(release date: November 15, 2024) Keyboardist Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne (having received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jus’ Blues Foundation, among several others) has assembled another highly engaging album that will, no doubt, earn him more acclaim. His new release, Ooh Yeah!, is one of those discs where each track could easily be twice … Continue reading
Albert Castiglia‘s latest album, Righteous Souls, displays the guitar slinger at his best. The contemporary blues album explores (and delivers) deeply within each song. The album features an abundance of skilled and dexterous guest artists, including Rayne Castiglia (vocals), Joe Bonamassa (guitar), Josh Smith (guitar), Danielle Nicole (vocals), Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram (guitar), Popa Chubby (guitar), … Continue reading
Blues Hall of Fame inductee Matt “Guitar” Murphy’s legacy, including his last three studio recordings, is honored on this double album, True Blues Brothers. Featured artists include Doyle Bramhall II, Fran Christina & The Original Roomful of Blues, Steve Cropper, Ronnie Earl, Sax Gordon, Jaimoe, Bill Kirchen, Chuck Leavell, Bob Margolin, James Montgomery, Tracy Nelson, Johnny … Continue reading
They’re just about the most consistent band out there. Fans of contemporary blues and blues/rock are in luck: The Fabulous Thunderbirds have released their first new studio album in eight years, and yes, it’s another solid album. Founder Kim Wilson leads the way (vocals and harmonica) on Struck Down, the band’s 50th anniversary release, which … Continue reading
If sweet vibes sound good to you, then pay attention to Nowhere To Hide, the upcoming release from soul/blues dynamo Ollee Owens. The album delivers eleven tracks that cover a range of emotional territory, and, in doing so, allow Owens to display her gift for conveying present ideas with classic soulful undercurrents. Owens successfully offers … Continue reading
(Release date: October 18, 2024) Sometimes there’s nothing as comforting as a penetrating blues song. There’s a recognition, an acceptance, and a message of hope just from its truth. Therefore, no matter what challenges face us, we can always look forward to an album release from Blues/Roots legend Eric Bibb. His latest offering, In The … Continue reading
When a song is that catchy, when the featured musicians that inspiring, and when the lead vocal is that inviting, you just find yourself grateful for whoever invented the “repeat” button on the CD player. Such was my response to “(Feels Like) I Just Got Started”—the opener on Jimmy Carpenter‘s new album, Just Got Started. … Continue reading
That’s the album cover of a guy who has something on his mind. And on his latest release, Chasing The Sun, blues rocker Colin James does just that. The album’s eleven tracks (produced and arranged by Colin James and Colin Linden) are evidence to uphold the commonly-held notion that James is a “musician’s musician.” Joining … Continue reading
Randy Lee Riviere‘s new album, Concrete Blues, is a throughly satisfying blues/roots/rock experience. It is best played over and over again with, perhaps, slightly increased volume each time. It’s the kind of music that can take (and deserves) such respect. There’s a unity of purpose driving this recording and the results are phenomenal. With songs … Continue reading
Joe Flip’s highly anticipated third album, ‘Old Soul: Live,’ captures the electrifying energy of a sold-out live performance. Recorded at Le Musique Room in St. Michael, Minnesota—with an energetic, appreciative audience—the album captures 13 inspired songs, and an impressive breadth of styles. Renowned for his high energy, distinctive sound, and handmade oil can guitars, Joe … Continue reading
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