Foghat To Return To Their Blues Roots On 'Last Train Home'

Foghat is often linked to the classic rock genre, due to such anthems as “Slow Ride” and “Fool for the City,” but the band has always had their roots in vintage blues.

So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to longtime fans that Foghat has reconnected with the blues on their latest release, Last Train Home, due out June 15th.

Recorded both in New York at EKO Studios and at Foghat’s own studio, Boogie Motel South, the album combines covers of such blues classics as “So Many Roads, So Many Trains” and “Shake Your Money Maker,” as well as a few new originals.

The group’s blues roots can be traced back to the pre-Foghat band, Savoy Brown, as well as Foghat’s first hit single – the classic cover of Willie Dixon’s “I Just Want To Make Love To You.”

But perhaps the most obvious connection was a star-studded concert the band organized in 1977 at the Palladium in New York, when they hosted a benefit to start a Blues Archive at the New York Public Library.

Foghat was the house band at the show, as many bona fide blues legends joined them on stage – including Muddy Waters , John Lee Hooker, Johnny Winter, Pinetop Perkins, Paul Butterfield, Honey Boy Edwards, Otis Blackwell, and Eddie ‘Bluesman’ Kirkland (the latter of which recently reconnected with the band, and led to his inclusion on ‘Last Train Home’).

‘Last Train Home’ sees Foghat’s line-up – Roger Earl (drums), Charlie Huhn (vocals/rhythm & lead guitar), and Bryan Bassett (lead & slide guitar) – joined by several special guests, including Kirkland, harmonica player Lefty “Sugar Lips” Lefkowitz, and Earl’s brother, Colin, on piano. Due to a prior commitment for the band’s bassist, Craig MacGregor, former Foghat/Savoy Brown/Outlaws bassist Jeff Howell filled in for the recording.

Additionally, another of the bands recent endeavors has been the creation of their own wine label Foghat Cellars. Their first wine was a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, and they will be releasing their 2008 Chardonnay this summer. More info can be found at www.foghatcellars.com.

One mustn’t forget their roots, and Foghat once more reminds us that it’s the blues that just about every rock n’ roll style is built upon – as evidenced throughout ‘‘Last Train Home’.’

Complete track list for ‘Last Train Home’:

   1. Born for the Road – Earl, Bassett, Huhn
   2. Needle & Spoon – Chris Youlden
   3. So Many Roads, So Many Trains – Otis Rush
   4. Last Train Home – Huhn, Bassett, Earl
   5. Shake Your Money Maker – Elmore James
   6. It Hurts Me Too – Elmore James
   7. Feel So Bad – Chuck Willis
   8. Louisiana Blues – Muddy Waters
   9. 495 Boogie – Earl, Earl, Bassett, Howell, Huhn, Lefkowitz
  10. Rollin’ & Tumblin’ / You Need Love – CC/Willie Dixon
  11. In My Dreams – Eddie Kirkland
  12. Good Good Day – Eddie Kirkland




 For more info go to www.foghat.com