Author Archives: Mike

Blues on the Pittsburgh stage

Posted on April 5, 2010 by Mike

Evidently “still alive and well,” international blues guitar legend and producer Johnny Winter will be in Pittsburgh this Thursday, April 8 for a performance at Diesel Club Lounge. The subject of an upcoming biography (Raisin’ Cain: the Wild and Raucous Story of … Continue reading →

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Nighthawks taking Last Train to Blawnox

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Mike

With a flip of the calendars to a fresh month, April 16th might be a date worth noting for those of you in southwestern PA. That’s when the legendary Nighthawks will be stopping by Moondog’s in Blawnox in support of the band’s … Continue reading →

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Blues Lyrics of the Week: If the Washing Don’t Get You…

Posted on March 30, 2010 by Mike

Composed by Homer Banks of Stax Records fame, this one can be heard on recordings by Albert King, The Mannish Boys, and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, to name a few. “How many men can you find, Will give a woman … Continue reading →

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Hats off to Downchild on I Need a Hat

Posted on March 27, 2010 by Mike

After four decades in the business, the band Downchild thinks they’ve finally figured it out: all they really need to be famous bluesmen are hats. Hence the title of the band’s latest release I Need a Hat, available April 6 from Linus Entertainment. … Continue reading →

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Quick takes: The Holmes Brothers, The Mannish Boys, and the ‘Burgh’s bluesiest

Posted on March 25, 2010 by Mike

As the month begins to wind to a close, here are a few more March releases worth checking out: The Holmes Brothers Feed My Soul (Alligator Records) You can always count on the Holmes Brothers for some interesting lyrics and music, and … Continue reading →

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Blues Lyrics of the Week: Office Move Edition

Posted on March 23, 2010 by Mike

Having spent the past few weeks preparing for and unpacking from a rather large office move, I’ve recently come to understand more clearly the appeal of traveling light. This concept is perhaps no better illustrated in the blues than in the … Continue reading →

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Blues Lyrics of the Week: Train to Memphis

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Mike

Our latest B.L.O.W. (Blues Lyrics of the Week) is about as current as you can get, coming off of the Kilborn Alley Blues Band‘s latest CD Better Off Now (Blue Bella Records), out today. Produced by Nick Moss, this one is chock full of … Continue reading →

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On Privileged, a rolling Moss gathers some rock

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Mike

It’s not difficult to figure out how Chicago bluesman Nick Moss found his way to the cover of the April/May issue of Blues Revue magazine. Between the publication’s recent naming of Moss’ Play It ‘Til Tomorrow double album as one of the 25 best blues albums of the … Continue reading →

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Blues Lyrics of the Week: How Blue Can You Get

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Mike

This week we spotlight a true blues classic from none other than the King of the Blues, who, on his Live at the Regal album, asks the audience to pay particular attention to the lyrics and “not so much the singing and … Continue reading →

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More Blues from the ‘Burgh

Posted on March 4, 2010 by Mike

If you’re looking for some good live blues around the ‘Burgh this weekend, you might consider checking out the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania‘s Sunday party at the Palisades in McKeesport, where the organization and some of its closest musician friends … Continue reading →

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