Sugar Ray and the Bluetones — Seeing Is Believing Label: Severn Records (release date of October 7, 2016) Sugar Ray and the Bluetones are consistent as can be. This time, the East Coast-based blues band fronted by harmonica man extraordinaire/vocalist Ray Norcia and featuring Monster Mike Welch (guitar), Anthony Geraci (piano/organ), Michael Mudcat Ward (bass), and … Continue reading
Tag Archives: blues
New Blues: The Bob Lanza Blues Band — ‘Time To Let Go’
The Bob Lanza Blues Band — Time To Let Go Label: Connor Ray Music The Bob Lanza Blues Band has just released their fourth album, Time To Let Go. It is a mix of originals and classic covers; a well-played, well-produced effort that sounds, well, mostly effortless. In his powerful guitar work and muscular vocals, Lanza has captured … Continue reading
New Blues: Duke Robillard And His All-Star Combo — ‘Blues Full Circle’
Duke Robillard And His All-Star Combo — Blues Full Circle (Special Guests: Jimmie Vaughan, Sugar Ray Norcia & Kelley Hunt) Label: Stony Plain Records Six time ‘Blues Award’ winner Duke Robillard is one of the most respected blues and roots music guitarists around. Luckily for blues lovers, he is also prolific. His latest album, Blues … Continue reading
New Blues: Brian Langlinais — ‘Right Hand Road’
Brian Langlinais — Right Hand Road Label: Patoutville Records (Release Date: 9/16/16) This is American blues, roadhouse style, at its absolute best. What’s more, it’s roadhouse across the past century. These are timeless blues moves that stand the test of time, and in his new album, Right Hand Road, Brian Langlinais delivers them with the touch … Continue reading
Backtrack Blues Band — ‘Way Back Home’
Backtrack Blues Band — Way Back Home Label: Harpo Records The new release from the Backtrack Blues Band is a highly entertaining collection of mostly original tracks of traditional blues that is as heavy on musical wit as it is on satisfying guitar licks… (which is to say, very). What else would one expect from a … Continue reading
New Blues: Ronnie Earl And The Broadcasters — ‘Maxwell Street’
Ronnie Earl And The Broadcasters — Maxwell Street Label: Stony Plain Records inviting provocative soothing poignant cleansing give it a listen and you’ll have your own immediate reaction (it’s music that speaks to the soul) Maxwell Street, the new album from Ronnie Earl And The Broadcasters, is a tribute to both the storied Chicago street but also … Continue reading
New Blues/Roots: Johnny Nicholas – ‘Fresh Air’
Johnny Nicholas – Fresh Air What an aptly named album. From it’s opening harmonica pushes and pulls, Johnny Nicholas’ latest, Fresh Air, is a breath of soul-sustaining sound. Fresh Air is a collection of 13 tracks; eleven originals and two covers. With the variety of styles offered, it easily seems like two dozen sublime songs. Whether … Continue reading
New Blues: Ally Venable Band — ‘No Glass Shoes’
Ally Venable Band — ‘No Glass Shoes’ She plays the guitar with authority and she sings with the voice of realistic hope. Her delivery of a song is instantly relatable—a necessity for success in playing the blues. So, if the blues are ready for an original, then it’s time to start paying attention to the … Continue reading
New Blues: Jeremiah Johnson Band — ‘Blues Heart Attack’
Jeremiah Johnson Band — Blues Heart Attack Label: Connor Ray Music The Jeremiah Johnson Band is just that. (Which is quite enough.) Although he is the absolutely necessary center of things, Jeremiah Johnson has smartly surrounded himself with supremely talented supporting musicians, allowing him to soar. (Which he does.) The Jeremiah Johnson Band is: Jeremiah … Continue reading
New Blues/Rock: Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat (‘Live At The Kessler’)
Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat — Live At The Kessler Label: Underground Records Let’s face it, getting out to a live concert is sometimes a bigger challenge than we’d like to think. Depending on what city you’re in, it could be the traffic, the door charge, the drunk, obnoxious audience, or just the all-too-frequent “I’m too busy” … Continue reading
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