Every week our staff of CD Reviewers bring you the best in Independent CD releases. Making a Scene is considered the number 1 resource for the independent musician and the fans that love them.
The Blues This Christmas a reprint by Richard Ludmerer I always look forward to the holiday season as a time when I can break out my Christmas albums. This is a ritual that began years ago when my wife and I were first dating. She wanted to listen to some Christmas music and I began […]
Lyn Stanley The Moonlight Sessions, Volumes 1 and 2 A.T. Music Jazz vocalist Lyn Stanley has the kind of self-made story that makes us admire her even before we hear her sultry, refined, signature delivery. Six years ago, she was a retired marketing executive wondering if she had enough musical talent for her church choir. […]
Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters The Luckiest Man Stony Plain Records Ronnie Earl plays guitar with a passion and creativity that is rarely equaled. For a number of years he performed without a vocalist and his compositions became closer to jazz. Earl won his third Blues Music Award as Best Instrumentalist – Guitar in 2014.When […]
by Rhetta Akamatsu Originally published in Rhetta’s Reviews Little G Weevil has a full band with him ton Something Poppin’ and he sounds modern while keeping his blues roots not too far from the surface. Some of the songs remain closer to those roots than others, like my favorite track, “I Don’t Want To Feel […]
Rockin’ Johnny Burgin Neoprene Fedora West Tone Rockin’ Johnny Burgin graced many of the great Delmark records, especially as the guitarist for Tail Dragger. After a storied stint in the Windy City, his move to California finds him once again working with Kid Andersen in Kid’s San Jose Greaseland Studios, rapidly becoming the place of […]
Sweet Pea Atkinson Get What You Deserve Blue Note Records Sweet Pea Atkinson is an R n’ B vocalist who began as a singer with the Don Was produced “Was Not Was”. In 1982 they had a top ten single “Walk the Dinosaur”. That same year Atkinson released his debut album “Don’t Walk Away” on […]
by Rhetta Akamatsu Royal Johnson is a band out of Macon, GA. It was formed by Chance Foyal and Andy Johnson. Looking at the delightful cover of their second album, Howlin‘. You expect you are going to hear a strong Allman Brothers influence, and you do. But the band has its own blend of Southern […]
Mitch Woods Friends Along The Way Entertainment One Mitch Woods was born in Brooklyn, NY and classically trained at the State University in Buffalo. Woods fell in love with boogie-woogie piano and began his recording career on the west coast when he released 1984’s “Steady Date with Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88’s” on the […]
Corey Dennison Band Night After Night Delmark This band screams SOUL. Delmark is perhaps the most authentic Chicago blues label and has been for fifty years now but this band could just as easily be from Memphis as Chicago. From the opening notes and Dennison’s vocal, you get a huge does of soul. My words […]
Likho Duo Blues and the World Beyond Likho Before we tell you a little about these two guys, we need to provide some explanation about the name, which is a story unto itself. Noé Socha, (guitar and harmonica) is legally blind but has limited vision in one eye. Cliff Schmitt (bassist) has a vision issue in […]
Peter Ward Blues On My Shoulders Gandy Dancer Records Peter and Michael Ward grew up in Lewiston, Maine where they listened to blues records and went to see artists as frequently as possible. Peter was trying to figure out how guitarists such as Jimmy Rogers played. He and his brother were influenced by the music […]
The Love Light Orchestra featuring John Nemeth Live from Bar DKDC in Memphis, TN! Blue Barrel Records John Nemeth now lives in Memphis, Tn. In the days following the 2017 Blues Music Awards Nemeth performed with this ensemble. Those fortunate enough to have seen them live have since been waiting for this new release. The […]
Jimmie Vaughan Trio featuring Mike Flanigin Live At C-Boy’s Proper Records Jimmie Vaughan makes his home in Austin, Tx. When he is not on the road with his “Tilt A Whirl” band he likes nothing more than to moonlight at C-Boy’s Heart and Soul club. On Wednesday nights Vaughan teams up with B-3 player Mike […]
Shaun Murphy Mighty Gates Vision Wall Records Shaun Murphy was initially inspired by the Blues but found work in the theater. That led to a Motown recording contract as the duo known as Stoney and Meatloaf; Stoney being Murphy. She later became a backing singer touring with Bob Seger and Eric Clapton. Murphy met Bill […]
James Armstrong Blues Been Good To Me Catfood Records James Armstrong was born in Los Angeles, California in 1957. His mother was a blues singer and his dad a jazz guitarist. Armstrong was inspired by Albert King and Robert Cray and early in his career played guitar and backed up Albert Collins, Big Joe Turner […]
Downchild Something I’ve Done Linus Entertainment Downchild was originally formed in 1969 by brothers Donnie and Hock Walsh. The band name comes from a song by Sonny Boy Williamson II. Known also as The Downchild Blues Band they are currently celebrating their 48th anniversary. The band was also the prototype used by Dan Aykroyd and […]
Jane Ira Bloom Wild Lines: Improvising Emily Dickinson Out-Line It seems only appropriate that the artist dubbed “the poet of the soprano saxophone” by acclaimed jazz critic Brian Priestly would honor one of America’s iconic poets. Jane Ira Bloom reimagines the poetry of 19th-century visionary Emily Dickinson in two different settings. Her double CD showcases […]
