Percy Mayfield - Poet Of The Blues / Memory Pain Vol. 2

Album: Poet Of The Blues
Size: 156,5 MB
Time: 67:34
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1990
Styles: R&B, West Coast Blues, Piano Blues
Art: Front

01. Please Send Me Someone To Love (2:57)
02. Prayin' For Your Return (2:59)
03. Strange Things Happening (2:52)
04. Life Is Suicide (2:51)
05. What A Fool I Was (2:49)
06. Lost Love (Baby, Please Come Back To Me) (2:58)
07. Nightless Lover (2:30)
08. Advice (For Men Only) (2:27)
09. Cry Baby (2:53)
10. Lost Mind (2:44)
11. I Dare You, Baby (2:19)
12. Hopeless (3:04)
13. The Hunt Is On (2:16)
14. The River's Invitation (2:56)
15. The Big Question (2:52)
16. Wasted Dream (3:07)
17. Louisiana (2:08)
18. The Bachelor Blues (2:51)
19. Get Away Back (2:41)
20. Memory Pain (2:33)
21. Loose Lips (1:59)
22. You Don't Exist No More (2:50)
23. Nightmare (2:25)
24. Baby, You're Rich (2:21)
25. My Heart Is Cryin' (2:59)

The insightful songwriting skills of this West Coaster were matched by his wry, plaintive vocal delivery (Mayfield was usually his own best interpreter). The 25 sides here date from his hit-laden 1950-1954 stay at Art Rupe's Specialty logo and include his universal lament "Please Send Me Someone to Love," and the resolutely downbeat "Strange Things Happening" and "Lost Love," and an ironic "The River's Invitation." Saxman Maxwell Davis led the horn-powered combos providing sympathetic support behind Mayfield. ~Review by Bill Dahl

Thanks to Marc.
Poet Of The Blues

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Album: Memory Pain: Vol. 2
Size: 151,0 MB
Time: 65:04
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1992
Styles: R&B, West Coast Blues, Piano Blues
Art: Front

01. Please Send Me Someone To Love (2:46)
02. Strange Things Happening (2:52)
03. Two Hearts Are Greater Than One (3:01)
04. The Big Question (2:53)
05. My Blues (2:52)
06. Nightless Lover (2:22)
07. How Deep Is The Well (2:43)
08. Ruthie Mae (2:32)
09. My Heart (3:01)
10. Lonesome Highway (2:33)
11. The Lonely One (2:23)
12. I Ain't Gonna Cry No More (2:18)
13. Memory Pain (2:48)
14. You Are My Future (2:40)
15. Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (2:33)
16. Advice (For Men Only) (2:26)
17. I Need Love So Bad (2:53)
18. Does Anyone Care For Me (2:29)
19. It's Good To See You Baby (2:17)
20. Sugar Mama-Peachy Papa (2:33)
21. You Were Lyin' To Me (2:58)
22. The Voice Within (2:32)
23. Please Believe Me (2:30)
24. Diggin' The Moonglow (2:30)
25. Hit The Road Jack (1:30)

Ranging from major hits to alternate takes and rarities, this CD (released in 1992) illustrates the prolific nature of Percy Mayfield's Specialty Records output during the 1950s. Though not everything on Memory Pain is essential, the collection of early R&B and 12-bar blues is consistently satisfying. The best known song here is the number one hit of 1950, "Please Send Me Someone to Love," and many listeners will also be familiar with such gems as "Strange Things Happening" and the title song. A singer who was flexible as well as charismatic, Mayfield is as convincing on a rare version of the mournful, jazz-tinged "Nightless Lovers" as he is on 12-bar numbers like "My Blues" and "The Big Question." The CD ends on an interesting note with a demo of "Hit the Road Jack" (which became a major hit for Ray Charles). Highly recommended. ~Review by Alex Henderson

Thanks to Marc.
Memory Pain Vol. 2

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Downchild - Can You Hear The Music

Size: 102,7 MB
Time: 44:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Modern Electric Blues
Art: Front

01. Can You Hear The Music (4:06)
02. I'm Always Here For You (3:27)
03. I Need A Woman (3:48)
04. Blue Moon Blues (5:33)
05. Fasten Your Seatbelt (3:52)
06. This Road (3:10)
07. My Mississippi Queen (4:59)
08. One In A Million (4:29)
09. Don't Wait Up For Me (3:34)
10. Worn In (3:44)
11. Scattered (3:39)

The facsimile of the famous Sam The Record Man, fluorescent Yonge Street sign on the cover of Downchild’s latest record, “Can You Hear The Music” proudly states “Live Blues Since 1969”

And just like that fabled Energizer Bunny, Downchild’s Donnie Walsh just keeps rolling along with his prodigious outlay of material, this marking his 32ndh recording. With Chuck Jackson still assuming the vocal spotlight, Walsh continues with his trademark Downchild sound of blues guitar licks overladen by Michael Fonfara’s distinctive Hammond Organ and spiced by tasty horn arrangements courtesy of saxophonist Pat Carey.

In all Downchild records, it’s the lead vocalist who takes centre stage, and following in the footsteps as such notables as Tony Flaim and Hock Walsh, Jackson continues to inject his own distinctive vocal print on the recording, be it the lively “Can You Hear The Music” opener with its familiar “Flip Flop And Fly” arrangement or the slow vocal burn of `My Mississippi Queen’ and `Blue Moon Blues’. Yet through the entire record, Walsh acts as the band’s quarterback producing and writing all the songs as well as firing up arrangements like “I’m Always Here For You’ or the up-tempo `Fasten Your Safety Belt” with his own distinctive guitar leads or infectious harmonica solos.

Add to this Fonfara’s all-important Hammond Organ styling and the tasty horn licks of Pat Carey (sax), Peter Jeffery (trumpet) and the air-tight rhythm section of drummer Mike Fitzpatrick and bassist Gary Kendall and you have a revitalized Downchild outfit’s whose new record should be warmly greeted by all ages of blues enthusiasts.

Can You Hear The Music

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Philip Morgan Lewis - Karma Comedown EP

Size: 50,0 MB
Time: 21:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Karma Comedown (3:15)
02. Hell Hole Blues (2:44)
03. Set You Free (3:07)
04. Parlay Woods (4:08)
05. One Day (4:14)
06. Little A (3:50)

After spending years building a solid foundation of material and experience, blues singer and guitarist Philip Morgan Lewis is finally breaking out of his London base. Though Lewis’ very first performance came as a ten-year-old at the annual Newport Jazz Festival, most of his childhood and teenage years were spent absorbing an eclectic selection of blues and jazz musicians in Ireland and honing his own musical chops at clubs in Dublin and London. Earlier this year, Lewis released a new EP entitled Karma Comedown, a follow-up to his 2010 debut album Reborn.

Featuring a touch of folk, a hint of country and an ample helping of slide guitar and studio fuzz, Karma Comedown blends decades of influences together to stand as one concise work, a product of one individual’s creative vision and the musical history that made it possible. Sounding at times like Bob Dylan and occasionally Ronnie Lane, Lewis uses his voice as an instrument, able to adapt to the vocal demands of each of the EP’s six tracks. In the beginning of “Parlay Woods,” Lewis sings like a young Dylan, an effect that wears away as the song develops and Lewis’ full voice steps in to lead the muted backing vocals of his band. If “Parlay Woods” is the soulful folk-trending segment of Karma Comedown, “Hell Hole Blues” is undoubtedly the record’s gritty blues track. Fueled by dirty feedback and immediate slide guitar work at the outset, “Hell Hole Blues” carries a heavy beat that warms to the reel-to-reel technology of 1970s tape that Lewis used to record the EP. Slow and sure, “Hell Hole Blues” comes across as one of Karma Comedown’s shining moments, a repeat-worthy song within an already well-made EP.

