Raven/Desmond Songs represents the coming together of two reknowned Chicago music talents. Originally teaming up to write songs for the Blue Watusis, a progressive blues group they co-led in the early 1990's,releasing the critically acclaimed "Welcome to the House of the Blues",they have since expanded their songwriting repertoire to include country, rock, soul, and gospel and have 4 post-Watusis cds "New Country and Blues", "More New Country" ,"Shake It Down" and the new compilation "Best of the Blues".

Frank Raven is a veteran of legendary Chicago bands bohemia, Slammin'Watusis, The Blue Watusis, Iggy Yokam and His Famous Pogo Ponies, and The Frank Raven Band. The Blue Watusis "Welcome to the House of the Blues", Frank Raven and the Blue Watusis "Blues on a Stick", The Frank Raven Band's "Sunday Driver" and Chicago Breakdown", Frank Raven and Dave Menet's "Cadillac Baby...Live & Raw" and the just released compilation cd Frank Raven "Blues x 2" all feature songs written by Frank Raven and Jim Desmond. His solo recordings include the highly acclaimed "The Sadness of Winter" and "This Dream's on Me". As a guest soloist he has played on countless recordings for groups such as The Insiders, The Juleps, Texas Rubies, Pat Hall & The Fat Guys, and Prong.

Jim Desmond is an important and charismatic figure on the Chicago music scene. Playing and writing in many different musical genres he is known for his powerful voice, his outrageous performance style, and his witty, literate take on songwriting. His blues influenced Desmond group was one of the highlights of the '80s-era Chicago punk scene. His solo recordings include original songs on the WLUP "Chicago Rocks" cd and his early signature song "God Made Me Do It" was featured on the indie compilation "Jay's Garage". His 7-piece r&b group The Hightones released "7 x 7" and he also currently performs with rock band The L & L All Stars who are recording an all original cd featuring two Raven Desmond songs.

Raven Desmond Songs return to the roots of the Blues.
Reviewer: Illinois Entertainer Dec 2005/Sweet Home/Beverly Zeldin-Palmer
Shake It Down is the latest from local acoustic blues duo Raven Desmond Songs.Frank Raven(harp,vocals)and Jim Desmond(guitar,vocals) are Chicago stalwarts,with a Zappa-esque bent.Formerly songwriters and co-leaders of the progressive blues group the Blue Watusis,in their current incarnation, they return to the roots of the blues,with some wacky '60s-style acoustic tunes.

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