Blues Harp Master Bill Lupkin on Tour in Support of New CD on Blue Bella Records, Hard Pill to Swallow

Harp master Bill Lupkin is back on the road with his band in support of his second Blue Bella Records album, Hard Pill To Swallow (release date: October 9), after getting rave reviews for his first label release, Where I Come From (2006). “This guy is one savvy harp player, and you better know that he's got the chops that only experience and faith can give you,” said BluesSource.com in its review. “What a CD! This is true talent. If you love harp players, you're gonna get off on this CD. Raw, energetic and faithful to the max, Lupkin pulls it all off with the strength of a winner.”

 

On Hard Pill To Swallow, Lupkin continues on the blues path set by his last album with another dose of tasty blues harp, soulful singing and 14 original songs that display his blues pedigree like a badge of courage. And Bill is a true blues veteran, slugging it out in the bars and clubs on Chicago’s west, north and south sides back in the day with true geniuses such as Howlin’ Wolf, The Aces (Little Walter’s band) with Johnny Young, Jimmy Rogers, Willie Dixon, Sunnyland Slim and Eddie Taylor. A later trip to California saw him in a band backing the likes of T-Bone Walker, Pee Wee Crayton, Lowell Fulson and Roy Milton.

 

Backing Lupkin’s harmonica and vocals on Hard Pill To Swallow are Nick Moss on guitar, Gerry Hundt on guitar and mandolin, Tim Wire on keyboards, brother Steve Lupkin on bass and Mark Fornek on drums.