Since its release in June 2013, Karma Comedown has attracted the most attention for its title track, an upbeat piece that has enjoyed extensive play on Planet Rock in the UK and recently broke into the U.S. radio scene, as well. With “Karma Comedown” leading the charge, Lewis is beginning to make a splash in the UK and U.S. blues rock scenes and is certainly an artist to keep an eye on. The Review: 8/10 ~Review by Meghan Roos

Karma Comedown

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Mitch Woods - Keeper Of The Flame / Jukebox Drive

Album: Keeper Of The Flame
Size: 111,2 MB
Time: 48:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1996
Styles: Boogie Woogie, Jump Blues
Art: Full

01. Chicago Express (Feat. James Cotton) (2:30)
02. Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive (Feat. John Lee Hooker) (5:15)
03. Rocket 88 (2:50)
04. Blues Ya 'fore I Lose Ya (Feat. Johnnie Johnson) (5:00)
05. Big Chief (Feat. Earl King & James Cotton) (4:26)
06. Blues Hangover (Feat. James Cotton) (3:51)
07. Blue Boogie (Feat. Johnnie Johnson) (4:19)
08. Full Tilt Boogie (Feat. Johnnie Johnson) (5:16)
09. Moanin' N' Ticklin' (Feat. Lee Allen) (3:38)
10. Those Lonely, Lonely Nights (Feat. Earl King) (3:41)
11. Jump For Joy (Feat. Lee Allen) (3:04)
12. Blues For Michael (Feat. James Cotton) (4:17)

Dubbing his swinging approach "rock-a-boogie," pianist Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88s have revived the jump blues approach of the '40s and '50s. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Mitch Woods moved to San Francisco in 1970. While he was growing up in Brooklyn, he studied both jazz and classical music, but when he relocated to the Bay Area, he primarily played jump blues and R&B. San Franciscan guitarist HiTide Harris introduced Woods to the joyous jive of Louis Jordan, and the pianist's musical tastes were transformed. Between 1970 and 1980, Woods performed as a solo artist, gigging at a number of local clubs. In 1980, he formed the Rocket 88s, featuring Harris on guitar, and four years later, the band released their debut album, Steady Date, on Blind Pig. The album led to concerts at national blues clubs and festivals, as well as several European dates in 1987. In 1988, Woods and the Rocket 88s released their second album, Mr. Boogie's Back in Town, and embarked on another round of shows in America, Canada, and Europe. Three years later, their third album, Solid Gold Cadillac, appeared. Woods and the Rocket 88s continued to tour and perform in the '90s, releasing their fourth album, Shakin' the Shack, in 1993. Jump for Joy was issued in early 2001. ~Biography by Bill Dahl

Keeper Of The Flame

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Album: Jukebox Drive (Feat. The Lazy Jumpers)
Size: 110,9 MB
Time: 47:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2008
Styles: Boogie Woogie, Jump Blues
Art: Full

01. Jukebox Drive (3:47)
02. Drunk (3:35)
03. Boppin' The Boogie (3:53)
04. Blue Light Boogie (4:41)
05. Saturday Night Boogie Woogie Man (2:40)
06. Blues Hangover (3:47)
07. Boogie Woogie Bar-B-Q (3:55)
08. Tipitina (4:58)
09. Boom Boom (4:28)
10. Parchman Farm (6:02)
11. Swell Lookin' Babe (2:36)
12. Mitch's Boogie (3:25)

Jukebox Drive

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Big Bat Blues Band - Haze Hot Blues

Size: 76,8 MB
Time: 33:16
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Acoustic Blues, Dirty Blues
Art: Front

01. Out (3:36)
02. By My Side (4:58)
03. Go Go Go (2:08)
04. Condition Of Living (5:04)
05. Nine Sreet (3:12)
06. Hard To Be Now (3:26)
07. I Gotta New Babe (2:56)
08. Here Is My Hand (3:59)
09. Haze Repeat (3:53)

Este é o ano. Em 2012 a Big Bat Blues Band lança seu 2º album Haze Hot Blues, em Rio das Ostras e mostra seu vigoroso blues tradicional recheado de swing e uma pegada para fazer dançar. Com inúmeras referências que vão de Chicago à crueza do norte do Mississippi a Big Bat mostrou sua descontração num palco charmoso com uma concha acústica que deixa tudo ainda mais vibrante.

Este novo album percorre uma trajetória de quase 20 anos de blues band. E esta dedicação vem acompanhada de vitalidade e com interpretações únicas, composições próprias e um novo jeito de mostrar velhos clássicos.
Reforçando o quinteto da Big Bat com sua harmônica, está um convidado de peso, consagrado tanto em solo brasileiro quanto no cenário internacional – Jefferson Gonçalves.

Novas propostas e diferentes estilos, mas todos voltados e enraizados no bom e velho blues. Seja com referências afro ou com um jeito mais melódico de New Orleans este novo projeto vem com tudo para agradar tanto aos novos ouvintes do gênero quanto aos mais tradicionais e puristas.

A banda é formada por:
Eugenio Goulart – Voz
Claudio França – Slide Guitar
Marcelo Maia – Guitar
Paulo Sodre – Baixo
Bruno Zanetti – Bateria

Melody Girls - Larissa Pacheco, Kessy Borges e Sabrina Cordeiro

Haze Hot Blues

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James WHEELER - Can't Take It / Ready!

Born in Albany, Georgia, Wheeler joined his brother, Golden 'Big' Wheeler, in Chicago at the age of 19. He immediately began playing guitar, inspired by Freddie King, and within a few years was playing fulltime in clubs with Joe Carter, initially on bass, later on guitar. From the early '60s to early '70s he was in an R&B band, The Jaguars, and later worked with Otis Clay, Buddy Scott, Otis Rush (1986-92), Mississippi Heat (1992-96), Magic Slim (1997-2000) and Willie Kent. He has recorded with Aaron More too.

___________________________________________________________________

Album: CAN'T TAKE IT
Styles: Modern Electric Chicago Blues
Recorded: 1999
Released: 2000
Bitrate: 320k/s
Size:  169.08 MB
Time: 72:40
Art: Full

1. Who Loves You Baby? - 3:36        
2. Wasting My Time - 5:04        
3. The Weaker Sex - 4:04        
4. This Can't Be Happening To Me - 7:20        
5. Sometimes - 5:29        
6. She's Gonna Pay - 5:42        
7. Come Home - 3:31        
8. You Make It Hard Baby - 7:58        
9. I Can't Take It - 4:50        
10. These Hard Hard Times - 5:14        
11. Goin' To The Station - 5:36        
12. My Baby's Gone - 3:59        
13. Where Did You Stay Last Night? - 6:55        
14. Sweet Thang - 3:22

Personnel: James WHEELER - Guitar, Vocals
Billy Flynn - Guitar
Ken Saydak - Piano
Ron Sorin - Harmonica
Bob Stroger - Bass
Marty Binder - Drums

Note: Cant Take It is the second release from Chicago blues guitarist James Wheeler. Backed by pianist Ken Saydak, guitarist Billy Flynn (heard on the right channel), bassist Bob Stroger, drummer Marty Binder, and harp player Ron Sorin taking the place of James brother Golden Big Wheeler on this session. Wheeler's guitar playing is consistently flashy through this set, while other bright moments include Flynn's twangy solo on the dirty blues "You Make It Hard Baby" and Saydak's funky organ playing on the lazy shuffle "Goin to the Station." Wheeler isn't the strongest vocalist around but he gets his message across on tracks like "This Can't Be Happening to Me," "My Baby's Gone," and "I Can't Take It."

                                                                 Can't Take It
___________________________________________________________________

Album: READY!
Styles: Modern Electric Chicago Blues 
Recorded: 1997
Released: 1998
Bitrate: 320k/s
Size:  154.74 MB
Time: 66:46
Art: Full

1. Ready - 4:43
2. This Old Freight Train - 6:12
3. Gonna Make Some Changes - 3:40
4. My Key Won't Fit That Lock No More - 5:02
5. Cold Hearted Woman - 5:05
6. Blues At Midnight - 6:59
7. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl - 4:06
8. Bad Girl - 3:44
9. Extension 309 - 6:36
10. I'm Just Your Fool - 3:41
11. My Baby's Comin' Home - 3:21
12. Hound Dog - 8:45
13. Looking For My Baby - 4:04

Personnel: James WHEELER - Guitar, Vocal
Billy Flynn - Rhythm Guitar
Ken Saydak - Piano
Bob Stroger - Bass
Vernon Rodgers - Drums
and:
Golden 'Big' Wheeler - Harmonica tr.2,10
Gloria Thompson-Rodgers - Vocal tr.8

Notes: James Wheeler, begin the notes on 'Ready!', 'is a quiet man'. You might guess as much. Both his singing and his playing are unaggressive, the expressions of a temperate personality. Compared with the strenuous, emphatic music of many of his Chicago colleagues, his has a smooth, unruffled texture that evokes the cool manner of a T-Bone Walker-almost explicity in numbers like 'Extension 309' or 'Hound Dog', which is not the Leiber-Stoller breed but a hound of different colour, sleepy and slow-moving.Nonetheless, this is, for the most part, essentially Chicago-style music, as with these accompanists it could hardly fail to be, and if it taps discreetly at the listener's door rather than shout through the keyhole, there are respectable precedents for that.

