Author Archives: Mike

The Bright Lights – and sounds – of Gary Clark Jr.

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Mike

We may not have gotten to see singer-guitarist Gary Clark Jr. during his recent visit to Pittsburgh’s Hard Rock Cafe (that’s a picture of him from last year’s Crossroads Guitar Festival), but far be it for us to argue with Rolling Stone magazine that … Continue reading →

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A BluesPowR interview with Matt Schofield

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Mike

We’ve talked about British blues guitarist Matt Schofield here a few times in recent months, from his new album to his appearances at the Western Maryland Blues Festival and at Pittsburgh’s Club Cafe. Tomorrow, he’ll be appearing at Wheeling’s Heritage Music BluesFest, with his latest album, Anything But … Continue reading →

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Chicago Blues: A Living History returns with another blues (R)evolution

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Mike

You may recall 2009’s much-acclaimed two-disc collection Chicago Blues: A Living History, which featured Billy Branch, Lurrie Bell, John Primer, and Billy Boy Arnold performing their interpretations of songs representing the evolution of the Chicago blues, from early 1940s tunes like Sonny Boy Williamson’s “My Little … Continue reading →

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Blues Lyrics of the Week (Remembering Pinetop): Take My Hand, Precious Lord

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Mike

Earlier this week, we told you about the passing of legendary blues pianist Pinetop Perkins. Having begun his career playing with the likes of Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Nighthawk, B.B. King, and Earl Hooker, Perkins spent a dozen years tickling the … Continue reading →

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Bonamassa dusts it up on Dust Bowl

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Mike

With both his 2010 releases (Live from the Royal Albert Hall and Black Rock) still riding high on Billboard’s blues album charts, no one could blame Joe Bonamassa if he had decided to spend the first part of the new year taking … Continue reading →

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Farewell, Pinetop

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Mike

It’s another sad, sad day in the blues music world with the passing yesterday of a greatly admired and important bluesman, the 97-year-young piano-pounding, boogie woogieing Joe Willie “Pinetop” Perkins. We’re planning a special tribute to Perkins in the coming days, but in … Continue reading →

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Blues Lyrics of the Week: You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Mike

This week we spotlight another great Willie Dixon classic, with lyrics based on some rather simple but useful everyday wisdom. Popularized by Bo Diddley, the tune’s been recorded by many others through the years, including the Yardbirds, the Nighthawks, Long John Baldry, and … Continue reading →

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A chompin’ good time: 40 years on, Alligator still rockin’ the house

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Mike

Just as the Queen of the Blues Koko Taylor belts out in the opening lines of her “I’m a Woman” that starts the album, you know “everything gonna’ be alright” about the 40th Anniversary Collection from Alligator Records. From the indie label’s … Continue reading →

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Celebrating Robert Johnson, the Big Head way

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Mike

When it comes to the history of the blues, few names are better recognized than that of Robert Johnson, almost as much for the myth that surrounds him (you’ll recall the tale of Johnson having sold his soul to the devil … Continue reading →

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Blues Lyrics of the Week: Must Be Nice

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Mike

Here’s one we mentioned earlier this week as getting both a full-band and acoustic treatment – both of which are well worth a listen – on Rob Blaine‘s Big Otis Blues. Chances are most of us know a trust fund … Continue reading →

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