Thursday, June 29, 2023

Curley Bridges - Mr. Rock 'N' Soul

Size: 118.2 MB
Time: 50:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2001
Styles: Jump Blues, Blues Soul
Art: Full

01. Rock 'N' Soul (3:13)
02. Nobody Seems To Want Me (3:56)
03. Little Red Rooster (4:41)
04. You're The One (That I Adore) (4:56)
05. Suite: Watermelon (5:56)
06. Caledonia (4:20)
07. What Am I Living For (4:42)
08. Ya Ya (4:16)
09. Ain't That Just Like A Woman (3:30)
10. My Girl Josephine (2:41)
11. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town (4:19)
12. Mo-Jo Re-Worked (4:08)

Personnel: Curley Bridges (piano, vocals), Buckey Berger (drums), Dan Whiteley (guitar), Victor Bateman (acoustic bass), Pat Carey (saxophone), Chris Whiteley (harmonica, trumpet, guitar).

Here at Electro-Fi we feel that this new release even surpasses Curley’s magnificent debut "Key’s to the Blues" (E-fi3358) which was selected "Album of the Month" by Britains prestigious Blues & Rhythm magazine.Piano powerhouse CURLEY BRIDGES was out there playing Rock and Roll before they called it Rock and Roll. Today, nearly fifty years later, he’s still got what it takes, combining a rich and powerful voice with unmatched keyboard expertise. On "Mr Rock ‘n’ Soul" Curley is backed by an All-Star band featuring special guest CHRIS WHITELEY of The Whiteley Brothers fame on harp, trumpet and guitar, with PAT CAREY from the Downchild Blues Band playing superb saxophone. BUCKY BERGER on drums, DAN WHITELEY on guitar and VICTOR BATEMAN on acoustic bass round out this truly exceptional ensemble.
Now with the release of "Mr Rock ‘n’ Soul" Curley showcases his immense talent on both his original title track, a slice of musical molten lava, and on a great assortment of jumpin’ blues material done up Curley Bridges style!

Mr. Rock 'N' Soul MP3
Mr. Rock 'N' Soul FLAC

Mark Searcy - Denouement

Size: 83.7 MB
Time: 35:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. I Got Mine (3:54)
02. Give Me Time (3:26)
03. In A Van Down By The River (3:49)
04. Getaway With Me (3:37)
05. Warriors Of Passion And Crime (7:18)
06. Rock Me Baby (3:34)
07. Sitting On The Edge Of Time (3:25)
08. Denouement (6:42)

American guitarist and songwriter Mark Searcy Middleton has a unique and diverse musical background. As an Arkansas native, he began guitar during his early teen years, but put it down for 15 years to raise a family and started back as a form of rehabilitation after a work accident severely damaged several fingers. He soon immersed himself in the pre-war blues of the 1920s and 30s, and his solo acoustic blues recording of Blind Man's Blues earned his first nomination as "Musician of the Year" at the 2007 Texas Music Awards. He later won the award in 2014 for the colorful and all instrumental "Hazepipe" release. His body of work now contains 17 albums representing diverse influences ranging from Robert Johnson to Glen Campbell to Jimi Hendrix and fuses blues, rock, country, and jazz into original songwriting including ensemble, instrumental and solo compositions. He has also released 4 books of music transcription and guitar tablature.

Denouement MP3
Denouement FLAC

Willie J Laws Jr. - Too Much Blues

Size: 108.9 MB
Time: 46:44
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Texas Blues, Blues Soul
Art: Front

01. Regl’ Ol’ Blues (4:16)
02. Better Off Blue (4:23)
03. Stuck In Traffic (5:34)
04. Getcha’ Knee Off My Neck (3:23)
05. Love Before You Die (4:11)
06. I Want To Be Loved (2:36)
07. Sorry Charlie (Feat. Jerry Portnoy & The Paul Nelson Band) (3:17)
08. Too Much Blues (4:11)
09. You Don’t Love Me (U Love What I Do) (4:21)
10. Ain’t Goin’ To Texas (3:15)
11. The Right (Studio Live) (Feat. Willie J Laws Band) (4:21)
12. Who’s That Lady? (2:50)

US Navy veteran Willie J. Laws Jr, raised in the Gulf Coast of Texas near Corpus Christi, has over 35 years of performing experience and has traveled all over the world making music. Willie J. developed his "funky blues" guitar and vocal sound, influenced by Texas Blues and R&B/Soul, Tex-Mex Tejano/Conjunto, Louisiana Zydeco, and Country. His vocals and guitar work are stunning.

His body of concert work includes performing as the house band for The House of Blues in both Las Vegas (5 years) and New Orleans (2 years), and as well as regularly performing at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville in New Orleans. Willie J. toured both nationally and internationally with the Smithsonian Folkways/Grammy award-winning band, "Los Texmaniacs". During the course of his career his band regularly opened for BB King, Etta James, as well as Bobby Blue Bland, Hall and Oates, Warren Zevon, Johnny Winter, and The Ohio Players. Willie was mentored by, and toured with, the late Blues great and Texan, Phillip Walker, which you will hear in Willie's Texas "chicken pickin' " playing style. He has toured multiple times to enthusiastic audiences in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and Poland. As well as USO tours in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm, and Japan. He really is beloved wherever in the world he's gone.