                                                                       Ready!
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Sam Bowen & The Blue Cat Groove - Sam Bowen & The Blue Cat Groove

Released: 2013
Size: 88.8 MB
Time: 36:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles: Electric Blues / Rock
Art: Front

1. The Jungle [4:40]
2. When Love Comes to Town [3:06]
3. Wade in the Water [4:09]
4. Lay Me Down [3:14]
5. Blue Cat Groove [2:14]
6. Sweet Home Chicago [4:12]
7. Go Down Moses [3:54]
8. Come On In [4:23]
9. A World of Trouble [2:24]
10. Soulshine [4:10]

Sam Bowen & Blue Cat Groove is a five piece blues band playing classic blues and original compostions.
BCG is guitar and keyboard driven by a solid rythem section. Combine that with the sultry and soul stirring
lead vocals of Kimberly Hodgens Smith and you have a band that can burn the house down. Blue Cat Groove
is an award nominated blues band that travels the Northeast whereever heart flelt bues rock is appreciated.

Sam Bowen & Blue Cat Groove

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Emilio Crixell - One Roadhouse Away

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 41:54
Size: 95.9 MB
Styles: Texas blues
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[2:28] 1. Love Thing
[4:01] 2. Walking Out Your Backdoor
[3:47] 3. Half Dead
[5:04] 4. Love Holding Out
[3:45] 5. Riverside Blues
[7:13] 6. Drifting Blue
[4:42] 7. Bar Band Blues
[3:39] 8. Lighthouse
[4:07] 9. Just One Night
[3:04] 10. One Roadhouse Away

The straight ahead, hard driving, stripped down sound of rock & roll and blues in the classic roadhouse tradition gets kicked into high gear with tasty guitar licks, memorable riffs, and a cast of groove oriented players. One listen and you're instantly transported to a roadhouse where the smoke is as thick as the smell of stale beer, sawdust covers the floor , neon signs line the walls, and you don't even care that your sleeves are stuck to the muck on the bar because the place is jumping to barrelhouse rhythm & blues. It's in this atmosphere that Crixell (pronounced Crishell) cut his musical teeth as a kid in and around Texas and what he's captured so effectively on the tracks of "One Roadhouse Away", a foot stompin', spirited collection of barn burnin' rockers and soulful blues tunes.

Having resided in San Francisco for the past 2 decades, Emilio handpicked this group of musicians from his long time Bay Area favorites, Henry Salvia on keyboards; Peter Booras on drums; and Endre Tarczy on bass. Recently Emilio has moved back to his home state of Texas and has enjoyed time on the road playing with the legendary Guitar Shorty and is currently playing around South Texas with his new band Los Bluzanos.

One Roadhouse Away

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Joe Moss - 2 albums: Maricela's Smile / Monster Love

Album: The Joe Moss Band - Maricela's Smile
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 75:37
Size: 173.1 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[ 3:20] 1. Suburban Glory
[ 4:02] 2. Green Eyes
[ 4:30] 3. You Made Me So Happy
[ 6:21] 4. Marciela's Smile
[ 3:38] 5. My Life
[ 6:35] 6. I Am Feeling You
[ 3:18] 7. Fire And Water
[ 4:20] 8. Big Leg Woman
[ 5:25] 9. Can You Feel My Heart
[ 3:36] 10. Can't Always Be Right
[ 7:05] 11. She Put A Stick In My Spokes
[ 5:52] 12. Dr. Strangelove
[17:30] 13. Ain't Got No Money

Joe Moss has always loved the blues. By the time he was 15, the singer/guitarist was playing seven nights a week throughout Chicago and he often still works as many as 28 gigs a month. While his previous CDs have been almost strictly blues, on Maricela's Smile Moss stretches himself beyond blues, performing soul ballads, R&B-ish jams, and even touches of jazz. The liner note writer (Mike O'Cull of the Illinois Entertainer) is almost apologetic and defensive in describing Moss' desire to move beyond only playing 12-bar blues, but this is a natural evolution for blues performers. What is important is that Moss keeps the spirit of the blues as his base, he sings with a lot of feeling and sensitivity, he writes excellent songs (11 of the 13 selections are his originals), his guitar solos often sting, and there are a few more straightforward blues included along the way. Open-minded blues listeners will enjoy this well-rounded set, which is topped off by a lengthy live version of "Ain't Got No Money." ~ Scott Yanow

Joe Moss (vocals, guitar, drums); Chuck Desormeaux (horns); Greg Sefner (keyboards); Andre Maritato (bass guitar); Kenny Smith , Rick King (drums).

Recording information: 4 Deuces (02/2006); Clava Studios (02/2006); Semaphore, Chicago, IL (02/2006).

Maricela's Smile

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Album: Joe Moss - Monster Love
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 59:43
Size: 136.7 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 2003/2009
Art: Front

[3:12] 1. Monster Love
[4:53] 2. Love My Baby
[4:59] 3. Mad, Mad, Mad
[6:11] 4. Have You Ever Loved A Woman
[4:33] 5. Oh Sandra
[5:33] 6. Need Your Love
[4:28] 7. Please Love Me
[4:57] 8. Lost My World
[4:01] 9. Life Is Funny
[4:27] 10. So Scared
[2:49] 11. King Swing
[5:29] 12. Ain't Got No Money
[4:06] 13. Train Tracks

The older brother to Nick Moss -- who already had some well-received albums under his belt when this was released in late 2003 -- Chicago guitarist Joe Moss sizzles on his debut. A veteran of Buddy Scott's band as well as a sideman to Magic Slim, Billy Branch, and other Windy City luminaries, the older Moss sounds confident and mature on his first album as a leader. Although there is plenty of straight-ahead blues, Moss aims for a more R&B-laced approach, helped immensely by the addition of organ (no less than three musicians fill the keyboard slot) on most tracks and horns to a few others. He also possesses a low-key but potent voice, similar to Jimmie Vaughan, and delivers these songs with enthusiasm and a tough determination. The organ is an integral part of the sound, and songs like "Ain't Got No Money," with its extended solo, succeed in large part due to the Jimmy Smith jazz/funk feel of the keyboards. Moss' guitar style is clean, sharp, and free of extraneous effects. Reminiscent of Mike Bloomfield, his leads are biting yet fluid and easily adapt to jazz, funk, blues, and even the Delta style he displays on the album's unaccompanied closing "Train Tracks." Moss brings a Booker T. & the MG's feel to the Memphis-styled groove of "Lost My World" and "Mad, Mad, Mad," and seems as comfortable with that as with the traditional Elmore James shuffle of B.B. King's "Please Love Me," one of the album's two covers. His lean playing dispenses with the rock-oriented histrionics that clutter much new blues, especially from white artists. He capitalizes on this style as his lines punctuate the verses of the soul and subtle funk that remain at the heart of his approach. It makes this long-awaited debut a perfect introduction to one of the finest of the new-generation Chicago bluesmen. Joe Moss has learned from his predecessors, even as he creatively takes the basics of blues and shifts them into a more soulful stew that is just as moving. ~ Hal Horowitz

Recorded at Acme Studios, Chicago, Illinois between August 29 & 31, 2001.

Joe Moss (vocals, guitar); Dez Desormeaux (horns); Bill LeClaire (keyboards); Dave Christansen, Eric Michaels (organ); Todd Fackler, John Sefner (bass); Rich King, Kenny Smith (drums).

Monster Love

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Mick Martin & The Blues Rockers - Got To Play The Blues

Released: 1995
Size: 154.0 MB
Time: 67:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Full

1. Blues In My Soul [5:41]
2. I Believe In You [4:00]
3. Forever Ended Today [5:57]
4. Got To Play The Blues [3:43]
5. Playing With Fire [4:02]
6. Down The Rail [4:56]
7. I Don't Play Games [3:20]
8. Get My Baby Back [4:43]
9. Don't Give Up On Me [5:14]
10. Ride With Me [5:11]
11. Got To Change [4:09]
12. Sugar Pie [3:27]
13. Prove My Love [4:15]
14. Working Man Blues [8:28]

Mick Martin has been producing and hosting the Blues for 17 years, beginning with "The KZAP Blues Show" in August of 1989. He joined the staff of KXJZ in July 1991 to create "Mick Martin's Blues Party," each week presenting a fresh, no-repeat blues program. It's four hours of fresh music: new releases by blues artists, classic releases placed in a historical or thematic context and album tracks by performers whose handful of best-known songs are played to death on rock radio. "I call it the antidote to the 'music of your life' approach," Martin says, "Don't get me wrong, hits are hits for a reason, but what about all the other great music made by popular artists that are seldom, if ever, heard?"

