CD Reviews on projects by Indie Blues Artists
JW-Jones Sonic Departures Solid Blues Records Canadian JW Jones released his debut album in 2000. Since then he has recorded with Kim Wilson, Charlie Musselwhite, Little Charlie Baty, Hubert Sumlin, David “Fathead” Newman, and others. His eighth album, “High Temperature”, won the award for “Best Self-Produced CD” at the 2017 International Blues Challenge. His last […]
Chris Bevington Organisation Sand And Stone I remember a night in January of this year, I had made my annual trip to the fantastic “Skegness Blues And Rock Festival” over in the north east of England. Unmissable date in my musical calendar as far as I’m concerned. But that’s another story as they say over […]
Samoa Wilson with the Jim Kweskin Band I Just Want To Be Horizontal Kingswood Records During the early 1960’s there was a thriving folk music revival coming out of New York’s Greenwich Village. In 1963 the “Even Dozen Jug Band” released their album on Elektra Records. The music was fun, and among the band members […]
Cary Morin Dockside Saints Dockside Saints released August 7, 2020 and features an all-star cast of soulful players. Cary Morin releases the best album of his career at a time when promoting new music will take a higher power. There is something special at play here, perhaps something ancestral was captured, some ancient Native culture […]
Eliza Neals Black Crow Moan Eliza Neals has produced an album of soul stirring blues and rock n’ roll. You know that your in for a treat from the opening track “Don’t Judge The Blues” when it blast’s off with the meanest slide guitar that you are ever likely to hear, add in some hand […]
Jeff Fetterman Southern Son Self-released Hailing from western Pennsylvania, not exactly a blues hotbed, comes vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Jeff Fetterman, a self-taught bluesman, with his fourth album and one that may break his name out there beyond the regional success he’s had. Fetterman has placed highly in IBC in both 2017 and 2018 and won Rock Erie […]
Kat Riggins Cry Out Gulf Coast Records While growing up in Miami, Katriva Tabitha Riggins’ was instilled with a love for music. Her parent’s record collection included R n’ B, soul, gospel, hip-hop, country and rock n’ roll. Her primary influences soon became Nina Simone, Tina Turner, Etta James and Koko Taylor. Riggins landed a […]
The Lucky Losers (w/ Cathy Lemons & Phil Berkowitz) Godless Land Vizztone Label Group The Lucky Losers are a band fronted by vocalists Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz. Lemons is originally from the Dallas area where she used to run with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Anson Funderburgh. In 1987 she toured with John Lee Hooker. […]
Scott Weis Band Simmer Me Down Sleepy Lodge Records Scott Weis began playing professionally in the 1990’s. Early on he worked with, or opened for, Jerry Garcia, Junior Wells, John Lee Hooker and Buddy Guy. He formed the Scott Weis Band in 2005; and recorded their well-received 2006 debut “Have A Lil Faith” with co-producer […]
JD Taylor The Coldwater Sessions Vizztone Label Group JD Taylor is the harmonica ace, vocalist and front man for the Tennessee based blues band “Little Boys Blue”. Originally formed in 1993 they’re popularity continues to grow. In 2016 they released their fourth album, and first for Vizztone, “Tennissippi”, and followed up with 2018’s “Hard Blue […]
Wily Bo Walker & Danny Flam Ain’t No Man A Good Man Mescal Canyon Records Wily Bo Walker is a Scottish born singer/songwriter who has had success in both Europe and the U.S. He combines Rock, Americana, Blues, Gospel and R n’ B into his own hallucinogenic stew. He performs his swamp and stomp “VoodooVille” […]
Mark May Band Deep Dark Demon Gulf Coast Records Guitarist Mark May was born in Columbus, Ohio. As a young man he was already playing nightclubs before he turned fifteen. He relocated to Houston, Texas where he spent twenty years playing country music and rock in biker bars. Influenced by Albert Collins May turned to […]
