Author Archives: Mike

Blues guitarist and singer Larry McCray looks on the “Bright Side” with track originally written for Bobby “Blue” Bland

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Mike

We’ve been a big fan of Michigan-raised blues guitarist Larry McCray ever since we first heard him play the Pittsburgh Blues Festival a decade and a half back — and then discovered that McCray was the first artist to record … Continue reading →

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Tune into the Weekend: Blind Boys of Alabama’s Joey Williams joins North Mississippi Allstars on soul-stirring single “Don’t Let the Devil Ride”

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Mike

The North Mississippi Allstars have a new album coming in early June, but you don’t have–or want–to wait until then to take this one in: a simmering, soulful take on the oft-covered gospel blues classic “Don’t Let the Devil Ride” … Continue reading →

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Jus’ Blues Music Foundation celebrates 25 years with essential anniversary album

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Mike

We haven’t talked about the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation much here over the years, but their 25th anniversary seems as good a time as any to tell you about the organization’s good works, especially when that anniversary is accompanied by … Continue reading →

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Charlie Musselwhite blows up a Storm (Warning) on this single from upcoming album

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Mike

Here’s one from veteran bluesman Charlie Musselwhite‘s soon-to-be-released (as in, this Friday) album Look Out Highway (Forty Below Records) that we like for several reasons: in addition to having a bit more fire vocally than many Musselwhite tracks, this number … Continue reading →

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Catfish blues: final act from UK blues-rock band concludes masterful run

Posted on May 10, 2025 by Mike

Recently, we spotlighted the video for the title track from the final album from UK blues-rockers Catfish, Time to Fly. Today, we’re here to tell you about the rest of that album, a bittersweet project that stands as another terrific … Continue reading →

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Check out this “Bad Boy” of a single from Doyle Bramhall II off upcoming Antone’s 50th anniversary box set

Posted on May 6, 2025 by Mike

Late in April, New West Records announced the August release of a four LP, 41-track box set celebrating the 50th anniversary of Austin, Texas, blues music club Antone’s, a place that has helped launch or bolster the careers of many … Continue reading →

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“Grown Now”, D.K. Harrell is back with first single off Alligator Records debut

Posted on April 30, 2025 by Mike

Here’s a real groover from rising star D.K. Harrell, the first single from Harrell’s debut album on Alligator Records coming this summer, Talkin’ Heavy. Accented by horns, with Harrell’s vocals and guitar-playing both in full force, “Grown Now” is one … Continue reading →

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Blues trio GA-20 is no stranger to our playlist with latest single “Stranger Blues” (and rest of their new EP!)

Posted on April 26, 2025 by Mike

Anyone who may have thought that the departure of two-thirds of the original lineup of Boston blues trio GA-20 would set the Matt Stubbs-led band back would have been greatly mistaken, judging by the band’s new four-track EP (EP Volume … Continue reading →

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Every day can sound just like Jazz Fest with new album from Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen

Posted on April 22, 2025 by Mike

We’re down to just two sleeps away from the start of the annual New Orleans Jazz Festival, so if you’re beginning to look ahead for some music to hold you over between your Jazz Festival weekends (besides listening to any … Continue reading →

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Catfish releases title track video from band’s final album

Posted on April 19, 2025 by Mike

Last August, we told you about a superb mini-album from UK blues-rockers Catfish. Sadly, the band’s very talented guitarist and singer Matt Long lost his battle with cancer just a few months later, in probably the most tragic loss to … Continue reading →

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