Music
Press
"...The Special 20's may be this town's best shot of traditional '50s-style blues since Rockin' Johnny faded from the scene. The classy-named band (after a brand of harmonica that Hohner makes) has all the nuances down, as you can hear on its self-titled and self-released debut album." - Time Out Chicago
Chicago's Special 20s offer a super-tight take on traditional post-war styles on their self-titled, self-released disc. Morry Sochat is an enthusiastic, low-jive vocalist and a toneful if not virtuosic harp player; Jim St. Marie's guitar work is precise, with jumping rhythms and pinpoint solos. Anthony Tabion's sparkling keyboards and the in-the pocket team of Stephen Bass (drums) and Ted Beranis (bass) round out the sound. Sochat compositions like the smoky "Ready When You Are," swinging shuffles "Honey Dew" and "That's the Truth," and the "Hit the Road, Jack" - inspired "Looking Out for Number One" mesh with the hard-hitting takes on "Glad I Don't Worry No More" and Jimmy Rogers' "Rock This House." Cool, cool blues.
- Blues Revue Magazine
Chicago Blues Breakdown......
Terry from CBB says....... It's a perfect blend of Blues and Jazz that gives this self titled Cd its special place in the
Chicago Blues.
Scott from CBB says........ The West
Coast Swing is apparent in this Blues newcomer. A definite good addition to any blues collection.
- Chicago Blues Breakdown
Discography
The Special 20s released their self titled CD in January 2007. It can be purchased at http://cdbaby.com/cd/special20s
New CD has been recorded and is being produced by Nick Moss. Should be out in May.
Photos
Bio
The Special 20's are a 5 piece Chicago style blues band, specializing in True Chicago Blues, West Coast Swing and 50's Rock n' Roll!!!! They evoke the legends of the blues and R&B world. Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Junior Parker, Louis Jordan.
The 20s have a huge repertoire and can play a 5 hours show and keep it fresh the whole time.
Along with their own original material, they play tons of blues classics. The 20s play a special Muddy Waters set that brings you back to the South Side of Chicago in the the late 50's
Morry Sochat(vocals and harmonica) has been honing his skill on harmonica with Joe Filisko, and playing around the city for the past 6 years. He played with The Shakes and Tongue and Groove for years before striking out to create the 20s. When he started The Special 20s he wanted to deliver more than what the traditional Chicago blues bands were playing around town. He got some of his best friends and some of the best players in the city to round out the band and bring you some of the best blues out there today. The Special 20s play Chicago Blues, adding West Coast Swing, R & B, and a small dose of 50's Rock n' Roll to it. Jim St. Marie grew up in Austin, TX and has been playing guitar all of his life. After graduating from The University of North Texas with a degree in Jazz Studies he played with various country and Rock N Roll bands down in Texas. He moved to Chicago and has been playing Blues with some of the best bands for years. Ted Beranis,(bass) was a founding member of The Soul Searchers with Gareth Best and Ross Bonn. He has played with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Nick Moss, Joe Moss and Ross Bon. Steve Bass, on drums, is a relative newcomer to the blues, coming from the jazz world. He has been playing blues in Chicago with The Carl Davis Band, The Shakes, The Chicago Blues Angels and The Special 20s for the past 3 years. Dave Ross on piano splits his time with The 20s and blues legend, John Primer. Shoji Naito is a master musician who also splits time with the 20s and another blues lengend, Eddy Clearwater. These two are the best the city of Chicago has to offer at their instruments.
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