Dana Gillespie - Deep Pockets

Size: 119.4 MB
Time: 51:23
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Electric Blues
Art: Front

01. Beat Of My Own Drum (5:47)
02. We Share The Same Sky (4:10)
03. The Truth About Lying (3:21)
04. Deep Pockets (3:44)
05. When You're Feeling Blue (4:32)
06. Back In The Day (3:42)
07. Your Heart Sets You Apart (5:06)
08. In Times Like These (4:17)
09. Now You're Stardust (4:28)
10. Up Yours (3:14)
11. Howling, Howling (4:30)
12. Putting My Dreams On Hold (4:27)

Dana Gillespie's affair with the blues shows not the slightest sign of flagging. Who could have predicted it would be in her sixth decade of music-making that she'd be creating her finest work? So far, 2021 has been a banner year for the 72-year-old personality. It began with the publication of her memoir, Weren't Born A Man. This was followed by a successful YouTube reboot of her popular radio show, Globetrotting With Gillespie. The memoir, co-written with David Shasha, is a full account of Dana's remarkable life, from her folk singles on Pye Records and her late 60s albums for Decca to her pivotal role in the original London cast of Jesus Christ Superstar and her memorable explosion onto the glam scene as part of the Bowie/DeFries/MainMan/RCA empire, her side-sojourns in film, and her long-lasting union with Ace Records as one of the UK's leading blues artists."Deep Pockets", the follow-up to 2019's "Under My Bed", is a collection of 12 Gillespie originals, mostly written with long-standing lead guitarist Jake Zaitz. It is a reflective album, born of Covid lockdown: "The moment the first one happened and everyone was in a state of doom and gloom and nobody went anywhere, I was on my own and began writing lyrics." If ever there were a Gillespie mission statement, it could be encapsulated by 'Beat Of My Own Drum'. "I feel strongly that all through my life I've danced to my own beat," says Dana, "not to some commercial one." Meanwhile, 'The Truth About Lying' is a song she could only have written now. Coming from a new artist, it might simply sound reproving, but from someone who's really lived, it's unequivocal warnings about the corrosive effects of dishonesty are chillingly plausible. Although there are moments that touch on loss, such as the haunting elegy 'Now You're Stardust', the overall guiding spirit of the album could be summarised as 'be happy, play the game', the wisdom of the late Sri Sathya Sai Baba for whose philosophy Dana has long been a worldwide ambassador. This is never more apparent than in the touching song of universal empathy 'We Share The Same Sky'. • "Deep Pockets" has arrived earlier than scheduled. After the first UK lockdown prompted a rush of industry from Dana and an album's worth of songs, she and her band flew off to play the Lugano Blues Festival. With a house on Lake Maggiore at their disposal and no way of knowing when the London studios might reopen or close again, recording impromptu suddenly seemed like a good idea. Everything you hear was captured in that dazzling summer setting over just four days, in either one or two takes; that's why the music has such a distinctive heat, zest and spontaneity. Nothing's been overworked or unduly titivated, and Dana's voice, unerring in it's pitch and as expressive as ever, is just how it sounds in a live show.

Deep Pockets MP3
Deep Pockets FLAC

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Keith Richards - Blues EP

Size: 174 MB
Time: 28:55
File: FLAC
Released: 2021
Styles: Electric Blues, Piano Blues
Art: Front

01. My Babe (2019 Remaster) ( 3:10)
02. Big Town Playboy (2019 Remaster) ( 4:18)
03. I Could Have Stood You Up (2019 Remaster) ( 3:12)
04. Key To The Highway ( 3:20)
05. Blues Jam (2019 Remaster) ( 4:37)
06. Slim (2019 Remaster) (10:16)

Keith Richards (born 18 December 1943), often referred to during the 1960s and 1970s as Keith Richard, is an English musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as the co-founder, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-principal songwriter of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine called Richards the creator of "rock's greatest single body of riffs" on guitar and ranked him fourth on its list of 100 best guitarists in 2011. The magazine lists fourteen songs that Richards wrote with the Rolling Stones' lead vocalist Mick Jagger on its "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.

Richards plays both lead and rhythm guitar parts, often in the same song; the Stones are generally known for their guitar interplay of rhythm and lead ("weaving") between him and the other guitarist in the band – Brian Jones (1962–1969), Mick Taylor (1969–1975), or Ronnie Wood (1975–present). In the recording studio Richards sometimes plays all of the guitar parts, notably on the songs "Paint It Black", "Ruby Tuesday", "Sympathy for the Devil", and "Gimme Shelter". He is also a vocalist, singing backing vocals on many Rolling Stones songs as well as occasional lead vocals, such as on the Rolling Stones' 1972 single "Happy", as well as with his side project, the X-Pensive Winos.

Blues

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Mick Kolassa - Wasted Youth

Size: 111.6 MB
Time: 47:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Throwing Away These Blues (2:29)
02. Wasted Youth (4:50)
03. It Hurts To Let You Go (5:56)
04. I'm Missing You (3:47)
05. Easy Doesn't Live Here (3:15)
06. I Can't Get Enough (2:57)
07. Feeling Sorry For Myself (3:00)
08. Touching Bass (3:20)
09. Darkness To Light (5:22)
10. My Mind Doesn't Wander (3:12)
11. Pieces Of My Past (6:20)
12. Edge Of A Razor (3:07)

The year of 2020, during which Mick Kolassa lost his wife and several friends, inspired many of the songs on Wasted Youth. On new single “Darkness Into Light,” Kolassa weaves songs by WAR (‘Slipping Into Darkness”), The Youngbloods (“Darkness Darkness”) and the 150-year old traditional “Wayfaring Stranger” into a narrative that goes from harrowing addiction to peaceful redemption.

“I always wanted to do ‘Slipping Into Darkness,'” he explains. “I’ve always loved that song. I was fooling around with it one day and I realized I could find a way to transition it into ‘Darkness Darkness,’ and from there go into ‘Wayfaring Stranger.’ Everything just fit perfectly into place, and the three together tell an amazing story from addiction to kind of a death wish to salvation.”

Two things he’s always done over the course of his entire career are find the blues where they might not be apparent, and experiment with different instruments beyond the expected guitar, bass, drums, harp and piano; this time around, the violin plays a key role.

“The Youngbloods had a violin on the original ‘Darkness,’ and I think using it here is a great example of how the blues has evolved and adapted. Violin was one of the original blues instruments; before there were guitars there were violins and banjos.

“The Mexican migrant workers who came to the Delta introduced the guitar to the people who were doing really early blues, then the Hawaiians introduced steel guitar and it’s just kept growing and evolving for over a hundred years.”

Wasted Youth MP3
Wasted Youth FLAC

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Dirty Dave Osti - Retro-Sonic Blues Train

Size: 115.0 MB
Time: 48:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Retro-Sonic Blues Train (4:21)
02. Kiss The Pain (5:02)
03. The Drifter (3:25)
04. Bleeding Wishes (4:42)
05. River Of Shame (3:28)
06. Seagull (3:08)
07. Baptism Of Fire (6:45)
08. Gunnin' For Me (3:37)
09. Bullets & Booze (3:49)
10. When The Walls Come Down (4:24)
11. Goldmine (6:00)

Super-Excellent 6th studio disc by this awesome blues/rock axeslinger from the West Coast featuring 11 tracks of world-class, killer, dynamic, blues-based, heavy guitar music that lands with true six string excellence. Dirty Dave Osti is an inspired & talented guitarist, songwriter, producer & sonic mojo man who has created & produced his finest musical effort to date. Osti is a bad-ass, righteous, riff:master who digs deep with his superb, original brand of 70s-inspired, old-school, bluesy guitar rock mojo complete with his trademark, whiskey-soaked, soul-powered vocals and nails down an exceptional set of way-kool new DDO songs that land 110% rock solid with endless amounts of strength & focus. Recorded at the infamous Dirtshack Studios and from start to finish, Dirty Dave Osti takes us on an outstanding & memorable musical ride that kicks ass, shines on like a crazy diamond and is all about Keeping the Rock alive forever on the essential Retro-Sonic Blues Train disc. A classic & timeless, 110% guitar rockin', musical document that is Highly recommended to fans of all the previous excellent Dirty Dave Osti discs and to people who love and dig REAL guitar rock music.

