Author Archives: Mike

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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D.K. Harrell is Talkin’ Heavy about the blues on Alligator Records debut

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Mike

Rising bluesman D.K. Harrell keeps on rolling with his sophomore album–and Alligator Records debut–Talkin’ Heavy. Released last week, the album includes another dozen extremely impressive original tracks that demonstrate why the 27-year-old Harrell is one of the hottest acts on … Continue reading →

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Gary Clark Jr. goes “Catfish”in’ too on one of two new singles from Antone’s 50th anniversary box set

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Mike

We know we just spotlighted a cover of Robert Petway’s blues classic “Catfish Blues” and had every intention of going a different direction with this week’s featured single, but then this happened… New West Records this week released another couple … Continue reading →

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New Englander Ryan Lee Crosby teams with Bentonia blues master Jimmy “Duck” Holmes for Delta blues classic “Catfish”

Posted on June 9, 2025 by Mike

Ryan Lee Crosby may not be from Mississippi, or anywhere near it, but that didn’t stop the under-45-year-old Rhode Islander from packing up his bags and equipment and heading there to record his latest album At the Blue Front, due … Continue reading →

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Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ make Room on the Porch for everyone with sophomore album

Posted on June 4, 2025 by Mike

There’s simply no better pairing in the blues today than when Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ get together, as we heard and saw back in 2017 with their Grammy Award-winning debut collaboration TajMo, which also captured both the Album of … Continue reading →

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