Libby Rae Watson & Bert Deivert She Shimmy Hard Danger Studio Word is surely getting around in this ever smaller world of ours. In the past few months, this writer has been contacted by artists and/or producers in Russia, Cuba, and Sweden. We have covered some of the jazz artists on the Russian label, Rainy […]
Shawn Pittman Make It Right! Continental Blue Heaven Shawn Pittman was born in 1974, in Talihina Oklahoma, approximately 100 miles from Tulsa. His grandmother played boogie-woogie but instead of learning piano he picked up the guitar. He was influenced by the musicians he heard on the radio including Jimmy Reed, Elmore James and Hound Dog […]
Gravel & Grace Bringing The Blues Ava Grace Music Modesto California’s Big Earl Matthews is a twenty-year veteran of the local blues scene. He is bandleader of “Big Earl and the Cryin’ Shame” and an intense organizer of jams and events. He is also a member of the blues and roots band the “Poorhouse Millionaires”. […]
CD Woodbury World’s Gone Crazy Independent CD Woodbury developed a reputation as a sideman on the Pacific NW blues scene. He founded his own band in 2009 and released his debut Sunbanks Live! In 2010; resulting in winning the first of his eleven Washington Blues Society “Best of The Blues” awards and the moniker “The […]
Laura Cox Burning Bright “Burning Bright”the latest album by French blues rock sensation Laura Cox. Right from the opening track Fire Fire the pace is relentless, song after song of explosive high voltage rock n’ roll. The most difficult tasks for me, is to pick a favourite track, as the standard set is so high. But […]
Too Slim And The Taildraggers The Remedy Vizztone Label Group Too Slim And The Taildraggers were first formed in 1986 by Spokane, Washington’s Timothy Lee “Too Slim” Langford. They released their debut recording “Swingin’ in the Underworld” in 1988. The prolific band received a 2012 Blues Music Award nomination in the category of “Blues Rock […]
Gregg Martinez Mac Daddy Mojeaux Nola Blue Records Gregg Martinez a.k.a. Mac Daddy was born in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1956, where he graduated from high school. His powerful tenor vocal style was inspired by soul icons Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye and Al Green; and contemporary Louisiana artists Johnny Adams and Luther Kent. His musical gumbo […]
Tony Davis Golden Year Posi-Tone Most jazz listeners are surely acquainted with one of the genre’s foremost trombonists, Steve Davis. The good news is his 25-year-old son, guitarist Tony Davis (hence referred to as Tony to avoid any confusion) has also picked up the mantle and is continuing the family’s musical legacy. Not only does […]
Bridget Kelly Band Dark Spaces Alpha Sun Records Bridget Kelly and Tim Fik met in May of 2007 and were married later that year. After producing two Americana albums for Bridget, Tim was convinced she should sing the blues. Thus the Bridget Kelly Band was formed. They recorded their debut album “Back in the Blues” […]
Mick Hayes My Claim To Fame Move The Needle Music Upstate New York’s Mick Hayes was gifted his first guitar by his parents when he was only seven. By the time he was twenty he was a member, and songwriting contributor, to the Buffalo based band “Only Human” who opened for both Marshall Tucker and […]
Ten Penny Gypsy Fugitive Heart FUGITIVE HEART is the new full-length release from five-time Arkansas CMA nominee TEN PENNY GYPSY. The album releases July 10th, 2020 and is available on all streaming services and on TEN PENNY GYPSY’S official website. This is the Americana groups second album, and they again teamed up with renowned multi-instrumentalist […]
Mandi Strachota Pictures Mandi Strachota is a very talented Atlanta singer/songwriter and musician. She was the winner of the Atlanta Blues Challenge and represented the city nobly in the International Blues Challenge 20220 in January. Her new album is called Pictures and it is a real treat, for the most part much lighter than her […]
Anthony Geraci with Dennis Brennan Daydreams in Blue Shining Stone Music Group Pianist Anthony Geraci is both a founding member of Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters, and Sugar Ray and The Bluetones. He has been with the latter band for over thirty-five years. Geraci has been featured on over fifty recordings with both blues pioneers […]
