Category Archives: Albums

The Fabulous Johnny Moeller

Posted on April 19, 2010 by Mike

Johnny Moeller, BlooGaLoo! (Severn Records, April 20) If you’re reading this wondering who in the heck Johnny Moeller is, well, you’re probably not alone. But fortunately the answer is simple: he’s one of the best and most energetic guitarists you’ve likely never heard – at … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums | Tagged | Comments Off on The Fabulous Johnny Moeller

Shakura S’Aida Finds Sweet Spot on Brown Sugar

Posted on April 9, 2010 by Mike

With strong, smooth vocals and a great jazz/blues sound, Shakura S’Aida‘s Ruf Records debut, Brown Sugar (April 13),makes for a pretty sweet treat. Anything but shy in kicking off this follow-up to her 2006 Blueprint, the Toronto-based vocalist digs right in with the opening … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums | Tagged | Comments Off on Shakura S’Aida Finds Sweet Spot on Brown Sugar

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 →

Posted in Albums, Shows | Tagged | Comments Off on Nighthawks taking Last Train to Blawnox

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 →

Posted in Albums | Tagged | Comments Off on Hats off to Downchild on I Need a Hat

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 →

Posted in Albums | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Quick takes: The Holmes Brothers, The Mannish Boys, and the ‘Burgh’s bluesiest

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 →

Posted in Albums, Lyrics | Tagged | Comments Off on Blues Lyrics of the Week: Train to Memphis

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 →

Posted in Albums | Tagged | Comments Off on On Privileged, a rolling Moss gathers some rock

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 →

Posted in Albums, Shows | Tagged | Comments Off on More Blues from the ‘Burgh

Blues Music Award acoustic spotlight: Samuel James

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Mike

As I was casting my votes for this spring’s Blues Music Awards, I noted Samuel James among the nominees in both the acoustic artist and acoustic album categories. Life can be a bit tough for a man with two first names, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums | Tagged | Comments Off on Blues Music Award acoustic spotlight: Samuel James

Soul Fixin’ Fan: Luther’s Songs from the Road

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Mike

Listening to and watching Luther Allison‘s Songs from the Road (Ruf Records), it’s pretty difficult to believe that the bluesman had only a month to live at the time of its taping. Less than a week after this July 1997 appearance at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums | Tagged | Comments Off on Soul Fixin’ Fan: Luther’s Songs from the Road