On Blues harmonica, Mick Martin has played professionally since 1968 and, since 1983, led "Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers." On March 31, 1994, Mick did something highly unusual for a harmonica player: he performed at Carnegie Hall for the nationally-broadcast "Blues in Jazz" concert with mentor Jimmy Smith, Jimmy Witherspoon, Grover Washington Jr., Carrie Smith and Mark Whitfield. That same year, he was featured on Jimmy Smith's Fantasy/Milestone Records release, Sum Serious Blues. Mick has played harmonica on stage behind Freddie King, Jimmy Rogers, Bo Diddley, Mick Taylor, the Yardbirds, Roy Brown and many others. He is a featured artist on Dig Music's Bob Dylan tribute, "Positively 12th & K," which also features Sal Valentino and Jackie Greene.

Mick shared the "Best West Coast Blues Harmonica Player" nod with Mark Hummel in 2001. Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers have won the Sacramento Area Music Award (a.k.a. the SAMMIES) for "Best Blues Band" three times, thus entitling them to a place in the SAMMIES Hall of Fame.

Got To Play The Blues

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24th Street Wailers - Unshakeable

Styles: Dirty Blues
Label: Independent
Released: 2012
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 95,9 MB
Time: 40:09
Art: front

1. Home Cookin' - 3:29
2. Unshakeable - 3:06
3. Love Triangle Ft. Carter Chaplin & Marc Doucet - 5:16
4. Trouble - 4:02
5. Howlin' - 2:32
6. What Can Ya Give Me Now? - 3:17
7. I'm Not Free - 4:01
8. I Will - 3:41
9. Jack, Jim, Johnny, and Me Ft. Gary Potts - 3:50
10. On a Mission - 3:22
11. Don't Make It Easy - 3:27

Notes: In just a few short years, The 24th Street Wailers have quickly made a name for themselves in the Canadian music scene and beyond. In August 2011, they were the only non-Quebec band to win both the Releve en Blues and the Bourse Air Transat/Blues Sur Seine competitions at Festiblues International De Montreal, which sent them to France to perform at The Blues Sur Seine Festival. In early 2012 they were nominated for New Artist of the Year at The Maple Blues Awards, and Blues Group/Duo of the Year at the Sirius XM Indie Awards. In February 2012, they were semi-finalists in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee where they performed for industry professionals and blues enthusiasts from around the world, further cementing their place among their musical cohorts. In true grassroots fashion, The 24th Street Wailers booked their first coast-to-coast tour that saw them perform in 29 cities in Canada and the U.S throughout the summer of 2012. Tour highlights included an opening spot for legendary blues pioneer Jimmie Vaughan, and performances on prestigious festival stages at the Vancouver Island Music Festival, Harrison Festival of the Arts, Folk on the Rocks festival in Yellowknife, Festiblues International de Montreal and Limestone City Blues Festival.
The release of Unshakeable has brought The 24th Street Wailers much deserved recognition from festival bookers, reviewers and DJs from around the world, including spots on the Roots Music Report and #1 charting on the !Earshot National Campus charts. Music media and tastemakers have embraced them enthusiastically, and the kudos continues to be plentiful for Unshakeable.

“There are bands out there with 20 years experience on them that could not, and have not, produced an album this real and technically proficient. And the music sounds killer too!” Barry Kerzner (American Blues Scene)

“The overall groove of Unshakeable is causal but never sloppy, coy and occasionally slutty-but in a really cool way, One of my favorite outings of 2012”(Gonzo Online)

“A worthy representative for the new face of the blues”-Richard Knechtel (GBFS/Summerfolk AD)

It is apparent when either listening to their recordings or attending one of their raucous live shows that The 24th Street Wailers are a band in every sense of the word. Together they eat, sleep and breathe for their love of music?

Unshakeable

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24th Street Wailers - Dirty Little Young'uns

Styles: Contemporary Blues
Label: Independent
Released: 2011
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 132,2 MB
Time: 55:44
Art: front

1. Dirty Little Young'uns - 3:41
2. No Man - 3:21
3. Would You Be Mine? - 3:31
4. Dear Brother - 5:36
5. Who Do You Think You Are? - 5:41
6. Talk To Me Baby - 4:29
7. Standley - 2:44
8. My My - 4:42
9. Before You Were Gone - 3:57
10. Got A Way With Me - 3:24
11. Simulated Love - 6:10
12. Two Timin' Woman - 5:09
13. Turn To You - 3:14

Personnel:
Bass – Mike Archer
Drums, Vocals – Lindsay Beaver
Guitar – Emily Burgess
Organ, Piano – Lance Anderson
Producer – 24th Street Wailers
Saxophone – Jonathan Wong

Notes: An exciting debut record from this young & fierce blues band. With powerhouse vocals delivered by the drummer, gritty bass, gut busting sax and smooth bluesy guitar, this live off the floor recording captures the energy & strength that music lovers crave
Dirty LIttle Young'uns was recorded over two days, 16 hours to be exact, in the studio. The 24th Street Wailers took the “live off the floor” approach, meaning all performances were done in the moment, live! There were very few edits, solos were performed live and Lindsay’s drum and vocal takes were performed simultaneously. The band wanted the listener to feel as though they are sitting front and center, right in the action! When listening to this record bursting with original songs in the blues style have a drink and a good time!

Dirty Little Young'uns

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BIG JOE TURNER - Every Day I Have The Blues (Live in `77)

Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Jump Blues, Jazzy Blues
Recorded: 1977
Released: 1994
File: mp3 @ 320 k/s
Size: 162.38 MB
Time: 72:23
Art: Full

1. Every Day I Have The Blues (9:45)
2. Early One Morning (6:16)
3. Hide And Go Seek (4:47)
4. The Night Time Is The Right Time (7:30)
5. Shoo Shoo Boogie Boo (7:30)
6. I've Got A Pocketful Of Pencils (13:00)
7. Stormy Monday Blues (6:43)
8. Roll 'Em Pete (3:34)
9. Shake, Rattle And Roll (5:29)
10. When The Sun Goes Down (4:23)
11. How Long Blues (3:26)

Personnel: BIG JOE TURNER - Vocals
Mike BLOOMFIELD - Guitars
Mark Naftalin - Piano
Pat Campbell - Bass
Bob Scott - Drums
Unknown - Saxophones

Notes: This music was recorded at The Palm Cafe, San Francisco, California on March 05, 1977. On guitar, one and only Mike Bloomfield. Music is swing's and jump's! Beautiful and unique piece of music history.

                                                       Every Day I Have The Blues
___________________________________________________________________

Smokey Wilson - Smoke N' Fire / The Real Deal

Album: Smoke N' Fire
Size: 113,2 MB
Time: 48:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1993
Styles: West Coast Blues
Art: Full

01. Don't Burn Down L.A. (3:36)
02. You Took Everything From Me (4:40)
03. Smoke N' Fire (3:52)
04. Tired Of Cryin' (3:39)
05. 88Th Street Blues (6:25)
06. Killing Floor (5:38)
07. Tired Of Waiting On You (3:10)
08. Nobody's Bid'ness (4:11)
09. I Didn't Know (4:21)
10. Just Messin' Around (4:15)
11. Why Don't You Let Me Be (5:02)

Transplanted Mississippian Smokey Wilson has made plenty of records, but usually for poorly distributed regional labels. So although he is far from a newcomer, he might as well be a fledgling rookie to the average listener. The songs, aside from the lyrically commendable but awkward "Don't Burn Down L.A.," are primarily his own urgent expositions on love, life's unfairness, and pain. His playing blends slamming fills, chunky riffs, and sonic barrages mixed with expert uses of distortion, bent notes, and flashy chords. This is the kind of no-nonsense set that has earned Rounder/Bullseye its exemplary reputation. ~Review by Ron Wynn

Smoke N' Fire

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Album: The Real Deal
Size: 121,4 MB
Time: 52:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1995
Styles: West Coast Blues
Art: Full

01. Son Of A...Blues Player (3:32)
02. House In Hollywood (5:34)
03. Bad Boy (3:15)
04. Sittin' In Jackson (3:57)
05. Feel Like Going Home (3:19)
06. Rat Takin' Your Cheese (6:30)
07. In My Life (3:42)
08. Not Pickin' Your Cotton (6:16)
09. I Wanna Do It To You Baby (2:44)
10. When You Got Somebody (7:19)
11. Can't Make It Without You (6:17)

