July 16, 2012
Roomful of Blues was blues band formed in 1967 in Westerly, Rhode Island. 
According to DownBeat magazine they, “are in a class by themselves.” With their masterful combination of jumping, horn-heavy, hard-edged blues and R&B, it’s no wonder why the great Count Basie called them “the hottest blues band I’ve ever heard.”   They are still very much active and since their formation have collected a slew of awards as well as five Grammy  Award nominations.  Having gone through a gazillion changes, currently it is an eight piece band with Al Copley being it’s only original band member. 
The artists who contributed towards the music of today’s Blue Monday blog
selection are: Greg Piccolo – Tenor Sax, Porkey Cohen – Trombone, John Rossi – Drums, Doug James –Baritone Sax, Preston Hubbard – Bass Fiddle and Bass Guitar, Rich Lataille –Tenor and Alto Sax, Al Copley – Piano, Ronnie Earl – Guitar, Bob Enos - Guitar.

The record cover art is 1950’s nostalgia sexy. The clever photography is by Stanley Rowin, who as per his website (www.stanstudio.com) still “lives and works in the Boston Metro area. His work spans a variety of subjects from nuclear power plants to athletic shoes, surgery to bank annual reports, iconic scientists to ironic musicians.”  He also writes a blog (http://stanstudio.com/Boston_Photo_Blog/).  The cover art design is by Scott Billington (http://scottbillington.net/) who at that time worked in the design department of Rounder Records.  He later became a producer and songwriter for blues bands and is now president of A & R and Rounder
Records.

This Record:
Dressed Up To Get Messed Up by Roomful of Blues
12”LP, 33rpm, 1984
Varrick Records, VR018
Art Direction By Debbie Davis & Tom Walden of Art Effects
Photography by Stanley Rowin
Design by Scott Billington
 
Go to www.ricsrecordsrack.com for more information. All records are in super mint condition and still available.