Norman's first album, On The Right Track, previously available only on cassette, has been re-mastered and released on CD, with two bonus tracks. You can get this most excellent CD from Boogie Cat Productions, listed above. Here are the liner notes:
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, the Norman Sylvester Band has performed regionally in the Pacific Northwest since 1985, sharing billings with B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Tower of Power, Otis Clay, Kenny Neal, James Cotton, Junior Wells, Canned Heat, 'Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials and many other touring bands. The Norman Sylvester Band performs at all the major indoor and outdoor festivals and venues of Portland, Oregon.
Norman Sylvester was born September 16, 1945 in Bonita, Louisiana. He was exposed to music at an early age by his father Mack Sylvester who sang in the gospel group "The Spiritual Five." The Sylvester family moved to Portland, Oregon in the summer of 1957. Norman's first guitar, which cost $11.95, was put into action in church in 1963 when he played with his first teacher, Seattle Blues guitarist Isaac Scott. Norman's lyrics reflect the life he has led. His influences include B.B. King, Freddie King, Albert King, Albert Collins and the Great Muddy Waters. Norman "the Boogie Cat" Sylvester has developed his own unmistakable signature sound.
The songs of On the Right Track were written between 1968 and 1990 while Norman was employed by a major trucking company in Portland, Oregon. Norman worked his way up the ladder from the lube pits to the Parts Manager position. He served as Union Shop Steward and was a Teamster's Union member for 25 years. As friends, and creative soulmates Norman, Janice Scroggins, Rob Shoemaker, Lenanne Sylvester (Norman's daughter) Nick Christmas and Kenny Wild took Norman's poems in the key of blues and molded them into original songs. Norman gives thanks for the presence of Janice Scroggins in his musical family. Her musical genius took the band to another level.