CD Reviews on projects by Indie Blues Artists
Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans Twice As Nice Man Hat Tone Records Bassist Brad Vickers apprenticed with Jimmy Rogers, Hubert Sumlin and Pinetop Perkins. As the bass player in Little Mike & The Tornadoes he appears on 1988’s “Pinetop Perkins with Little Mike and The Tornadoes After Hours” and also on 1990’s “Heart Attack”. Sometime […]
StringShot Blues & Latin Chops Not Chaps Records This album from StringShot is a collaboration. Each of the principal players a virtuoso in their own right. Roy Rogers is a delta slide guitar master. In the 1980’s he was a member of John Lee Hooker’s Coast to Coast Band, and he plays on and produced […]
Davy K Project Lockdown There are certain places in the world that have deep connections with music. Places like Memphis Tennessee where rock n roll was born. Then you have Nashville, the home of country and of course Clarksdale; the home of Robert Johnstone and the cradle of the blues. There are other places – […]
Samantha Fish Kill or be Kind Rounder Records/Concord Music Group Samantha Fish got her introduction to the blues at Kansas City’s Knuckleheads Saloon. Influenced by Sheryl Crow, and Stevie Ray Vaughan she learned to play guitar. In 2011 she joined Dani Wilde and Cassie Taylor to become “Girls with Guitars” and tour Europe as that […]
Keb’ Mo’ Moonlight, Mistletoe & You Concord Records Keb’ Mo’ is an Americana and roots music stylist with fourteen Blues Music Awards and four Grammy Awards. Released on the heels of his latest recording, 2019’s “Oklahoma”, this is his first Holiday album, a melting pot of originals and classic covers, just in time for Christmas. […]
Joanna Connor Rise M.C. Records Joanna Connor was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Massachusetts. The guitarist moved to Chicago in 1984 where she became part of the blues scene sharing the stage with Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, James Cotton and A.C. Reed. She started her own band in 1987 and two years […]
Bushmaster Dancing in the Belly of the Beast Gary Brown certainly knows how to get your fingers clicking and your feet tapping. Toe tapping it may be, but “Dancing in the Belly of the Beast” certainly takes on a number social issues. These issues relate to the unprivileged in today’s modern society. A society that […]
61 Ghosts Mercy “61 Ghosts” – the name catches your imagination! I mean in the world of blues folklore; ghosts, demons and lonely highways – those are the things that are woven into the stories of blues lore. The opening track on the album “Black Cadillac” gives you a picture of a couple driving down […]
Dave Specter Blues…From The Inside Out Delmark Records Born in Chicago in 1963 guitarist Dave Specter has been part of that cities music scene since he began playing clubs in 1985. He toured the U.S. and Europe backing such greats as Son Seals, Hubert Sumlin, Sam Lay, and The Legendary Blues Band. Specter has performed […]
Mike Zito & Friends Rock ‘N’ Roll: A Tribute To Chuck Berry Ruf Records Things began happening for Mike Zito when he signed with the Delta Groove subsidiary Eclecto Groove in 2008. His second album for them “Pearl River” featured the title track co-written with Cyril Neville and they received a 2010 Blues Music Award […]
Mike Osborn Unbroken Je Gagne Records Guitarist Mike Osborn grew up in Illinois but moved to the greater San Francisco area. Strongly influenced by Steve Ray Vaughan, Osborn released his debut album “Fire & Fury” in 2009. His follow-up band album was not until 2014 when he released “In The Dog House”. In 2018 he […]
Brody Buster’s One Man Band Damn! I Spilled the Blues Vizztone Label Group/Booga Music Brody Buster hails from the Kansas City area where as a child he was a celebrated harmonica prodigy. He appeared on countless national TV shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Baywatch Nights and Full House. He shared the stage […]
Nicholas David Yesterday’s Gone by Rhetta Akamatsu Nicholas David will release an excellent new album, Yesterday’s Gone, in November. The album was produced by Samantha Fish for her Wild Hearts label. David is from St Paul, MN, and first came to national attention in 2012 on NBC’s “The Voice,” where he made the finals, ending […]
Johnny Rawls I Miss Otis Clay Third Street Cigar Records Mississippi born Johnny Rawls is a perennial Blues Music Award nominee in the categories of Soul Blues Male Artist and Soul Blues Album. This is the BMA winner’s twentieth album not including collaborations. Rawls took home his first award for his 2009 “Ace of Spades” […]
Breezy Rodio If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It Delmark Breezy Rodio cut his teeth with Linsey Alexander and continues to prove on If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It, his fifth release, that he is a “real deal” bluesman as a bandleader.He’s got the guitar chops and the soulful vocals, with a voice quite different […]
Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps Live! Jesi-lu Records Teresa James is originally from the Houston, Texas area but has for a long time called Los Angeles home. Her earliest recordings have each been re-issued several times as all of her albums are in demand. James’ fifth album 2007’s “Bottom Line” resulted in her receiving […]
Biscuit Miller & The Mix Chicken Grease American Showplace Music David Miller was raised on Chicago’s Southside. He was nicknamed “Biscuit” by his grandma as he wouldn’t get out of her kitchen. He learned to play bass from his older brother’s friend. His first professional gig was playing with Mojo Buford formerly of The Muddy […]
Myles Goodwyn Friends Of The Blues 2 Linus Entertainment Myles Goodwyn’s interest in the blues began in the 1960’s when he first heard B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, and Muddy Waters. A prolific songwriter he began writing blues songs but saved them for the blues album he knew he would someday make. Goodwyn is a founding […]
Ghost Town Blues Band Shine Independent The Ghost Town Blues Band can be compared to Little Feat. While Feat was a hybrid born in a classic rock era with a foundation built around New Orleans, Lowell George, Allen Toussaint, and the blues; the GTBB is anchored in Memphis with bandleader Matt Isbell, the ghost-like shadow […]
The B Christopher Band Two Rivers Back by Rhetta Akamatsu B. Christopher is a guitarist, singer and very busy composer whose work has been used over 20,000 times on Television. He has worked with some of the best musicians in the business. For Two Rivers Back, which features blues ranging over styles from Delta to […]
Johnny Burgin Live Delmark Records Johnny Burgin attended The University of Chicago to study writing but soon fell into the Chicago Blues Scene. The guitarists first professional gig was backing the Chicago blues vocalist Taildragger. He later toured with both Pinetop Perkins and Sam Lay. He also worked with Eddie C. Campbell, Jimmy Dawkins, Eddie […]
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 […]
