Sunday, February 29, 2004

Birger Olsen - Solo fingerstyle contemporary acoustic blues. A refreshing mix of blues, folk and bluegrass

Saturday, February 28, 2004

A.C. Reed, sax player of the Chicago blues scene, died Wednesday, February 25, 2004, from complications due to cancer. Aged 77
Mean Gene Kelton & The Die Hards: Mean Guitar - Pure rockin' Texas Blues, with some swamp ballads mixed in
K.M. Williams: The Minister of Texas Boogie - Footstompin' Country Blues Boogie in the style of John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Slim Harpo with a few Spirituals on the side (Blind Willie Johnson style)
Blisterstring with Frank Goldwasser: The Highway Is Like A Woman - Back-in-the-alley, low-down, funky-as-you-wanna-be electric blues
R.J. Mischo: Meet Me On The Coast - sixteen tracks of swingin', drivin', soothin' and funky blues - all recording "live" in the studio
Danny Brooks: It's A Southern Thing - Heartland Blues with Americana flavorings, songs with a positive message

Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Rory Block, Maria Muldaur, Eric Bibb: Sisters & Brothers - Release Date February 24, 2004
Tab Benoit, Jimmy Thackery: Whiskey Store Live - Release Date: February 24, 2004
Robin Henkel: Acoustic Blues - Slide guitar master Robin Henkel plays and sings the country blues of Mississippi with a raw, gutsy, primative feel
No Agenda: Until Further Notice - A blend of Rock, Blues and Contemporary Jazz, with a taste of Country
Dr BenDix: White Lies - US southern rock influences of ZZ Top, Allman Bros., Warren Haynes, and a few more in the writing, playing and arranging
GILES: blood from a stone - GILES are re-inventing the blues, the way Hendrix did in the 60's. Cool, classic, funky, kicking. Great songs and great playing
Earl Oliver & Friends: The Walkin' Blues Man! - Traditional blues and jazz, plus a cowboy song or two

Monday, February 23, 2004

Liz Lottmann: Memphis Revisited - True Memphis sound featuring the right-on vocal performance of Liz Lottmann, and members of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, and Ben Cauley of the legendary Bar-Kays. She is the only female singer/songwriter to have recorded under contract at Sam Phillips Studio in Memphis
Lb. Salt: Nothin' For Nothin' - Guitar oriented Blues, with a rock feel. Emphasis on vocals. Tongue in cheek -w- bitten tongue
Sally Weisenburg: Homemade & Hot - "This CD is full of great R&B and good old N'awlins soul and boogie woogie. The playing is great, the sound is great, and it's got really cool songs and Sally is as soulful as they come. I'm still enjoying this CD after months of it being in the house. JAMES PENNEBAKER - Guitar, steel guitar, fiddle for Delbert McClinton
The Porch Rockers - A wonderful blend of Delta and Chicago blues as well as Country and American Roots music. This is the album recorded before their current release "Heard the News". Although a studio album, much of this disk was recorded live
Doug P. Lamb: Grey - High energy eclectic blues with a touch of funk and just a taste of class. (Just a taste, mind you.)
Vasti Jackson: No Borders To The Blues - Intense, funky, soulful, rocking, deep futuristic blues with guitar as hot as the Mississippi Delta and vocals honed by the trail of life
Jim Condie: Distant Cousins - "If those classic early Cooder albums like 'Into the Purple Valley' and 'Chicken Skin Music' are on your record racks, I strongly suggest you check out Distant Cousins - it might be Scottish made but it has an all American feel" - Hifi Plus Magazine
Dan Lange: Please & Thank You - This is a strong outing from Slide Guitarist Dan Lange, with around 45 minutes of material including Studio tracks and a pressure cooker of a live set at Berkeley's "Bison Brewery"
Doreen Robideaux and her Soul Kitchen: It's In The Can - Jazzy and soulful Blues with a touch of funk, with steamy sax and hot, howling vocals in the tradition of Etta James and Janis Joplin
Mark Tolstrup: That's The Way I Heard It - Passionate blues and upbeat ragtime on guitar & vocals with clarinet and tuba filling out 3 of the tracks. A postcard from the American roots musical landscape from New Orleans to Tin Pan Alley
The Norman Sylvester Band: A Family Affair - Original Northwest Blues and R&B By the "Boogie Cat" Norman Sylvester. Original Music in the Key of Life

