Bobbie Mercy Oliver&Jam City Revue
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Bobbie Mercy Oliver&Jam City Revue

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"Shuffle & Play"

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Shuffle & Play - June 18, 2006
Sunday, June 18, 2006 2:44 PM CDT




By ANTHONY DAVIS
Texarkana Gazette



Radney Foster—This World We Live In (Dualtone)


While struggling to come up with the best summation of Radney Foster’s latest CD, “The World We Live In,” an observation by Billboard music seemed too perfect to pass up.



“Foster strikes a perfect balance between the clean mainstream and adventuresome alternative.



Foster has not moved an inch toward the middle. It is the middle that has gradually, but surely, stretched itself onto turf he tilled years ago, and over which he continues to show himself a master.


You see, the 47-year-old Foster has been writing music since he was 17 growing up in Del Rio, Texas.



But Radney is not an artist who releases discs frequently, as his greatest recognition has come as a producer and songwriter for a number of new and old country music acts.



Foster teamed up with Bill Lloyd, releasing albums between 1987-1990, which led to a series of Top 10 country singles. When that relationship faded in the early 90s Foster pressed on, releasing the occasional critically acclaimed album and writing songs for a bevy of new-country and Texas country musicians.



In this outing Foster rallies a group of old friends to assist in the performances—Waddy Wachtel, Charley Drayton, Rami Jaffee and Bob Glaub. This group of sidemen represent histories with Jackson Browne, CSN&Y, Keith Richards, Wallflowers and Warren Zevon.



Now, to the business of “This World We Live In.”



The short version: 10 tunes, 10 pages from the storybook of Radney’s life and insights into several musical genres, which originate in the roots music of modern music.




The short version: 10 tunes, 10 pages from the storybook of Radney’s life and insights into several musical genres, which originate in the roots music of modern music.



The disc is targeted for the country music crowd, but if you’re interests are diverse, you will find no better place to start with “World.”



From lovin and drinkin’ to tales of regret and gratitude, Foster is a literate, insightful talent with a broad-based accessibility.


Try this lyric sample from “Never Gonna’ Fly,”



“A young man full of pride don’t need much hope/Thinks he’s got it made even when he don’t/Thinks all he’s got to do/ is order up a beer or two/And make work what others tell him don’t/He don’t care what all those people say/He’s got to bend the world his own way...”







Bobbie “Mercy” Oliver—Simply Bobbie (Independent)



Bobbie Oliver and the Jam City Revue from Marshall, Texas, have made quite a name for themselves in the past two years in Northeast Texas and Northwest Louisiana.



Oliver is a holdover from the blues generation that grasped the significance of the genre before it became “cool.” Bobbie channels Mississippi and Chicago-style blues like a musical medium contacting the souls of some of the blues greats in a manner which is dead-on authentic.



Oliver shed most of his bandmates for this project with the exception of Mr. T. playing organ on “Soul Food” and studio musician Oran Gipson on lead guitar. The resultant CD features the bluesman on bass, second lead guitar, harmonica, organ and vocals.



“Simply Bobbie” contains nine original songs, which showcase Bobbie’s life-time devotion to the blues genre. With simple lyrics and an uncomplicated, straight-forward approach, Oliver delivers on his guitar and the harmonica duct-taped to his playing apparatus.



In songs such as “I’m Just A Nobody,” Bobbie sings of the everyman who can’t catch a break.



“I got caught up in the newspaper/already made headlines/trying to make it look like/ I’ve done some kinda crime/ I’m just an old country boy/ I know right from wrong/Honey you better believe me/I’ve done nothing wrong/I’m just a nobody trying to be a somebody/you can be proud of...”



Other selections such as “You’ll Never Love Me and leave Me,” “Bang, Bang, Bang,” and “Devil Eyes Parts I and II,” continue Bobbie’s quest for good lovin’ and better luck.



“Simply Bobbie” is the follow-up to Oliver’s last CD, “Mississippi Mud.” He and his band are frequent visitors to Texarkana area club venues, so checking this bluesman out shouldn’t be hard to do.