Willie now lives in Massachusetts and garnered a 2011 Massachusetts Blues Challenge Award, was a semi-finalist in the 2012 International Blues Challenge and prestigious Beale St King Award 2012 in Memphis TN, two New England Music Award nominations (2015 and 2016), and a 2015 Boston Music Award Nomination. He and his Boston based band toured and performed twice in Russia at the behest of the United States Consul General of St. Petersburg Russia as part of an artistic ambassadorship. In the seven years of playing in New England Willie is known as one of the foremost Blues acts of the region with a modern funky style uniquely his own. His performances are always warm, funny and entertaining, while also musically inspiring.

Willie is set to release a new CD "Too Much Blues" at the end of 2022. His previous recording, "Black Maria" is a collection of all but one original songs, written and produced by himself, and keyboardist, Bruce Mattson. Willie is a vocalist on three of the Knickerbocker Allstars recordings, as well as New England's piano man, Anthony Geraci's album entitled "Why Did You Have To Go".

The Willie J Laws Band sound is seated deeply in Texas Roots Music, add some Funk, and Jazz influenced bass patterns, and the influence of various Afro-Caribbean drum beats, all tempered with a groove from Motown, Memphis or Muscle Shoals, New Orleans or Houston, Cincinnati or Los Angeles. The sound is traditional American roots music with a unique twist, skillfully played and performed. Come see why they are calling him the "Real Deal". Come see "The Last Prophet of The Funky Texas Blues".

Too Much Blues MP3
Too Much Blues FLAC

Eric Heideman - Third Degree Gravity

Size: 88.0 MB
Time: 37:39
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. I Didn't Do It (Feat. Victor Wainwright) (4:20)
02. Money Man (3:59)
03. You're Pushin' Me (Feat. JW-Jones) (3:05)
04. Where Has The Love Gone (3:46)
05. Howlin' Wind (4:11)
06. Never Felt This Way Before (3:27)
07. News (3:46)
08. Say You Mean It Baby (3:36)
09. Leavin' Today (3:34)
10. Turn Out Fine (3:49)

Eric Heideman is a blues musician from Salt Lake City, Utah. He recorded his breakthrough record with a team of Grammy nominees, Blues Music Award, and International Blues Challenge winners. Producers Victor Wainwright and JW-Jones along with master engineer Dave Gross brought their Award-winning talents to Fat Rabbit Studios in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.

"This is my most exciting release yet, and I am thrilled to have worked with such a critically acclaimed team," says Heideman. "This is the most soulful and high-quality record I've made, and in an intimate studio (Fat Rabbit Studios) where artists like Bob Margolin, Seth Walker, Debbie Davies, Candye Kane, Bruce Katz, Victor Wainwright, Tony Holiday, and the late David Maxwell have recorded.”

Co-Producer JW-Jones says "Victor Wainwright and I really brought out the very best of Eric's abilities. I have been working with him weekly for over eighteen months and he's just getting better and more refined with every session. I can't wait for music fans to hear this breakthrough release!"

In addition to playing over 20 local venues, Heideman was a featured performer at the 2022 Utah Blues Festival and has traded riffs alongside some of the top blues artists in the world Including Victor Wainwright, Nick Moss, JW-Jones, Albert Castiglia, Tony Holiday, Terrie Odabi, Marquise Knox, Vanessa Collier, Laura Chavez, and Mitch Woods.

Eric graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Guitar Performance where he studied under and played with Grammy-nominated Artist Kris Johnson.

Third Degree Gravity MP3
Third Degree Gravity FLAC

Blues.The-Butcher-590213 - Feel Like Going Home

Size: 114.0 MB
Time: 48:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. I Feel Like Going Home (3:30)
02. Honey Bee (4:36)
03. Gone To Main St. (2:59)
04. Tell Me Mama (4:33)
05. Can't Hold Out Much Longer (3:51)
06. Why Are People Like That (3:21)
07. Baby, Please Don't Go (3:16)
08. Trouble No More (3:00)
09. Last Night (3:40)
10. Forty Days & Forty Nights (4:09)
11. Walking Thru The Park (3:16)
12. Too Late (3:05)
13. Mannish Boy (5:11)

Blues the Butcher is one of Japan's leading blues bands, consisting of Takashi "Hotoke" Nagai (g/vo), Hisashi Numazawa (ds), Taku Chujo (b), and KOTEZ (hca/vo). This new album is their 10th album, including two albums with the late Monsieur Kamayatsu and James Gadson, and two albums with Utsu Yoshiko (ex-Mescaline Drive - Soul Flower Union) as a guest. The theme of this album is Muddy Waters, the origin of Nagai's blues. Muddy Waters was the first bluesman Nagai fell in love with. He is the creator of the Chicago band Blues, which has greatly influenced the Rolling Stones and other musicians around the world. Blues the Butcher has often featured Muddy Waters' music, but this time we are going all out with Muddy Waters' numbers. This new album is almost entirely Muddy numbers.