Saturday, February 21, 2004

Chris Bell & 100% Blues: Year of The Blues LIVE - Live contemporary electric Blues blending styles of past and present Blues greats..a must have
John Nemeth: The Jack of Harps - A blast of Chicago-Style harmonica Blues. "John Nemeth and The Jacks are stellar exponents of retro-style blues....Don't miss this" - Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue Magazine. "The show stealer of the afternoon was a vocalist with as many octaves as humanly possible or so it seemed. Either John Nemeth is one of the greatest vocalists in the world or this was the best performance of his life, or both. Write down his name, you will hear about him for many years to come." - Bob Horn, President, Washington Blues Society

Friday, February 20, 2004

Barry Rapp: Gypsy Soul - Soulful blues; a hammond b-3 organ powered set of originals and classic covers, done in a southern style
Katfish Karr: Katfishblues - Leslie Benson entertainment writer for The Dayton City Paper states: "Pure aged blues within the realm of Steely Dan & Chuck Berry, the music on Katfishblues reflects the ups and downs in life in a sophisticated manner"
Gregg Lee Henry - Roots, blues, country, alternative diverse songwriter
Derek Cooper & the Minis: Candies - brings you their intrumental soundtrack of modern life in the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose "Bay Area." This fun-loving group has put together an assortment of "ear candy" for your listening pleasure, ranging from funky blues, jazzy rock to rocking blues
Vini and the Demons - Raw passionate intense blues with an edge
Blue Sun: Rise Up - A mixture of rock and blues with burning guitar work and lyrics that help fuel the fire. It has created its sound by mixing rock, funk, blues, reggae and even a nod to Santana, to provide a well balanced disk that will appeal to many

Thursday, February 19, 2004

Wang Dang: Doodles, Volume One - Wang Dang is a groundbreaking instrumental and vocal duo in the tradition of Hot Tuna that is influenced by many different styles of music, performed with the unusual combination of National Resonator guitar and 8-string electric bass
Heaven's Call: Not So Blues - Blends the old style of the blues with modern acoustic Gospel
Big Daddy 'O': Deranged Covers - Hard driving Acoustic Blues Artist from the Louisiana Mississippi Delta

Wednesday, February 18, 2004

Darryl Hill: Hootin The Blues - Electric Blues or Late 60's Rock. He plays Blues in the Chicago Style of Muddy Waters with hints of Jazz and acoustic elements

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Steve Omalev: Never Heard Of It - A swampy, bluesy New Orleans style feel, emphasizing various 2nd line rhythms, with very clever lyrics, and outstanding instrumental performances
Alan Gerber: Chicken Walk - Soulful old-time accoustic delta blues feeling with original intelligent material played on the piano, guitars, fiddles and delivered with extremely powerful yet sensitive vocals
Alan Gerber: The BoogieMan - Boogie, blues, soulful gospel; original singer-songwriter, Alan Gerber, on piano, guitar & fiddle backed up by an amazing high-energy bunch of players
Alan Gerber: Live, For A Limited Time Only - Rootsy blues , gospel , soulful, original singer, songwriter playing piano, guitars, fiddle & accordion
Alan Gerber: Fools That Try - Blues roots, soul, and gospel; original singer-songwriter presented in an acoustic style with some incredible musical guests
Chris Farlowe: Farlowe That - The latest album by the best blues/soul singer that the UK has ever produced, features Van Morrison dueting on one track

Sunday, February 15, 2004

2004 Juno Awards - Blues Album of the Year nominees: Ray Bonneville, Morgan Davis, David Gogo, Harrison Kennedy, Harry Manx & Kevin Breit
Albert Cummings: From the Heart - "Albert Cummings blasts onto the blues/rock scene armed with a rare blend of power, authority and soul." Andy Aledort -Senior Editor, Guitar World Magazine This album was produced by Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon of the legendary "Double Trouble"

Friday, February 13, 2004

Frank Huskins: No Purchase Necessary - Raw Blues/Rock Roots, intertwined with beautiful folk lyrics, to create an interesting soundscape of songs
Jr. Johnny: Bluesy Bohemian - All original songs. Happy, fun & upbeat. Wide range of blues with rock& folk mix. Party & dance music. Great lyrics & poetry. Virtuoso Deep toned Blues Harmonica
Will Ray: Mojo Blues - Soulful electric Blues featuring red hot country/ blues/jazz guitar picking and slide work

