CD Reviews on projects by Indie Blues Artists
Al Basile B’s Hot House Sweetspot Records This is Al Basile’s sixteenth studio recording. The singer/songwriter and cornetist continues to create his own sound. In 2017 his recording “Mid-Century Modern”, also on Sweetspot, received a Blues Music Award nomination as Contemporary Blues Album of The Year. Also a poet his 2018 follow-up album “Me & […]
HeavyDrunk Holywater 4142 Records To consider that we’re reviewing an album with a tune called “Somebody’s Got to Take Them Panties Off” seems a bit crazy, at least for this writer. Yet, it tells you this band, HeavyDrunk, doesn’t take itself too seriously which is usually a good thing. Better yet, the soulful grooves, fun, […]
Janiva Magness Sings John Fogarty: Change in The Weather Bluelan Records Janiva Magness was initially inspired by the intensity of an Otis Rush performance. Rush gave Magness an appreciation for songwriting too. Magness has been nominated for twenty-eight Blues Music Awards having won that award seven times. She has won the award for Contemporary Female […]
Junior Watson Nothin’ To It But To Do It Little Village Foundation West Coast guitar phenom Junior Watson was influenced by Tiny Grimes, Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Guitar Slim, and Earl Hooker. He was a founding member of The Mighty Flyers in the early 1980’s and spent a decade with them. In the 1990’s he […]
North Mississippi Allstars Up and Rolling New West This is the New West debut for the venerable North Mississippi Allstars (NMA) and it gets back to their original roots of communal inspired music in Mississippi’s North Hill Country. Joined by a slew of guests, befitting a country picnic or barbeque that’s common in the area, […]
Jimmy Carpenter Soul Doctor Gulf Coast Records Jimmy Carpenter began playing professionally in 1980. The saxophonist toured with both Tinsley Ellis and Jimmy Thackery. In 2004 Carpenter played on “Whiskey Store Live” with Thackery and Tab Benoit. He settled in New Orleans shortly thereafter and found work with Walter “Wolfman” Washington and Eric Lindell. Carpenter […]
Tony And Joe Tin Can Tunes Tony Cochetti and Joe Flip are popular bluesmen from the Midwest. They have recently released a new album, Tin Can Tunes, which is doing well on blues radio charts already. The name comes from the unique guitars Joe makes and uses on the album. They are created from antique […]
Bruce Katz Solo Ride American Showplace Music Bruce Katz studied jazz piano and Hammond organ at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. His first professional gig was playing bass guitar for Big Mama Thornton. Katz recorded his debut album in 1992. Since then he has appeared on over seventy albums as he is known […]
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band The Traveler Concord Records Louisiana born guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd first heard Stevie Ray Vaughan when he was seven years old. Encouraged by his father he was invited onstage by Bryan Lee was he was only thirteen. He released his debut recording “Ledbetter Heights” on the Giant imprint in 1995 and […]
Arsen Shomakhov Rain City Blues Independent Arsen Shomakhov is a Russian blues artist who recorded his debut “Arsen Shomakhov & Ragtime” in 2005. That same year he competed in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. He was signed to Blues Leaf Records and released his first U.S. album “Dangerous” in 2006. Shomakhov re-located to Vancouver, […]
James Harman Liquor Parking Bigtone Records James Harman’s Icehouse Blues Band had played alongside Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Albert King, Lowell Fulsom, Big Joe Turner, Freddie King, T-Bone Walker, Albert Collins and numerous other blues icons. This is Harman’s sixteenth album. His most important work maybe the four albums he recorded […]
Toronzo Cannon and The Chicago Way The Preacher, The Politician or The Pimp Alligator Records Chicago’s Toronzo Cannon was born on the southside in 1968. As a youngster he would sit outside Theresa’s Lounge listening to the sounds spilling onto the street. He purchased his first guitar at the age of twenty-two. The blues guitarist’s […]