Feel Like Going Home MP3
Feel Like Going Home FLAC

Soulful Femme - Attitude

Size: 106.6 MB
Time: 45:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Blues, Rock, Soul
Art: Full

01. Attitude (3:41)
02. Not Like You (3:32)
03. Insane Asylum (4:55)
04. Can't Get There From Here (4:31)
05. Breathe Again (5:29)
06. Loser's Game (4:49)
07. Talkin' Loud And Syin' Nothing (4:09)
08. Walk Out (3:28)
09. Dysfunction Funk (2:46)
10. Crazy (3:40)
11. Time To Walk (4:36)

Stevee Wellons and Cheryl Rinovato, the two principals in the dynamic duo known as Soulful Femme, are more than simply a dynamic singing duo. They are seasoned performers in their own right, each possessing vast experience in the music business who happened to join forces and find an ideal chemistry.

Wellons has been performing since the late 1970’s in a variety of bands, among them any number of accomplished outfits, including the Rhythm Machine, Jumpstreet, Shaker, the Cruisers, the Elmonics, The Real Deal Band, and The Stevee Wellons Band. Over the course of her career, she shared stages with the Dazz Band, Cameo, Peaches and Herb, and Howard Hewett, among many others. She’s released two solo albums — Stevee Wellons -All Natural Ingredients and one simply titled Stevee. In addition, she recently co-wrote and performed background vocals for the artist known as Sun King Rising, A.K.A John Blangero. She previously taught at the Afro-American Music Institute and is currently an adjunct professor at the Community College of Allegheny County.

Cheryl brings an equally impressive resume to the table. She’s been a student of guitar since the age of nine and later became a graduate of the prestigious Berklee School of Music. A three-time recipient of the prestigious Jim Weber Award accorded to the blues guitarist of the year, she claims extensive studio experience while citing such early influences as Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, Tower of Power, and Burt Bacharach. In addition, she’s a Delaney Guitars-endorsed artist who has two signature models that were designed with her in mind.

The two met at a Blues Society event in 2014 and clicked immediately. A year later, they competed at the International Blues Competition in Memphis. Their first album, It Is Well With My Soul, was released in 2021. They then found themselves touring consistently, sharing stages with Tommy Castro and opening for such acts as Robert Cray, Mavis Staples, Ana Popovic, Samantha Fish, Shemekia Copeland, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Bernard Allison, Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia, and Jeremiah Johnson. “The planets were all in line when Cheryl and I met,” Stevee insists. “It became obvious that we had to take this journey simply because it was meant to be. She and I are women of a certain age and aren't quite ready to hang up our instruments…We still have a lot to say and we’re determined to say it in the here and now!”

Attitude MP3
Attitude FLAC

Kyle Culkin - Shotgun Ridge

Size: 77.5 MB
Time: 32:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Blues, Rock, Country, Americana
Art: Full

01. My Baby's Gone (3:54)
02. Trashy With You (2:50)
03. Whole 'Nutha Thang (Feat. Albert Lee) (2:27)
04. Two More Bottles Of Wine (Feat. Johnny Hiland) (3:08)
05. Willin' (3:43)
06. Passing Through (Feat. Max MacLaury) (4:41)
07. Creepin' In (Feat. Jade MacRae) (2:55)
08. Angels Get Their Way (2:33)
9. Path Of Least Resistance (Feat. Ted Russell Kamp) (3:39)
10. Sweet Lullaby (2:39)

With years of experience under his belt, Kyle Culkin is playing American roots music that projects a truthful authenticity from hard learned lessons of life on the road. He combines a fun and witty sense of humor with the struggles of life in every song. Culkin’s critically acclaimed albums include a mix of country, rock, folk and blues that put a new twist on an instantly familiar Americana sound. He never overplays his hand and uses taste, tone, and timing to season his lyrics with the right amount of flavor.Now Culkin has enlisted legendary musicians and some of his musical heroes as featured artists with an A-list band of incredible players for his new album that you wont want to miss!

Kyle Culkin is an American songwriter, guitarist and roots music recording artist. He has worked over the past two decades as a multi-instrumentalist musician and the guitarist for nationally touring acts such as The Jeff Jensen Band. Culkin opened for the great B.B. King on his 80th birthday tour when The King of the Blues proclaimed, “This kid can play!”