Erin Harpe and The Delta Swingers Big Road Vizztone Label Group/Juicy Juju Records Erin Harpe hails from Boston. Her first band “Lovewhip” released five electro-pop albums. Harpe began her transition to the Blues and released “Blues Roots” in 2002. “Delta Blues Duets”, recorded with her father Neil Harpe, followed in 2008. Erin Harpe and The […]
Casey Hensley Live Featuring Laura Chavez VizzTone Hensley’s name is the prominent one on the jacket but also note “Featuring Laura Chavez.” Chavez is a world- renowned guitarist who played with the late Candye Kane and has been hailed by folks like Ronnie Earl as one our best. This is a showcase for her dazzling, […]
Peter Parcek Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven Lightnin’ This is the hard blues. It’s not that Peter Parcek plays hard constantly but it’s the feeling he evokes. He alternates dynamics but leaves vapors of Hendrix and The Cream in his wake. He can play cleanly like Peter Green but prefers to shroud both his guitar […]
Indie Blues CD Review Al Corte Mojo Independent Al Corte is originally from Buffalo, New York. He began singing acapella with his high school buddies in a Doo-Wop group. Corte’s first professional gig was with a local band called “The Cavemen”. They recorded a song Corte wrote and wound up opening for the Young Rascals, […]
Indie Blues CD Review Dave Keyes The Healing Keyesland Music Dave Keyes won the band competition at the 2000 International Blues Challenge held in Memphis. Keyes has established himself as a first call session musician on both piano and accordion. He performs regularly with Popa Chubby, Ronnie Spector, Slam Allen and Alexis P. Suter. He […]
Indie Blues CD Review Joel DaSilva Everywhere From Here Trunoyz Records Joel DaSilva was born in Chicago to Brazilian parents. His mother was a singer and his father a guitarist. His father died when DaSilva was still a child but he must have inherited his musical gene. As soon as he was able to work […]
Indie Blues CD Review Chris Daniels and The Kings with Freddi Gowdy Blues With Horns Vol 1 Moon Voyage Records Chris Daniels formed the Chicago styled horn band Chris Daniels and The Kings in 1984. The Kings have backed many artists including Bo Diddley, Percy Sledge, Al Kooper, and Francine Reed. Daniels and Freddi Gowdy […]
Indie Blues CD Review Savoy Brown has been around since the mid’ -60’s and recorded over 30 albums. While recording on Ruf in recent years, The band has often played with mystic themes, with titles such as Voodoo Moon and The Devil to Pay. Witchy Feelin‘ has definitely got some of that, woven in with some […]
Indie Blues CD Review King Louie’s Blues Revue Live At Riverhouse Jazz Shoug Records King Louie Pain was nicknamed “Portland’s Boss of The B-3” by the newspaper The Oregonian. King Louie hails from San Francisco where he started playing professionally in 1970. He moved to Portland in 1986 and works with area blues and soul […]
Ilana Katz Katz Subway Stories: All Trains Blues & Roots Fiddle Vizztone Label Group The modest Ilana Katz married Warren Katz to become a double Katz. She started as a busker and still plays fiddle in the Boston subway system. In 2014 Ronnie Earl included her song “Running in Peace”, about the bombing at the […]
Indie Blues CD Review Alastair Greene Dream Train Rip Cat Records Alastair Greene is from southern California. Influenced by seventies guitarists, especially Duane Allman and Stevie Ray Vaughan, he found work backing artists like James Harman. Greene recorded his own rockin’ debut “A Little Wiser” in 2001. His follow up live album “Bootleg: Live in […]
Sidemen: Long Road to Glory Pinetop Perkins. Hubert Sumlin. Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. These three men helped make some of the most influential and recognizable electric blues music in the world, as sidemen for Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. But they were the sidemen, and it was The Wolf and Waters who got the glory. […]
Kim Wilson Blues and Boogie Vol.1 Severn Records Kim Wilson is the harp player and vocalist who fronts The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Originally formed in 1974 they had a top ten single in 1986; and won the Blues Music Award for Band of The Year. They have fourteen studio albums, an additional ten compilation albums and […]
Howlin’ At Greaseland Various Artists West Tone Records Chester Arthur Burnett a.k.a. Howlin’ Wolf was a Chicago blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player. Musician and music critic Michael “Cub” Koda said it best “no one could match Howlin’ Wolf for the singular ability to rock the house down…while simultaneously scaring its patrons out of its […]
The Original Blues Brothers Band The Last Shade of Blue Before Black Severn Records The Original Blues Brothers Band is a band that began as a one time skit on “Saturday Night Live” in 1978. They backed up Joliet Jake (John Belushi) and Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd). The band was an overnight sensation making several […]
George Thorogood Party of One Rounder Records George Thorogood was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1950. He began as a solo acoustic performer in 1970 and soon later formed his band The Delaware Destroyers. Thorogood signed with the roots oriented Rounder Records label in 1976. It was a departure from the labels usual folk and […]