Just look for the woman with who shares Bobbie’s career as inspiration and task master, Eva “Mom” Oliver. She’ll be the one leading cheers from the front row.


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- Texarkana Gazette


"Simply Bobbie"

"Simply Bobbie", Bobbie "Mercy"Oliver's new cd, is just that-it's almost exclusively Bobbie!
This work was written, set to music, arranged and mastered by Bobbie"Mercy"Oliver. "Bobbie plays bass guitar, second lead guitar, harmonica, organ and vocals except for Mr. T playing organ on Soul Food.
My favorite piece is "Devil Eyes(Part II). Something about this one catches and holds me from the first notes, a gentle rock tune with Bobbie carrying on an irrevelent conversation in the background, puncuated by git-down growls and mellow mouth harp; It wasn't meant to be his "A" tune, but it's very simplicity gets to me, and it makes me smile every time I hear it. "Devil Eyes"(Part I) is great, I can't help it- I like # 2 the best.
The second tune, "I'm Just a Nobody"(trying to be somebody), is another great tune, I love the lyrics, and it rollicks along on his vocals and a laid back guitar work.
"Left Hand Woman" has got to be a tribute to wife, Eva, and it's marvelous!( I've got a left hand woman who still does everything right"). Guitar licks and the love shines through the whole piece.
"Simply Bobbie" shows off some absolutely unique guitar styling and riffing; a must hear.
"Bang,Bang, Bang" is a bit of sly double-entendre cheating-woman-gone-wrong with some fabulous harmonica work and guitar picking, this is one I have to run a second time every time I listen, because there is some neat phrasing in it that begs for a repeat.
"Blues Train starts out with Bobbie's wonderful harmonica, which is the dominant instrument, the guitar provides a backdrop but the harp is what the song is about, it's pure blues.
This is a great CD, all Bobbie, as it says, which makes it a must-buy. You can get it directly from his website,http://bobbieoliver39.tripod.com or from buy music direct.com/
--c.w. - Mississippi Headlines


"Oliver to perform June 17 at Walker blues festival"

Atlanta native son, Bobbie Oliver has signed to perform at the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest to be held on June 17 at Music City Texas Theater in Linden. Bobbie and his band-Jam City Revue, enjoy a large following by East Texas blues fans.
Oliver will be premiering his latest CD"Simply Bobbie" at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 4 at the Coffee Corner on the west side of the courthouse square in Linden, Texas.Call 903-319-7474 for ticket information. - LEDC News


"Dance for Unity"

Bobbie Oliver of the Jam City Revue Band from MarshaLL, Texas Performs at the Destination Unity Dance held at the Longview Public Library. The dance celebrated the accomplishments of people with mental disabilities. - Longview News Journal


"Local musician fronts blues band playing across the states"

Bobbie Mercy Oliver is sitting in his home studio listening to himself via his CD, "Mississippi Mudd", a lonely-hearts album that sounds like dim-lit bars and long Delta Nights. "I'm gonna pack my bag and lok for Highway 61. "I've had bad times for the last time"That's why it's all over for you. I know you think you can treat me bad and make me like it ."Well, I've got a big surprise for you.. "I'm still the best, uh Huh, 'Oliver says, with the emphasis on 'huh". We're trying to go everywhere, Deep Elm is a good start and then take these blues all over the world. I want people to know that Delta blues are alive and doing well. - Marshall News Messenger


"Celebrating Juneteenth"

Headling the the evening's entertainment will be the recently dubbed Texarkana Blues All-Stars, which were initially united for Texarkana's first Generations jam at Jump, Jive and Jam Fest 2005. Included in the blues quintet are Travis Matthews on guitar, Bobbie Mercy Oliver on harp and guitar, Otis McGill on bass: Mark Kerr on lead guitar and George Buckner on drums. - Texarkana Gazette


"Mississippi Mudd"


Home About MP Mississippi Politics & Hate Groups Mississippi Links Mississippi Blues Information Online Trader


Mississippi Mudd

by Bobbie "Mercy" Oliver and the Jam City


Bobbie "Mercy" Oliver's main musical influence is Jimmy Reed, and like Reed, he also plays harmonica, guitar and sings.

