Artist description Jim Congdon and The Blue Devils are a Madison, Wisconsin based blues power trio in the vain of ZZ Top, Hot Tuna, Hendrix and Gov’t Mule -- with a penchant for improvisation ala the Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead - All while maintaining a solid Chicago-Style Blues-Boogie feel that respects the blues heritage from which it comes.

Music Style Blues-Rock-Jam

Musical Influences Nils Lofgren, Rory Gallagher, Hendrix, The Allman Brothers and The Grateful Dead

Similar Artists ZZ TOP, Hot Tuna, Gov't Mule, Johnny Winter, Rory Gallagher, Beck, Santana, Clapton, The Allman Brothers,The Grateful Dead

Artist History im Congdon — J.C. has been playing professionally since he was 14 years old. He no longer needs to sneak in to smoky blues clubs and set his guitar ablaze while attacking the guitar with his best Hendrixian voice — as he did so often way back then. Things have changed alot since then — the voice is more soulful and seasoned and the guitar speaks more eloquently and precisely. J.C. lists Johnny Winter, Rory Gallagher, Beck, Santana, Clapton, The Allman Brothers and The Grateful Dead as his most important influences. Back in the early 1980’s J.C. spent several years on the road out West playing Country-Rock, Top 40, 50’s and 60’s — you name it. When he burned out on that J.C. moved back to Madison WI and formed the first incarnation go Jim Congdon and The Blue Devils in 1985. This line-up featured Bruce Alford on Bass (Tony Brown @ the Landing Crew) and Gerald Williams on Drums with Bob Corbett on Sax as a special treat. Gerald Williams was later replaced by Clyde Stubblefield (of James Brown fame). J.C. @ the Blue Devils released one recording during this period “Here in America” featuring all original Funk/Blues/Rock. The second incarnation of Jim Congdon @ the Blue Devils features Bruce Gehrke on Bass (Mid-Life Crisis, Blue Lite Blues Band) and Robert Barbian on Drums (Blue Lite Blues Band) - Bruce and Bob have been playing together as a rhythm section since 1984. This line-up was active on and off through the 1990’s to today. Bruce and Bob became Blue Devils in 1990 after an extensive initiation involving secret rituals. This line-up has one very well - received CD “Whatever It Takes” - released in May, 2001.

Group Members Jim Congdon - Lead Guitar, Vocals Bruce “Rat” Gehrke - Bass Guitar Robert Wayne Barbian - Drums

Instruments Power Trio - sometimes Keyboards

Albums Whatever it Takes - Here in America (Clyde on Drums)

Press Reviews Review - Wisconsin State Journal 5/17/01- Natasha Kassulke sez : "Local guitarist-singer Jim Congdon recently released a new CD, "Whatever it Takes." Answering that question, it will take a much longer beard, a cast of leggy women, a flashy Ford nicknamed the Eliminator and a pair -- or three -- of cheap sunglasses. Congdon already has the sound, the lyrics and the quirkiness to complete his ZZ Top tribute. ......" "Congdon wrote all of the songs except for "Outside Women Blues" which opens the CD. The guitar is hot and the lyrics are bitter. "I'm in Love with Cheryl Crow" is a jazz-rock jammer appropriate for a band of the Allman Brothers Band's improvisational musical talent. That jamming style is carried throughout much of the CD. The lyrics are a hilarious highlight: "I know you got perfect teeth/I ain't Eric Clapton -- not supposed to be." Congdon's humor is raw, often twisted and at times even wicked. In fact, Congdon has a pen and knows how to use it to immortalize local music writer Tom Laskin and Pabst Blue Ribbon beer in "Tom Laskin Don't Like it." The song comes with a liner note explanation: "Tom Laskin is a local Madison, Wisconsin music critic (Laskin writes for Isthmus) from his reviews, he is not a southern-rock fan -- long live ZZ Top." "Lonesome Rider" is more back-alley blues than Southern boogie-woogie. The guitar is a band member in it's own right, taking center stage "Possibility Jody" is groove rocking and rhyming. It stands out from the rest of the CD as the slightly adventurous little sister to the big blues brothers.............

Additional Info You tell me, I am here to learn

Location madison, WI - USA

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