Giles Robson Don’t Give Up On The Blues American Showplace Music Giles Robson has been called “England’s new blues harmonica hero”. After releasing his third album in 2016 Robson got to jam with the great Joe Louis Walker. It was his dream to record with Walker in an acoustic setting. They recorded as a trio […]
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Contemporary Alligator Records For over thirty years Rick Estrin was the front man for Little Charlie & The Nightcats. During the time with them he won two Blues Music Awards; Song of The Year and Best Instrumentalist – Harmonica. When Charlie Baty retired from touring in 2008 Estrin re-formed the […]
The McNaMarr Project Holla & Moan Bahool For over ten years now Australian soul/blues vocalist Andrea Marr has stacked up awards and recognition as has fellow Aussie guitarist-singer/songwriter John McNamara. It seemed almost pre-destined that they would combine forces and leave their native country to record in the mecca of soul music, Memphis. The results […]
Tad Robinson Real Street Severn Records Tad Robinson is a Brooklyn born harp player and blue eyed soul singer. He moved to Chicago in 1985 to learn from the masters. In 1994 he released his debut recording “One To Infinity” on Delmark Records featuring keyboardist Ken Saydak and guitarist Dave Spector. His follow-up album was […]
The Paul DesLauriers Band Bounce Vizztone Label Group Paul DesLauriers has long been thought of as a great guitarist and able vocalist. He played with the Canadian band “Black Cat Bone”; Johnny Ferriera, Bryan Lee and Canada’s “Queen of The Blues” Dawn Tyler Watson. In 1997 he formed The Paul DesLauriers Band. In 2014 the […]
Alabama Mike Hip You To My Blues Bigtone Records Michael Benjamin was born in Talladega, Alabama in 1964. At an early age Mike sang gospel. After serving in the Navy he settled in the San Francisco Bay area where he developed his love for the blues. Using the name Alabama Mike he released his 2009 […]
Altered Five Blues Band Ten Thousand Watts Blind Pig Records The Milwaukee based Altered Five Blues Band was formed in 2002. They released their debut cover album “Bluesified” in 2008. Their 2012 all original recording “Gotta Earn It” received a rave write-up in Downbeat Magazine. Their third album “Cryin Mercy” won the award for the […]
Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters Beyond The Blue Door Stony Plain Records Ronnie Earl is the most soulful blues/jazz guitarist working today. He is a four time Blues Music Award winner as Best Instrumentalist – Guitar. He also believes in the power of music to heal the mind and spirit. The Broadcasters include Earl; vocalist […]
Paul Gabriel Man of Many Blues Smoke Ring Records Paul Gabriel’s professional career began in 1969. He recorded three albums with Harry Chapin in the 70’s; and three albums with the four piece blues band “Blue in The Face”; including their self-titled album released in 1987. In 1992 he appeared on Rory Block’s Grammy nominated […]
Shaun Murphy Reason To Try Vision Wall Records Shaun Murphy was initially inspired by the blues and the women who sang it including Big Maybelle, Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor, and Etta James. She found work in the theater eventually leading to a Motown recording contract. Her first album, “Stoney and Meatloaf”, was a collaborative […]
Vaneese Thomas Down Yonder Segue Multiple BMA nominee and daughter of iconic soul man Rufus Thomas, Vaneese Thomas, delivers her eighth album, another terrific soul work, Down Yonder. Thomas splits her time between her hometown of Memphis and Broadway, as she’s lived in the New York area for some time now. Thomas is either the […]
Coco Montoya Coming In Hot Alligator Records Coco Montoya played drums with Albert Collins and The Icebreakers. After being mentored by Collins he switched to rhythm guitar. He stayed with Collins for five years before becoming the lead guitarist in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers for ten years. Montoya started his own band in 1993 and soon […]
