Ever since starting piano lessons at age 7, Ben has looked to his musical elders for guidance, and for this album, he decided to shift the spotlight away from himself and highlight some living legends of blues: 92-year-old bassist/vocalist Bob Stroger, Chicago blues legend Lil’ Ed, and Louisiana bluesman Lil’ Jimmy Reed.

Ben couldn’t be happier

Ever since starting piano lessons at age 7, Ben has looked to his musical elders for guidance, and for this album, he decided to shift the spotlight away from himself and highlight some living legends of blues: 92-year-old bassist/vocalist Bob Stroger, Chicago blues legend Lil’ Ed, and Louisiana bluesman Lil’ Jimmy Reed.

Ben couldn’t be happier with the results and says, “with the help of the legendary guest artists, this album features the heaviest blues I’ve ever recorded in the studio. I’ve always had a lot of respect and revered the elders of blues, and these sessions are some of the highest honors I’ve had in my career so far.”

“Steady Rollin'” Bob Margolin writes in the liner notes:

Ben Levin, 21, brings vintage style with youthful fire to his piano, singing and songwriting. The songs written by Ben and his father, guitarist Aron Levin, and the well-chosen covers reflect the music and sound of Cincinnati’s historic King Records along with what’s in their hearts today.

“Steady Rollin'” Bob Margolin writes in the liner notes:

Ben Levin, 21, brings vintage style with youthful fire to his piano, singing and songwriting. The songs written by Ben and his father, guitarist Aron Levin, and the well-chosen covers reflect the music and sound of Cincinnati’s historic King Records along with what’s in their hearts today.

Ben’s piano influences are New Orleans greats Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, and Smiley Lewis. From Chicago Blues, he mixes in Otis Spann, Pinetop Perkins and Henry Gray, along with the relentless drive of Cincinnati’s Big Joe Duskin.

Aron Levin contributes deep songwriting and guitar playing that can be only from a family connection. His tone, phrasing, and ability to ride styles with clever originality make for seamless musical and genetic collaboration.

The original songs are organic and homegrown. The stories come from Ben’s and Aron’s lives. Their Blues, perspective and philosophy is brilliantly paced with their danceable, upbeat songs.

“Carryout or Delivery” is the third CD from 20 year old blues pianist Ben Levin. His second album “Before Me” also released on Vizztone, brought Ben’s authentic blues piano and soulful vocals to the world and paved the way for Ben’s nomination for a 2020 Blues Music Award for best album by an emerging artist. “Before Me” ended 2019 as the number 80

“Carryout or Delivery” is the third CD from 20 year old blues pianist Ben Levin. His second album “Before Me” also released on Vizztone, brought Ben’s authentic blues piano and soulful vocals to the world and paved the way for Ben’s nomination for a 2020 Blues Music Award for best album by an emerging artist. “Before Me” ended 2019 as the number 80 contemporary blues album on the Roots Music Report, measured by radio airplay. With his newest CD written and recorded during the 2020 pandemic, Ben explores the serious side effects of being cooped up with a steady diet of carryout and delivery food, but also manages to have a lot of fun and celebrate the things in life that we still have, namely love and music. On “Carryout” Ben expands his songwriting (he wrote 8 of the 12 tracks) to various shades of blues, soul, and funk while also showing that in addition to piano, he’s more than capable on the B3 and the Wurlitzer electric piano.

BEFORE ME is the second album from brilliant young blues pianist/singer/songwriter Ben Levin. Featuring performances by his musical friends and heroes Bob Margolin, Bob Corritore, and Phillip Paul (King Records drummer). Listening to this album, you start to think that Levin is the product of decades of long nights in dark clubs and smoky juke

BEFORE ME is the second album from brilliant young blues pianist/singer/songwriter Ben Levin. Featuring performances by his musical friends and heroes Bob Margolin, Bob Corritore, and Phillip Paul (King Records drummer). Listening to this album, you start to think that Levin is the product of decades of long nights in dark clubs and smoky juke joints. He has that sound, a mature perspective that comes from totally immersing yourself in the music until it permeates the deepest recesses of your soul. The reality is that Ben is just finishing his first year of college. But, make no mistake his musical apprenticeship is over. The joy he feels for the music radiates from every track, and his skillful presentation will keep you coming back for more.

Little did I know that ten years ago, when my friend Aron Levin started bringing his son Ben over to the house for piano lessons that Ben would develop into a discerning, self-motivated force of nature. Ben has been through the mechanical stages of learning - he now lives, breathes and owns the music he plays, whether it's his own compositions or

Little did I know that ten years ago, when my friend Aron Levin started bringing his son Ben over to the house for piano lessons that Ben would develop into a discerning, self-motivated force of nature. Ben has been through the mechanical stages of learning - he now lives, breathes and owns the music he plays, whether it's his own compositions or ones left to us by the greats in blues & boogie woogie. A superb vocalist displaying great nuance and nonchalance, Ben Levin has all the goods. - Ricky Nye (from liner notes)