Retro-Sonic Blues Train MP3
Retro-Sonic Blues Train FLAC

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Cuby & The Blizzards - Window Of My Eyes (Live) EP

Size: 132 MB
Time: 23:11
File: FLAC
Released: 2021
Styles: Electric Blues
Art: Front

01. The Sky Is Crying (4:20)
02. Somebody Will Know Someday (6:35)
03. Window Of My Eyes (3:12)
04. I'm In Love (9:03)

Although unknown to the English-speaking market, Cuby & the Blizzards have been one of Holland's top blues bands since the mid-'60s. Some of their early singles had a beat/punk orientation, particularly "Stumble & Fall" and "Your Body Not Your Soul," both of which would be reissued on various Dutch beat compilations a few decades later. They quickly settled into a straighter blues groove, however. Their claims to fame in the larger rock/pop world are that they briefly backed Van Morrison in the gap between his departure from Them and the beginning of his solo career, although details of the association remain murky; also, at one point lead guitarist Eelco Gelling was asked to join John Mayall's Bluebreakers, although he declined. ~Richie Unterberger

Window Of My Eyes (Live)

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Guitar Pete - Hellhound Boogie

Size: 126.3 MB
Time: 54:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Asphalt Outlaws (5:33)
02. Naked Ladies & Alcohol (4:12)
03. Stitches (5:28)
04. From Parts Unknown (7:26)
05. Lost My Mind (Quarantined) (6:27)
06. Rollin' In (5:51)
07. Mama Whiskey (4:02)
08. Hellhound Boogie (4:18)
09. Gonna Dump That Chick (5:10)
10. It Rained For Daze (5:54)

Pete Brasino has been playing his rock & roll-flavored brand of blues ever since he was in high school. He began to teach himself to play guitar as a 16-year-old and within six months he had become so proficient with the instrument that his classmates dubbed him Guitar Pete -- the nickname that would become his performing name. Another significant leftover from those early days is his playing style. Because he never had a guitar instructor, the left-handed musician never learned how to string the guitar the way a southpaw traditionally would. Instead, he plays upside down and backwards, holding the guitar lefty but using right-handed fingerings. Brasino's early heavy metal albums, released under the name Guitar Pete's Axe Attack, were not commercial successes, but they caught the attention of high-profile music industry professionals and eventually led to a 1994 recording deal for Brasino's band, Snakeyed Sue. The band's first record was produced by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiro, producers whose resumes included work with Blues Traveler, Guns N' Roses, and Aretha Franklin. Snakeyed Sue dissolved shortly after the album's release, but four years later, Guitar Pete returned with a solo effort Burning Bridges that provided a showcase for his powerhouse blues sound.

Hellhound Boogie MP3
Hellhound Boogie FLAC

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Southern Comfort - Southern Comfort

Size: 105.7 MB
Time: 44:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1969/2005
Styles: Chicago Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Full

01. Easy (No.2) ( 3:22)
02. If It Ain´t Me Baby ( 3:22)
03. Sugar Mama ( 3:24)
04. Need My Baby ( 2:58)
05. Somethin' Else ( 3:54)
06. Walking By Myself ( 3:50)
07. Train Time ( 3:33)
08. Found A New Love ( 4:03)
09. Same Old Blues ( 2:04)
10. Paying Double ( 2:28)
11. Netti-Netti (11:55)

Southern Comfort was a rather disorganized recording date for Big Walter "Shakey" Horton, not in the least because he doesn't actually sing and play on all of the numbers. Nevertheless, the album, done in a single session in London in October 1968, is actually reasonably worthwhile, even if it's not one that you'd put at the top of the stack of Horton releases. Set up while Horton was playing a festival in the U.K., his backing band on this recording consisted of British guitarist Martin Stone (who played in Savoy Brown, the Action, and Mighty Baby) and fellow Chicago bluesmen Jesse Lewis and Jerome Arnold, who were also in England at the time. The liner notes to the 2005 CD reissue of the album describe the session as something of a nightmare in which a steadily drunker Horton passed out before the album was completed. Yet it's actually quite passable, if slightly loose, electric Chicago blues, albeit with a cheapish, echo-heavy sound. Presumably owing to Horton's incapacity, vocals on three of the numbers are actually taken by Lewis and Arnold, who do a competent job. In need of material to fill out the LP after Horton had passed out, however, the other musicians took the off-the-wall step of cutting an improvised 12-minute psychedelic raga, "Netti-Netti," complete with backward tape and wah-wah guitar. Not at all like the rest of this straightforward blues album, it's certainly not nearly on the same level of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band's epic psychedelic instrumental "East West" (on which Arnold had also played). Perversely, however, it's given the record a reputation among psychedelic collectors, some of whom probably aren't interested in the electric Chicago blues that actually takes up most of the space on the record. ~Richie Unterberger

Southern Comfort MP3
Southern Comfort FLAC

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Peter Muller & Friends - Pick Up Styx

Size: 171.3 MB
Time: 73:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Pick Up Styx (Feat. Tommie Harris) (3:42)
02. Bottle Rocket (Live) (Feat. Frank Muschalle & Rusty Zinn) (5:34)
03. Papa Ain't Salty (Feat. Bue Flagships & Rusty Zinn) (4:58)
04. Walking This Boogie (Live) (Feat. Frank Muschalle & Dani Gugolz) (2:51)
05. Let's Start A Romance (Feat. Andreas Arlt) (3:37)
06. Barefoot Rock (Feat. Mojo Blues Band) (3:55)
07. Munson Street Breakdown (Feat. Andi Sobczyk) (3:10)
08. Don’t Think It’s Over (Feat. Peter Kern) (3:34)
09. Darktown Strutters Ball (Feat. Denise Gordon) (4:59)
10. Rollin' And Squeezin' (Feat. Mojo Blues Band & Axel Zwingenberger) (2:23)
11. I'm Leaving Now (Feat. Martina Kucera) (2:43)
12. Come To Me Woman (Feat. Steve Guyger) (4:08)
13. That Saxy Felling (Feat. Tom Muller) (2:19)
14. Born To Sing (Feat. Peter Kern & Wolfgang Poll) (3:55)
15. Last Time Around (Feat. Mojo Blues Band & A.C. Reed) (3:57)
16. Pennies From Heaven (Feat. Swinging Ladies DeLuxe) (1:56)
17. Nails In My Coffin (Feat. Herby Dunkel & Herwig Mitteregger) (4:22)
18. Slinky (Feat. Jeremy Spencer) (3:19)
19. Jumpin' Jack Flash (Feat. Gorilla Gang) (3:22)
20. Blasengerl (Feat. Martin Pattart) (4:22)

"A band is just as good as the drummer"

In a band, the rhythm section is undoubtedly the backbone of the musical event and the archaic need to move to the sound of a drum is probably one of the most fundamental characteristics that make us humans.
Even if it is mostly the front musicians who initially enjoy the listener's attention, it is the special magic of a “groovy” drum beat that unconsciously and naturally casts a spell over people.
The passionate musician Peter Müllerhas internalized this magic wonderfully in the course of his career and he has managed to establish himself as one of the most sought-after drummers in a wide variety of genres. Anyone who has the opportunity to make music with him knows his qualities and, as his friend, I would also like to emphasize the human side.
With this very personally designed CD he gives us his musical calling card and takes us on an impressive journey through various stations of his exciting career with the help of selected flashlights. Enjoy! ~Erik Trauner

Pick Up Styx MP3
Pick Up Styx FLAC

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Big Mama Thornton - Have Mercy! (Live 1973)

Size: 116.7 MB
Time: 50:21
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Texas Blues, R&B
Art: Front

01. Instrumental, Pt.1 (Live) ( 2:16)
02. Goin' Down Slow (Live) ( 4:06)
03. Instrumental, Pt.2 (Live) ( 2:56)
04. My Baby Left Me (Live) ( 5:48)
05. Ball And Chain (Live) ( 7:15)
06. Oh Happy Day (Live) (10:37)
07. Talking, Pt.1 (Live) ( 3:53)
08. Hound Dog (Live) ( 3:06)
09. Talking, Pt.2 (Live) ( 0:44)
10. Swing It On Home (Live) ( 6:17)
11. Oh Happy Day Jam (Live) ( 3:19)

Live Cambridge, MA, 1973 WBCN Broadcast.

Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton only notched one national hit in her lifetime, but it was a true monster. "Hound Dog" held down the top slot on Billboard's R&B charts for seven long weeks in 1953. Alas, Elvis Presley's rocking 1956 cover was even bigger, effectively obscuring Thornton's chief claim to immortality.

That's a damned shame, because Thornton's menacing growl was indeed something special. The hefty belter first opened her pipes in church but soon embraced the blues. She toured with Sammy Green's Hot Harlem Revue during the 1940s. Thornton was ensconced on the Houston circuit when Peacock Records boss Don Robey signed her in 1951. She debuted on Peacock with "Partnership Blues" that year, backed by trumpeter Joe Scott's band.

But it was her third Peacock date with Johnny Otis' band that proved the winner. With Pete Lewis laying down some truly nasty guitar behind her, Big Mama shouted "Hound Dog," a tune whose authorship remains a bone of contention to this day (both Otis and the team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller claim responsibility), and soon hit the road a star.

