Willie and Babe is a Boston based electric blues duo combining the powerful forces of Jon Catler, the world’s leading Harmonic guitarist, and Babe Borden, known for her versatile 3 octave range – together they conjure up a fresh, dynamic and vibrant sound. Willie and Babe, who also front the dynamic blues band 13 O’Clock Blues Band, and previously at the helm of Willie McBlind, have distilled their years of intense musical experience and passion to create a riveting live musical experience that draws from a deep well of tradition as it heads towards the future. As stated by Graham Clarke of Blues Bytes, “The band’s roots are firmly planted in the Mississippi Delta, but they combine that with a harmonic blues sound using microtonally fretted and fretless guitars, capping it off with a powerful and effective vocal style. Catler’s guitar work is breathtaking and the vocal harmonies are almost otherworldly.”
Willie and Babe have traveled far and wide to play in front of audiences as diverse as Greenwich Village’s legendary Cornelia Street Café to Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival on the banks of the Mississippi fronting their band Willie McBlind. They are offering this musical experience to blues festivals, clubs, museums, train depots and other venues, presenting a slice of cutting edge Americana to folks who want to rediscover days when the iron horse ruled the country and people hit the trails to let their dreams fly.
“When listening it is evident the music is deeply rooted in blues and is in fact an exponent of bluesrock. But still something is different, it is not the bluesrock we are used to. With the use of the 64-note harmonies it all sounds a bit different. The singing also is different. Borden’s upperscale voice forms a great counterpoint to Catler’s low growling. Close your eyes and you hear something that resembles Jefferson Airplane, but is further absolutely unique.”
BARN OWL BLUES – Eric Campfens
“Guitarist Jon Catler works near-miracles in bringing that raw aspect of the blues sound to the forefront. Borden’s finest achievement is her ability to match Catler’s microtones without flaw or hesitation. She is fully her own woman, never trying to emulate Etta James, Koko Taylor or anyone else. Jon Catler and Willie McBlind represent a major step forward in the evolution of American blues.” ALL ABOUT JAZZ – Todd S. Jenkins
“You had better hold on tight, because it’s a wild ride. It’s the kind of Rock and Blues mash-up that The White Stripes flirt around with, but never seem to go steady with. Catler and Borden have dubbed it “Harmonic Blues,” and you could dare say Hypnotic Blues would be an equally appropriate moniker. Catler growls the lyrics under Borden’s sailing vocals.” FULL-TIME BLUES / www.fulltimeblues.com – Johnny Full-Time, 91.5 WUEV, Evansville, IN
“Hoboken vocalist Meredith “Babe” Borden is rejuvenating the blues. While some bands strive to incorporate every musical influence into their sound, Borden and partner Jon Catler have focused on mixing breathtaking vocals and fantastic guitar licks. The result is an integrated sound of energized blues.” The Hudson Current, HOBOKEN, NJ – Diana Schwaeble
SAMPLE OF WILLIE AND BABE’S REPERTOIRE ~
QUEEN BEE
PONY BLUES
LOVE IN VAIN (ROBERT JOHNSON)
SMOKESTACK LIGHTNIN’ (HOWLIN’ WOLF)
PREACHIN’ BLUES (SON HOUSE)
DEATH LETTER BLUES (SON HOUSE)
HOW MANY MORE YEARS (HOWLIN’ WOLF)
SHAKE YOUR MONEYMAKER
STEADY ROLLIN’ MAN
NOBODY’S FAULT BUT MINE
CASEY JONES
COME ON, LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL (EARL KING/JIMI HENDRIX)
EVIL (HOWLIN’ WOLF)
LET’S WORK TOGETHER (CANNED HEAT)
CROSSROAD BLUES
500 MILES (PETER, PAUL & MARY)
HONKY TONK WOMEN (ROLLING STONES)
ALRIGHT NOW (FREE)
PROUD MARY (JOHN FOGERTY)
ROCK ‘N ROLL, HOOTCHIE KOO (JOHNNY WINTER)
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
FOR BOOKING AND FEE INFORMATION, CONTACT MABIRD BOOKING AT: mabird@earthlink.net