Albert Castiglia Up All Night Ruf Records Albert Castiglia was born in New York City in August of 1969. Castiglia was only five years old when his Cuban American parents moved to Florida. Castiglia joined the Miami Blues Authority in 1990 and was named “best blues guitarist” by the Miami New Times. In 1996 Castiglia […]
Chris Hillman Bidin’ My Time Rounder Records Don Parmley was a 5 String banjo player who recorded a bluegrass instrumental album for GNP/Crescendo Records in 1964 and the mandolin player on the recording was Chris Hillman. Hillman switched to bass and joined Jim McGuinn, David Crosby, Gene Clark and Michael Clarke to form the Byrds. […]
Al Basile Quiet Money Sweetspot Records Al Basile grew up in Haverhill, Massachusetts a suburb outside of Boston. He received a Master’s degree from Brown University in 1970. He first met Duke Robillard in 1969 and Robillard talked Basile into joining Roomful of Blues in 1973. Basile became Roomful’s first trumpet player and while with […]
Tommy Castro and The Painkillers Stompin’ Ground Alligator Records Tommy Castro is a guitarist and vocalist from San Jose, California. Castro became a member of The Dynatones in 1980 but by 1991 had left to form his own band. Castro released “Soul Shaker” on Blind Pig Records in 2005 and received his first two Blues […]
Gregg Allman Southern Blood Rounder Records Gregg Allman had some serious health issues. He was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2007. He had a successful liver transplant in 2010. Allman who at the time had six previous solo recordings achieved even greater success with the Grammy nominated “Low Country Blues” released in 2011. When Allman […]
Cassie Keenum & Rick Randlett Hauntings Fox Run Records Cassie Keenum hails from Alachua, Fl. sixteen miles outside of Gainesville. She is a singer songwriter with a soulful voice who performs in a duo with Rick Randlett. Randlett discovered the blues while in college. He listened to bands like Cream, The Yardbirds, and early Fleetwood […]
Chris “Bad News” Barnes Hokum Blues Vizztone Label Group Chris Barnes has been a writer and performer for The Carol Burnett Show, Saturday Night Live, Seinfield, 30 Rock, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He began his blues music career opening for acts at the legendary blues club, Tramps, where he would take audience suggestions and improvise […]
Corey Dennison Band Night After Night Delmark Records Corey Dennison hails from Chattanooga, Tennessee. He got his first guitar when he was six years old. He used to hang out with his harp playing uncle so his early influences were Junior Wells, Albert Collins and Albert King. Dennison also fell in love with the soul […]
Jimmy Carpenter Plays The Blues Vizztone Label Group Saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter began playing professionally in 1980. He 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. […]
Benny Turner My Brother’s Blues Nola Blue Records Once Benny Turner and his older brother Freddie left Texas for Chicago his brother began to make a name for himself as Freddie King. Freddie became a guitar god while Turner backed him up on bass. Turner left for awhile to play with R n’ B singer […]
Wee Willie Walker And The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra After A While Blue Dot Records Born in Hernando, Mississippi Wee Willie Walker’s career spans six decades as he is one of our last real soul singers. He recorded nine sides for the Memphis based Goldwax label in 1968. More recently between 2004 and 2011 Walker […]
Milligan-Vaughan Project Mark One Records Malford Milligan is a Texas based soul, blues and rock singer who attended the University of Texas. He started a local Monday night blues jam and wound up beginning a life in music. In 1994 Milligan helped form the band Storyville with David Grissom, David Holt and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s […]
Johnny Rawls Waiting For The Train Catfood Records Johnny Rawls was born in Hattiesburg Mississippi in 1951. Having mastered the guitar Rawls’ schoolteacher arranged for him to back musicians when they were on tour through Mississippi. In 1975 Rawls joined O.V. Wright’s band and became his musical director until Wright’s passing in 1980. The Ace […]
Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers The East-West Sessions MindiAbair.com In 1979 Randy Jacobs was a core member of the funk pop band “Was (Not Was)” an early project of producer Don Was (Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones) where he worked with singer Sweet Pea Atkinson. He was also a member of 1993’s Soul […]
Jonny Lang Signs Concord Music Group Jon Gordon Langseth, Jr. a.k.a. Jonny Lang was born in Fargo, North Dakota in 1981. He started playing guitar at the age of twelve. His father took him to see the Fargo based “Bad Medicine Blues Band” and Lang was hooked. He started taking lessons from the bands guitar […]
Steve Howell and Jason Weinheimer A Hundred Years From Today Out of The Past Music Texas born Steve Howell now lives in the greater Shreveport, La. area. He has immersed himself in the rural blues of the south. Howell re-creates obscure traditional country blues with his finger picking style and warm voice. His third album […]
Walter Trout We’re all in this together Provogue/Mascot Label Group Walter Trout was born in Ocean City, N.J. After moving to LA he worked with Big Mama Thornton, John Lee Hooker and Joe Tex before becoming Canned Heat’s guitarist in 1981. In 1985 he left them and joined John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers where he […]