Almost immediately after guitarist/vocalist John Cephas joined forces with harmonicist/vocalist Phil Wiggins in 1978, the blues community took them to heart. Critics and fans proclaimed them as the new champions of the East Coast Piedmont style of blues, a style of music first popularized by artists like Blind Boy Fuller, Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Willie McTell and Blind Blake. They have performed for people all over the world, from tiny living rooms for only a handful of people to major blues festivals and in front of thousands. They even entertained at President Clinton's inaugural party in 1997. Cephas & Wiggins -- whose style and appeal is often compared to that of an earlier Tidewater duo, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee -- keep the tradition alive by infusing it with their own originality, vitality, and, most importantly, fun. The duo celebrates the gentle, melodic blues style of the southeastern U.S. with every performance. According to Living Blues, Cephas & Wiggins "remain today's premier blues guitar and harmonica duo." The Washington Post said, "Remarkable guitar and harmonica duets. Their infectious rhythms and supple melodies combine tasteful fingerpicking with impassioned harmonica solos."
Their fourth album for Alligator, Shoulder To Shoulder, Cephas & Wiggins' spirited and seamless mix of both original and classic material sheds a bright light on Piedmont blues. Of the album's 12 songs, Cephas wrote or co-wrote six. With the solid mix of brilliantly played music fueled by Cephas' gently rolling guitar and vocals and driven by Wiggins' freight train chugging harmonica, Shoulder To Shoulder is the antidote for anyone who still thinks blues music is a soundtrack for sadness. According to Wiggins, "People automatically think of sadness and depression when they think of blues. But the blues is uplifting music, music to rejuvenate you, to nourish the spirit. When you get down, the blues will pick you up again." The duo is joined by pianist Ann Rabson (Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women) on six tracks, pianist Daryl Davis on one and bassist Andrew Volpe on two.