Shotgun Ridge MP3
Shotgun Ridge FLAC

Catfish & The Crawdaddies - Blues From Another Delta

Album: Blues From Another Delta
Size: 146,3 MB
Time: 63:18
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1998
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Full

1. They Often Call Me Catfish (3:55)
2. Jumpin' At The Jazz Jubilee (6:06)
3. Down The Delta (3:36)
4. Tough Love (3:49)
5. Deep Voodoo (3:32)
6. Crawdaddy Stomp (2:58)
7. In The Doghouse (5:37)
8. Uranium Rock (3:29)
9. Lightnin' (3:16)
10. Gold Cadillac (4:10)
11. Red Fires Burnin' (4:27)
12. Blues March (5:12)
13. I Wanna Bop (4:27)
14. Fat Cat Blues (4:00)
15. Amtrakin' (4:37)

"Blues From Another Delta" is a solid debut recording by Sacramento-based bluesman Ray "Catfish" Copeland and his band, The Crawdaddies. The name of the CD, "Blues From Another Delta", refers to the Sacramento River Delta, a meandering maze of waterways that is so similar to the Mississippi Delta (the birthplace of the blues) that it is often used by Hollywood as a stand in for the Big Muddy.

Standout cuts include "Jumpin' at the Jazz Jubilee", a paean to the local Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, where Catfish holds court on an annual basis at the blues tent; "I Wanna Bop", a chugging rockabilly blues, and "Gold Cadillac", a witty "wish-I-had-a" type number. Although the band are categorized as a blues unit, healthy and welcome doses of African rhythms and blistering American rock n roll saturate this CD. /Amazon

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

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Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Elliott & The Untouchables - Voodoo Stew

Album: Voodoo Stew
Size: 128,1 MB
Time: 55:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Full

1. Got What You Need (4:53)
2. Red Hot, Got Me Burnin' (4:50)
3. Drive These Blues Away (3:53)
4. Shell Of A Man (4:57)
5. You're All I Need (4:01)
6. Bottle Of Blues (4:38)
7. If I Could (4:20)
8. Toss 'N' Turn (4:02)
9. Blues Came Callin' (7:08)
10. Givin' Up On You (3:44)
11. A Girl Like You (3:19)
12. Voodoo Stew (5:33)

Elliott and the Untouchables, from Columbia, SC, are red hot. They perform the "real deal" authentic, vintage blues. From jumpin' west coast swing numbers to burnin' slow blues and nasty slide guitar workouts on an electric diddley bow, the Untouchables' repertoire is as diverse and powerful as the blues itself. The band has taken their high-energy show to clubs and festivals across the US including the House of Blues, Indiana's Bean Blossom Blues Festival, The Birmingham Jam, The Cape Fear Blues Festival, The Charleston Blues Bash, Asheville NC's Bele Chere Festival, the 3 Rivers Music Festival in Columbia, SC, and on Memphis' Beale Street at the Crossroads Music Festival. The Untouchables traveled to Ireland, opening for music legend Van Morrison at the Monaghan Rhythm & Blues Festival and performed at the Blackstairs Blues Festival in Enniscorthy. Other international appearances include the Tremblant International Blues Festival in Quebec, Canada.

The band has released five CDs on BluePoint Records. Their last release, "Voodoo Stew" has been nominated as Best Self-Produced CD in the International Blues Challenge. The CD showcases 12 original tunes, covering a variety of blues styles from swingin' jump tunes to gritty juke joint numbers. Previous releases, "Smokin' the Blues", "Both Ends Burnin", "Danger Zone", and "Last Meal" have been top sellers for the BluePoint label.

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

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Long John Hunter - Looking For A Party

Album: Looking For A Party
Size: 104,2 MB
Time: 44:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2008
Styles: Blues, Texas blues
Art: Full

1. Looking For A Party (4:04)
2. What's Come Over You (5:14)
3. Beggar Man (3:52)
4. Looking For My Baby (3:48)
5. I Know A Man (4:02)
6. Apple Of My Eye (2:56)
7. You Say You Want A Caddy (4:48)
8. Greener Pastures (4:46)
9. You Are My World (4:15)
10. It's Hard To Please A Woman (3:45)
11. Me And Phil (3:17)

Texas border town legend Long John Hunter seems to elude international acclaim year after year of his storied career as a bluesman without peer. Perhaps it is his rough-edged, strained but cool voice that seems to match his unassuming personality, or that his slightly echoplexed, twangy electric guitar is not as distinctive as his predecessors or peers. Nonetheless, Hunter is instantly recognizable for those who care to hear his original songs - based in real life drama, love and regret, or the questionable behavior of human beings in general.

Teamed with producer/co-songwriter Dennis Walker and rhythm guitarist Alan Mirikitani, who also contributes lyrical and music content, Hunter just keeps rolling along with his brand of Southwestern electric blues that anyone can enjoy no matter their urban or rural environs. With bassist Richard Cousins and keyboardist Jimmy Pugh, Hunter plays short numbers that suggest a down-home feeling mixed with the wisdom of experience. Horns by trombonist Ira Nepus, trumpeter Lee Thornburg and tenor saxophonist Tom Peterson punctuate and fill out the rockin' jump blues "Apple of My Eye," as Hunter happily finds his soulmate, while "Looking for a Party" is as easy, good-time shuffle as you'd expect, and "It's Hard to Please a Woman" is your ever-lovin' juke joint blues about being in love and down to your last dime.