Bobby Rush Sitting On Top Of The Blues Deep Rush Records Bobby Rush was born Emmit Ellis Jr. in Homer, Louisiana in 1933. As a youngster he befriended and played with Elmore James. He formed his own band and eventually moved to Chicago where he found work with Jimmy Reed. Rush’s music is a combination […]
Billy Price Dog Eat Dog Gulf Coast Records Billy Price first came to national attention as the singer with Roy Buchanan. He appears on 1974’s “That’s What I’m Here For” and 1975’s “Live Stock”. Price formed the Keystone Rhythm Band in 1977 and recorded four albums before renaming his band The Billy Price Band. Price […]
J.P. Soars Let Go Of The Reins Whiskey Bayou Records Besides fronting his own band J.P. Soars is a member of the all-star “Southern Hospitality” also featuring Damon Fowler, Victor Wainwright and drummer Chris Peet. In 2013 Tab Benoit produced their debut album “Easy Livin’”. When Benoit decided to begin his own label Fowler was […]
Seth James The Good Life by Rhetta Akamatsu Seth James has a new album, The Good Life, and it brims with honesty and an overall positive vibe. James was born in Foth Worth, Texas, and grew up on a ranch. He looks like the cowboy he is, but he grew up listening to guys he […]
Annika Chambers Kiss My Sass Vizztone Label Group Annika Chambers competed in the 2012 International Blues Challenge and although she did not win her talent was recognized and she was signed to Montrose Records. The gospel influenced Chambers’ released her debut album “Making My Mark” with the Houston All-Stars in 2014. That album co-produced by […]
The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling Lucky Guy! Alligator Records Nick Moss has been at the forefront of the Chicago Blues scene as both a member of the Legendary Blues Band learning the old school style from Willie “Big Eyes” Smith; and spending three years with the Jimmy Rogers band. Moss formed his own […]
Mark Cameron On A Roll Cop Records Mark Cameron hails from Minnesota where he has been making music for over forty years. In the early seventies he began performing in folk rock bands. In 1984 Cameron founded the twin cities based “Citizen’s Patrol” and released three albums with them. He turned to the blues and […]
Eliza Neals Sweet or Mean Eliza Neals comes out swinging on her new EP, Sweet or Mean! She found a real match when she teamed up with notorious guitarist, vocalist, and producer Ted Horowitz, better known as Poppa Chubby, who can be just as rough and tough as Neals herself can. Poppa Chubby also arranged […]
Tennessee Redemption Jeff Jensen and Brandon Santini Endless Blues Records By Rhetta Akamatsu Before Tennessee Redemption, the album and the band, Jeff Jensen once played in Santini’s band. Then, Jensen broke off to start his own solo career and then to form the Jeff Jensen Band with bassist Bill Ruffino and drummer David Green. Both […]
Billie Williams Hell to Pay Billie Williams’ second album, Hell To Pay, shows that she is is a fantastic soul and blues singer, and like many of the best, she is tuned in to the world around her. So whether it’s political issues in “Hell To Pay” and “Ten Million Sisters” or a bad, bad […]
Terry Hanck I Still Get Excited Vizztone Label Group Chicago born Terry Hanck, saxophonist, singer and songwriter, was influenced by the blues and jazz of the late fifties and sixties. Hanck moved to California in 1967. Hanck formed the Grayson Street Houserockers before appearing on Elvin Bishop’s “Struttin’ My Stuff” in 1975. Hanck joined the […]
Delbert McClinton and Self-Made Men + Dana Tall, Dark, & Handsome Hot Shot Records The Texas troubadour Delbert McClinton was born in 1940. He worked in a blues band that backed Sonny Boy Williamson II, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Howlin’ Wolf and Jimmy Reed. In 1962 McClinton played harmonica on Bruce Channel’s “Hey Baby”. Ten years later […]
Jason Ricci and the Band Kind My Chops Are Rolling EllerSoul Records Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind have a new album, My Chops Are Rolling, out July 19 and what a difference this one is for them! Their very popular Approved By Snakes was brilliant but sometimes brutally dark. This one is much lighter […]
