roots

Marcus King Youngblood American Records/Republic We don’t hear too many of these kinds of rock records anymore.  In fact, there are probably better writers on these pages than this one to cover it.  But, given Marcus King’s previous forays into blues and his collaborations with Dan Auerbach are compelling factors in giving this, Youngblood, a […]

The Dig 3 The Dig 3 Self-released There are still traditional blues albums. John Primer has one coming as does Bob Corritore, John Nemeth, and a handful of other artists who ply their craft apart from the blues rockers who dominate the airwaves. This is not to diminish other “real deal” efforts we’ve heard this […]

John Primer Hard Times John Primer “Hard Times” is produced by Rick Barnes at his Rax Trax Studio in Chicago. Featured are Primer’s brother Steve Bell, Harp; Lenny Media, drums; and Dave Forte, bass. Special guests include Rick Kreher, rhythm guitar, the sensational Johnny Iguana, piano; and Primer’s daughter Allya on one vocal. Primer is […]

Demetria Taylor Doin’ What I’m Supposed to Do Delmark Blues vocal powerhouse Demetria Taylor is back, following up her Delmark debut, Bad Girl, with Doin’ What I’m Supposed to Do. Yes, it’s been a decade between albums, but the debut earned a BMA nomination for Best New Artist Debut.  This release has many of the […]

The Texas Horns Everybody Let’s Roll Blue Heart Everybody Let’s Roll is the third album for the vaunted three=piece horn section, The Texas Horns –Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff (tenor saxophone, harmonica, vocals), John Mills (baritone saxophone), and Al Gomez (trumpet). Each of these members pens originals, together making up eleven of the thirteen tracks. You’ve likely […]

Breezy Rodio Underground Blues Windchill/Bloos The Italian born blues, soul and reggae guitarist Breezy Rodio first made his mark with Linsey Alexander for a decade before debuting solo in 2011 and importantly on Delmark in 2018. So, yes, he is steeped in Chicago blues with a unique guitar style that according to producer of this […]

Color Green Color Green I love it when music like this new self-titled album from Color Green comes my way.  Their music is cut from the same fabric as many of my favorite bands, such as Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, Phish, and Flaming Lips.  Formed in Queens, but now based in Los Angeles, Color Green is comprised of co-founders Noah Kohll and Corey Madden.  Together this duo creates a […]

Cliff Stevens Better Days Montreal-based blues-rocker Cliff Stevens has recently released his fifth studio album Better Days.  Loaded with eleven brand-new originals, this record is a genuine dose of heart-tugging blues, reminiscent of the album-oriented music popular in the Seventies.  The music ranges from old-school delta blues to that inspired by the likes of Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.  It surely makes for […]

Mick Kolassa I’m Just Getting Started Endless Blues Eleven albums in, bluesman Mick Kolassa is proclaiming a reset of sorts with his latest, I’m Just Getting Started. Having just moved to Memphis from Mississippi and having overcome his wife’s passing due to cancer and his own battle with COVID-19 in recent years, no one can […]

Derrick Procell Hello Mojo Catfood This is a powerful blues triumvirate – blues singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Derrick Procell, BMA winner and producer Zac Harmon, and label owner/bandleader Bob Trenchard collaborating on Procell’s Catfood Records debut, Hello Mojo.  As you likely realize, given those names, the album was recorded at Trenchard’s go-to studio, Sonic Ranch in Tornillo Texas […]

Kirk Fletcher Heartache by the Pound Ogierea Kirk Fletcher is in a bit of a paradox.  While he has all the tools of the best bluesmen and the acclaim to prove it as a five-time BMA nominee and one hailed by such outlets as Guitar World Magazine and Guitar.com, he seldom rises to the top […]