There's a slinky cha-cha flavor to "What's Come Over You?," a New Orleans/Professor Longhair-type beat infused into "Looking for My Baby," and the wandering "Greener Pastures" in a slow, exasperated mood. Similarly fraught with frustration, "You Say You Want a Caddy" refers to a car, not a golf buddy, where Hunter emphatically says "no can do," but he offers an alternative on the old-school soul of "I Know a Man" with Pugh's fine organ playing underneath the pit of it. At his most devotional, Hunter sings "You Are My World" as if he really has found a true love, while escapades of crossing the border on "Me & Phil" show the wanderlusting, mischievous side isn't that far removed from a perhaps domesticated general lifestyle.

This is a marvelous recording, entertaining and satisfying from start to finish, proving that old dogs and new tricks are not necessarily polar opposites. Hunter's fans - whose opportunities to hear him on recordings have been few and far between - should enjoy this with no reservations. /Michael G. Nastos, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

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Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Catfish - Burning Bridges

Size: 358 MB
Time: 59:11
File: Flac
Released: 2019
Styles: Blues-rock
Art: Front

1. Up In Smoke ( 6:48)
2. Break Me Down ( 3:18)
3. Ghosts ( 5:55)
4. The Root Of All Evil ( 7:14)
5. Soulbreaker ( 3:50)
6. Too Far To Fall ( 4:02)
7. Archangel ( 5:31)
8. The Big Picture ( 3:56)
9. Under The Gun ( 5:12)
10. One More Chance ( 3:20)
11. Exile (10:00)

In a considerably short time, the British blues rock band Catfish has already made quite an impression. It is therefore not for nothing that this band has been nominated five times at the British Blues Awards. Catfish debuted in 2015 with the album So Many Roads, followed by the EP When BB Sings The Blues, a tribute to B.B. King. Their long-awaited second album 'Broken Man' was released in early 2018. Both albums reached #1 on the IBBA Blues Airplay Chart. And now Matt Long (vocals, guitar), Paul Long (vocals, keys), Adam Pyke (bass) and Kevin Yates (drums) are ready for their third album. On that album, the band proves that they can do more than just produce hard blues rock. By the way, that hard blues rock still sounds very nice! Invariably provided with a 70's Classic Rock sound in which you can encounter bands such as Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy and Jimi Hendrix. Photo Review: Catfish - Burning Bridges After a menacing synthesizer intro, the album opens with the raw funky blues rock of Up In Smoke. A song with a heavy groove, raw bluesy vocals, a nice old-fashioned throbbing organ and rock-hard guitar work. Then follows the full-throttle pumping rocker Break Me Down, which has a punky energy. This song has that typical British blues rock sound a la The Hoax. Matt fires another vicious cutting solo at us in this song. Ghosts is one of the resting points on this album. An atmospheric ballad with atmospheric piano work and a warm sliding guitar sound. That is then followed by the super filthy heavy guitar riffs in The Roots Of All Evil. A log pumping song with a clear 70's rock sound. Soulbreaker is a hypnotic, almost Nathaniel Ratecliff-esque, pounding country blues song with a booming rhythm section and piercing acoustic slide. Then the band takes a funky turn in Too Far To Fall. A song in which the Hoax sound reappears. In the swaying blues rock ballad Archangel, the sound of both Gary Moore (“Still Got The Blues”) and Jimi Hendrix (“Angel”) can be heard. A beautiful, quite soulful song. The Big Picture seems to be quite inspired by the John Lee Hooker boogies, while the melody of this song also features Sugarloaf's "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You". Under The Gun then pumps full throttle again. An exciting rocker in which you can also find Thin Lizzy influences. In the piano ballad One More Chance, Paul can be heard alone in a, don't be alarmed, Supertramp-esque song. The album closes with Exile. A song that starts as an atmospheric warm ballad, but which eventually ends as a heavy pumping song due to the increasingly heavier sounding guitar riffs. With this album, Catfish once again proves to be one of the better British blues rock bands. The heavy boys / girls among us know what to do!

Burning Bridges FLAC

Chris Russell's Chicken Walk - Shakedown

Size: 272 MB
Time: 42:31
File: Flac
Released: 2013
Styles: Blues
Art: Front

1. (Somebody Call The) Po'Po' (5:18)
2. Pretty Little Girl (5:54)
3. Someday My Sun Gonna Shine (4:24)
4. Mississippi River (5:38)
5. Catfish Blues (6:11)
6. Down In Tennessee (3:38)
7. Long Haired Doney (4:33)
8. Bad Motherfucker (6:52)

