Classic Nick Gravenites LP Reissued

His is a name best known by the hardcore blues fan, but chances are that you've heard his influence when listening to some of your favorite blues songs. Singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer Nick Gravenites' lengthy career has spanned five decades now, and although he has only released a handful of solo albums through the years, his impact on blues and blues-rock music is unparalleled.

On December 8, 2009 Gravenites' long-lost 1980 album Bluestar was reissued on CD for the first time by our friends at Renaissance Records through the labels' relationship with online vendor itsaboutmusic.com. The out-of-print solo album was originally released by Germany's Line Records label in 1980 and featured guests like guitarist John Cipollina (Quicksilver Messenger Service) and Huey Lewis on harmonica.

Nick Gravenites grew up on Chicago's South Side during the 1950s, and learned the ins-and-outs of the blues from masters like Jimmy Rogers, Muddy Waters, and Buddy Guy. During this time, Gravenites was one of a gang of young white kids groovin' on the blues that included Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, and Elvin Bishop. During the mid-60s, Gravenites relocated to the San Francisco Bay area, where he's been part of the local music scene ever since.

Gravenites wrote "Born In Chicago" for the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, "Buried Alive In The Blues" for Janis Joplin (recorded as an instrumental after her death), and dozens of other songs recorded by artists like Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton, Howlin' Wolf, and plenty more. As a producer he's worked with the likes of Otis Rush, Michael Bloomfield, and others and Gravenites has lent his talents in one way or another to over 40 album releases. Thanks to Renaissance Records, blues fans can check out this very cool Gravenites album on CD. Maybe next we can get a reissue of the artist's 1969 solo debut, My Labors, featuring guitarist Bloomfield and members of Quicksilver Messenger Service?

Photo courtesy Renaissance Records