The package was postmarked Detroit, Michigan when it arrived at the Toronto townhouse that served as Electro-Fi Records world headquarters back in early 2002. Gary Collver and I had launched the label 5 years earlier, and had enjoyed some modest success with our releases on Chicago’s Little Mack Simmons and Johnny Laws. Things had been bumped up a notch with our signing of Blues Legends Snooky Pryor and Mel Brown, along with rising star West Coast Harp Ace Mark Hummel. From today’s perspective at least, CD sales were brisk, and most days of the week, an assortment of demo and audition discs arrived in the mail from a wide variety of aspiring and established practitioners of Blues music in all it’s forms. 

This particular package contained the rough mixes of a new album from Detroit Blues duo Harmonica Shah and guitarist Howard Glazer. I was aware of Shah and Howard from their previous “Deep Detroit” release. Their deep down and raw take on the Blues was right up my alley. Phone calls were made, a deal was struck, a final mix of the album was done by Alec Fraser with Howard and “Tell It To Your Landlord” was released on Electro-Fi early in 2003. Shah and Howard’s unique and spontaneous brand of Blues was well received and lead to Australian, U.S., European and Canadian festival appearances. While continuing to perform live together, Shah and Howard chose to pursue separate, successful recording careers. Howard recorded with Honeyboy Edwards and Emanuel Young. He’s been nominated for 4 Downbeat Critic’s Choice Awards: Best Blues artist (2), Rising Star and Best Blues Guitarist. Harmonica Shah has been nominated twice for Living Blues Awards in the category of Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica). Shah has recorded with Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Mel Brown and Jack de Keyzer. 

One fine day last year, talk turned to the idea of Shah and Howard recording together again (at last!) in Detroit. With the kind support of studio wizard Joe Giese, and a tight core group of outstanding Motor City Blues musicians including Skeeto Valdez, this album “Ain’t Gonna Worry About Tomorrow” was cut in the pre-pandemic days of January 20, 21, 2020. The 13 tracks showcase the many talents of both Shah and Howard and the unique signature blues sound they create together. This recording reunion was a long time coming. To my ears it’s been well worth the wait. Hope you enjoy it!  

Andrew Galloway

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