More steady-burning blues sparked by Wilson's unyielding guitar work and mean vocals. One difference -- he goes the unplugged route on solo versions of Muddy Waters's "Feel like Going Home" and his own "Son of A...Blues Player." Elsewhere, it's electric juke-joint nirvana, Wilson cutting close to the bone on "Rat Takin' Your Cheese," "I Wanna Do It to You Baby," and "House in Hollywood." ~Review by Bill Dahl

The Real Deal

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Bernard Allison, Larry McCray, Carl Weathersby - Triple Fret (Guest Lucky Peterson)

Size: 115,5 MB
Time: 50:11
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Full

01. Bottle Of Whiskey (7:22)
02. Bluesman (6:53)
03. Get Drunk And Pop The Trunk (3:33)
04. Don't Tie Me Down (5:30)
05. I'm Praying For You (4:08)
06. Where's Lucky (7:18)
07. Good To Me (4:08)
08. Ain't Nothing But The Truth (4:48)
09. Take It Slow (6:26)

Personnel: Bernard Allison (vocals, guitar); Larry McCray (vocals, guitar); Carl Weathersby (vocals, guitar); John Colby (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet); Lucky Peterson (organ); Johnny B. Gayden (bass guitar); Steve McCray (drums).

Although Bernard Allison gets star billing (and does all the vocals), this is a trio record, with fellow electric blues guitarists Larry McCray and Carl Weathersby contributing as much guitar firepower as Allison. Even better, second-generation Hammond organ legend Lucky Peterson guests, adding some welcome musical variety to the otherwise fret-heavy selection and getting his own showcase, the smoking seven-minute instrumental workout "Where's Lucky?" That leaves the songwriting as the only weak spot, but unfortunately, it's pretty seriously weak. Most of the songs on Triple Fret are hackneyed Chicago blues riffs with self-referential lyrics about how hard it is to be a bluesman. Tune out the lyrics and the undistinguished chord changes and the sheer enjoyment of the trio's playing comes through. For some, however, that might not be quite enough. ~ Stewart Mason

Thanks to Marc.
Triple Fret

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Jason Wells - The Modern Vintage Movement

Size: 106,5 MB
Time: 46:11
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Blues Rock, Classic Rock
Art: Front

01. Step and a Stumble (3:36)
02. Don't Look Down (3:21)
03. Blue River (4:11)
04. A Hold On Me (4:32)
05. It May Be Raining (4:50)
06. I'm Not Blind (4:07)
07. I Feel Alright (3:04)
08. Live Free (3:07)
09. Way Too Deep (3:29)
10. Till I Get Home (Band Version) (4:42)
11. Till I Get Home (4:11)
12. Another Mountain to Climb (Acoustic Version) (2:55)

The Modern Vintage Movement, when technology allows us to recreate vintage, and Rock N Roll is in again.

I’ve been playing guitar for many years. I was raised on classic rock, blues, and guitar driven music. That’s what I love, and that’s what I play. This album is a reflection of all my influences throughout the years. I’ve said for a while that my style of music will be new again. In a time when we have all the newest technology, we find ourselves using it to recreate the vintage look, sound, and feel of the things from the past. The Modern Vintage Movement!

The Modern Vintage Movement

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Terry Blankley - Cold Weather Blues

Size: 82,1 MB
Time: 35:36
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Blues Jazz
Art: Front

01. Cold Weather Blues (3:31)
02. You Got The Heat (3:47)
03. Let Me Go Home Whisky (4:27)
04. Money Rules (3:05)
05. Poulet Shack (3:21)
06. Lenny (3:40)
07. My Feets Keep Walkin' (3:41)
08. Roll On (4:35)
09. Gig Blue (3:32)
10. What I Like (1:53)

It's gotten to the point that regardless of where you live, the weather can certainly be a cause for the blues. Everywhere you turn, there's one region or another that's suffering from too much or too little rain, tornados or hurricanes, floods or fires and stifling heat or in this case - as this Canadian band called The Terry B3er 4 would say - "Cold Weather Blues".

The Terry B3er 4 consists of; Terry Blankley on vocals and keyboards; Michael Wainright on sax; Doug Swain, Frank Woodcock and John Meydam on drums; Al Matthews, Albert MacDonald, Bobby Watson and Johnny V on guitar; and Al Lerman on sax and harp.

"Cold Weather Blues" features ten tracks, of which eight are originals. And if soulful, gravel voiced vocals - reminiscent of Dr. John, Leon Russell, and Tom Waits - backed up by a blend of blues, funk and jazzy styles of music is your bag, then you're going to love this one.

Although the title track is called "Cold Weather Blues", the weather isn't the only cause for Terry's melancholic mood. You see, the freezing cold in his bones and the chill that he's feeling both came when his woman said goodbye. This ballad is highlighted by incredibly sincere and sorrowful vocals and great background B3 by Terry, along with torrid tenor sax riffs by Al. Very good stuff.

I actually had to wait for this track - "You Got The Heat" - to finish before I could write anything about it. What made that worse was I replayed it about four or five times. You see, each time it started, my eyes closed, my head dipped then bobbed and my feet and fingers started tappin'. You try typing in that condition. A beautiful and beautifully done track featuring soothing rhythm, soft keyboard and sax interludes, and great vocals.

This jazzy version may very well be the best version I've ever heard of "Let Me Go Home Whiskey". Doug's at disc's best on drums, Johnny V's hot on guitar and Terry is amazing on keyboards. As a matter of fact, his left handed bass playing had me looking through the credits thinking I missed the standup bass player. Excellent work right here.

In spite of loving Terry's vocals on this one as well, "Gig Blue" is one of my favorite musical tracks. Bobby and John are outstanding on guitar and drums and the uncredited percussion is awesome.

Other tracks on "Cold Weather Blues" include: "Money Rules", "Poulet Shack", "Lenny", "My Feets Keep Walkin", "Roll On" and "What I Like".~By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

Cold Weather Blues

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Grzegorz Kapolka Trio - Blues4You

Size: 118,2 MB
Time: 51:11
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Machine (4:15)
02. Mrs. Dog (5:12)
03. She And He (4:13)
04. Blues 4 You (4:03)
05. Mr Atkins (3:13)
06. Bea (1:39)
07. Mio Alano (4:43)
08. Cry Of Mississippi (2:21)
09. Dissonance (3:49)
10. Our Point In Space (4:51)
11. A Song (5:39)
12. Sober Singer (3:25)
13. Superfusion (3:42)

Kapolka is the graduate of a prestige Jazz and Entertainment Faculty of Musical Academy in Katowice (Poland).

He has been awarded “The best polish blues guitarist in Guitar Top Awards in 2002" and his longplay “Blue Blues II” has been voted “The Best Guitar Album" in Blues Category.

His third longplay "Blue Blues", thanks to the involvement of such superb musicians as Darek Ziolek and Irek Glyk, received (according to the periodical "Musician") the highest rating of all polish blues albums.

Blues4You

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Big Pete Pearson & The Gamblers - Choose

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 46:18
Size: 106.0 MB
Styles: Contemporary blues vocals
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:34] 1. Travelin' Man
[4:04] 2. Hole In My Pocket
[5:27] 3. Choose
[5:18] 4. Gambler's Groove
[4:33] 5. Bad Luck
[5:09] 6. Hard Time
[4:51] 7. Mini Skirt
[4:25] 8. Slippery When Wet
[4:19] 9. The Love You Don't Have
[4:34] 10. Big Let Down

This self composed, old style blues album is his latest in a long line of blues charts hits and the first with celebrated Italian blues band, The Gamblers.

Born in Kingston Jamaica on October 4, 1936, Big Pete Pearson landed in Phoenix, Arizona in the 1950's by way of Austin, Texas. Big Pete was only 9 years old when he gave his first performance at an Austin, Texas bar and has not left the stage since. He is veteran performer/ song writer of 66 years and has been on countless festival and club stages throughout the world. In the 1950's Pete came to Phoenix and has ruled the Phoenix blues scene ever since and became known as "Arizona's King of the Blues". His physical stature and overwhelmingly strong voice commands attention and is a father figure to many blues men and women who have cut their teeth playing in his band. Though he is a local legend, being inducted in the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 1995, Big Pete's greatness is known throughout the world and these days spends more time performing in Europe with famed Italian blues band, The Gamblers than in the United States. While in the States he performs with his other band, The Big Pete Blues Band.