But it was an isolated incident. Though Thornton cut some fine Peacock follow-ups -- "I Smell a Rat," "Stop Hoppin' on Me," "The Fish," "Just like a Dog" -- through 1957, she never again reached the hit parade. Even Elvis was apparently unaware of her; he was handed "Hound Dog" by Freddie Bell, a Vegas lounge rocker. Early-'60s 45s for Irma, Bay-Tone, Kent, and Sotoplay did little to revive her sagging fortunes, but a series of dates for Arhoolie that included her first vinyl rendition of "Ball and Chain" in 1968 and two albums for Mercury in 1969-1970 put her back in circulation (Janis Joplin's overwrought but well-intentioned cover of "Ball and Chain" didn't hurt either). Along with her imposing vocals, Thornton began to emphasize her harmonica skills during the 1960s.

Thornton was a tough cookie. She dressed like a man and took no guff from anyone, even as the pounds fell off her once-ample frame and she became downright scrawny during the last years of her life. Medical personnel found her lifeless body in an L.A. rooming house in 1984. ~Bill Dahl

Have Mercy! (Live 1973) MP3
Have Mercy! (Live 1973) FLAC

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Blues Traveler - Traveler's Blues

Size: 102.5 MB
Time: 43:55
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Funky Bitch (4:32)
02. You Got Me Runnin' (With Crystal Bowersox) (3:22)
03. Tore Down (With Wendy Moten) (4:43)
04. Ball And Chain (With Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram) (5:47)
05. Crazy (With Rita Wilson & John Scofield) (4:28)
06. Sittin' On The Top Of The World (With Warren Haynes) (5:19)
07. Need Your Love So Bad (With The War & Treaty) (4:09)
08. Roadhouse Blues (With Mickey Raphael) (4:24)
09. Call Me The Breeze (3:40)
10. Trouble In Mind (With Keb' Mo') (3:27)

Grammy-winning jam band Blues Traveler dedicates itself to the formidable task of reworking and reinterpreting a host of timeless blues classics on the group’s new album Traveler’s Blues. The record comes out July 30th, 2021 on Round Hill Records and finds the current BT lineup and special guests like Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Rita Wilson, John Scofield, Warren Haynes, and Keb’ Mo’ getting all over timeless songs by Son Seals, Jimmy Reed, The Mississippi Sheiks, The Doors, and Gnarls Barkley. Grammy winner Matt Rollings (Willie Nelson) produced the sessions and did a great job of capturing the live-band energy and raw feel the songs require. All involved helped breathe new life and new ideas into these famous tunes and the set comes off fresh and fun.

Blues Traveler began life as a high school blues band in the late 80s and exploded into the 90s with three consecutive gold records: Blues Traveler (1990), Travelers and Thieves(1991), and Save His Soul (1993). The group’s hippie-centric guitar and harmonica version of rock and roll became wildly popular and the fourth BT album, simply titled Four (1994), went platinum six times and won the band a Grammy Award for the single “Run-Around.” Traveler’s Blues is BT’s fourteenth full-length release and feels like the full-circle record the group was always destined to make. The present Blues Traveler roster of John Popper (vocals, harmonica), Chan Kinchla (guitar), Tad Kinchla (bass), Ben Wilson (keyboards), and Brendan Hill (drums) is a solid and stylish crew unafraid to put its own stamp on every song they play.

Popper and company start this set with a strong cover of the Son Seals burner “Funky Bitch.” Popper has long been the king of shred harmonica and uses this track to show us that he hasn’t lost one single step on harp or as a singer. The cut is funky, dynamic, and overflowing with the kind of energy needed to wow the biggest crowds in the world. The whole band hits this one hard and the sound of BT back in action will set you soaring.

Next, the group takes on Jimmy Reed’s “You Got Me Runnin’” with the help of American Idol veteran Crystal Bowersox. Their version rides an easy shuffle groove just like Reed at his best. Bowersox has a natural affinity for this music and sounds wonderful paired up with Popper. Together, they put down a thoroughly-enjoyable take on one of the blues’ most famous songs. “Ball & Chain” is a slow blues treat that features a guest spot from the always mind-blowing Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Popper absolutely roars on the vocal mic but never lets his power get out of hand and Kingfish delivers his mighty guitar talents with the poise of a future legend. Hearing them both on the same track is a soul-cleansing experience that you need to have.

Warren Haynes shows up on The Mississippi Sheiks’ “Sittin’ On Top of the World” and adds some sweet slide guitar licks and growling vocals to the proceedings. Haynes is always compelling and continues that tradition on this cut, taking us all to school. He makes a great counterpoint to Popper and a full album of them together would make a lot of fans happy. The Gnarls Barkley hit “Crazy” is a surprising choice among all of these vintage songs but rocks out with assistance from vocalist Rita Wilson and jazz/fusion guitar star John Scofield. Overlook it at your own risk.

“Trouble In Mind” brings Grammy winner Keb’ Mo’ into the mix for a strutting and soulful closing number. Keb’ is never anything less than cool and killer and he’s an instant hit playing with this bunch. His warm vocal tone contributes a lot to the joy of the track and is more than worth your time. Blues Traveler is very much alive on this new effort and continues to evolve and grow as a unit. The road has been long but the future looks bright for one of the 90s most iconic acts. ~Mike O’Cull

Traveler's Blues MP3
Traveler's Blues FLAC

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Johnny Ray Jones - Way Down South

Size: 94.6 MB
Time: 40:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Soul
Art: Front

01. Steamy Windows (3:59)
02. I Got The Will (2:53)
03. Don't Burn Down The Bridge (3:19)
04. Way Down South (4:19)
05. You Don't Care (3:24)
06. Shine On Me (4:10)
07. Tunica Motel (3:58)
08. L.A. Fog (4:28)
09. Ninety Nine And A Half (Won't Do) (3:07)
10. Give Away None Of My Love (3:01)
11. Nothing Takes The Place Of You (3:38)

Johnny Ray Jones is back with the follow-up to “Feet Back In The Door.” The new highly-antcipated second album “Way Down South” is an all-out celebration of blues, roots & Americana soul, the next chapter in the unfolding story of the Godson of Soul, Johnny Ray Jones, vocalist & songwriter from Los Angeles. Johnny Ray Jones grew up in the L.A. blues music scene. Sam “Bluzman” Taylor, Johnny’s voice coach & mentor, traded him lessons for driving Sam to his shows & recording sessions.....
Percy Mayfield’s widow Tina Mayfield, Johnny’s godmother, booked Johnny Ray his first weekly blues shows at her club, Blues Unlimited, in South Central Los Angeles in the early ‘80s. Johnny Ray has performed with Big Joe Turner, John Fogerty & L.A.’s beloved blues-rockers The Red Devils. On this album, Johnny Ray brings back the top flight talent that made the first album so successful. Drummer Tony Braunagel (Phantom Blues Band, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, Eric Burdon) and guitarist Johnny Lee Schell (Phantom Blues Band, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal) return to contribute their production magic and stellar musicianship.

Way Down South MP3
Way Down South FLAC

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Charlie Parr - Last Of The Better Days Ahead

Size: 150.5 MB
Time: 64:28
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Acoustic Blues Folk
Art: Front

01. 817 Oakland Avenue ( 4:19)
02. Everyday Opus ( 8:04)
03. Last Of The Better Days Ahead ( 3:11)
04. Blues For Whitefish Lake, 1975 ( 3:51)
05. Walking Back From Willmar ( 4:18)
06. Anaconda ( 3:45)
07. On Fading Away ( 5:14)
08. On Listening To Robert Johnson ( 5:58)
09. Bed Of Wasps ( 3:44)
10. Rain ( 6:07)
11. Decoration Day (15:53)

Charlie Parr’s newest album, 'Last of the Better Days Ahead,' is a collection of powerful new songs about how one looks back on a life lived, as well as forward on what’s still to come. Its spare production foregrounds Parr’s poetic lyricism, his expressive, gritty voice ringing clear over deft acoustic guitar playing that references folk and blues motifs in Parr’s own exploratory, idiosyncratic style. When it comes to what it all means, Parr says it best:

“'Last of the Better Days Ahead' is a way for me to refer to the times I’m living in. I’m getting on in years, experiencing a shift in perspective that was once described by my mom as ‘a time when we turn from gazing into the future to gazing back at the past, as if we’re adrift in the current, slowly turning around.’ Some songs came from meditations on the fact that the portion of our brain devoted to memory is also the portion responsible for imagination, and what that entails for the collected experiences that we refer to as our lives. Other songs are cultivated primarily from the imagination, but also contain memories of what may be a real landscape, or at least one inspired by vivid dreaming. The album represents one full rotation of the boat in which we are adrift—looking ahead for a last look at the better days to come, then being turned around to see the leading edge of the past as it fades into the foggy dreamscape of our real and imagined histories.”

