• Track Listing

How's this for something totally original - take one veteran blues artist (Dan Treanor) who hand makes African string instruments, add one of the top soul singers around (Frankie Lee), back them up by a top notch blues band... and...well, African Wind is the result. This exciting take on the blues is a collaboration between Dan Treanor from Colorado and Soul singer Frankie Lee from California. Frankie belongs with the ranks of O.V. Wright, Otis Redding, Little Johnny Taylor, and Bobby Bland. Frankie originally worked as a featured vocalist in the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. Then, in 1963 Frankie recorded for Don Robey, the legendary owner of the Duke-Peacock label. He later worked with Albert Collins and then with his cousin, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson. Frankie has recorded for many labels including Hightone, Blind Pig, and Flying Fish. Dan has been playing the blues for over thirty five years. He is a Hohner Harmonica endorsee and is considered one of the top blues harp players in the world. Dan has played on over one hundred albums, Cds and movie sound tracks. 'Frankie Lee is a tremendous roots performer, with a galvanizing stage presence and a world class piper, he wails, he croons, he preaches, he pleads, he even yodels. What more could you ask for?' Tom Surowicz, Twin Cities Reader A very exciting take on the blues - with totally original instrumentation. 'I was blown away by the sound they had created - a stripped down blues with an African feel that touched on a bare-bones, North Mississippi hill country, raunchy style.' David McIntyre - Colorado Blues Society This is it - AFRICAN WIND 'This new release by Dan Treanor and Frankie Lee ... is one of the finest rousing and fun blues CD's that's ever crossed my musical path ... Superlatives galore wouldn't suffice to describe the absolute joy in listening to this incredible CD.'... Joe Curtis, Toronto Reviewer '... If you want to experience blues that explore the cultural heritage of the African rhythms from which blues are derived with some fine vocals courtesy of a genuine soul shouter, then getcha a copy of 'African Wind'! We suspect we'll be hearing more from this one come Handy time in May!' Sheryl and Don Crow, Music City Blues Society '...If your looking for something fresh and new but that still combines traditions old as the hills, which is espically hard to accomplish in this medium, give this recording a whirl.'... Beardo, Blues Wax '...African Wind is a wonderfully executed brew of nourishing rhythms, immersed in the intensity of American Blues while engaged in the exotic textures of it's African antecedents ... The impact is immediate and totally satisfying. It's easily the best Blues CD I've heard this year!'... Gary Tate, Livin Blues Magazine '...Dan's sense of African and blues rhythms is uncanny, and Frankie's voice is pure soul, but that should be no surprise for a soulman who worked as a featured vocalist in the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. African Wind has many pleasant soul, blues and world beat surprises in 15 very accessible tracks.' Eric Steiner, Cosmik Debris '...This album is a brilliant fusion of African rhythms and down home blues. Treanor hand-crafted his own African instruments and plays them flawlessly. He enlisted the vocal talents of the great West Coast blues belter Frankie Lee, and the chemistry between the two is clearly on display.'... Steve Cagle, TOP 5 for Listeners Guide.