Category Archives: Albums

Blues-rocker Joanne Shaw Taylor reveals The Dirty Truth on indie label debut

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Mike

After three acclaimed studio albums as well as last fall’s live Songs from the Road CD/DVD set – all on the German Ruf Records label – UK-born, now U.S.-based, blues-rocker Joanne Shaw Taylor has stepped out on her own with … Continue reading →

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Gary Clark Jr. back and blu on new Live double CD/vinyl

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Mike

Anyone who thought that Gary Clark Jr.‘s smash debut on Warner Brothers Records, Blak and Blu, might not have been, well, bluesy enough probably isn’t likely to have the same view of the rising guitarist’s new live album, out today, … Continue reading →

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Blues-rock artist Joe Bonamassa unveils another masterpiece in Different Shades of Blue

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Mike

As a father, I’m frequently reminding my children to take the time to cherish the moment they’re in rather than always looking ahead to what might be coming next. I’ve had to take that same advice myself recently when it … Continue reading →

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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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