Mar 2, 2026 9:58 PM
In Memoriam: John Hammond Jr., 1942–2026
John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
Bernard “Pretty” Purdie returns with his first album, Cool Down, in almost a decade.
(Photo: Courtesy of the Artist)Drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie has issued his first album in almost a decade—Cool Down (Sugar Road Records)—and it comes along with a dash of New Orleans’ flavor.
Included amid the 10 tracks, which were released on vinyl April and will be available digitally on Friday, are contributions from Cyril and Ivan Neville. Cool Down opens with a cut that recalls The Meter’s “Fire On The Bayou,” while discussing how to escape this world’s suffering and pain. “Money Bags,” which is streaming below, comes a few tracks later and features a slow and slinky groove that highlights Purdie’s funky ensemble.
Bassist and co-producer Pete Shand, guitarist Brian J and organist Ivan Neville clearly were indispensable parts of crafting the song.
“‘Money Bags’ is a solid simple groove that works because the space is always there with the opening guitar lick setting the pace,” Purdie said about one of the three instrumentals on Cool Down. “The staggered intro is down to me and Ivan on the rhythm parts. This is proof that very often, playing less means more. Ivan put that real Neville stank on the track, and I just put down a laid-back sticky groove. ... A lot of cats don’t play like this.”
For more information about Purdie’s work and Cool Down, visit the drummer’s website. DB
Hammond came to the blues through the folk boom of the late 1950s and early 1960s, which he experienced firsthand in New York’s Greenwich Village.
Mar 2, 2026 9:58 PM
John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
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