20 Apr
Harley-Davidson Roadhouse Blues by Various Artists
Sunday, 20 April 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
The American institution Harley Davidson motorcycles and some of the best blues players on the planet join forces on the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse Blues CD. The comp…
Colin Linden is a singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer who’s plied his trade with Keb Mo,’ Bruce Cockburn and Sue Foley, and he contributed a song to the film Oh B…
The Blues, a largely African-American musical form born in the American south, has undergone a number of necessary transformations in the century or so since its first appe…
The title of this CD paints the picture for you before you ever pick up the brush and apply it to the canvas. Friends in the Can is a celebration of the band Canned …
Kindle is Sandra Bazzarelli’s five-song statement of vocal diversity. Backed by a highly potent blues-rock attack courtesy of Ed Littman’s stinging guitar licks, she…
Christine Martucci looks like a foxy diva ready to lure you in with sultry vocals; however, this is not what you will hear on this CD. This is a rock ‘n’ roll girl with a c…
29 Mar
Red, White and Blues by Robin O' Herin
Saturday, 29 March 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
Robin O’ Herin is a homegrown down-to-earth talent. Home is the Berkshire’s in a little town called Lee, located in western Massachusetts. O’ Herin does the blues ju…
19 Mar
One More Bridge to Cross by Mighty Sam McClain
Wednesday, 19 March 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
The music on One More Bridge to Cross by vocalist Mighty Sam McClain certainly provides evidence that in terms of a basic "sound" there may be only a thin veil of di…
Not many people can say they were a sideman with Muddy Waters, except a veteran like Bob Margolin. He cut his blues teeth and fine-tuned his skills while playing alongside …
At first glance, a blues album dedicated to Johnny Cash seems "out of place." However, once a couple of tracks have been played, it makes perfect sense. The press kit says …
07 Mar
True Stories by Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers
Friday, 07 March 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
These are True Stories from the life and times of Jimmy Thackery, who has plenty of life experience to share. He expresses it all with his guitar and a voice that gr…
27 Feb
Hittin’ The Note by The Allman Brothers
Thursday, 27 February 2003
Published in
Other - CD Reviews
If you think that The Allman Brothers Band would be hurting without Dickey Betts, I have two answers to that situation that most people felt was detrimental to the band, a …
27 Feb
The Blues Matters!’ Sampler Vol. 1 by Various
Thursday, 27 February 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
If you were not aware of the British Blues community you are in for one hell of a wake up call with the ’Blues Matters!’ Sampler Volume 1. ‘Blues Matters!’ is a UK m…
20 Feb
Cockadoodledon't by The Legendary Shack*Shakers
Thursday, 20 February 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
There are blues albums that reflect the deep reverence the performers have for the music and its rich varied history, without compromise.... this is NOT one of those albums…
Robert Cray, that strong persuader of the blues and soul is back with a new album titled Time Will Tell. I have always enjoyed Cray’s music and I consider his…
17 Feb
Been So Long by Toni Lynn Washington
Monday, 17 February 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
This CD serves as my introduction to blues vocalist, Toni Lynn Washington. Forty years of experience on musical stages have honed her talents to a keen edge. It's nice to h…
16 Feb
The Blues Are Brewin by Espresso Jazz
Sunday, 16 February 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
Recording an entire album of covers seems like it puts listeners on notice that the artist may be on the down side of a once successful career. In retrospect, never does th…
08 Feb
Last of the Mississippi Jukes (DVD) by Various Artists
Saturday, 08 February 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
I really thought I knew the blues well, that is until I watched this fantastic documentary "Last of the Mississippi Jukes" on the roots and culture based genre of music. Ev…
06 Feb
A Woman Alone With The Blues by Maria Muldaur
Thursday, 06 February 2003
Published in
Other - CD Reviews
Diva Maria Muldaur (AKA Maria d'Amato) has created an entirely new niche for herself by singing the blues and doing tribute albums. She recorded a children’s album ("Animal…
04 Feb
Last of the Mississippi Jukes-CD Soundtrack by Various Artists
Tuesday, 04 February 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
Last of The Mississippi Jukes-CD Soundtrack gives the resume of Film director Robert Mugge much more strength and authority. He is responsible for a number of documentaries…
Jim Crouch and his band are rolling out a new album titled "Liberty." The title is very apt considering we are currently trying to liberate an oppressed country. Is there a…
18 Jan
Reaching The Cold 100 by Peter Green Splinter Group
Saturday, 18 January 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
Some folks consider Peter Green as the greatest white blues guitar player ever. I would have a hard time disagreeing with that statement myself. When you look at what he ha…
Credit them or blame them, but in Roomful of Blues was one of - if not THE - first of the wave of "retro" bands. Blame not RoB for the sharkskin trendoids and poseurs that …
With a name like Proof (as in 90% whiskey?) it does not leave too much to the imagination where this band got their name considering they were a blues based rock ban…
14 Jan
Ride ‘Til I Die by George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Tuesday, 14 January 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
There is one thing you can always count on with George Thorogood, his music is not going to change. "Ride ‘Til I Die" continues his firm grasp of blues-rock. Making music n…