Last Of The Better Days Ahead MP3
Last Of The Better Days Ahead FLAC

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George 'Wild Child' Butler - Open Up Baby

Album: Open Up Baby
Size: 91,2 MB
Time: 39:07
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1969/1985
Styles: Chicago blues, harmonica blues
Art: LP front & back

1. Open Up Baby (2:46)
2. Big Momma, Little Momma (2:49)
3. Axe And The Wind (2:47)
4. Jelly Jam (2:25)
5. Hold Me Baby (2:35)
6. Do Something Baby (2:32)
7. She Walks Like Mary Ann (3:08)
8. Put It All In There (2:50)
9. My Forty Year Old Woman (3:06)
10. Harmonica Prayer (2:27)
11. Gravy Child (3:34)
12. Best Of Wild Child (Instrumental) (2:24)
13. Keep On (Doin' What You're Doin') (3:19)
14. Hippy Playground (2:20)

Charly's Open Up Baby rounds up several singles George "Wild Child" Butler recorded for Jewel between 1966 and 1968. All of the sessions were produced by Willie Dixon, and the great majority of the songs were written either by Butler or Dixon. Some of the material has dated a bit ("Hippy Playground," for instance), but there's no denying the down and dirty grit in Butler's performances, as he's backed by such well-known musicians as Big Walter Horton and Jimmy Dawkins. Butler rarely did straightahead Chicago blues any better than he did here. /Thom Owens, AllMusic

Open Up Baby mc
Open Up Baby zippy

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The John O'Leary Band - Two For The Show (2 CD)

Album: Two For The Show
Size: 118,1 + 161,6 MB
Time: 51:09 + 70:18
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Electric blues, harmonica blues
Art: Front, back

CD 1 - Sins:
1. Early In The Morning (4:24)
2. Snatch It Back (4:13)
3. I'm Tired (4:21)
4. Blue Water (3:04)
5. Who's Been Talking (5:25)
6. Waiting For You (4:12)
7. And Everything (4:30)
8. House Of Ice (4:09)
9. Black Cat Bone (3:53)
10. Move Away (4:39)
11. Chiswick Roundabout (4:28)
12. Save My Soul (3:46)

CD 2 - Live At Mr. Kyps:
1. Born In Chicago (7:32)
2. Snatch It Back (7:41)
3. Early In The Morning (10:15)
4. Butterfingers (7:45)
5. Little By Little (7:47)
6. Who's Been Talking (11:17)
7. Black Cat Bone (11:11)
8. Look On Yonder's Wall (6:47)

Voted Top Blues CD of 2010 by Blues Matters magazine, this 2 CD set has received excellent reviews, reflecting John O'Leary's status as one of the godfathers of British blues harmonica. Acrobat has always had a powerful commitment to the blues, and has a large catalogue of historic and classic blues recordings. With our new Trapeze imprint, however, we will be looking to work with current working blues acts, and this is the first release in that series. Harmonica wizard John O'Leary is a veteran of the British blues scene, having been a founder member back in the 60s of the Savoy Brown Blues Band, who developed British blues into a stadium rock attraction in the USA, and was a member of the John Dummer Blues Band and Mainsqueeze.

He has often toured Europe over the years playing with visiting US blues luminaries. For the last couple of decades he has put together successive highly professional line-ups of European talent working clubs and festivals on a regular basis. This 2 CD comprises the 2004 self-released studio album Sins, well-reviewed at the time of original issue, and a hitherto unreleased 2006 live album recorded at Mr. Kyps club in Poole. The two albums present the top class musicianship of the outfits in the contrasting environments, and are a worthy showcase for one of the great names of British blues.

(For personnel details, see info file included.)

Two For The Show (2 CD) mc
Two For The Show (2 CD) zippy

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Lonnie Brooks - Roadhouse Rules

Size: 149.9 MB
Time: 63:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1996
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Full

01. Hoodoo She Do (3:49)
02. Backbone Man (4:03)
03. Too Little Too Late (5:02)
04. Stranger In My House (4:47)
05. I Need A Friend (4:37)
06. Evil Twin (3:56)
07. Roll Of The Tumbling Dice (4:14)
08. One Track Train (4:09)
09. Before You Go (6:06)
10. Get Through To You (4:07)
11. It's Your World (5:46)
12. Treat Me Like Your Dog (4:57)
13. Stake My Claim (4:06)
14. Rockin' Red Rooster (4:13)

Lonnie Brooks' music comes from the R&B side of the blues. Brooks is a passionate singer with an intense rock-like guitar style. With the exception of "Roll of the Tumbling Dice" (a relaxed duet featuring the harmonica of Sugar Blue), the music on Roadhouse Rules is generally unrelenting in its ferocity, blues-oriented but also quite open to the influences of Stax-type soul and rock. The impressive musicianship and sincerity of Brooks' music is probably easier to respect than to love; this release gives listeners a good sampling of his playing. ~Scott Yanow

Roadhouse Rules MP3
Roadhouse Rules FLAC

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VA - Southern Bred Vol.16: Louisiana & New Orleans R&B Rockers (KMCD66)

Size: 157.9 MB
Time: 66:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Blues, R&B, Rock
Art: Front & Back

01 Calvin Spears - Doing The Rock And Roll (2:40)
02 Rudy Green - Meet Me Baby (2:04)
03 Henry Hayes - Forgive Me Baby (2:20)
04 Willie Egan - I Can’t Understand It (1:50)
05 Roy 'Baldhead' Byrd - Rockin' With Fes (2:03)
06 Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown - Baby Take It Easy (2:41)
07 Long John - She Used To Be My Woman (2:26)
08 Earl King - Everybody's Carried Away (2:15)
09 Huey Smith - Little Liza Jane (2:10)
10 Richard Berry - In A Real Big Way (2:17)
11 Clifton Chenier - The Big Wheel (2:50)
12 Bobby Mitchell - 4 X 11=44 (2:11)
13 Clarence W. Samuels - Slippity (2:31)
14 Lennie Lacour - Rockin' Rosalie (2:18)
15 Llyod Price - Rock 'n' Roll Dance (2:17)
16 Rudy Green - My Mumblin’ Baby (2:20)
17 Donnie Elbert - Let's Do The Stroll (2:10)
18 Linda Hopkins - My Loving Baby (2:49)
19 Johnny Adams - Come On (2:03)
20 Donnie Elbert - Believe It Or Not (2:03)
21 Jessie Thomas - Cool Kind Lover (2:02)
22 Clarence Samuels - Got No Place To Call My Own (2:27)
23 Champion Jack Dupree - Deacon’s Party (2:43)
24 Little Walter - Teenage Beat (2:58)
25 Eddie Lang - Easy Rockin' (2:37)
26 Charles Williams - So Glad You're Mine (2:12)
27 Classie Ballou - D-I-R-T-Y D-E-A-L (2:44)
28 Linda Hopkins - Shiver And Shake (2:27)

Rock 'n' Roll Dance Koko Mojo is the fourth Southern Bred exploration into the music from Louisiana and the Crescent City, New Orleans and the artists and newly introduced performers are intermixed throughout the series to make a more diverse assortment of sound and artist. Unquestionably the aural feeling of this album is varied, full of hot recordings and offers an eclectic assortment of recordings. Most importantly due to the time frame of the recordings the sound and style for some artist may have changed, no matter what the songs are "A" grade performances. As always, the sequence of artists and styles sit comfortably side by side and this album focuses on Rhythm & Blues, Rock 'n' Roll and up-tempo Blues music. The wealth of recorded material is amazing, and the Southern Bred artists are; Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, the adaptable Tommy Ridgely who this time is featured from his formative years, vocalist Elmore Nixon appears with Henry Hayes and His Orchestra, Willie Egan, Long John, Clarence Samuels and Charles Williams. Keeping the "gumbo" hot are, Rudy Green, Champion Jack Dupree, Roy ''Baldhead'' Byrd, old-time Blues artist Jessie Thomas who updates his style and Little Eddie has changed identity and became the frantic rocker persona of Eddie Lang. The sound on Rock 'n' Roll Dance is enriched by the inclusion of; Jump Blues and Zydeco rockers from, Clifton Chenier, Classie Ballou and Little Walter who attempt to attract a younger following from his song title Teenage Beat. Hitmakers a-plenty adorn the album and the lesser-known and equally as good "none-hit" performers also offer "A" grade recordings. Huey Smith with His Rhythm Aces, Bobby Mitchell with his group The Toppers, Richard Berry, Lennie LaCour, Lloyd Price and His Band who give the album its title. From his pre-soul music years Doo Wop rocker Donnie Elbert has caught the stroll feeling, and Johnny Adams and Linda Hopkins round off the hit making assortment with their own inimitable sound.