On the inside sleeve of Shakedown, Melbourne bluesman Chris Russell gives the lowdown. Sentences like “driving down the blacktops in the US southeast, the Mississippi river never far away”, paired with the opening riffs to (Somebody Call The) Po' Po' gives the listener an instant connection with the raw, rambunctious nature of Chris Russell's Chicken Walk. Since dropping their debut in late-2011, the duo of Russell and Dean Muller played plenty of shows both in Australia and abroad, their guitar-and-drums take on the Delta blues gaining fans wherever they go (including this year's Golden Plains, where they were given The Boot – a moment captured in the album's packaging). CRCW's first album introduced a new generation of local music fans to the blues, an ostensibly American genre whose seductive, dirty sound was baptised by Robert Johnson and confirmed by BB King, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters. It was a juicy catfish to be washed down with an ice cold beer and a slice of sweet potato pie. Shakedown is equally as good, but not noticeably better. Whereas their first album harboured an urgency in its pace and Russell's lyrics, Shakedown instead takes the road less travelled and uses the slow, steady pulse of the mighty Mississip' as its reference point. For every guttural vocal line there's a guitar riff or solo getting worked over like nobody's business. Although the differences between Shakedown and Chris Russell's Chicken Walk are few and far between, those unfamiliar to CRCW will be impressed. It's not for everyone, but for those looking for a local introduction to the blues it's an example better than most.

Shakedown FLAC

Rob Orlemans & Half Past Midnight - Shake Them Down

Size: 461 MB
Time: 59:40
File: Flac
Released: 2023
Styles: Blues-rock
Art: Front

1. Boogie On Down The Line (3:27)
2. Into The Night (4:11)
3. Never Be Ready (2:55)
4. Honkin' To The Blues (4:45)
5. A Dirty Shame (4:09)
6. Shake Them Down (3:33)
7. Give That Thang To Me (3:21)
8. Song For Erik (4:03)
9. Nadine (4:48)
10. Love Like A Man (7:14)
11. Moonlight Rumble (3:20)
12. Desire (2:12)
13. JL Boogie (Live) (6:08)
14. Red Moon Rising (5:26)

Rob Orlemans and Half past midnight play on Shake the down as if they are being chased and they have to shake off their attacker, Shake them Down. With his regular companions drummer Ernst van Ee and bassist Piet Tromp, the left-handed Rob Orlemans plays another solid game of blues rock on Shake them down. They pound and tear through the fourteen songs on this album. Fourteen varied songs but with intensity. From the opener Boogie On Down The Line to track 7 Give That Thang To Me, the cut is over. Take track 5, A Dirty Shame, for example, here Rob Orlemans sounds like Lemmy from Motorhead. The opener Boogie down the road has the feel of ZZ top. The drawn-out guitar work in Into The Night and the title track Shake em down are of the rougher type of blues rock that fortunately is also made on Dutch soil. Rob Orlemans may not be the best singer, but he holds his own on his guitar. His interpretation of the Ten years after song Love like a man says it all. His guitar also tears through the song in the Redbone-like Moonlight rumble. Just like in Desire, where his guitar howls through the song in an acoustic setting and drummer Ernst stamps the skins out of his bass drum. The two closing live tracks are a showpiece of what can be expected live from Rob Orlemans and Halfpast midnight. The last track, Red Moon Rising, is a live track with fellow like-minded blues rocker Michael Katon. In Red Moon Rising, the two go on a merciless rampage. A moment to reflect on is the instrumental Song for Erik. When asked who this song is dedicated to, Rob replied: “The song is dedicated to Erik, who was our roadie for 15 years. Erik was always there and arranged everything for the construction and dismantling of my amplifiers and took care of the guitars. Just when we wanted to start recording songs in the studio, we received the message that Erik, like his brother, had died of ALS. Spontaneously we improvised this song for him and recorded it in one take, but the acoustic rhythm guitar was added in the background”. In the instrumental Song for Erik, the band honors their roadie, a song that Rob's playing does justice to its significance to the band.

Shake Them Down FLAC

Monday, June 26, 2023

Adam Holt & The Blues Congregation - Who I Am

Size: 152.5 MB
Time: 65:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2002
Styles: Electric Blues, Southern Rock
Art: Full

01. Who I Am ( 3:32)
02. Killer On The Loose ( 5:22)
03. The End ( 6:21)
04. Drunk On Love ( 3:55)
05. Holding On To Your Love ( 4:46)
06. Honey-Doos ( 4:47)
07. Going Back To Mobile ( 5:06)
08. Queenie Makes Me Feel ( 3:14)
09. How Do I Love Thee ( 4:37)
10. Knocking At Your Door ( 6:28)
11. Hole In My Pocket (17:28)

With a fast and furious blast of fretwork, Adam Holt wastes no time in declaring himself by opening with the title track from his debut, "Who I Am." Yup, he's young (mid-twenties), and yes, he's got chops to burn. And while leading a tough quartet - Henry Jolley on drums, bassist Paul Williams, with Bo Roberts handling keys and John Brock on harp - through an all-original set, Adam shows considerable promise.

