Eddie Kirkland was certainly one of most legendary names of Detroit blues and a mythic person for all who knew him. Eddie played with all the greats, during the fifties the he was member of John Lee Hooker’s band, in the hard times he miserably lived in his car and, as he used to say, he was at the famous “crossroads” where he settled his deal with the devil!! All that made him a charismatic musician with a huge personality.

By year 2000 Kirkland met the Wentus Blues Band, a group from Finland which always plays genuine blues. Thanks to the late Rock Bottom, they became his backing band on his first tour in Europe. That tour turned into a close collaboration of more than ten years, performing countless shows in Europe. For Wentus Blues Band it was an incredible experience and Kirkland became a band member, as well as their mentor, grandfather and great friend, until he passed away in 2011.

Now to celebrate Eddie Kirkland’s 100 birthday, the Wentus Blues Band wants to pay tribute to the always remembered and missed bluesmen by releasing an album with nine songs coming from different shows held between 2000 and 2006, that become a good example of the chemistry that arose between all them. Genuine Detroit blues played in the real old style by Eddie Kirkland on vocals, harmonica, acoustic and electric guitar, Niko Riipa on electric guitar, Robban Hagnäs on bass and Mikael Axelqvist on drums, plus the collaboration of Juho Kinaret on vocals in the song “Sugar Hill”.

All the feeling of Michigan most genuine blues can be found if you listen to this album that undoubtedly will be appreciated by good fans and all those people who look for small music gems.