Category Archives: Albums

Three cheers (on 20 years) for the Music Makers!

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Mike

Few organizations have assisted as many blues men and women in need over the past two decades as the Music Maker Relief Foundation (MMRF), a North Carolina-based non-profit record label focused on supporting struggling traditional southern musicians by providing everything … Continue reading →

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New CD, star-studded Chicago benefit to honor memory of late bluesman Sean Costello

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Mike

It’s been just over six years now since the blues world lost singer, guitarist, and rising star Sean Costello. In that time, we’ve seen several new CDs of Costello material – including a good number of previously unreleased tracks on … Continue reading →

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35 years on, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones still playing the blues, Living Tear to Tear; plus an exclusive interview with Bluetones bassist Mudcat Ward

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Mike

We’ve all heard the adage “The more things change, the more they stay the same”, and perhaps no blues band today more resembles that comment than the storied Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, who have certainly seen their share of … Continue reading →

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Sons of the blues Mud Morganfield, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith team with players from fathers’ pasts on latest releases

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Mike

We’ve talked here plenty of times before about the numerous second generation bluesmen and women doing their parts to help keep their fathers’ music alive. So we were of course delighted to learn of separate new projects involving two true … Continue reading →

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Ladies sing the blues: hot new releases from Janiva Magness, Kelley Hunt

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Mike

Among the new releases that have showed up in our mailbox recently have been the latest recordings from two pretty terrific female vocalists, the much-acclaimed Janiva Magness and a somewhat lesser-known – but arguably no less talented – Kelley Hunt. … Continue reading →

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Celebration of Pittsburgh blues artists continues on Blues from the Burgh 4

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Mike

We don’t get the chance to write about local blues acts as much as we’d like these days, so we’re always glad when the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania (BSWPA) gives us a good reason to do so with another … Continue reading →

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Old time rock & roller Forrest McDonald back with some Turnaround Blues

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Mike

It’s hard to believe that the guy who played lead guitar on Bob Seger’s late-’70s hit “Old Time Rock & Roll” wouldn’t have become a household name at some point, but unless the name of Forrest McDonald is one that’s … Continue reading →

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Wrapped Up and Ready for your listening pleasure, The Mannish Boys’ latest CD is another winner

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Mike

The blues supergroup known as The Mannish Boys has done some pretty terrific stuff over the years, so to say that their newest CD Wrapped Up and Ready (Delta Groove Music) may just be their best yet is no small … Continue reading →

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2014 brings Good News for Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Mike

A little over a year ago, we just couldn’t say enough positive things about Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters‘ new CD, an almost entirely instrumental masterpiece called Just for Today. The good news for blues fans is that the band’s … Continue reading →

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Royal Southern Brotherhood gives heartsoulblood on sophomore studio release

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Mike

Just a month after picking up its first Blues Music Award for the DVD portion of its live Songs from the Road set, Royal Southern Brotherhood is back with its second studio release from Ruf Records, a little something called … Continue reading →

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