Bobbie taught himself to play as a child on a Sears and Roebuck guitar his oldest sister ordered him, unknown to their father until the bill arrived.

Bobbie left his (Atlanta, TX) for Chicago, soon after graduating from high school, forming his first band in Chicago.

The present band, Jam City Revue, was formed around 1996 and includes Bobbie "Mercy" Oliver on guitar, harmonica and lead vocals, Thomas Moore Jr. on bass guitar and vocals, Booker Carpenter on drums and Dan Anderson on lead guitar.

All of the music on this cd was written and arranged by Bobbie "Mercy" Oliver.

Bobbie's harmonica shines in every song with his unique and relaxed style, and the title song is no exception; this is a great tune. My personal favorite is not the title song , however, but "Hex on Me, Part II". This one opens with a cool laid-back harmonica and equally cool guitar licks. This version, just music, no vocals, has a deceptively lazy and rollicking beat, one of those songs that sort of sneaks up on you and inevitably turns one's mind to something besides music.

His "Ramblin' Mind", "Highway 61" are blues of the love gone wrong genre, and listening, I'm hearing every woman he knew before the woman who he calls "Mama." Mama Eva manages all the details and travels with him, and he refers any inquires to Mama, the woman "who knows all about it". "Love is the Loc" sounds like his tribute to her.

The closing tune "Jazzy Harmonica Blues" is an upbeat and, indeed, jazzy, song that I loved; I'm tempted to go back and call it my favorite instead of "Hex on Me II", but I had to pick one for a favorite, not an easy task on a cd full of great music.

The keyboardist (Robert "Mr. Debonaire" Wilcots) is excellent as well as the regular band members; the whole band jells around the wonderful harmonica rifts of Bobbie "Mercy" Oliver.

This is an imminently enjoyable CD from a great live band; I heard them at the Hog Wild Saloon at the King Biscuit in 2004 and was immediately taken with them; they know how to rock the house, and make the floor dance. I recommend it for part of your essential collection of modern blues.

This cd can be bought from Oliver's Buy Music Direct page, and the band can be booked by contacting him via email (bobbieoliver@sbcglobal.net) or check out his website http://bobbieoliver39.tripod.com


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- Mississippi Political


Discography

Bobbie has three CD'S completed
1.Reviving The Blues, 2004.
2. Mississippi Mudd, 2005.
3.Simply Bobbie 2006. Simply Bobbie will debut at The Coffee Corner in Linden, Texas, May 4, 2006
ANNOUNCING THE DEBUT OF SIMPLY BOBBIE ITS READY FOR SALE
My CD, Mississippi Mudd has received air play on numerous radio stations throughout the USA and abroad such as Canada, Australia, and many other countries. WWOZ in New Orleans, KRBS in Oroville California, our own KBWC at Wiley College, Marshall, Texas.
4. Untitled Blues CD. release unknown

Bobbie's music is played on radio stations all around the world such as in Australia, Canada, California, Carolina, New Orleans just to name a few. All nine cuts are being played. ***Simply Bobbie, my new CD was NOMINATED BY THE SHAGBARK BLUES SOCIETY FOR THE BEST SELF PRODUCED BLUES CD FOR 2007. See you all in Memphis on February 1-3.

Photos

Bio

BOBBIE ”MERCY ”OLIVER The TEXAS BLUES KING

Bobbie” Mercy ”Oliver was born in 1939 in Atlanta, Texas where he grew up. He is the son of former sharecroppers and born into a family of twelve children to the parentage of Claude and Mary Lee Oliver. He got his music talents from both parents, his father played guitar and entertained his family after a hard day of perhaps picking cotton or just farming in particular. Bobbie’s farther played in the style of the musicians of his time and did little to inspire his son. It took a total stranger’s influence playing the guitar ala Jimmy Reed who is Bobbie’s most influential musician because he could play harmonica, guitar and sing.
Bobbie’s mother had a beautiful singing voice and sent all her children to take piano lessons including Bobbie. Bobbie did not continue his piano lessons because he thought piano playing was for girls.