Michael Kaeshammer Live In Concert Linus Entertainment The classically trained pianist Michael Kaeshammer grew up in Germany. At a young age he also developed an interest in the boogie-woogie and stride piano of Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis and Pete Johnson. In the mid-1990’s he and his family moved to Canada where he began playing […]
The Forrest McDonald Band fea. Andrew Black Blues In A Bucket World Talent Records Forrest Howard McDonald was born in Austin, Texas the son of a Constitutional historian. He first picked up the guitar when he was fourteen and studied at both the Dick Grove Conservatory of Music in Studio City and at The Guitar […]
Hurricane Ruth Good Life American Showplace Studio Ruth LaMaster a.k.a. Hurricane Ruth is from southern Illinois. Her father Milt owned the Glendale Tavern in Beardstown. On Sundays Milt would host jam sessions and sit in on drums. Ruth who was inspired by Bessie Smith, Ray Charles, Dinah Washington and Ella Fitzgerald, began singing Blues, Jazz, […]
The Staples Unlock Your Mind Omnivore Recordings/Warner Records The American musical treasure, The Staples Singers a.k.a. The Staples, are Lifetime Grammy Award recipients and inductees in both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and The Gospel Hall of Fame. Roebuck “Pops” Staples founded the folk/gospel group with his children Cleo, Pervis (who left the […]
Louisiana’s Leroux One of Those Days Gulf Coast Records First formed in 1977 the Baton Rouge based band changed its name to Louisiana’s LeRoux “the French term for the thick and hearty gravy base that’s used to make a gumbo” just before releasing their 1978 eponymous debut. The album contained their single “New Orleans Ladies”, […]
Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne Go, Just Do It! Stony Plain Records Spokane, Washington’s Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne was born in 1944. His mother instilled in him a love for the music of Nat King Cole, Little Willie John and Fats Domino. He was further influenced by the music he listened to while growing up including […]
Eric Hughes Band Postcard from Beale Street Endless Blues Records Eric Hughes was born and raised in Memphis. He spent weekends across the river in Mississippi where he honed his appreciation for the blues. He attended Mississippi College in Clinton and later joined the Marines. Homesick for some blues he purchased a guitar and spent […]
Swingadelic Bluesville Zoho The content on this site skews towards blues so it’s more than fitting we offer up Swingadelic’s Bluesville. The blues purists will call it jazz. The jazz folks may call it blues. Surely this is a big band that often plays at Swing 46, a dinner/dance venue in NYC’s Broadway theater district […]
When Rivers Meet The Innocence Of Youth The thing about Aaron and Grace Bond is their genuine warmth and friendliness that hits you right from the moment you meet them. The purpose of our interview was to discuss the eagerly anticipated new EP release,The Innocence Of Youth. Both are keen to tell me how excited they are […]
The Smoke Wagon Blues Band The Ballad of Albert Johnson Independent Canada’s Smoke Wagon Blues Band was formed in 1996. Working out of Hamilton Ontario’s famous Hess Village they released their debut “Smoke Wagon Blues Band Number 36” in 1997. They followed up with 2001’s live “Low Down Righteous Blues”. In 2005 their third album […]
John Craigie Asterisk the Universe Zabriskie Point John Craigie is the modern-day troubadour who has knack for drawing listeners to his articulate cons filled with dry wit and unexpected twists. He has spent more than a decade on the road honing his storytelling skills, brought to the fore once again with his latest project, Asterisk […]
Tony Holiday Soul Service Vizztone Label Group Salt Lake City’s Tony Holiday used to play guitar and front his band the Velvetones. When he switched to harmonica he recruited the young prodigy Landon Stone as the band’s guitarist. The band was named 2016’s “Best Blues Band” by the Salt Lake City Music Awards. After relocating […]
