Label: Gulf Coast Records There’s nothing better than an album full of music that the recording artist clearly loves. That’s what you get with Kevin Burt & Big Medicine’s latest disc, Thank You, Big Brother: A Tribute to Bill Withers. While I admit to playing tracks 6 (“Ain’t No Sunshine”) and 7 (“Lean On Me”) first, … Continue reading
Blues/rock guitarists Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia‘s energetic Blood Brothers tour has been recreated on their latest album, Blood Brothers Live in Canada. It’s a heated, smoldering, and occasionally fully-ignited event. The duo is supported by a collection of equally committed players. The album’s musicians are: Mike Zito – vocals/guitars; Albert Castiglia – vocals/guitars; Doug … Continue reading
When an album is as entertaining as The Groove Krewe (feat. Jonathon Boogie Long)’s Blues From the Bayou, the only critique that can be made is the disappointment that comes from it being an EP and not a double CD. These are bayou blues—swampy, spicy, rollicking arrangements that make full use of the interplay between … Continue reading
Following up on his last album, Four, blues singer-songwriter David Deacon returns with Good Day Good Night, a new collection of recordings that explore a range of emotions. The signature bluesy, gutsy guitar that plays so well in Deacon’s music sets the tone for the album with its lead single, “Soldiers of the Universe” – … Continue reading
With a band that punctuates every hint of emotion that he reveals, Johnny Rawls sings and plays in the classic soul blues style that many in his genre dream of. It either just comes naturally for Johnny Rawls, or he is one amazing actor, because he tosses off musical phrases as if he invented the … Continue reading
Label: Gulf Coast Records Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind’s latest album, Behind the Veil, is a powerful reminder of the potency of a certain combination—harmonica, guitar, drums, and gutsy vocals. It’s a magnificent collection of varied blues songs performed by a group who breathe and make music as a single force: Jason Ricci (harmonica, … Continue reading
Popa Chubby‘s new album, Live at G. Bluey’s Juke Joint NYC (on Gulf Coast Records), is the label debut live double-CD set from the solid New York City-based blues guitar slinger (aka “The Beast from the East”). It’s a collection of songs that convey the irrefutable conclusion that he (and his stellar band) can do it all. … Continue reading
Label: Hopeless Romantic Records Joyann Parker is a powerful musician, singer, and I have no doubt, human being. All three are evident on each track of her new album, Roots — an inspiring blend of blues, rock, soul, and Americana that showcases Parker’s multiple strengths as a vocalist. Parker creates and sustains the perfect balance … Continue reading
Label: Club 88 Records (distributed by The Orchard) When you’ve got friends like Mitch Woods, why not invite a few of them over and see (or in this case, hear) what happens. Lucky for us, what happened was Friends Along the Way, a double disc of true blues joy. It’s a Deluxe edition re-release of … Continue reading
“Ole” is a good thing when it comes to rock. “Lonesome” is an even better thing when it comes to blues. Ole Lonesome is an exceedingly good thing when it comes to Texas-based blues/rock. Their recent new release, Tejas Motel, delivers jet propulsion-level energy to the songs they perform. There’s a swagger that these songs … Continue reading
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