Check it out
When: Saturday, Sept. 8, 8:30 p.m.
Where: The Palms Playhouse, 13 Main St., Winters
Tickets: $20
Info: (530) 795-1825 or www.palmsplayhouse.com

Sacramento-based rocking blues masters Rick Estrin & The Nightcats will celebrate the release of their new CD, “One Wrong Turn,” (Alligator) with a live performance at The Palms Playhouse in Winters on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Harmonica icon/vocalist/songwriter Rick Estrin, along with The Nightcats — jaw-dropping guitarist Chris “Kid” Andersen, singing drummer (who plays standing up) J. Hansen and dynamic multi-instrumentalist Lorenzo Farrell (electric and acoustic bass, organ and piano) — serve up fresh and modern original blues injected with a solid dose of gritty roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll. Since the 2009 release of their debut, “Twisted,” the band has toured non-stop, honing their creative synergy to a razor’s edge. Night after night, the band blazes its own innovative musical path while still remaining true to the blues.

The results of the band’s natural chemistry can be heard on “One Wrong Turn,” an up-to-the-minute and totally accessible slice of original blues with a simmering, funky rock edge. The album features 12 new songs, most written by Estrin, with all the band members also contributing originals.

In addition to his harmonica and vocal skills, Rick Estrin is a songwriter of unparalleled talent. Critics have compared his original songs to the work of Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan, Willie Dixon and Leiber and Stoller. And his hipster, street-smart vocals are the perfect vehicle for driving those songs home.

For more than 30 years and nine albums, Estrin fronted, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, featuring Little Charlie Baty’s one-of-a-kind guitar acrobatics. The band won international acclaim and toured the world repeatedly. They were nominated four times for the prestigious Blues Music Award for Band Of The Year. With Charlie’s retirement in 2008, Estrin rededicated himself to his craft. Hansen and Farrell wanted to keep the band going. Estrin knew the only way to replace Baty’s crazed and unique guitar style was to find someone with an equally insane and individual approach, and he knew that would be a tall order to fill.

As luck would have it, Kid Andersen, who had been working with another harp legend, Charlie Musselwhite, became available.

“Kid’s a fearless nut on the guitar,” Estrin said. “He’s really the only guy who could fit in with us.”

Live, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats take their ever-growing legion of fans on a seriously fun and musically memorable twisted ride.

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats

Rick Estrin & The Night Cats, Sacramento-based rocking blues musicians, will celebrate the release of their new CD, “One Wrong Turn,” with a concert Saturday, Sept. 8, at The Palms Playhouse in Winters. Courtesy photo

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