As Live As It Gets

'I first heard JP Soars at a recording session for the Blues For A Cure charity commemorative CD. I'm often asked who I've heard lately that knocks me out, and I seldom have much to say. Many great artists carry on the blues and roots music tradition in a fine way, but finding that one artist that shines through and has that special magic is as rare as a diamond in a thrift shop. So, when the folks on The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise afforded me the opportunity to augment The Drivers for some special shows on the 2011 October Pacific Cruise, I immediately thought of JP Soars. And just to make it even better, we thought we'd add a couple of great horn players too! Enter Jim Spake & Joe McGlohon to augment our rhythm section of Mark 'Bumpy Rhoads' Bumgarner on bass and George 'Bam Bam' Sheppard on drums. After two shows at The Double Door in Charlotte, NC, we all flew out to San Diego and set sail at sunset. We were unaware that we were being recorded until much later, after the fact! Since we were playing for a live audience, the songs lent themselves to longer, improvisational arrangements, resulting in a two-disc collection. We proudly present them unvarnished and unedited. No 'tricks', no 'fixes', no studio miracles. Thanks to all the musicians, engineers, tech folks and LRBC personnel for making this happen and thank YOU for listening. Because, this is, 'As Live As It Gets!'' Jimmy Thackery.