Thanks to Nappyrags.
Southern Bred Vol.16: Louisiana & New Orleans R&B Rockers MP3
Southern Bred Vol.16: Louisiana & New Orleans R&B Rockers FLAC

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Wesley Pruitt Band - Gypsy Soul: #TheCoronaSessions

Size: 123.2 MB
Time: 52:49
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Blues, Rock, Soul
Art: Front

01. Texas Woman (3:54)
02. Cryin's (Not A Shame) (4:17)
03. Gypsy Soul (6:49)
04. Ain't No Mornin' (5:17)
05. Interlude (2:05)
06. It Takes A Woman (4:32)
07. My Sweet Elizabeth (5:04)
08. Heart Lettin' Go (4:54)
09. Southern Classic W Gravy (1:43)
10. Our Love (4:26)
11. Hug Ya Kiss Ya Squeeze Ya (4:04)
12. The Saint And Son (5:41)

For 20 years, Wesley Pruitt Band has delivered the ups and downs and the ins and outs of love and life, all neatly wrapped in hard-driving blues-rock rhythms.

Through it all, the band leader and namesake, Wesley Pruitt, Jr., never doubted the music would continue to be his professional calling.

As he puts it, “I didn’t know how I was going to be able to climb the ladders and complete this journey, but I knew this is something that I wanted to do the rest of my life.”

The latest part of the journey can be heard on the band’s new album Gypsy Soul, the third full-length release following a debut EP, and the albums Sunrise and Line ‘Em Up. Pruitt describes Gypsy Soul as “a personal story” and reflects the band’s maturing process in recent years.

Looking back on the release of Line ‘Em Up, Pruitt said, “That album was all about saying, ‘This is who we are, we need to be heard, and we’re coming to take all that’s there for us.’ The energy of that album is in there; it’s raw and uncut.”

Gypsy Soul, by comparison, invites the listener to share, relate, and perhaps find healing in the stories the band presents. Pruitt describes the album as “my personal story of eight years told through songs – happiness, triumphs, sadness, heartbreak, depression, darkness, transformation, weeding dead leaves, growing in faith, the law of attraction, affirmation, astrology and all of that.”

“This is what’s been going on for several years, and somebody needs to hear this, and somebody needs to be able to relate and speak through the music as we’re giving it to you,” Pruitt explained. “By the same token, I’m able to put something out there that makes me feel not really compelled to tell, but it makes me feel like I’m actually bringing something out of me that’s needed to be told for a long time.”

It’s that musical communion with the audience that Pruitt says he has grown to appreciate and encourage.

“In the early years, I would hear more things that were more complimentary, the kind of things that will make your head spin. It’s kind of like a test because it made it harder to be humble when people are always boasting and bragging about you.

“Over time, and especially since the last album that we did, I think I grew into something more of where I understood that this is a career, but it’s not about just the financial side of it. Our music heals,” he said.

That intangible quality radiates throughout any Wesley Pruitt Band live show.

“When I started to think that way, that’s when I noticed that I would always hear someone say that band is always the one; that whenever we come to a Wesley Pruitt Band show, we always feel better when we leave than how we felt before we got there. Our music is more of healing and more of unity.”

The band plays shows on many weekends in numerous towns and venues throughout Texas. Pruitt says he’s come to appreciate the experience of connecting with those who come to see the band.

“People will make plans simply to come to see you. They want to hear you sing, they want to hear you tell stories, they want to hear you play guitar,” he explained.

The personal stories resonate throughout Gypsy Soul; Pruitt points to the band’s rendition of Chris Stapleton’s “It Takes a Woman” and the instrumental “The Saint and the Son” as prime examples.

“The idea of a whole family, led by myself and having that woman in my life, it just made everything better,” Pruitt said about his inspiration for recording “It Takes a Woman.” “I have learned over the years…learned more about healing and understanding the energy that I put out and that the crowds give back in return and that I put back out, that takes a toll. So, when all of that is gone, I think we all need something there to always have that added jolt of will and want to.”

“The Saint and the Son” is one Pruitt composed to pay tribute to his late father, Wesley Pruitt, Sr., and his 7-year-old son, Xavier. Fatherhood has been one of the most significant transformative factors in Pruitt’s personal and professional life.

“I’m bigger on being able to balance the time,” he said. “I don’t care to be gone as much playing. It’s not a pick-and-choose, but it has to be something to bring us out. I would rather have the time with him (Xavier).

“I think just the sense of having a little one depend on you and look up to you; it’s better for this music career because it’s only about what’s important when it comes to playing these shows and what we’re doing and pursuing a career. If it doesn’t benefit him, then it doesn’t benefit my career,” Pruitt added.

The band recently recorded and released a video for the Line ‘Em Up track “Cocaine and Whiskey” to help create anticipation for the new album. However, Pruitt said he believes Gypsy Soul will be a successful album for all the right reasons, echoed in the band’s theme for this year and the album: #Unity.

“Having to worry about how great this album is going to be or if it’s going to do anything, the stress of that is gone,” he said. “Sure, you want the number one hit and all the streams, but that’s not the reason to make this album.

“I can almost see where it’s going. I can see where it’s going to go, not the successful part of it, but I know it’s going to get out far enough where the album is going to do itself justice, and it’s going to reach the right people who are going to connect with it.”

Although a career in music has its challenges and bands tend to have a short life, Pruitt says having 20 years of both to his name is no surprise to him. He credits his high school band director, Rob Toups, for preparing him for such a life and career.

“I knew then when he put me out in the forefront to play professionally in 1999. By the time it got to where I was putting my name on something, I was already sure I was going to be doing this the rest of my life,” Pruitt said.

Gypsy Soul showcases a significant part of that life and leaves you with the sense that there is much more yet to come. ~Dr. Terry L. Britt

Gypsy Soul: #TheCoronaSessions MP3
Gypsy Soul: #TheCoronaSessions FLAC

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Meena & The Chris Fillmore Band - Elevations

Size: 121.3 MB
Time: 51:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2019
Styles: Blues, Rock, Americana
Art: Full

01. Can't You See (5:11)
02. I Got You (5:46)
03. Way Down (4:09)
04. It's Ok (4:37)
05. Sweet Loving Mama (3:24)
06. In My Father's House (7:49)
07. I Wanna Know (3:33)
08. Shine On You (5:32)
09. Lord Have Mercy (4:31)
10. Well, Well, Well (7:05)

Meena Cryle & The Chris Fillmore Band create an exceptionally honest and exciting brand of music.
Southern Soul, Blues, Gospel and Rock'n'Roll are the labels most commonly used to describe this stand-out formation from Austria. But the band prefers to avoid clichés and pigeonholing.
Cryle/Fillmore’s Roots-Cosmos is wide-ranging and eclectic but always deeply rooted in the Blues.
This also shows in their songwriting, an indispensable part of a distinctive and unique musical identity.
Chris Fillmore, a exceptionally gifted guitar-player, plays a far more important role for the overall musical concept than just being a supportive piece of the band’s whole. He acts as a pivotal figure, an anchor which allows the singer to freely explore, and a safe-haven she can return to again.
Both form a team that, in its intensity, is an exceptional and rare thing in today’s Blues-scene.

Elevations MP3
Elevations FLAC

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Motor City Josh & The Big 3 - Finding A New Gear

Size: 80.9 MB
Time: 34:23
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Detroit Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. I Got That Friday Feelin' (3:09)
02. I Was Born Ready (2:45)
03. If You Ain't Havin' Fun (2:59)
04. I'm On Fire (3:59)
05. Getting Old Sucks (3:38)
06. Take My Advice (3:53)
07. Big Girl Reimagined (4:30)
08. Finding A New Gear (3:34)
09. Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You (3:13)
10. That's How Strong My Love Is (2:39)

Josh is a straight up singin', guitar slingin', songwriting, crowd-pleasing Blues man. Son of a preacher man and woman, Josh has achieved incredible success and proves to be one of the most skillful yet animated Blues performers around. An absolute entertainer, Josh manages to keep everyone happy no matter what their age, race, or music taste - Everybody loves him!

Having played all over the US and in Europe since 1989, his fan base continues to grow and grow, as do his CD sales. Josh has recorded 11 albums, 2 DVDs, and sold over 50,000 copies through our website and at shows.

Josh is popular for both his award winning electrifying, high-energy 'Funky Blues You Can't Refuse' 4-piece band, and Memphis International Blues Finalist foot stomping down-home Blues solo acoustic act.

The Detroit native spent 10 years working up a MCJ frenzy in the Motor City area, then moved to Atlanta in 1999 to do the same. Based in Chicago briefly and now back in Detroit, he's at it again, doing what he does best.... making people smile, dance, laugh, and on occasion, pee their pants!

Finding A New Gear MP3
Finding A New Gear FLAC

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Andy Lindquist - Stand.Abide.Endure

Size: 147.3 MB
Time: 63:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. The River Queen (4:03)
02. The Call Of The Rooster (3:41)
03. Blues Upon The Red (4:48)
04. Even When The Sun Don't Shine (2:59)
05. No Vacation (3:49)
06. C'mon And Call Me (3:34)
07. Grey Bones (5:10)
08. Swamp Thang (4:36)
09. Sinner To The Well (4:08)
10. Just Like A Circle (3:46)
11. The Price Of Whisky (5:15)
12. Atlanta Burns (4:58)
13. Why Do Flowers Have To Bloom (3:23)
14. That Funky Soul Mud (4:03)
15. Twenty Nine (5:16)

This album is really special for a number of reasons. Firstly it’s the 75th album of Andy’s career an achievement in its self. Secondly it’s a return of another blues album which I have to say finds Andy in his natural musical habitat.

