J.D. Allen

Saxophonist/composer JD Allen has been hailed as one of the most creative musicians of our time. His work is varied and resulted in several tour de force albums, but he found a particular voice in the American roots by playing the blues and folk songs with a unique touch. The album Americana came out in 2016, and its follow-up, Americana vol. 2, is here, a testament-in-sound that reflects the plight of southern Black sharecroppers and their early mid-1900’s exodus to the North and Midwest.

This idea frames the entire album, which features longtime associates, bassist Gregg August and drummer Rudy Royston, as well as a new partner: Charlie Hunter on guitar. Playing eight of the 11 tracks, the latter shows to be fully equipped to join the trio, and that becomes evident right from the start.

PERSONNEL:

• JD Allen - (tenor saxophone)
• Charlie Hunter - (guitar, except tracks 6-8)
• Gregg August - (bass)
• Rudy Royston - (drums)

Recorded at Samurai Hotel Recording Studio, Astoria, NY on January 26, 2022

TRACKS:

• 01. Up South
• 02. This World Is a Mean World
• 03. The Werk Song
• 04. Hammer and Hoe
• 05. You Don’t Know Me
• 06. Jackie and Johnny
• 07. Mickey and Mallory
• 08. A Mouthful of Forevers
• 09. The Battle of Blair Mountain
• 10. Irene (Mother)
• 11. Down South