Choose

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Rene Trossman - I'm On A Roll

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 43:44
Size: 100.1 MB
Styles: Electric Chicago blues
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:25] 1. I'm On A Roll
[3:58] 2. Down At Rosa's
[4:14] 3. You Sure Left In A Hurry
[2:57] 4. Rules Of Attraction
[5:19] 5. This World Is In A Mess
[3:21] 6. I Still Think About You
[4:22] 7. Won't You Please Come Back To Me
[3:52] 8. Who Do You Think You Are
[5:00] 9. She Fooled Me
[2:27] 10. Heads Up
[3:44] 11. I Wonder Why

"This is a full-blown, lush sounding Chicago Blues experience, featuring the swirling Hammond of long-time collaborator Jan Korinek, the funky clipped bass of Jan Tengler. and a horn section with enough punch to win a barroom fight. The album makes you feel good.... Nine of the eleven songs are originals, and creativity was clearly high when they were written. No fillers, and all good stuff." ~Tony Emerson

Horns on 7 tracks, horn arrangements by Osian Roberts. Rene Trossman - Guitar; Vocals; Jan Korinek - B-3 Hammond Organ; Bass (Tracks 6 & 7); Jan Tengler - Bass (All tracks except 6 & 7); Martin Novak - Drums; Osian Roberts - Tenor Saxophone; Miroslav Hloucal - Trumpet; Jan "JJ" Jirucha - Trombone; Karel "Charlie" Slavik - Harmonica (Tracks 4 & 8); Lenka Novotna - Vocals (Track 6). Recorded at Reel Blues Studios, Revnice, Czech Republic

I'm On A Roll

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Slo Leak - 2 albums: When The Clock Strikes 12 / New Century Blues

Album: When The Clock Strikes 12
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 47:56
Size: 109.7 MB
Styles: Roots, Contemporary blues
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[4:20] 1. Why
[3:18] 2. Drunk
[3:53] 3. If I Get Rich
[4:32] 4. Burnt Rubber Tire
[4:49] 5. Man Who Gave Himself The Blues
[3:32] 6. Can't Take It With You
[3:16] 7. I Wanna Do It
[3:48] 8. When The Clock Strikes 12
[4:36] 9. Big Bad Luck
[3:18] 10. Psychic Blues
[4:11] 11. Can't Kill Me Twice
[4:17] 12. Stranger In Your Town

With Danny Kortchmar on guitar and programming and Charlie Karp on guitar and vocals, this duo moves roots music into the 21st century with a unique blend of nasty guitars, sampled everything, and attitude galore. The synthesis of the overdubs and samples on Jimmy Liggins' "Drunk" is worth the price of admission alone. Harvey Brooks makes a guest appearance on "When the Clock Strikes 12" and his own "The Man Who Gave Himself the Blues." Other big-ticket highlights include "If I Get Rich," "Big Bad Luck," "Can't Kill Me Twice," "Why," and "Stranger in Your Town." A whole new way to look at roots music for sure.

When The Clock Strikes 12

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Album: New Century Blues
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 34:10
Size: 78.2 MB
Styles: Roots, Contemporary blues
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[5:16] 1. Nothing But Taillights
[3:53] 2. Death By Hollywood
[4:17] 3. Same Damn Thing
[3:29] 4. House Of Cards
[4:43] 5. White Lines
[4:19] 6. Sold For Parts
[4:24] 7. Up On The Floor
[3:45] 8. Some Stones

Slo Leak is the nearly decade long musical collaboration of Charlie Karp and Danny Kortchmar. It combines a mix of blues, r& b and funk with electronica. They have produced and released three albums.

"Slo Leak is not your average band ..with super funky guitar work and Karp doing his best Howlin Wolf impression, Karp sings like he eats lighbulbs for breakfast..with Karp and Kortchmar there is plenty of talent in the room..." ~Living Blues

New Century Blues

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The Holmes Brothers - Brotherhood

Released: 2013
Size: 123.6 MB
Time: 53:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles: Blues Soul Gospel
Art: Full

1. Stayed At The Party [3:29]
2. I Gave Up All I Had [3:13]
3. Passing Through [2:57]
4. You've Got To Lose [3:07]
5. Lickety Split [3:44]
6. Soldier Of Love [4:30]
7. Gone For Good [3:04]
8. Loving You From Afar [5:11]
9. My Word Is My Bond [3:04]
10. Drivin' In The Drivin' Rain [3:25]
11. My Kind Of Girl [3:20]
12. Darkest Hour [4:24]
13. Last Man Standing [2:44]
14. Amazing Grace [7:39]

Over the course of a 30-year career, with 10 acclaimed albums and thousands of live performances, revered roots trio The Holmes Brothers have garnered heaps of critical praise and countless loyal fans with their timeless blend of gospel-drenched blues, soul, funk and country, highlighted by heavenly vocal harmonies. Their four previous Alligator releases have sold over 83,000 units worldwide

On 'Brotherhood' The Holmes Brothers dig deep to deliver a wealth of authentic, joyous blues, funk, R&B and soul. Dominated by eight new Holmes Brothers originals, the album also includes sparkling versions of songs by Ike Turner, William Bell & Booker T. Jones, Ted Hawkins and more. The band's unparalleled version of "Amazing Grace," which opens every Holmes Brothers performance, is a soul-stirring highlight of the album.

Thanks To Mr.Walker :)

Brotherhood

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Michael Katon - 9 Loud Ones

Released: 2013
Size: 112.3 MB
Time: 47:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles: Blues / Rock
Art: Front

1. Boogie Whip [4:09]
2. Tight White Pants [5:20]
3. I Ain't Ready to Go Steady [5:16]
4. Roadhouse 69 [6:47]
5. Boogie Is My Business [4:48]
6. Boogie Man [5:44]
7. Burn Me (With Electricity) [4:52]
8. Love Stepped in My Way [6:03]
9. Proud to Be Loud [4:18]

While it’s entirely accurate to describe the music of Detroit legend Michael Katon as ‘blues’, it also fails to do justice to the power, intensity and raw Motor City attitude that Katon commands with every note and chord. Ever since he first started playing around the bars and clubs of Detroit at the tender age of fifteen, Katon has infused the traditional blues sound with his own Michigan ‘tude, and is today considered one of the world’s finest exponents of blues rock.
After spending 20 years on the move, honing his trade with various blues and rock’n’roll bands, Katon relocated from Los Angeles where he had been living during the mid-70’s, to the aptly named village of Hell, Michigan, and released his debut solo album, ‘Boogie All Over Your Head’. In keeping with his own DIY ethics and with a firm desire to avoid compromise, the album was released on Katon’s own Wild Ass Records label. It was his dirty boogie style, hoarse vocals and hard-hitting riffs that helped Katon win popularity with fans of hard rock and metal music as well as the blues cats.
Released in England, his second album ‘Proud To Be Loud’, cemented his international reputation as a guitarist to keep a firm eye on in the 80’s. Following wild, whiskey and sweat drenched shows in the U.K., Katon found himself in the pages of British metal publications like Kerrang! and Metal Hammer.
As the spandex-clad eighties made way for the grungy, plaid-adorned nineties, Katon responded with the sonic attack of 1992’s ‘Get On The Boogie Train’. Hard hitting and completely, gloriously lacking in subtlety, the album showcased Katon’s own unique take on a traditional genre. Fans of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn had found themselves a new hero, particularly in Europe where Katon found himself able to command a growing and fiercely loyal fan base.
1994’s appropriately titled ‘Rip It Hard!’ did exactly that, with the title track blasting out of the gates like a bull with a matador to aim at, and the record never lets up from there. No More Whisky, Lucky Lucky Lucky and Barbeque On My Boogie were instant fan favorites.
1996’s ‘Rub’ was no less ferocious, though it also managed to highlight Katon’s lighter side, with tracks like the slow blues howler If I Have A Heart Attack Baby and the acoustic genius of The Devil’s Daughter showing that Katon could play slow when he wanted to. That same year also saw the release of Katon’s debut live album, ‘Bustin’ Up The Joint! – Live’. Recorded at the intimate Howard’s Club H in Ohio, the record successfully brought all of the sweat and grit of a Michael Katon concert into living rooms all over the world.
As Y2K arrived (and the predicted devastation failed to occur), Katon celebrated with ‘The Rage Called Rock ‘N’ Roll’, his sixth solo studio album. In glorious contrast to the title, this saw Katon displaying a tad more restraint – a more song-based record.
2002’s ‘Bad Machine’ saw Katon returning to the raw and wicked fury with which he made his name. The song titles (Pierced, Tattooed And Twenty Somethin’ Boogie, Rock ‘N’ Roll, Whisky, Blood ‘N’ Guts and American McMofo) gave away exactly where Katon was coming from at this point in his life.
2006’s ‘MK’ and ‘Diablo Boogie - Blues Brewed In Hell’ both saw Katon carry on where he’d left off, bringing fire and brimstone blues and boogie to the new millennium.
2007 saw the release of his second live album, ‘Live & On The Prowl’. Recorded in Europe during the 2006 MK tour, the album exhibits the flat out sonic firepower of a Michael Katon show.
2008 saw yet another live album culled from the ‘MK’ tour, ‘Bootleg Boogie Live’. Raw and uncompromising, ‘Live & On The Prowl’ and ‘Bootleg Boogie Live’ show the world that Katon is still as relevant as ever in the 21stCentury.
As the first decade of this new millennium approaches its end, it’s refreshing to know that Michael Katon, a blues artist in the purest sense, is still around and playing music the way he wants to play it. Such integrity is rare in the modern music sense. Michael Katon is indeed the real deal.