Diana Rein Queen of My Castle Gulf Coast Records Diana Rein is the daughter of Romanian immigrants who migrated here in 1981 when she was three years old. At the age of eight her parents brought her to a Chicago Blues Club where she fell in love with the music; her primary influence is Stevie […]
Zac Harmon Mississippi BarBQ Catfood Records Zac Harmon is from Jackson Ms. where he grew up in a musical family. His father, a pharmacist, played harmonica while tending to the needs of local musicians including Muddy Waters, BB King, Albert King, Ike & Tina Turner, and Little Milton. Young Zac began his professional career as […]
Chris Bergson and Ellis Hooks Live in Normandy 2 Shirts Records New York born Chris Bergson grew up in Somerville, Ma. He began taking guitar lessons at a young age and developed his appreciation for jazz and blues. He listened to everything from Muddy Waters to Miles Davis. Bergson moved back to New York City […]
Tom Euler Blues Got My Back Independent Although only in his early twenties Tom Euler has been compiling quite a resume. In 2014 the Hartfield, Virginia native entered jazz legend Lee Ritenour’s “Six-String Theory” Guitar Competition, with entries from 48 countries, and finished in the top five among blues players. As the lead guitarist in […]
Billy Branch & The Sons Of Blues Roots And Branches: The Songs of Little Walter Alligator Records Billy Branch was born in Chicago in 1951, and raised in Los Angeles. In 1969 when he was eighteen Branch moved back to Chicago to attend The University of Illinois. That summer he attended the first Chicago Blues […]
Scott Ramminger Rise Up Arbor Lane Last time out Singer/songwriter saxophonist Scott Ramminger was playing with top shelf New Orleans musicians and vocalists Bekka Bramblett and Francine Reed with The McCrary Sisters as well for his 2017 Do What Your Heart Says To. Since 2011, over the course of four previous albums, Ramminger has been […]
Ross Osteen Band Williwaw Independent The Ross Osteen Band is a blues band out of Hendersonville, North Carolina. The band formed in 2014, is a power trio led by favorite son Osteen on guitar and vocals. Osteen has shared the stage with Jimmy Thackery, Kim Wilson and Buddy Guy. Rounding out the band is the […]
Heather Newman Rise From The Flames Vizztone Label Group Omaha’s Heather Newman got her start as second guitarist and vocalist with The Nick Schnebelen Band and she appears on his “Live At Knucklehead’s Vol. 1” released in 2016. When Newman left that band she decided to switch to bass. Six months later she made her […]
Nancy Wright Alive & Blue Vizztone Label Group/Direct Hit Records Nancy Wright is a west coast saxophonist, a highly respected and in-demand session musician, and former member of The Frank Bey Anthony Paule Band. In 2016 she released her third solo album, the critically acclaimed “Playdate!”, also on Vizztone. Since 2017 Wright has received three […]
Bobby Messano Lemonade by Rhetta Akamatsu Guitar ace, songwriter and singer Bobby Messano is about to release a new album, Lemonade, and it lives up to the high standard you would expect for a man who has spent 43 years perfecting his craft. Full disclosure: Bobby and I have been friends for years. I am […]
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Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers No Good Deed Pretty Good For A Girl Records Mindi Abair is a two time Grammy nominated Jazz saxophonist who released her eighth solo album “Wild Heart” in 2014. That year she started to guest on blues releases including Jeff Golub and Brian Auger’s “Train Keeps A Rolling”; and on […]
Dawn Tyler Watson Mad Love Independent Canadian Dawn Tyler Watson studied Jazz and Theatre at Concordia University in Montreal. She was featured in several movies but achieved success playing a 1950’s cabaret singer in the 2004 film “Jack Paradise (Les Nuits de Montreal)”. The resulting soundtrack featuring Watson was nominated for a Prix Jutra, the […]
Nils Lofgren Blue With Lou Cattle Track Road Records Nils Lofgren was born in Chicago in 1951. As a youngster he studied classical accordion for ten years before focusing on rock and learning to play guitar and piano. Lofgren formed the band “Grin” in 1968. Soon later, at the age of 19, he met Neil […]