FOGHAT RETURN TO THEIR BLUES ROOTS ON ‘LAST TRAIN HOME’

Foghat is often linked to the classic rock genre, due to such anthems as “Slow Ride” and “Fool for the City,” but the band has always had their roots in vintage blues. So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to longtime fans that Foghat has reconnected with the blues on their latest release, ‘Last Train Home.’

Recorded both in New York at EKO Studios and at Foghat’s own studio, Boogie Motel South, the album combines covers of such blues classics as “So Many Roads, So Many Trains” and “Shake Your Money Maker,” as well as a few new originals.

The group’s blues roots can be traced back to the pre-Foghat band, Savoy Brown, as well as Foghat’s first hit single – the classic cover of Willie Dixon’s “I Just Want To Make Love To You.”

But perhaps the most obvious connection was a star-studded concert the band organized in 1977 at the Palladium in New York, when they hosted a benefit to start a Blues Archive at the New York Public Library.

Foghat was the house band at the show, as many bona fide blues legends joined them on stage – including Muddy Waters , John Lee Hooker, Johnny Winter, Pinetop Perkins, Paul Butterfield, Honey Boy Edwards, Otis Blackwell, and Eddie ‘Bluesman’ Kirkland (the latter of which recently reconnected with the band, and led to his inclusion on ‘Last Train Home’).

‘Last Train Home’ sees Foghat’s line-up – Roger Earl (drums), Charlie Huhn (vocals/rhythm & lead guitar), and Bryan Bassett (lead & slide guitar) – joined by several special guests, including Kirkland, harmonica player Lefty “Sugar Lips” Lefkowitz, and Earl’s brother, Colin, on piano. Due to a prior commitment for the band’s bassist, Craig MacGregor, former Foghat/Savoy Brown/Outlaws bassist Jeff Howell filled in for the recording.

One mustn’t forget their roots, and Foghat once more reminds us that it’s the blues that just about every rock n’ roll style is built upon – as evidenced throughout ‘‘Last Train Home’.’

Complete track list for ‘Last Train Home’ which arrives on June 10, 2010:

Born for the Road – Earl, Bassett, Huhn
Needle & Spoon – Chris Youlden
So Many Roads, So Many Trains – Otis Rush
Last Train Home – Huhn, Bassett, Earl
Shake Your Money Maker – Elmore James
It Hurts Me Too – Elmore James
Feel So Bad – Chuck Willis
Louisiana Blues – Muddy Waters
495 Boogie – Earl, Earl, Bassett, Howell, Huhn, Lefkowitz
Rollin’ & Tumblin’ / You Need Love – CC/Willie Dixon
In My Dreams – Eddie Kirkland
Good Good Day – Eddie Kirkland