Your Q&A Answers!

Many thanks to all who submitted questions!

Paul B: I have not heard a track yet, but you have been joined by one of the best guitarists I have heard in awhile, Derek Trucks. Since you have played with Duane Allman and many others in the past, how do you rate Derek, and besides yourself, who are some of YOUR favourite pickers?

Elvin: I think Derek is just great - maybe one of the greatest going on right now. Of all the guys I like right now - the one who stands out to me is Ben Harper. I like Warren Haynes a whole lot and I also enjoy believe it or not, John Mayer and I like all the great blues guys. Naturally those who come to mind are John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, BB King, and I could give you over 500 other blues guitarists. Luther Tucker stands out among them.

Deadman: When you put together your list of "favorite pickers" do you take into account their performance ensemble? There are some who wanna show-boat, and others who look to the collaborative creation, you know? Back-porch jammin' can be such a high. So when you're judging a "picker" do you take his/her ensemble playing into the equation?

Elvin: If I'm going to jam with the person, I definitely take this into consideration. I'm like you - I like what I like and that's it!

Fairportfan: Just for curiosity - first time i saw the Kinks (Atlanta, 1975) you were opening. (Alex Cooley booked some Odd Combinations back in the day.) Since they were in virtually a glam stage and had horns and girl singers/dancers and a multimedia show - was it as strange an experience for you as it seemed it might have been from out front?

Elvin: Hmm…I don't remember this show. I have played with all kinds of strange combinations in my years - some much stranger that that. As for this specific show, I don't remember. I'm sorry.

freakapotomus: I was curious who some major influences on you were and can you list your top five favorite bands/artists? Favorite bands and artists are completely different from artists/bands/people who influenced your music for the record. Thanks!!!

Elvin: I tried to put my favorite guys on record. There's just too many to list. I would say John Lee Hooker, BB King, Muddy Waters, James Cotton and Lightnin Hopkins - not particularly in that order.

RSchaut: Tell us about the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. What did you learn, both musically and otherwise, from Paul and the other musicians? Did Paul have a tendency to rule with an iron fist, or was the music the outcome of a collective creative input? If the latter, please give some examples of who brought what to the table.

Elvin: It's kind of both - everyone was free to put their two cents but Butterfield had a pretty strong personality. I don't know if it was Butterfield's doing or if it was everyone's conscientious - everyone was always playing to the total max of their ability - trying to really play as intense as we could even though we did 6 or 7 shows a night - the intensity was on 10 scale each and every night and during each and every show. It's a great thing to get ingrained in your mind at such as young age as it always gives you the strength to give it your all each and every night and not look at it any other way. It's a good thing to be known for.