Author Archives: Mike

Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal and others lend their talents to Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Mike

Speaking of Taj Mahal–and his ongoing collaboration with Keb’ Mo’, known affectionately as TajMo–(as we were in our last post regarding Taj and his Phantom Blues Band’s recent visit to the Pittsburgh area), we should mention that both Taj and … Continue reading →

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Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band make Time for Pittsburgh on tour in support of new album

Posted on July 14, 2026 by Mike

We’ve been fortunate to see bluesman Taj Mahal perform live several times over the last dozen years or so, each time as part of a different configuration, first as an acoustic duo with Keb’Mo’ at the 2013 Crossroads Guitar Festival … Continue reading →

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John Primer and friends remember one of Chicago’s great blues venues with Tribute to Theresa’s Lounge

Posted on June 17, 2026 by Mike

Chicago’s Theresa’s Lounge has been closed for some four decades now, having shuttered back in 1985, but the club still very much lives on in the hearts and memories of those who got their starts playing there, learning from the … Continue reading →

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Harrell Davenport may be young, but he’s sure got a keen ear for the blues, as evidenced on debut album Young Rell

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Mike

The annual Blues Music Awards just took place earlier this month but we’re pretty sure we’ve already heard next year’s winner in the Best Emerging Artist Album category (captured this year by Sean McDonald for his Have Mercy!) in the … Continue reading →

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Taj Mahal and Phantom Blues Band have voodoo working again on first album together in two decades

Posted on May 11, 2026 by Mike

There are few acts from whom we’ve enjoyed hearing more in the past decades than 1) the great Taj Mahal and 2) The Phantom Blues Band, a group with which Mahal is very familiar, having in fact assembled them as … Continue reading →

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Alvin Youngblood Hart, Guy Davis and Corey Harris fight on for, and with, acoustic blues on long-hoped-for second volume of True Blues

Posted on May 2, 2026 by Mike

It’s been more than a dozen years now since we told you about the first True Blues album, featuring solo and joint performances from such blues greats as Taj Mahal, Corey Harris, Guy Davis, Shemekia Copeland, Alvin Youngblood Hart, and … Continue reading →

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Fess up! by adding this Record Store Day Exclusive from the great Professor Longhair to your collection

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Mike

It’s hard to believe it’s already that time of year, but Record Store Day 2026 (RSD) is this Saturday, April 18. Here’s the last of several titles we’re highly recommending you seek out at your local vinyl store (and be … Continue reading →

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Another Record Store Day First gem: check out this live acoustic set from Chicago jazz/soul/folk singer and guitarist Terry Callier

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Mike

It’s hard to believe it’s already that time of year, but Record Store Day 2026 (RSD) is right around the corner (Saturday, April 18). Here’s the second of several titles we’re highly recommending you seek out at your local vinyl … Continue reading →

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Triple LP from blues legend Freddie King will have you Feeling Alright this Record Store Day

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Mike

It’s hard to believe it’s already that time of year, but Record Store Day 2026 is right around the corner (Saturday, April 18). Here’s the first of several titles we’re highly recommending you seek out at your local vinyl store. … Continue reading →

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Posthumous Mike Finnigan album is everything we hoped it would be, and more

Posted on March 15, 2026 by Mike

We’ve already told you about the first couple of singles off Mike Finnigan‘s eponymous posthumous album (Forty Below Records)–splendid takes on Curtis Salgado’s “20 Years of B.B. King” (featuring Joe Bonamassa on guitar) and Freddie King’s “My Credit Didn’t Go … Continue reading →

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