The second cut, "Killer On The Loose," serves to reinforce that impression, but one can already see that Mr. Holt has some songwriting chops as well; this one's buoyed by some great organ, and features a few tricky changes that raise the bar a bit. By the third track we know Adam's capable of much more than simply recycling 12-bar riffs. Driven by acoustic guitar, "The End" is a rootsy road song with Adam's gruff vocals achieving an appropriate world-weariness.

"Drunk On Love" is a bit of a rave up that unfortunately doesn't quite work as well as it should. I suspect it has to do with the production, as each of the constituent parts is okay - it's more about the glue that doesn't quite hold it together. "Holding On To Your Love" is a soul ballad, admittedly far removed from blues but one of the disc's high points nonetheless, evidence again that Adam has a sure compositional hand. "Honey-Do's" is a breezy shuffle, with another excellent vocal turn and some interesting harp accents from Mr. Brock; "Going Back To Mobile" is (not surprisingly) a southern funk workout, with Mr. Jolley's drums providing a slippery and irresistibly propulsive foundation. Adam breaks out the acoustic guitar again for a solo "Queenie Makes Me Feel (Like A King)," taking the opportunity as well to show that he himself is no slouch on the Lickin' Stick. Entirely different from Mr. Brock's high, lightning-fast style, his is a thick-toned and raw sound, entirely appropriate for the tune.

"How Do I Love Thee," borrowing the famous opening line from Elizabeth Barret Browning, puts a decidedly bluesy spin on the question, in the form of a grinding shuffle with more of Bo Robert's exemplary organ work. "Knockin' At Your Door" is a mid-tempo tune that's not quite blue, not quite rock, but works anyway; the listed tracks wrap up with "Hole In My Pocket," a nice slow tune that'll ring a bell with anyone who's ever had to explain where all the money went (new guitar?) to a significant other. Nice, restrained picking is contrasted by some extraordinary harmonica work from Mr. Brock; I'd caution him, however, not to become too enamoured of his own virtuosity; a little goes a long way. The by-now-almost-obligatory hidden track is a version of "Mojo Workin" that doesn't add anything new but is fine anyway.

Adam wrote almost everything here, also handling production and design. While there are a few glitches (notably a glaring typographical error, probably caused by a font substitution) that should have been fixed prior to release, all in all this is a satisfying release by a younger player who looks to have a great future ahead of him. No, it's not essential. But Mr. Holt's next outing just might be . . . keep an eye out for it! ~John Taylor

Who I Am MP3
Who I Am FLAC

Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones - Groovin' At Groove Now!

Size: 137.0 MB
Time: 58:38
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Full

01. Introductions (0:22)
02. East Side Hop (4:46)
03. Only Time Will Tell (4:45)
04. Put It Down (5:35)
05. I'm Ready (4:36)
06. Oh Baby (6:18)
07. Every Night When I Get Home (5:29)
08. Bloodshot Eyes (4:47)
09. Momma Didn't Raise No Fool (4:41)
10. No Sense (4:21)
11. An Eye For An Eye (4:23)
12. Whisper (8:28)

Doug Deming is an American blues and roots guitarist/vocalist, born and raised in the Detroit area, currently residing on the Gulf coast of Florida. Doug is the 2013 recipient of the Blues Blast Music Awards' Sean Costello Rising Star Award. Drawing influence from greats like T-Bone Walker, Charlie Christian and Robert Jr. Lockwood, Doug's traditional taste and style are evident in his original music. This new album is a live performance. Recorded ith several guest artists in Basel Switzerland.

Groovin' At Groove Now! MP3
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Paul Boddy & Slidewinder Blues Band - Nosy Neighbors

Size: 96.1 MB
Time: 41:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. Trouble Finds Me Everyday (2:53)
02. Hurts Me Too (3:40)
03. Hanky Panky Blues (2:58)
04. Baby Let's Try Again (2:41)
05. Nosy Neighbors (3:26)
06. Milk & Cookies (2:41)
07. Right Way Up (2:26)
08. Blues Is Company (3:16)
09. Delta Lady (4:16)
10. Bells & Whistles (3:09)
11. Jam It In (3:32)
12. Trashcan Head (6:10)

The SlideWinder Blues Band hits hard with its own brand of Texas and Chicago driven contemporary blues. For those times when the 1, 4, 5 just isn't enough, the bands red blooded live shows are full of vigor and offer a sonic pallet indicative of the Mississippi Delta and New Orleans.

Hailing from Doylestown, PA, a suburban town just north of Philadelphia, SlideWinder is comprised of several regulars of “The Every Thursday Funk n’ Blues Jam”, a weekly open blues jam originally born within the venue walls of Puck Live in Doylestown and continues to this day at Havana New Hope in New Hope, PA on Thursday evenings.

Now in its seventh year, SlideWinder isn’t just a band, it’s a community. Inductees of The PA Blues Hall of Fame, winner of the Bucks Happening List for two consecutive years for best band category, charting positions at international radio with their debut record, all position SlideWinder to expand it's aural footprint. Most recently, a bluesy re-do of the 1961 hit “A Little Bit of Soap” dropped in May of 2021 and peaked at #3 on the RMR Blues Radio Chart. The bands sophomore effort is scheduled for release Feb 24, 2023.

