Author Archives: Mike

Antone’s celebrates 50 Years of the Blues with killer five-disc box set featuring artists from throughout club’s history

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Mike

We’ve spent a bit of time here already  previewing the Antone’s 50th anniversary box set through listens to singles from Gary Clark Jr., Doyle Bramhall II, and Ruthie Foster. And yet, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it … Continue reading →

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“People Gonna Talk” about this smashing single from Chambers DesLauriers

Posted on August 18, 2025 by Mike

Soulstress Annika Chambers and guitarist/singer Paul DesLauriers were already each a force of their own before meeting and deciding to team up in 2019, but the now husband-and-wife team has evolved into a real force-to-be-reckoned when they’re dishing out fiery … Continue reading →

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“Braille Blues Daddy” Bryan Lee pays Homage to 4 Kings of the blues on posthumous release

Posted on August 6, 2025 by Mike

Though we’d already heard him several times, most notably, providing lead vocals and some stinging guitar to complement that of his much younger counterpart on a rocking “Tina Marie” on Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s 2007 Grammy-nominated, Blues Music Award-winning (Best DVD) … Continue reading →

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Davy Knowles joins with some familiar Friends on new project, MKO

Posted on July 29, 2025 by Mike

Former Back Door Slam frontman and guitarist Davy Knowles has been playing with Rory Gallagher band alums Gerry McAvoy (bass) and Brendan O’Neill (drums) in the Gallagher-focused Band of Friends for more than half a decade now, in addition to … Continue reading →

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Alligator Records displays Queen of the Blues’ Crown Jewels on collection honoring one of label’s all-time greats, Koko Taylor

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Mike

It’s been more than a decade-and-a-half since the passing of blues great Koko Taylor, but her old friends at Alligator Records, the label with which she spent three-and-a-half decades after getting her start on Chess Records, aren’t about to let … Continue reading →

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There’s no heartbreak with Larry McCray’s new album Heartbreak City

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Mike

Guitarist and singer Larry McCray has long been one of the most underrated, or at least under-discussed, bluesmen out there.  McCray’s sturdy, soulful vocals and chops on guitar are among the very top in the business, and have been for … Continue reading →

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Ruthie Foster leads us on closer to release of much-anticipated Antone’s anniversary box set with powerful take on Bobby Bland’s “Lead Me On”

Posted on July 16, 2025 by Mike

Here’s another great single from that upcoming Antone’s anniversary box set about which we’ve been telling you: a newly recorded, stop-you-in-your-tracks performance of the Bobby “Blue” Bland classic (co-written by Lavelle White) “Lead Me On” by the great Ruthie Foster, … Continue reading →

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Joined by Shemekia Copeland and Ronnie Baker Brooks, Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues are “Begging for Change” with new single from new Rosa’s Lounge Records label

Posted on July 10, 2025 by Mike

Okay, one more from Chicago before we move on (now you see why they the celebrate the blues the way they do there!)…  this new single from Billy Branch and his Sons of Blues is a powerful one both musically … Continue reading →

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New album from Willie Buck and Bob Corritore will have you, too, saying Oh Yeah!

Posted on July 7, 2025 by Mike

We’re keeping things focused on Chicago after our last post with a look at the latest collaboration from harmonica ace Bob Corritore, who, although he’s called Phoenix, Arizona, (where he owns and frequently plays at the legendary Rhythm Room blues … Continue reading →

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Delmark All-Stars knock it out of the park with “Sweet Home Chicago” collab with Cubs

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Mike

We’re no fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball club (still maintaining loyalty to the team firmly entrenched at the complete opposite end of the National League Central standings, and thus forced to glory in championships of a far more distant … Continue reading →

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