{"product_id":"in-twisted","title":"IN TWISTED","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e \u003ch3\u003e \u003cspan\u003eProduct Description\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cspan\u003eEstrin’s offbeat, yet razor-sharp lyrical visions backed by a visceral, rock-infused guitar punch. Hard-charging Chicago blues, frisky West Coast jump and jaunty retro-rock make way for a haunting slow blues or two, only to rev back into rollicking action. Highlights Estrin’s wry, cutting vocals and amazing harmonica chops, plus Kid Andersen’s killer fretwork and a rock solid rhythm section. \"An amazing blues harmonica player, soulful vocalist and brilliant, original songwriter,\"--SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003e \u003cspan\u003eReview\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cspan\u003eEstrin is an amazing harmonica player, a soulful lead vocalist and a brilliant original songwriter. Estrin's harmonica sings alongside blues tunes that entertain audiences like no other in the genre. -- \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSan Francisco Chronicle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRick Estrin sings and writes songs like the brightest wiseguy in all bluesland and blows harmonica as if he learned at the knee of Little Walter. -- \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDownBeat\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRollicking and raucous, super-cool and hip...saritical, sharp lyrics and killer solos. It just doesn't get any better than this. -- \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlues Revue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese are serious musicians out to have a hotter than hot good time. It's tough to stay in your seat when Estrin and his musical cohorts get cooking. -- \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChicago Sun-Times\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cdiv\u003e \u003cdiv\u003e \u003ch3\u003e \u003cspan\u003eFrom the Artist\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\"People don't go out to see people who look like themselves,\" says Rick. \"They want to see something special. I was schooled in this business to be a showman, and that's what you get when you come to see me perform.\"\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003e \u003cspan\u003eAbout the Artist\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cspan\u003eEstrin was born in San Francisco, California in 1949, and grew up following his own path. He discovered an entirely new lifestyle when, as a 10-year-old boy, he made his way to the tough Market Street area and befriended many of the neighborhood characters. He discovered another new world when his older sister gave him a copy of Ray Charles' \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Genius Sings The Blues\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e when he was 12. Albums from Jimmy Reed, Champion Jack Dupree, Mose Allison, Nina Simone and others soon followed. By the time he was a teenager, Estrin completely identified with the urban, African-American culture surrounding him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEstrin got his first harmonica at age 15, and by age 18 was proficient enough to begin sitting in at black clubs around the city. He first jammed with blues master Lowell Fulson and almost immediately was hired to open five shows for Z.Z. Hill. He worked five nights a week for almost a year with guitar legend Travis Phillips in a band fronted by famed pimp\/bluesman Fillmore Slim (who was the centerpiece of the acclaimed Hughes Brothers documentary \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmerican Pimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e). Phillips introduced Estrin to Rodger Collins, the man who would become Rick's first real musical mentor, and who schooled Rick on the finer points of songwriting and show business. He moved to Chicago and worked with Johnny Young, Eddie Taylor, Sam Lay and Johnny Littlejohn before meeting and jamming with Muddy Waters. In fact, Muddy wanted Estrin to go on the road with him, but due to nothing more than a missed phone call, it never happened.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Because of that missed connection, Rick eventually moved back to the Bay Area, met Little Charlie Baty and formed Little Charlie \u0026amp; The Nightcats. For the next 30 years, the band barnstormed around the globe, honing their skills and entertaining countless people.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBesides Estrin's songwriting and musical skills, he is among the most entertaining and colorful showmen around. His quick wit and his signature look -- coifed hair, pencil-thin mustache and sharp attire - add even more color to his performances. \"People don't go out to see people who look like themselves,\" says Rick. \"They want to see something special. I was schooled in this business to be a showman, and that's what you get when you come to see me perform.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e In addition to his harmonica and vocal skills, Rick Estrin is a songwriter of unparalleled talent. Critics have compared him to Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan and Willie Dixon. Blues Revue declared, \"Estrin has created some of the finest blues songs of any artist on the planet. His carefully wrought lyrics penetrate human weakness with the precision of a boxer, though more often than not, he chooses to leave you laughing after the blow's been struck.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEstrin won the 1993 Blues Music Award for his composition \"My Next Ex-Wife\" and has written songs for a growing legion of famous fans. Three of his songs found their way onto Grammy-nominated albums: \"Don't Put Your Hands On Me\" (on Koko Taylor's \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eForce Of Nature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), \"I'm Just Lucky That Way\" (on Robert Cray's \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShame + A Sin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), and \"Homely Girl\" (on John Hammond's \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrouble No More\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e). Other artists who have covered Estrin songs include Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women, Little Milton, Rusty Zinn, Kid Ramos and Mark Hummel. \"I like songs that tell stories,\" Rick says, \"songs that are well-crafted and meaningful.\" Besides Dixon and Leiber and Stoller, Estrin cites Sonny Boy Williamson II, Percy Mayfield and Baby Boy Warren as his major songwriting influences. Billboard noted that Rick writes \"fabulous, remarkable original material.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNow, as Rick Estrin \u0026amp; The Nightcats release \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTwisted\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and tour the country, they'll bring their raucous, rocking blues to fans both old and new. Clubs will be packed, dance floors will be filled and a guaranteed great time will be had by all.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Bio by Marc Lipkin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books Prime","offers":[{"title":"Audio Cd, June 2, 2009","offer_id":45915886125247,"sku":"fa2b64e9-2798-4d6f-93b1-44f94b76d8de","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0761\/7550\/7647\/files\/903f35ae662dc6013db9d7b4c3e513e5.jpg?v=1785084661","url":"https:\/\/books-prime.com\/products\/in-twisted","provider":"Books Prime","version":"1.0","type":"link"}