Caravan Wilson

In the Land of Grey and Pink is considered by many to be a pinnacle release from Caravan. The album contains an undeniable and decidedly European sense of humor and charm. In addition, this would mark the end of the band's premiere lineup…

Vocalist Cassandra Wilson has used her 15 years at Blue Note to explore the interpretive range of her voice, whether singing tunes by Van Morrison, Robert Johnson, Lewis Allan, Miles Davis, or Hoagy Carmichael. In many ways, Wilson has offered a new view of the standard by using classic rock and Delta blues tunes in her live and recorded repertoires. That said, Loverly is her first offering comprised almost completely of American songbook standards since Blue Skies 20 years ago. Wilson produced the recording in Jackson, MS, and surrounded herself with old friends: guitarist Marvin Sewell, bassists Reggie Veal and Lonnie Plaxico, drummer Herlin Riley, and labelmate and pianist Jason Moran.

After leaving Detroit and arriving in Los Angeles, Gerald Wilson formed his first big band in 1944. By 1946 he was firmly established as a fine trumpet player, arranger, and composer, and was developing a style fit not only for modern jazz, but also eventually film scores. The dramatics apropos for both formats is evident on this second installment of Wilson's chronological recordings for the Classics reissue label, culled from recordings originally on the Black & White, United Artists, Excelsior, Federal, King, and Audio Lab labels. There are five different mid-sized orchestras with musicians from L.A., all quite literate and displaying different areas of expertise, and Wilson writes with each player's individual sound in mind…

This CD/DVD – Release puts you back to the amazing moments of a great Blues Caravan Tour 2017. Take a floor-filling London soul man. Add a golden-voiced Southern States storyteller. Throw in a fast-rising Philadelphia based singer/saxophonist. Then hold on to your hats. Recorded at the 14th February 2017 in the Hirsch Club in Nuernberg, the most varied Blues Caravan comes back to life. You can rely on Si Cranstoun to move your feet. Inspired by the vintage soul of Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke, this charismatic British bandleader has graduated from an apprenticeship busking on the streets of London to the head of the vintage R&B scene. You hear hip-shaking original material from last year’s acclaimed Old School album – plus fan-favourite singles like “Coupe De Ville” – delivered in a voice like sunshine. “It’s most important that I don't come off as an imitator,” Si explains, “and also that the song I’m singing has a kick-ass melody, whether it's my own or on loan. I love to play ‘Old School’, ‘Coupe De Ville’ and ‘Run Free’, as they get the crowd going.

This CD/DVD – Release puts you back to the amazing moments of a great Blues Caravan Tour 2017. Take a floor-filling London soul man. Add a golden-voiced Southern States storyteller. Throw in a fast-rising Philadelphia based singer/saxophonist. Then hold on to your hats. Recorded at the 14th February 2017 in the Hirsch Club in Nuernberg, the most varied Blues Caravan comes back to life. You can rely on Si Cranstoun to move your feet. Inspired by the vintage soul of Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke, this charismatic British bandleader has graduated from an apprenticeship busking on the streets of London to the head of the vintage R&B scene. You hear hip-shaking original material from last year’s acclaimed Old School album – plus fan-favourite singles like “Coupe De Ville” – delivered in a voice like sunshine.

Take a floor-filling London soul man. Add a golden-voiced Southern States storyteller. Throw in a fast-rising Philadelphia based singer/saxophonist. Then hold on to your hats. The legendary Blues Caravan came to a lot of towns in 2017 – with a three-artist bill that promises fireworks. Give it up for Vanessa Collier, Big Daddy Wilson and Si Cranstoun!

After the positive responds and success of the "Love Is The Key" CD and the "Love Is The Key Tour" the mission was simple and clear to me, to use this platform to spread love everywhere I go. The goal was to produce a fully acoustic CD, using the guys that I am on the road with "The Big Daddy Wilson Trio". Singing and playing the songs that my forefathers played. Using this special gift that "The Almighty" gave me. That is why this new album is so special to me, it is really the second leg of the "Love Is The Key Tour". The journey "Thumb A Ride". It is not about where you have been or where you are going, it is all about the journey. It is about what you have learned along the way, and who you may have touched and those who have touched you. On this journey I have been blessed and touched by so many beautiful people.