Vocally Andy on this album has given the performance of his career to date. The album opens with The River Queen a song that will take you to goosebump territory, in fact from start to finish this amazing album never let’s go of you.

Songs like The Call Of The Rooster, Atlanta Burns and the awesome Grey Bones just send a shiver of excitement down your spine. Quite easily for me Stand.abide.endure. Is my blues rock album of the year.

It’s that good folks! Andy congratulations on producing a blues rock masterpiece. One that will be played loud n’ proud by blues fans for many years to come.

Stand.Abide.Endure MP3
Stand.Abide.Endure FLAC

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Lady 'A' - Live In New Orleans

Album: Live In New Orleans
Size: 132,6 MB
Time: 57:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Blues/Funk/Soul
Art: Front

1. Bluez In The Key Of Me (4:36)
2. Good Music Good Gumbo, All My Good Friends (5:05)
3. I Get So Blu (4:48)
4. Cabbage N Cornbread (6:02)
5. Honey Hush (4:21)
6. If You Don't Want It, Don't Waste It (3:46)
7. Do You Wanna Ride (3:39)
8. Doin' Fine (4:43)
9. Tryin' To Get Over (5:33)
10. That Man (5:04)
11. Roof Ova My Head (2:43)
12. Throw Down (2:31)
13. Take Me Back To Seattle (4:18)

Pacific Northwest, Lady of blues, soul, funk & gospel, Lady A, has a high energy show has been compared to the likes of Tina Turner and Chaka Khan - a smile that easily draws the audience in with her sultry-husky voice and contemporary blues-funk style. Like a good pot-a-gumbo, Lady A is best served hot!

Nominated as Best Blues Performer of the Year 2020 by the Washington Blues Society and known as "The Hardest Workin Woman"; Lady A is also host DJ on Lady A's Gumbo & Gospel on Sunday mornings and host a Black N Blues (the B side) show on NWCZ online radio out of Tacoma, Washington. Along with her production company, as well as an artist, the Lady brings musicians to the Seattle area under Lady A Productions, blues and gospel artist alike.

Live In New Orleans mc
Live In New Orleans gofile

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Sean Chambers Band - Live From The Long Island Blues Warehouse

Album: Live From The Long Island Blues Warehouse
Size: 104,9 MB
Time: 45:09
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Electric blues
Art: Front, back

1. Dixie 45 (3:08)
2. Love Can Find A Way (3:34)
3. Full Moon On Main Street (4:29)
4. Strong Temptation (3:09)
5. Dust My Broom (4:27)
6. Crazy For Loving You (4:57)
7. Danger Zone (3:23)
8. Too Much Blues (3:40)
9. Hip Shake Boogie (3:54)
10. In The Winter Time (10:24)

Each of Florida-based blues guitarist Sean Chambers' three studio albums is on a different record label, so it may be that his fourth release, Live from the Long Island Blues Warehouse, which draws its repertoire from them, is a means of putting songs from the first two discs, Strong Temptation and Humble Spirits, on his current imprint, Blue Heat. In any case, it is a summing up of a talented if very familiar-sounding player whose guitar work is deep in the tradition of blues-rock as purveyed by Jimi Hendrix and, particularly, Johnny Winter. Chambers, fronting a trio that includes the rhythm section of bassist Tim Blair and drummer Paul Broderick (and with harmonica player Gary Keith piping up on "Love Can Find a Way"), plays forceful, quick-note leads on tunes that are often billed as originals, even if they sound like a lot of other blues songs.

He favors fast tempos, but even when he turns to a slow blues like his cover of the Kinsey Report's "Full Moon on Main Street," he usually sticks to a fleet-fingered approach over the reduced tempo. He sings in a baritone with gruff edges, though not nearly as much of a howl as the voice of Johnny Winter. As with his predecessors, however, the vocals aren't really what matters, and Chambers dispenses with them on "Dixie 45" and "Hip Shake Boogie," the latter billed as a new, previously unreleased original even if, as its title suggests, it's really a jam on a time-tested blues structure. Sean Chambers may not be doing anything new on this live set, but his playing is sufficiently accomplished to satisfy blues fans who have heard others play in this style before him. /William Ruhlmann, AllMusic

Live From The Long Island Blues Warehouse mc
Live From The Long Island Blues Warehouse zippy

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Texas Blues Rangers - Thin Ice

Album: Thin Ice
Size: 102,6 MB
Time: 44:17
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Styles: Electric blues
Art: Front

1. Thin Ice (3:31)
2. Who's Been Talkin' (3:43)
3. She Caught The Katy (4:18)
4. Sad Thing (4:22)
5. A Dose Of The Blues (4:28)
6. Freddy Sez (2:48)
7. Rollin' & Tumblin' (7:00)
8. Sittin' On Top Of The World (3:43)
9. Little Red Rooster (4:18)
10. Boogie Woogie Texas Girl (2:40)
11. I Think I'll Skip Christmas (This Year) (3:21)

One of the most frequently asked questions of the Texas Blues Rangers is "what in the world are you doing in Amarillo, Texas?" One word sums it up - fate. In 2000, Marc Durham moved from Nashville, Tennessee to Amarillo to assist with the care of his parents. John "Johnny Reverb" Holston moved back to Amarillo from Austin, Texas about the same time for similar reasons. Although they were both actively performing with their own bands, their mutual love of the blues brought them together for the Thursday Night Blues Jam at Durham's, a bar Marc owned at the time. The rest, as they say, is history.

Originally from Gulfport, Mississippi, John "Johnny Reverb" Holston (Guitars/Vocals) has an extensive list of Texas Music credentials beginning with Milton Carroll in the 70s. Milton was an RCA artist, and the band toured with Jerry Jeff Walker, as well as many other notable Austin "Cosmic Cowboy" acts from that era. A 7-year stint with America's first Reggae band, "The Lotions, cemented Johnny's career. Later, he formed a blues trio which became very popular in Europe and led to several European tours. Johnny's awesome guitar work on "Thin Ice" puts him in the same league as many of Texas' most famous blues guitar slingers.

Marc Durham (Bass/Keys/Vocals) has a long history in the music business with several major label releases, beginning with the band Buckwheat, which recorded 4 albums on London Records in the early 70s and had several singles in the Top 40. He later became the lead singer for the band Blue Steel (MCA Records), whose single, "No More Lonely Nights", went to #36 on the Billboard Hot 100. Blue Steel opened 36 shows for the Eagles on their "Long Run Tour." As a side-man in LA, Marc toured with Tanya Tucker, Juice Newton, Bo Diddley, & Wolfman Jack. And, as a member of Roger Miller's backup band, he played at the White House for President Gerald Ford.

From LA, Marc moved to Nashville and lived there for 12 years. He enjoyed success as a sideman with the likes of Marty Stuart, The Sweethearts of the Rodeo, and Shelby Lynn, wrote over 300 songs, and produced songwriter demos and independent CD projects. The Texas Blues Rangers currently perform at venues throughout the area and at private parties. Their "Thin Ice" CD is selling well and continues to build momentum. It is receiving regional airplay, as well as play on numerous blues oriented radio and internet radio programs world-wide. One listen and you'll know why.

Thin Ice mc
Thin Ice zippy

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Sugar Pie DeSanto - Down In The Basement: The Chess Years

Album: Down In The Basement: The Chess Years
Size: 77,8 MB
Time: 33:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1986/1997
Styles: R&B
Art: Full

1. In The Basement, Part One (w. Etta James) (2:23)
2. I Want To Know (3:02)
3. Mama Didn't Raise No Fool (2:16)
4. Maybe You'll Be There (3:49)
5. Do I Make Myself Clear (w. Etta James) (2:59)
6. Ask Me (2:37)
7. Use What You Got (2:42)
8. Can't Let You Go (2:47)
9. Soulful Dress (2:51)
10. Going Back To Where I Belong (2:29)
11. She's Got Everything (2:36)
12. Slip-in Mules (2:50)

Born Umpeylia Marcema Balinton, this artist was given her stage name as well as her recording debut by rhythm and blues ubermensch Johnny Otis. He dubbed her "Little Miss Sugar Pie" in 1955, and not because she had a sweet tooth or liked to bake. "While we were in the studio he named me Sugar Pie," DeSanto recalled in an interview, "Because I was so little. I wore a size three shoe and I weighed about 85 pounds. I was very tiny." She's a half-pint in size, true, but in talent or voice assuredly not. Although typecast as a blues singer, she also takes care of business on the soul end of things and is a convincing jazz vocal stylist as well. That would be enough to gain most singers a reasonable slice of glory, but DeSanto also happens to be a hilarious comedienne, a show-stopping dancer, and a superb and highly original songwriter whose compositions have been cut by Fontella Bass, Billy Stewart, Little Milton, Bobby McClure, Minnie Riperton, Jesse James, the Dells, and the Whispers.