13 Jan
Super Session by Mike Bloomfield / Al Kooper / Steve Stills
Monday, 13 January 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
In 1968, they were two of the rock world’s best-known - and sharpest - second bananas and one guy was soon to become rock Superstar Royalty, and they got into the studio to…
12 Jan
Hooker & The Hogs by John Lee Hooker with The Groundhogs
Sunday, 12 January 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
When John Lee Hooker met with The Groundhogs it was blues magic. When he traveled to England, he enjoyed playing live with the Hogs as his back up band. Originally, …
Is this the second coming of the Rolling Stones? I was duly impressed to believe so after to listening to the Beggarz (Did I hear somebody say Beggar’s Banque…
John Hammond has been around for so long it’s easy to take him for granted. Maybe because his is primarily an interpretive talent - this set opens with what might be his
08 Jan
The Best of M.C.Records 1996-2002 by Various Artists
Wednesday, 08 January 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
A 1995 club appearance by Big Jack Johnson led to the conception of a new independent blues label. Mark Carpentieri and his wife Catherine were so impressed with the bluesm…
How do you reform a band after a thirty-five year layoff and sound so great? The Yardbirds know how. All you need are two founding members Chris Dreja and Jim McCart…
05 Jan
The Tone Cool Story Vol. 1 by Various Artists
Sunday, 05 January 2003
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
God I love this music! It puts the S back into soul and the F back into feeling; hence, everything becomes different with a newfound perspective. These tunes will definitel…
04 Jan
Jubilee by Harry Manx & Kevin Breit
Saturday, 04 January 2003
Published in
Other - CD Reviews
It has been my pleasure to review two previous Harry Manx releases. The multi-instrumentalist is now perfectly paired with the equally versatile Kevin Breit. The two player…
Singer/guitarist Sonny Landreth is a wizard on the slide guitar - he’s got a meaty, spunky style that sizzles like thick-cut pepper bacon (lean, to be sure)on a grill (my a…
From the sleeve notes by Samuel Charters "...when it kicks in with a record like this one. As long as this kind of groove and this kind of feel is still part of the blues, …
06 Oct
Mississippi Blues by Various Artists
Sunday, 06 October 2002
Published in
World Music - CD Reviews
It’s impossible to fit a comprehensive anthology of Mississippi Blues on one disc--and sure, there are whole traditions neglected here--but Putumayo proves again they ca…
Guitarist, Jack de Keyzer's incredible 6 String Lover CD is a real pleasure to listen to. It runs the gamut from up-tempo rock …
27 Sep
Easy Street by Travis & The Flamekats
Friday, 27 September 2002
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
This CD is something that took me by surprise. The flamekats band did an excellent job of making music that appeals to anyone of all ages. I liked the mix of electric blues…
Impressions is a rock and blues-fueled look at the instrumental range of guitarist Chris Winters. Having toured with Mississippi Heat, Aaron Burton, Otis Clay, among others…
33-year old Hammond organist and Woodstock, NY native Jeremy Baum is a blues musician with credentials that include work with the Bill Perry Blues Band and recorded work wi…
29 Aug
Bill Kings Saturday Nite Fish Fry: Jump by Bill King
Thursday, 29 August 2002
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
This record is so hot it might ignite at any minute. It rocks, it takes toe tapping to another level. This ensemble will whisk you on an excursion to Road House heaven. Thi…
22 Aug
Original Blues Classics Sampler by Original Blues Classics Sampler
Thursday, 22 August 2002
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
This excellent compilation draws primarily on material recorded for Prestige Records and its subsidiary label Bluesville during the 1950's and 1960's. Also represented here…
16 Aug
Live At Newport (180-Gram Vinyl LP) by John Lee Hooker
Friday, 16 August 2002
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
This reissue of John Lee Hooker’s Live at Newport LP is a split between two performances at the Newport Folk Festival, a solo flight from 1960 and a set with upright…
Clarence Bucaro is not a musical icon, and I am sure he does not really care if he ever does attain those lofty heights. He is a purebred entertainer of American folk tales…
23 Jul
Ralph Gleason’s Jazz Casual-King of The Blues by B.B. King
Tuesday, 23 July 2002
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
Broadcasted originally in 1968 and shot in black-and-white, B.B. King’s appearance on Ralph Gleason’s Jazz Casual is a look inside the "King of The Blues" and his band. I p…
Alice Stuart has a lineage of blues music behind her that not only impresses, but will also surprise many of the uninitiated that may feel they had a good grasp on the hist…
Frijid Pink typified late '60s Detroit rock. Their self-titled debut was a startling mixture of rock-blues-psychedelic music. A rocking electrifying version of "Hous…
06 Jul
Blues At Montreux by King Curtis & Champion Jack Dupree
Saturday, 06 July 2002
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
One night of the Swiss Montreux Jazz Festival in 1971 saw two legendary musical figures join forces: blues singer/piano ace Champion Jack Dupree (1909-1992) and soul/R&B sa…
30 Jun
Now This Is What We Call The Blues-Vol. 420 by Various Artists
Sunday, 30 June 2002
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
Now this is the blues! That is right; Telarc knows what it takes to make true to form blues music. With a roster including people like Jimmy Thackery, Ronnie Earl, Luther "…
29 Jun
God Moves On The Water by Acoustic Blues-Duo
Saturday, 29 June 2002
Published in
Blues - CD Reviews
Every time I come across a new collection by the Acoustic Blues-Duo, I try to get it simply because this duo performs some of the finest blues singing and performances foun…