9 Loud Ones!

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The Victims Of Kool - We Be Bluesin

Size: 86,6 MB
Time: 37:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2003
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Boogie Chillen (5:14)
02. She My Baby (4:51)
03. Just Slap Em Upside the Head (4:30)
04. Brainfart Blues (4:03)
05. What to Do (3:57)
06. I'm Just Fine (3:57)
07. Stand Up (3:43)
08. Too High (3:09)
09. Help Me Please (3:52)

The Early Years:
Many Years ago and around the time dirt was invented, Craig Stevenz got his first guitar.
Having played clarinet in school band up until this point it became obvious that in the search for kool, one needed to play guitar drums or bass. So Craig convinced his dad to get him one and the future changed forever.
Not a lot happened in the learning department until the last six months in the army. That's when things got more serious.
After discharge, Craig returned home to Monroe, Washington and formed a band known as Thunderhawk in the mid 70's. Altho the band was well known at local parties
there was little opportunity for three country boys oblivious to the big city to do much beyond playing "covers" in local taverns around Lynnwood and Everett. "Cursed" with the ability to write his own music, Craig could never stay playing covers for long and at the time disco was all anyone wanted any way. During this time however Thunderhawk did get a cut onto KISW in Seattle on a radio show called "Your mother won't like it". This was around 1979.
Of course Craig kept self destructing for years by kicking out players for stupid reasons (sound familiar?) thereby causing the band to remain in a state of flux. Many drummers and a few bass players later it was time to quit.
Of course there were other bands formed THC, High Rock, etc. All cover bands.
Then there was a shift into jammin around at jam nights and meeting other musicians that Craig wasn't in a band with. (Allowing him to stay friends). This is where the blues (blues / rock) began to emerge from his fingers and his soul.
His band now goes by the name "The Victims of Kool" Craig say's that's why he's poor. Like everyone else who sought to be cool as opposed to the standard get a job, work forever, buy a house grow old and die crowd.
Now Craig has a number of sounds from Hard rock to Blues and everything in between. How do you catagorize Craig's sound?
Well let's see a list of his favorites. First there was the Beatles, Then Jimi Hendrix blew everyone out of the water, Pat Travers, Robin Trower, ZZ Top. One thing is true to this day, Craig prefers the Guitar based trio sound. Always has, and probably always will. Now in the age of computer recording and web sites, Craig is re- recording and publishing a quite extensive backlog of tunes going all the way back to his very first song ever written "Tired of you" to more modern tunes like "Too much Metal for one hand" and "She my baby". Perhaps his website and this cd will help to leave his footprint across the world. If not he hopes to have fun trying. Enjoy and as Craig would say.......

A Tonka's post. Say thanks to him.
We Be Bluesin

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MIGHTY JOE YOUNG - Blues With A Touch Of Soul

Styles: Modern Electric Chicago Blues
Recorded: 1970
Released: 1998
File: mp3 @ 320 k/s
Size: 100.96 MB
Time: 43:18
Art: Full

1. I Walked All Night - 3:06
2. Somebody Loan Me A Dime - 10:40
3. Every Man Needs A Woman - 8:24
4. Why Baby? - 5:36
5. Things I Used To Do - 3:50
6. Got A Bad Case Of Loving You - 5:50
7. Honky Tonk - 5:23

Personnel: Mighty Joe YOUNG - Guitar, Vocals
Johnny 'Big Moose' Walker - Organ, Piano
Jimmy Dawkins - Guitar
Jordan Sandke - Trumpet
Dennies Lansing - Tenor Saxophone
Sylvester Boines - Bass
Hazekiah Roby - Drums

Notes: Joe Young was a boxer as a young man, and had the physique to go with his nickname. He recorded singles for a number of small Chicago labels, and was a busy club and session guitarist before becoming a fixture on the American and overseas touring circuits. In 1986, surgery for a pinched nerve in his neck went wrong; it was a year before he could walk again, and having lost feeling in his fingers he was unable to play guitar. Young kept performing as a singer, and worked on the self-produced CD he'd begun before the disaster. In 1999 he underwent further elective surgery, hoping to play guitar again; this time the post-operative complications killed him.

   The touch of soul is very light; essentialy this is West Side Chicago blues. Young's singing and playing are elegant and logical, but four (out of only seven) tracks are far too long, with the band members queuing up to play tensionless, unimaginative solos, ...and this is his first album.

                                                     Blues With A Touch Of Soul
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Scrapomatic - 2 albums: Alligator Love Cry / I'm A Stranger (And I Love The Night)

Album: Alligator Love Cry
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 47:15
Size: 108.2 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[3:25] 1. Louisiana Anna
[4:00] 2. Horsemeat
[3:19] 3. Graveside Blues
[3:10] 4. Long Way Home
[3:17] 5. So Much Love
[4:20] 6. Lotus
[4:14] 7. Monkey Card
[2:51] 8. Ain't Got The Smile
[3:07] 9. The Other Side
[2:08] 10. God Damn Job
[4:57] 11. Tired Weak Legs
[4:20] 12. Raw Head And Bloody Bones
[4:02] 13. I Belong To The Band

The two guys in Scrapomatic get a little more, well, scrappy on their sophomore release. Vocalist Mike Mattison and guitarist Paul Olsen work a stripped downed sound to reveal the gospel and Delta roots beneath their gritty swamp blues. This baker's dozen of tracks veers from the near vaudeville jazz of "Lotus" to the acoustic churchy strains of "Tired Weak Legs," the latter aided by Kristina Beaty's lovely vocals. Mattison's gruff yet malleable vocals add to the bluesy feel of the songs. His singing, which occasionally hits a Prince-styled falsetto as on the R&B drenched "Monkey Card," is consistently riveting, even when he moves too far into Tom Waits territory on the tuba enhanced opening "Louisiana Anna." Beaty takes lead on a stirring duet ballad "The Other Side" and her Susan Tedeschi-styled voice meshes well with Mattison's similarly throaty approach. A rearranged cover of the old Replacements punk track "God Damn Job" is revelatory as this version digs into the frustration at the heart of the song's rather simplistic lyrics. "Long Way Home" even brings some rustic folk-country to the equation. But it's on the slow, grinding backwoods blues like the self-explanatory "Raw Head and Bloody Bones" and "Horsemeat," both led by Olsen's greasy lead lines, that the duo best connects with its material. Despite, or maybe because of, its eclectic nature, Alligator Love Cry defines Scrapomatic as a tough and talented act comfortable in a variety of genres all infused by a rugged blues base. Mattison is a terrifically talented singer, secure with diverse styles, and guitarist Olsen likewise snakes around these often dissimilar tunes with panache and intensity. Veteran jazz/blues producer John Snyder's work here, as on the group's debut, is characteristically exemplary. He frames these songs with a lean atmosphere while highlighting the duo's synergistic vocal-guitar interplay. ~ Hal Horowitz

Recording information: Dockside Studios, Maurice, LA. Scrapomatic: Mike Mattison, "Funky" Paul Olsen.

"Funky" Paul Olsen (vocals, guitar); George Rush (vocals, tuba, acoustic bass, electric bass); Mike Mattison (vocals); Jeffrey Ryan Lipstein (drums, percussion).