Otis discovered her performing at the Ellis Theater, the venue which she feels was sort of a birthing ground for her musical style. Otis dropped by one of the venue's regular talent shows only to observe DeSanto walking off with first prize. He promptly offered her a contract to come to Los Angeles to cut her first record ever. From the late '50s onward she performed regularly at rhythm & blues havens such as the Apollo in New York, the Regal in Chicago, and the Howard in Washington, D.C. At the Apollo she made quite an impression on the so-called "Godfather of Soul," James Brown, leading to her becoming his opening act for two years.

In 1964, DeSanto was the only female performer on a touring American Folk Blues Festival bill with a lineup that would make a blues fan soak the concert program with drool, including Willie Dixon, Sleepy John Estes, Clifton James, Sunnyland Slim, Hubert Sumlin, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Sonny Boy Williamson II, also known as Rice Miller. She has written some 100 songs and prefers to perform her own material. On a series of four excellent compact discs on the Jasman label, only two songs are not written by her. Classic Sugar Pie, released in 1997, was the first full-length live recording by this artist whose on-stage workout has always totally bypassed her record releases in terms of creativity and intensity. This recording reveals that advancing age isn't stopping her from continuing to expand her talent base: she branches out into country & western. /Biography by Eugene Chadbourne, AllMusic

(For personnel and recording details, see artwork included.)

Down In The Basement: The Chess Years mc
Down In The Basement: The Chess Years zippy

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Henry Correy & The Correydors - Heat Of The Moment

Album: Heat Of The Moment
Size: 145,5 MB
Time: 63:01
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2004
Styles: Electric blues
Art: Front, tray

1. Double Dealin' Mama (4:01)
2. That Can't Be (3:39)
3. Cheatin' (3:54)
4. Smokin' (2:31)
5. Too Many Lonely Days (4:10)
6. Would I Lie To You (3:24)
7. Drinkin' Woman (5:22)
8. Early Morning Hours (4:00)
9. The Silence Says It All (5:10)
10. Before Tonight (5:34)
11. Too Little Too Late (4:03)
12. Isn't It Strange (4:58)
13. Hopes & Dreams (4:41)
14. Talk Too Much (4:46)
15. Heat Of The Moment (2:42)

Henry Correy is a bassist/vocalist/songwriter in the blues genre. His career spans over three decades playing with many icons of the Australian music scene, including household names in Oz such as Richard Clapton and Renee Geyer, as well as international artists John Mayall, Lynwood Slim, and many more. Throughout each decade he has achieved many rewarding milestones. Each one taking him to a higher and more enriching stage of his musical journey. He has performed at some of Australia's major venues and blues festivals. Henry's music has been performed by a big band orchestra at the world famous Sydney Opera House, as well as showcasing in several movies. The 80's saw him achieve Heavy Metal Chart success in USA and Europe as well as running his own record company.

Several years ago he rediscovered his roots and the reason he started playing music in the first place - his love for The Blues. Having paid his dues, he now plays the blues with sincerity, passion, and conviction in his own unique style. As a play-off from his name, the musicians forming his band are known as The Correydors (pronounced: corridors). There are three CDs available at the moment. The first "Time Is A Teacher", the second “Heat Of The Moment”, and the latest product "Prisoner Of Desire".

In June/July 2005 Henry undertook his first and very successful tour of Canada, appearing at numerous venues as well as the Toronto Blues For Peace Festival and Mont Tremblant Blues Festival in Quebec, due to the great amount of airplay his CDs are receiving on numerous stations across Canada. Future tours of Canada and France are planned for 2006/2007. Awards: Sydney Blues Society’s Annual Award 2003 for Services To The Blues; Australian Of The Year Award Nominee 2005.

This latest cd, Heat Of The Moment, was recorded "live" in the studio before an invited audience of blues fans and blues media personalities, including reviewers and blues radio programmers. Australian blues reviewer Gary de Wall wrote: “The songs contain grooves so deep you can twist an ankle!”. Many tracks from this cd have been embraced by regular and internet radio programmers in Europe, Scandinavia, USA, Canada, Australia and NZ.

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Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram - 662

Album: 662
Size: 124,7 MB
Time: 53:34
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Electric blues
Art: Front

1. 662 (3:17)
2. She Calls Me Kingfish (3:12)
3. Long Distance Woman (3:28)
4. Another Life Goes By (4:20)
5. Not Gonna Lie (3:01)
6. Too Young to Remember (3:52)
7. You're Already Gone (3:26)
8. My Bad (3:36)
9. That's All It Takes (4:45)
10. I Got To See You (3:38)
11. Your Time Is Gonna Come (5:13)
12. That's What You Do (3:23)
13. Something In The Dirt (3:34)
14. Rock & Roll (Bonus) (4:40)

In all seriousness, Ingram is a young guitarist and vocalist with the soul of a classic blues man. Every note he plays sounds like it is drenched in decades of blues history. His vocals sound as if he’s been baking in small, hot clubs for years, experiencing the highs and lows of a man two or three times his age. Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1999, Kingfish has crammed plenty of life into a very short period of time. He’s toured the world. He’s performed with Vampire Weekend, Jason Isbell, Buddy Guy, and Bootsy Collins. He made the covers of Guitar World and DownBeat in January 2021. He was compared to B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince by Rolling Stone magazine. To top it all off, his 2019 debut album Kingfish was nominated for a Grammy Award and received critical raves across the board. And all of this from a young man who is barely old enough to legally buy a beer in most states.

Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram’s sophomore album 662 – which is named after his hometown’s area code – is s sizzling slab of the blues that reveals a more personal side of the artist. While his debut album, Kingfish, was most certainly a tour-de-force, 662 is a two-de-force – twice the blues and twice the emotion. While the blues burners like “Not Gonna Lie”, “Long Distance Woman” and the title track are rough and tough, 662 also reveals a tenderness that is essential to the blues. “Another Life Goes By” and “You’re Already Gone” are sweet and soulful. And when the horns come in on “That’s All It Takes”, it transforms the song into a soul classic. There are plenty of other surprises on 662, but those are there for the listeners to discover. Not just your average blues artist, Ingram operates at a level far beyond his years. Just imagine what he’ll be like when he’s 25!

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Andy Santana & The West Coast Playboys - Watch Your Step!

Album: Watch Your Step!
Size: 113,1 MB
Time: 48:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Electric blues, West Coast blues
Art: Full

1. Knock Knock (2:29)
2. Watch Your Step (3:51)
3. Playgirl (3:22)
4. One Way Love Affair (3:23)
5. Love Sickness (3:52)
6. You May Not Know (3:54)
7. No Double Talk (2:59)
8. Can't You See (5:22)
9. Take Me Back (3:30)
10. Greaseland (6:48)
11. You Smell Like Cookies (3:25)
12. What's Wrong? (2:35)
13. Go On Fool (3:14)

Andy Santana is a triple threat. He is a vocalist, guitarist and harmonica player. His bands have played the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, The Bay Area Music Awards, The Hollywood Hall of Fame Festival, The Santa Cruz Blues Festivals and The San Francisco Blues Festivals. Santana’s bands have backed Willie Dixon, Jimmy Rogers, Billy Boy Arnold, Carey Bell, William Clarke, Lou Ann Barton, Tommy Castro, Chris Cain, Nappy Brown and others. He has toured with Junior Watson and Angela Strehli.

Santana’s first album “Tight White Dress” was released in 1991. His follow up recording was 1998’s “Swingin’ Rockin’ Jumpin’ & Jivin’” on the Hepcat Records label. It featured him with The West Coast Playboys which at the time included Junior Watson and guest guitarists Coco Montoya and Rusty Zinn. In 2007 he released his third recording “Take Me With You”. Although not as prolific as some Santana proves his metal on this new album. Santana’s grasp of old school R ’n’ B and more specifically that music coming out of Louisiana in the 1950’s and 60’s makes this album great listening. The album was produced by Santana and Kid Anderson at Anderson’s Greaseland Studios in Campbell, Ca. Except for three tracks that were produced by Zinn.