Dion Blues With Friends Keeping The Blues Alive Records Dion DeMucci better known as Dion was one of the first musicians that formulated my musical preferences. As part of the post doo-wop group Dion & The Belmonts, this Bronx soul, mesmerized myself and my peers with singles like “I Wonder Why”; “A Teenager in Love”; […]
Gerald McClendon Can’t Nobody Stop Me Now Delta Roots Records Born and raised in Chicago Gerald McClendon is one of the more versatile artists weaned on the Masters of R n’ B: Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. He embraces many genre’s and is an interpreter of classic rock, soul, blues, country and jazz. […]
Dr. John Ske-Dat-De-Dat/The Spirit of Satch The Last Music Co This weekend marks the first anniversary of the passing of Mac Rebennack better known as Dr. John. In order to commemorate the event The Last Music Co. is re-issuing the six time Grammy Award winner’s 2013 album in a limited edition vinyl format. Dr. John […]
Eddie 9V Way Down the Alley Many of us have been craving live music these days when we can’t safely gather, so it is lovely to hear Way Down the Alley. Close your eyes and imagine you are at Atlanta’s famous Blind Willie’s Blues Club, where it was recorded, listening to Eddie 9V (pronounced 9 […]
Duffy Bishop I’m Gonna Do What I Want! ‘Lil Spinner Records Born in Redding, Ca. Duffy Bishop began performing in rock bands when she was sixteen. Roadside Attraction, Toulouse Lautrec and The Rhythm Dogs were but a few. In 1975 she moved to Los Angeles, and later to Seattle. She first formed the Duffy Bishop […]
Gina Sicilia Love Me Madly Blue Elan Records The Philadelphia born Gina Sicilia released her debut recording “Allow Me To Confess” in 2007. That well received album earned her a Blues Music Award nomination as “Best New Artist”. Three more studio albums followed before Sicilia relocated to Nashville, a songwriter’s city. Newly inspired she signed […]
Charlie Bedford Good To Go Blue Heart Records Charlie Bedford hails from Melbourne Australia. The guitarist began playing in clubs, seven years ago, at the age of twelve. The Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society sent Bedford to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Bedford returned to Memphis […]
Johnny Burgin No Border Blues Delmark Records Johnny Burgin attended The University of Chicago where he soon fell into the Chicago Blues scene. The guitarist’s first professional gig was backing the vocalist Tail Dragger. Burgin toured Japan in 1996 with his Tail Dragger bandmate Ken Kawashima. Burgin states “I realized just how intense and dedicated […]
VICTOR WAINWRIGHT AND THE TRAIN MEMPHIS LOUD Ruf Records 2020 Blues Music Award winner for Instrumentalist Piano and Grammy-nominated keyboard player/songwriter/singer VICTOR WAINWRIGHT AND THE TRAIN’s MEMPHIS LOUD releases MAY 22, 2020 on Ruf Records. From the opening tap on the keys to the last lingering hum of the Hammond B3, Memphis Loud hits you […]
Jose Ramirez Here I Come Independent At the age of thirty-two Jose Ramirez is Costa Rica’s premier blues guitarist and vocalist. In 2020 he represented the D.C. Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and he finished second place in the band competition. He has played with Buddy Guy, Janiva Magness, Mark Hummel […]
Mark Telesca Higher Vibrations Mark Telesca has a new solo acoustic blues album, Higher Vibrations, out, and it is a smooth-sailing winner. With a total of sixteen songs, 9 of them originals and the other 7 pre- WWII blues songs, the whole album fits together perfectly. Mark is a skilled finger-picker and an amazing storyteller, […]
Linsey Alexander Live At Rosa’s Delmark Records Linsey Alexander is a classic Chicago bluesman. Born in Mississippi he moved to Memphis with his family when he was twelve. He has played with everyone from B.B. King, to Magic Slim and Buddy Guy. After being part of the Chicago scene Alexander released his solo debut “Someone’s […]
Otis Rush All Your Love, I Miss Loving Live at The Wise Fools Pub, Chicago Delmark 781 It was a “cold day in hell” on Chicago’s West Side in January, 1976. Otis Rush was about to take the stage at The Wise Fools Pub. Otis Rush was a guitarist of unquestionable talent and a singer […]