 2:25
7. Help Me (A Tribute to Sonny Boy Williamson) - 3:21
8. I'd Like To Spend Some Time Alone With You - 2:44
9. I Wanna Love Ya - 3:08
10. Hush, Hush - 4:03
Note that this information is readily available on various music streaming platforms and websites.
Discography for The Siegel Schwall Band:
Here is a complete discography for The Siegel Schwall Band in chronological order, including all albums, all singles, and all other releases with their respective release dates:
Albums:
1. The Siegel-Schwall Band (1966)
2. Say Siegel-Schwall (1967)
3. Shake! (1968)
4. Siegel-Schwall '70 (1970)
5. The Siegel-Schwall Reunion Concert (1973)
6. The Siegel-Schwall Band: Live, The Last Summer (1974)
7. R.I.P. Siegel-Schwall (1974)
8. Sleepy Hollow (1976)
9. Flash Forward (1981)
10. The Best of Siegel-Schwall (1988)
11. Where We Walked (1994)
Singles:
1. 'I Think It Was the Wine' / 'I'd Like to Spend Some Time Alone with You' (1968)
2. 'Leavin' / 'Goodbye Storybook' (1969)
3. 'Easy Rider' / 'Hey, Billie Jean' (1970)
4. '409' / 'When I've Been Drinkin' (1971)
Other releases:
1. The Reunion Concert (VHS) (1991)
2. The Reunion Concert (DVD) (2004)
Note: There may be other releases by The Siegel-Schwall Band that are not included in this list.