The album opens with “Knock, Knock” credited to J. West and Carol Fran. The song was originally sung by Fran and released as a single on Excello Records in 1959. Bob Welsh is on piano; Anthony Paule on rhythm guitar, and Frankie Ramos on tenor sax. The title track “Watch Your Step” was written and released as a single by Bobby Parker in 1961. Parker is best known for this song. Highly recommended is Parker’s 1995 album “Shine Me Up” on the Bullseye Record label. Unfortunately Parker passed in November 2013. On the new version Santana sings and plays both guitar and harmonica; Nate Ginsberg plays piano while Mike Phillips plays bass. “Play Girl” was written by Dave Bartholomew and originally recorded by Smiley Lewis in the early 1950’s. Santana plays lead guitar; Welsh, piano; the rhythm section is Mike McCurdy, bass; and Robi Bean, drums. This and the next track were produced by Zinn.

“One Way Love Affair” was written and released as a single by ZZ Hill in 1964. Zinn plays rhythm guitar while Nate Ginsberg is on the Hammond B-3. “Love Sickness” was written and recorded for Stax Records by Sir Mack Rice who also authored “Mustang Sally”. Bob Welsh plays lead guitar while June Core is on drums. “You May Not Know” was a 1956 single by the little known harmony group The Hurricanes. Paule plays lead guitar. “No Double Talk” was written by Rick Estrin and Santana. Anderson plays lead guitar. This is the songs debut. Paule plays lead guitar on “Can’t You See” written by Chuck Willis. Welsh is on piano; and Lorenzo Farrell on the B-3. “Take Me Back” was a 1960 single for Al Brown and His Tunetoppers on Amy Records. This is the third song produced by Zinn who plays rhythm guitar.

Santana contributes three originals. The first is a seven minute instrumental he calls “Greaseland”. Welsh plays lead guitar on the intro and first break; Santana plays lead on the second break; on the third break the lead is by Paule; Anderson picks up the lead on the 4th break and Mighty Mike Schermer plays lead on the 5th. “You Smell Like Cookies” is just a whole lotta fun. Paule is on lead, Anderson, rhythm; Welsh, piano, McCurdy, bass; and Bean, drums. “What’s Wrong” features Paule, rhythm; Anderson, baritone guitar; Farrell, B-3; Phillips, bass; and Core, drums. This R ’n’ B revivalist closes with “Go On Fool” written by Bartholomew and first recorded by Smiley Lewis in 1957. It was later recorded by Ruth Brown. Anderson is featured on the baritone guitar; Welsh, piano and Core on drums. These songs are infectiously performed by Santana whose knowledge and grasp of this genre make for a terrific recording. This is highly recommended. /Richard Ludmerer

(For further personnel details, see artwork included.)

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East Blues Experience & Carey Bell - Good Understanding

Album: Good Understanding
Size: 138,6 MB
Time: 60:03
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1994
Styles: Electric blues, harmonica blues
Art: Front, tray, cd

1. Tribute To S.R.V. (3:28)
2. Low Down Dirty Shame (4:41)
3. It's So Easy To Love You (5:55)
4. I Love You Baby (3:31)
5. Nineteen Years Old (8:10)
6. Blues For A.C. (5:13)
7. Quit It (5:17)
8. Leaving In The Morning (4:56)
9. The Sky Is Crying (5:48)
10. Hey, Hey Honey (5:32)
11. Good Understanding (2:27)
12. Carey's New Friend (4:58)

East Blues Experience: East Blues Experience was founded in Berlin in early 1991 by singer, guitarist and songwriter Peter Schmidt, previously with Handarbeit. The band's founding line-up included bassist Rene Mosgraber and drummer Jürgen Schötz, who had previously played with Big Joe Stolle and Alexander Blume at Zenit and in the Intercity Blues Band. Shortly after the founding, Ronny Dehn switched to the drums and Jäcki Reznicek took over the bass. Reznicek used to play in Veronika Fischer's backing band, with Pankow and with Silly. In the same year their debut album "East Blues Experience" was released on Mara Records and they accompanied Luther Allison and Louisiana Red on a tour around Germany.

In 1993 East Blues Experience signed Carey Bell as a guest on their Good Understanding Tour, and the studio album "Good Understanding" with him was recorded in Prague. Further appearances with well-known bands, such as Uriah Heep and Golden Earring, followed and their appearances in 1994 at the Djurs Bluesland Festival in Randers, 1997 at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt (Main) and 1998 at the 15th Dresden Blues Festival made the band known nationally and internationally. In the beginning of 2000, East Blues Eexperience had brought a second guitarist into the band in the form of Axel Merseburger and the sound became increasingly rocky. Reznicek had since left the band and was replaced by Rainer Engelmann. In 2004 the band went on another successful tour through Germany and separated in spring 2005.

Carey Bell: His place on the honor roll of Chicago blues harpists long ago assured, Carey Bell truly came into his own in the '90s as a bandleader with terrific discs for Alligator and Blind Pig. He learned his distinctive harmonica riffs from the Windy City's very best (both Walters - Little and Big - as well as Sonny Boy Williamson II), adding his own signature effects for good measure (an otherworldly moan immediately identifies many of his more memorable harp rides). Born Carey Bell Harrington in the blues-fertile state of Mississippi, he was already playing the harp when he was eight and working professionally with his godfather, pianist Lovie Lee, at 13. The older and more experienced Lee brought Carey with him to Chicago in search of steady musical opportunities in 1956. Gigs frequently proved scarce, and Carey eventually took up electric bass, playing behind Robert Nighthawk, Johnny Young, and his mentor Big Walter Horton.

Finally, in 1969, Bell made his debut album (on harp) for Delmark, and he was on his way. Bell served invaluable early-'70s stints in the bands of Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon, touring extensively and recording with both legends. Alligator Records has been responsible for much of Bell's best recorded work as a leader, beginning with a joint venture with Horton back in 1972. Four cuts by Bell on the first batch of Alligator's Living Chicago Blues anthologies in 1978 preceded his participation in the 1990 harmonica summit meeting Harp Attack!, which brought him into the studio with fellow greats James Cotton, Junior Wells, and Billy Branch. His solo set for Alligator, Deep Down, rates as his finest album. Bell has sired a passel of blues-playing progeny; best-known of the brood is mercurial guitarist Lurrie Bell. /Biography by Bill Dahl, AllMusic

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Sugar Pie DeSanto - Love So Strong

Album: Love So Strong
Size: 79,2 MB
Time: 34:04
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: R&B
Art: Front

1. Nickel And A Dime (1:49)
2. Flippin And A Floppin (2:12)
3. Going Back Where I Belong (2:29)
4. Wish You Were Mine (2:32)
5. I Want To Know (3:02)
6. Baby It Ain't Right (2:54)
7. Can't Let You Go (2:47)
8. It Won't Be Long (2:06)
9. Strange Feeling (2:22)
10. A Little Taste Of Soul (2:15)
11. Ask Me (2:37)
12. Open Your Heart (2:08)
13. I Cry Alone (2:45)
14. Love So Strong (2:00)

Born Umpeylia Marcema Balinton, this artist was given her stage name as well as her recording debut by rhythm and blues ubermensch Johnny Otis. He dubbed her "Little Miss Sugar Pie" in 1955, and not because she had a sweet tooth or liked to bake. "While we were in the studio he named me Sugar Pie," DeSanto recalled in an interview, "Because I was so little. I wore a size three shoe and I weighed about 85 pounds. I was very tiny." She's a half-pint in size, true, but in talent or voice assuredly not. Although typecast as a blues singer, she also takes care of business on the soul end of things and is a convincing jazz vocal stylist as well. That would be enough to gain most singers a reasonable slice of glory, but DeSanto also happens to be a hilarious comedienne, a show-stopping dancer, and a superb and highly original songwriter whose compositions have been cut by Fontella Bass, Billy Stewart, Little Milton, Bobby McClure, Minnie Riperton, Jesse James, the Dells, and the Whispers.

Otis discovered her performing at the Ellis Theater, the venue which she feels was sort of a birthing ground for her musical style. Otis dropped by one of the venue's regular talent shows only to observe DeSanto walking off with first prize. He promptly offered her a contract to come to Los Angeles to cut her first record ever. From the late '50s onward she performed regularly at rhythm & blues havens such as the Apollo in New York, the Regal in Chicago, and the Howard in Washington, D.C. At the Apollo she made quite an impression on the so-called "Godfather of Soul," James Brown, leading to her becoming his opening act for two years.

In 1964, DeSanto was the only female performer on a touring American Folk Blues Festival bill with a lineup that would make a blues fan soak the concert program with drool, including Willie Dixon, Sleepy John Estes, Clifton James, Sunnyland Slim, Hubert Sumlin, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Sonny Boy Williamson II, also known as Rice Miller. She has written some 100 songs and prefers to perform her own material. On a series of four excellent compact discs on the Jasman label, only two songs are not written by her. Classic Sugar Pie, released in 1997, was the first full-length live recording by this artist whose on-stage workout has always totally bypassed her record releases in terms of creativity and intensity. This recording reveals that advancing age isn't stopping her from continuing to expand her talent base: she branches out into country & western. /Biography by Eugene Chadbourne, AllMusic

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