Bobbie taught himself to play the guitar, a cheap Sears and Roebuck guitar his oldest sister ordered him per his request unknown to his farther until the bill arrived. When he was satisfied with his guitar playing he taught himself how to use the harmonica in his unique manner. Bobbie left home for Chicago, Illinois soon after graduating from high school.

While living in Chicago from 1958 to 1969 he started his own blues band, Oliver’s Trio consisting of his sister Mary on bass guitar, his wife at that time was on drums and Bobbie was on his favorites, guitar and harmonica. He was one of the first if not the only person performing Slim Harpo’s Scratch My Back and he still does Scratch My Back as part of his repertoire along with a lot of, you guessed it, Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Junior Parker, Elvis Presley, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Chuck Berry. He does not exclude his own music from two self-produced CD’S in his home studio, BEO Recording Studio.

Bobbie formed his former band Jam City Revue around the year 1996 with just a drummer, Eddie Robbins and himself. Eddie’s brother Kenny joined them playing Congo's and percussions. Bobbie recruited his sister, Mary, to play bass again and his brother Freddy playing drums. When they decided they no longer wanted to play in a band, Bobbie bought a bass guitar and taught his stepson, Anthony to play and he joined the band, Eddie Robbins was still on drums. Anthony was very young with wife and small children so that didn’t last very long. It was at that time that his nephew, K. T. took an interest in playing the bass, taking lessons from Bobbie. K. T. is very good on bass and at Mom’s encouraging he started to sing, Stormy Monday, Bobby Bland’s version and has since begun to sing other R & B hits.

Bobbie Mercy Oliver and Jam City Revue was house band for The Branch Office Bar & Grill for five months or more in Texarkana, Texas. They were house band for Our Place in Texarkana, Arkansas for three months. The band has played on Beale Street on the patio at Kings Palace and at the famous Wild Bill’s Club in Memphis, Tennessee. The band was Brophy’s favorite band here in Marshall, Texas until they closed a few months ago. The band competed in the Battle of the Bands in Helena, Arkansas last year, 2004, and 2007, for the King Biscuit Blues Festival and played at the famous, Wild Hog Bar & Grill during the King Biscuit with photos of that event on the internet. Bobbie and band opened the first annual T-Bone Walker Blues Fest, June 17, 2006, with such legends as Keb' Mo, Kenneth Wayne Shepherd, Dee Dee Williams. Buddy Flett & the Blue Birds,Gary "Whitey"Johnson"Nicholson and Ms. Betty Lewis. He was featured on the Tyler, Texas Rhythm and Blues Blowout with such great talent as Marvin Sease, and Ms. Betty Lewis. You may go this web page to see photo's of Bobbie in action at the T-Bone Walker Fest, http://www.jamwave.com/bobbie. He has appeared on music festivals with many other bands such as the Los Lonely Boys, Riccochet and blues man, Tommy McCoy, Willie Clayton and so forth.
Bobbie Mercy Oliver has self-produced three CD’S, Reviving the Blues in 2003 and Mississippi Mudd in 2004. Both CD’s received air play on various radio stations with Mississippi Mudd getting air play all over the USA such as Radio 107.1 in Orroville, California, who just last Tuesday, (December 13, 2005), called and did a live telephone interview with Bobbie Mercy Oliver while playing two cuts from Mississippi Mudd. He released his third cd, "Simply Bobbie" on May 4, 2006.is currently working on his Bobbie’s goals are to perform these blues all over the world.

The band today consists of Bobbie” Mercy” Oliver on rhythm guitar, harmonica and vocals, Garry McLean, on bass, vocals and background, , B. T. Carpenter on drums and percussions, Gloria Hall aka Lady - G, female vocalist, Eva Mom Oliver manager/booking /promoter. He (Bobbie) has created a very unique sound that’s rocking the states and has been called HOT and very much in demand throughout the year, his songs have a li