Alligator Love Cry

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Album: I'm A Stranger (And I Love The Night)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 45:15
Size: 103.6 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:41] 1. Alligator Love Cry
[3:11] 2. I'm A Stranger (And I Love The Night)
[3:03] 3. Rat Trap
[4:55] 4. Night Trains, Distant Whistles
[3:14] 5. Don't Fall Apart On Me, Baby
[4:09] 6. I Surrender
[2:33] 7. The Mother Of My Wolf
[5:33] 8. Crime Fighter
[3:13] 9. Malibu (That's Where It Starts)
[4:34] 10. How Unfortunate For Me
[4:10] 11. The Party's Over
[2:54] 12. Gentrification Blues

Considering that Scrapomatic had been in existence for 14 years as of 2012, the fact that I'm a Stranger is only the collective's fourth album is surprising. However, it says less about founding members Mike Mattison and guitarist Paul Olsen not taking the group seriously, than how busy they've been on other projects. Mattison in particular had a pretty grueling schedule as singer for Derek Trucks' various bands. Regardless, their previous albums have been rootsy, diverse explorations of gospel, rock, punk, funk, and country stitched together with a strong blues thread. This one is no different except that the duo adds a third official member, guitarist Dave Yoke, who helps them run through a dozen eclectic originals that traverse territory from the swampy, straight blues shuffle of the opening "Alligator Love Cry" to the twisted music hall Tom Waits-styled waltz (with horns) of "How Unfortunate for Me." The group is at their best when letting their oddest impulses shine, as when Mattison goes falsetto on the unusual and ominous blues stomp "Crime Fighter." They shift to easygoing country-pop on "Don't Fall Apart On Me Baby" and turn into rollicking garage rockers on "The Mother of My Wolf." As you can tell from the titles, Mattison and Olsen revel in bizarre lyrical twists that add vinegar to these songs. Even though printed words are included, they don't make a lot of sense, at least on the surface. But that enhances the mystique and a sense that there is more here than meets the ears. The band is also effective when they open up and rock as on "Rat Trap," but it's Mattison's natural, soulful growl that will keep you coming back for additional helpings. The title track is the most commercial entry, with a singalong chorus you'll be humming after the first spin, and showing that when pressed, these guys can swim in the mainstream. Thankfully, though, they prefer to hover on the edge, making this another terrific addition to a small but quality catalog of offbeat roots music that never panders to its audience or takes it for granted. ~ Hal Horowitz

Recording information: Bakos Amp Works (2012); Swamp Raga Studios, Jacksonville, FL (2012).

"Funky" Paul Olsen (vocals, guitar); Mike Mattison (vocals); Dave Yoke (guitar); Mace Hibbard (tenor saxophone); Kevin Hyde (trombone); Tyler Greenwell (drums).

I'm A Stranger (And I Love The Night)

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Jon Herington - Time On My Hands

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 43:05
Size: 98.6 MB
Styles: Rockin bues
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:30] 1. Shine Shine Shine
[3:51] 2. Sweet Ginny Rose
[5:48] 3. I Ain't Got You
[3:40] 4. Caroline Yes
[5:10] 5. Time On My Hands
[3:48] 6. Runnin' Out Of Time
[5:57] 7. I'll Fix Your Wagon
[4:58] 8. I Hear They Shoot Horses
[4:07] 9. Egirl
[2:11] 10. The Bucket Song

"Herington's voice is perfect for the songs. It's instantly recognizable and is the ideal match for lyrics that are at turns funny, clever, sarcastic, and plaintive. The production is crisp and clean in a way that albums just aren't anymore. In fact this is the kind of record that doesn't exist in many places these days. It's soulful, with a varied set of great songs that showcase a multitude of influences and let the musicians shine. And it's easily one of the best records of the year." ~ John Heidt, Vintage Guitar Magazine

"Solo records by session guitarists too often hang gobs of great guitar on flimsy compositional frames, or they attempt to emphasize the songs by stinting on the expected guitar fireworks. Jon Herington's work with Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs and Michael MsDonald qualifies him as a sessioneer extrordinaire, yet he deftly avoids both traps on his fourth record "Time On My Hands", by serving up clever, tightly constructed tunes shot through with searing solos and studded with 6-string ear candy" ~ Michael Ross, Guitar Player Magazine

"For a player who's normally associated with pristine tone, it's heartening that Jon Herington still enjoys adding a big dollup of filth to his sound. Through cascading phrases of crisp, imaginative lead guitar, Herington shows off the high-class chops he's honed during more than a decade with the Dan." ~Jamie Dickson, Guitarist Magazine

Recording information: Electric Lady Studios, New York, NY; Mission Sound, Brooklyn, NY; Pilot Recording Studios; Rogue Harbor, Cherrytown, NY; The Cave, New York, NY; The Farmhouse, Croton-On-Hudson, NY.

Time On My Hands

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Lucky Peterson - Live At The 55 Arts Club Berlin (Discs 1&2)

Lucky Peterson is one of the most versatile blues musicians in the international scene: a passionate lead guitarist, first-class singer and an exceptional player of the Hammond B3. In March 2012 he played his first Berlin show in 10 years. Playing with him is his wife Tamara Peterson (vocals), Shawn Kellerman (guitar), Tim Waites (bass) and Raul Valdes (drums). In a two-and-a-half-hour concert, Lucky Peterson performs his own compositions as well as blues classics such as Ta Ta You, Who s Been Talking?, I Believe I ll Dust My Broom and The World's In A Tangle.

Album: Live At The 55 Arts Club Berlin (Disc 1)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 79:12
Size: 181.3 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2012

[ 5:25] 1. I'm Back Again
[ 6:29] 2. Smooth Sailing
[ 8:53] 3. Trouble
[12:52] 4. Blues Medley
[ 9:10] 5. You Shook Me
[ 3:24] 6. Knocking
[ 4:08] 7. How Do I, Why Do I
[ 4:56] 8. I Don't Like You But I Love You
[11:55] 9. Been So Long
[ 6:18] 10. Wanna Know What Good Love Is
[ 5:38] 11. Lost The Right

Live At The 55 Arts Club Berlin (Disc 1)

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Album: Live At The 55 Arts Club Berlin (Disc 2)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 79:20
Size: 181.6 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[ 4:43] 1. Giving Me The Blues
[ 7:14] 2. Ta' Ta' You
[ 4:46] 3. It Ain't Safe
[ 4:43] 4. I'm Ready
[ 4:59] 5. Who's Been Talking
[10:31] 6. I Believe I'll Dust My Broom
[ 2:32] 7. The World's In A Tangle
[ 6:52] 8. Kiss
[ 7:31] 9. Last Night You Left
[10:26] 10. Ain't Nobody Like You
[14:58] 11. Real Music

Live At The 55 Arts Club Berlin (Disc 2)

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John Lee Hooker - Live At Soledad Prison/Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive

Size: 95,3+92.5 MB
Time: 41:17+39:57
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1972/2009
Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Boogie, Delta Blues
Art: Full

CD 1: Live At Soledad Prison
01. Superlover (4:18)
02. I'm Your Crosscut Saw (5:25)
03. What's The Matter Baby (3:51)
04. Lucille (6:44)
05. Boogie Everywhere I Go (8:35)
06. Serve Me Right To Suffer (7:44)
07. Bang Bang Bang Bang (4:38)

CD 2: Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive
01. Bumblebee, Bumblebee ( 4:14)
02. Hit The Road ( 2:55)
03. Country Boy ( 6:58)
04. Boogie With The Hook ( 6:35)
05. T.B. Sheets ( 4:58)
06. Letter To My Baby ( 3:56)
07. Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive (10:18)

Combining two LPs originally released in 1972, Live at Soledad Prison and the Ed Michel-produced Never Get Out of These Blues Alive, on a single disc, this set features John Lee Hooker in his mid-career Endless Boogie prime, both in and out of the studio -- not that Hooker ever sounded any different wherever he played. The live set finds him backed by a crackerjack (and rehearsed) band featuring guitarists Luther Tucker and Charlie Grimes and Hooker's son, John Lee Hooker, Jr. The group backs Hooker as he delivers a scorching “I’m Your Crosscut Saw” and a desolate, heart-wrenching “Serve Me Right to Suffer,” among other boogie gems. The studio set includes more of the same, although polished up just the slightest notch with guest spots from Van Morrison (he duets with Hooker on the title track, "Never Get Out of These Blues Alive"), Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, Steve Miller, and jazz violinist Michael White, who lifts "Boogie with the Hook" into the air and gives a mournful, desolate veneer to the already spooky and harrowing "T.B. Sheets.” This package ends up being a great way to hear Hooker doing what he does best with musicians who understand what he’s after, and it's all well recorded, too. ~Review by Steve Leggett

Thanks to Kempen.
Live At Soledad Prison
Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive

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