Thursday, February 12, 2004

The new voice of Palmetto State soul and blues, Miss Wanda Johnson has an incredible voice, writes fine original material, and possesses a stage charm that can win over any audience. Fresh from her recent tour of Italy, Miss Wanda will perform classic material from the soul and blues traditions PLUS selections from her critically-acclaimed debut CD Call Me Miss Wanda (2003, Erwin Music). Budweiser Blues Bash 2004, Charleston, SC

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

Rocky Zharp: Songs For You And A Song For Me - All songs were rcorded with 1990's technology but in the fashion of the 1950's. Smart, funky blues
Hillstomp: One Word - Hill country punk blues from Portland, Oregon

Monday, February 09, 2004

Tenry Johns: Need Your Love - Up-tempo Soul & Blues
Matt Minglewood: Drivin' Wheel - Minglewood is a musical hybrid, a four-member band with one foot steeped in the musical roots of blues and country and the other knee-deep in rock. They are masters of improv and genre bending and their constant touring has earned them the well-deserved
Roxanne Potvin: Careless Loving - A blend of Texas Rock n' Roll, West Coast Jump, fifties R & B, traditional Chicago Blues
Octavia: Driven By the Harp - Octavia has led and been in various bands across the United States most of her life. She toured with Etta James in California in the mid 70's, and played with Freddie King, as well as The Meters (Funky Meters/Neville Brothers)
Randy Volin & The Sonic Blues: Waking Up With Wood - From Detroit, a rough and tumble, kicked around hard in the clubs, set of music. Big Time Tone
Matt Minglewood: Live at Last - an inspired blend of country, blues, roots and rock
Willie Lomax Blues Revue: Give Me Back My Teeth - Featuring Ronnie Earl, Sam Carr, James Peterson and Rock Bottom."Smouldering guitar licks" BLUEPRINT. "Guitar fireworks showcase elegant dynamics of touch and tone...Sam Carr's dominating delta time separates this from the hordes of generic new blues"
Randy Volin & The Sonic Blues: Used Guitars - Out of the street of the Motorcity. Playing with the toughness of Detroit, the sound of Chicago/ St. Louis, and with a rock n roll cool. Not loud and fast, but long and deep. Like Albert King, Johnny Winter, Ronnie Earl, and Jimmy Vaughan all in one

Saturday, February 07, 2004

Dr BenDix: Life Is A Rocky Road - It rocks and has good soul. The voice is good too. I hear US southern rock influences of ZZ Top, Allman Bros. , Warren Haynes, and a few more in the writing, playing and arranging

Tuesday, February 03, 2004

Buddaheads: Howlin' At The Moon - featuring premier Asian blues/rock guitarist-vocalist, Alan Mirikitani a.k.a B.B. Chung King. An outstanding collection of pure, classy, diverse, awesome blues/rock heavy guitar power trio joy
The Porch Rockers: Heard The News - Original roots music in the tradition of their heroes: Muddy Waters, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and B.B. King. Their intelligent and well crafted songs are supported by excellent musicianship and vocals

Sunday, February 01, 2004

Rusty Cloud: Walkin' The Night - A mix of blues, soul and Americana featuring guest performances from Southside Johnny, "Blue Lou" Marini, Bob Mintzer, Bobby Bandiera and many more
Dale LeRoy Perry: Moan My Name - This unique vocal and guitar weave creates a laid back acoustc experience, born in country blues and raised in Texas
Mitch Kashmar: Crazy Mixed-Up World - Harmonica-drenched Chicago blues with full band
S'killit: Blue Fever - A blend of blues, jazz, soul and New Orleans-flavored Americana
Murali Coryell: Eyes Wide Open - Original soul and blues in the stax/volt style with an added dose of funk. This was the debut release of Murali Coryell and is a lost blues/soul classic
Belushi - Aykroyd: Have Love Will Travel - Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi have formed a new musical revue entitled 'Have Love Will Travel - Big Men Big Music.' The new "Have Love" record contains twelve songs which represent years of searching for material by Aykroyd and Belushi. The Revue features Aykroyd and Belushi on tour as vocalists, dancers, musicians as well as the shows co-emcees