BARBARA DANE

HOT OFF THE PRESSES  - AVAILABLE NOW! (2018) 

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HOT JAZZ, COOL BLUES and HARD-HITTING SONGS  This 2 CD retrospective reflects over 60 years of Barbara Dane’s eclectic musical history in folk, blues and jazz. The 38 tracks include 14 never-before-released recordings, featuring collaborations with Lightin’ Hopkins, the Chambers Brothers, Doc Watson, Pete Seeger, Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon, Art Hodes, and more. The extensive liner notes give insight into Dane’s singular trajectory as an outspoken and indomitable artist who, unwilling to make the compromises demanded by the music business, struck out on her own path, singing for peace and social justice. 2 discs—150 minutes, extensive notes and photos in a 40-page booklet.

THROW IT AWAY…, Barbara Dane’s first new recorded work in 14 years, was released on August 19, 2016 by Dreadnaught Music. Dallas native and longtime San Franciscan, Tammy Hall is the latest of great piano players to have recorded with Dane, including Earl “Fatha” Hines and Don Ewell. Hall’s approach to the piano reflects her deep classical chops but remains steeped in tradition, always honest and always jazz. Rounding out the rhythm section are in-demand bassist Ruth Davies, known for her years of work with Elvin Bishop and the late Charles Brown, and the vocalist’s old friend and colleague, Bill Maginnis, on drums. Barbara’s son Pablo Menéndez, leader of the Cuban group Mezcla, produced the date on a visit from his home in Havana. And although his main instrument is guitar, here he blows some terrific blues harp on three tracks. The other special guest is trad jazz veteran Richard Hadlock, who contributes soulful soprano sax on the ballad “All Too Soon.”  DN-1701    AVAILABLE NOW!   $14.99 (physical)  $7.99 (download)  Buy on cdbaby 

WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO WHEN THERE AIN'T NO JAZZ? This is Barbara's mature hot jazz-blues best, recorded in New Orleans (1988) and in Berkeley (2000). Three revered veterans of the San Francisco '50s jazz revival play on both sessions: Bob Mielke (trombone), Richard Hadlock (soprano & alto sax) and Pete Allen (bass). Two brilliant younger players, Clint Baker (guitar) and Marc Caparone (trumpet) animate the California session. The piano chair is shared by two of the greatest in traditional jazz: Ray Skjelbred and Butch Thompson (of Prairie Home Companion fame). There’s a rich mixture of classics like Jelly Bean Blues and Black Eye Blues, prohibition-era tunes like the title song and Irving Berlin's "See you in C-U-B-A," Barbara’s original “Blues for the Old Timer” dedicated to the elders who have inspired her, Yip Harburg's beloved "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?", and Fats Waller's "How Can You Face Me Now?", all delivered with a subtext that comments on life in today's uneasy world.  GHB BCD-240 $15.00 Add to Cart

TROUBLE IN MIND: This is Barbara's very first recording, a collector's item since its issue in 1957 when it was said of her: "A voice like this hasn't been heard in 30 years."   Jazz critic Philip Elwood says, "an immense voice, remarkably well turned...As a gut-level blues singer she is without compare." Classic blues accompanied by jazz masters Don Ewell, piano; Bob Mielke, trombone; P.T. Stanton, trumpet; Darnell Howard, clarinet; Pops Foster, bass.

Dreadnaught DN-1601 $15.00 Add to Cart!

ON MY WAY: Classic blues with a contemporary beat. A rich slice of what Barbara was doing in the early '60s with her unbeatable partners Kenny Whitson (piano/ cornet genius) and Wellman Braud (former Ellington bassist) plus special guests Billy Strange (guitar), Earl Palmer or Jesse Sailes (drums), Ray Johnson, Rocco Wilson and the Andrews Gospel Singers from Oakland. Includes Dane's radio breakout "I'm On My Way." Dreadnaught DN-1602....$15.00

LIVIN’ WITH THE BLUES: "The voice is pure, rich... haunting dusky legato ...rare as a 20 carat diamond" said Time Magazine in 1959, about the time this recording was issued. The result of mixing Barbara's blues with jazz men Earl "Fatha" Hines (piano), Benny Carter (trumpet!), Plaz Johnson (sax), Herbie Harper/John Halliburton (trombone), Shelly Manne (drums), and Leroy Vinegar (bass). Includes some of her favorite ballads, "A Hundred Years from Today" and "Porgy."  Dreadnaught DN-1603....$15.00