SWBB has on more than one occasion supported Sonny Landreth, Marcia Ball and others. The band has ignited multiple music festivals including MusikFest, Blast Furnace Blues Festival, and the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival.

The core members of the band include founder Paul Boddy on lead vocal and guitars. Organ and piano are delivered ardently by Glenn “The Wizard” Hale. Foundational density is laid down by bass-man Chuck Hearne, and the skins are relentlessly finessed by Dave Hollingsworth.

The band’s first release, “Over the Hump” is a humorous tale of an aging body playing host to the thoughts of a younger mind. Follow-up tracks include "Love Me Darlin" which is unabashedly about the come-hear go-away dynamic of troubled relationships. “Money on Love” depicts a young man blowing his weekly paycheck in bars as he looks for love. “Knock my Boots” is not only a play on words, but a line drawn in the sand about a mans prized pair of cowboy boots. Pretty Kitty is a humorous story of a woman's pet and chock full of innuendo. The bands first entry into ballad territory is “Makin’ Me Cry” which features Paul's emotionally charged vocal performance and patiently potent slide work, along with Glenn's soulful organ wizzardry. Several great Bucks County blues musicians appear on this collaboration of appreciable songs written by Boddy and co-produced by multi Grammy Award recipient Joe “The Butcher” Nicolo.

SlideWinder is not a band of rookies. Growing up Boddy recalls listening to his Grandmother sing the Blues in London clubs and family gatherings, Bar-B-Q’s with The Bay City Rollers and watching his Uncle John’s band rehearse on Saturday mornings in his Father’s London warehouse. The guitar player in his Uncle’s band went on to join Judas Priest. Boddy’s Uncle John now enjoys a life in Spain as a Neil Diamond tribute act. Boddy’s father was in business with Mark Stevens of The Dovells (The Bristol Stomp) and the late Don Kirshner (Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert). In 1999 Boddy Founded Cayman Records and produced Bob Lowery’s Yellow Light Album. After forty plus years of performing and playing along to Freddie King and Duane Allman records, writing and recording music in multiple genres, and forming the SWBB, this music-man remains true to what he first heard as music. A true champion of the Blues and a guitar slinger at heart.

Hale has been playing music on both coasts for 50 years. Uncle to Lzzy and Arejay Hale of Halestorm, Glenn brings a Jon Lord-esque baroque and rock edge to the band as he expands upon the licks of Jimmy Smith, Billy Preston & Dr. John. In 1968, Hale’s band The Generation won best band in Bucks County. In 2018, only half a century later, he enjoys the same accolade with SlideWinder.

Hearne has been holding bottom for nearly fifty years with some of the best in Blues and Rock. Of note, a tour of Europe with the Todd Wolfe Band (Guitar, Sheryl Crow). Nearly twenty years with the Flamin’ Harry Blues Band kept him local while he also held court with the Craig Thatcher Band. The highlight of his musical jaunt to date was playing bass on Leslie West’s Mystic Fire studio album. Chuck joined SlideWinder in June of 2018.
Hollinsworth has been playing drums since he can remember. He has toured the globe with Todd Wolfe, played with Leslie West and Geoffrey Whitehorn of Procol Harum. Hollingsworth has sat behind Dickey Betts, John Mayall and Andy Powell from Wishbone Ash. Recipient of best drummer in the Lehigh Valley multiple times. Hollingsworth joined SlideWinder in 2019.

Together these outstanding players make up what is known as The SlideWinder Blues Band, which is blatantly greater than the sum of it's parts.

Nosy Neighbors MP3
Nosy Neighbors FLAC

Dean Zucchero - Electric Church For The Spiritually Misguided

Size: 101.7 MB
Time: 43:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. Big Boss Boy (Feat. Johnny Rawls) (4:38)
02. Independence Day (Feat. Dale Spalding) (4:04)
03. Craft Beer (Feat. Jonathan 'Boogie' Long) (4:37)
04. Last Minute Packer (Feat. Ghalia Volt) (3:52)
05. Empty Postbox (Feat. Bruce 'Sunpie' Barnes) (3:50)
06. La Belle Poursuite (Feat. John Fohl & Joe Krown) (3:22)
07. Stack It (Feat. Johnny Burgin) (2:55)
08. Fascist Love (Feat. Leslie Smith & Papa Mali) (4:40)
09. DBA (Feat. Jason Ricci) (2:33)
10. Mortal Man (Feat. Johnny Sansone) (5:08)
11. American Dream (Feat. Jeremy Joyce) (3:27)

Dean Zucchero is a bassist who grew up and got his musical career started in New York. After leaving New York, he spent nine years touring with The Healers. When he returned to the States, he found a home in New Orleans playing with Cyril Neville, among others. The city has certainly impacted his music, which is based in the blues but also incorporates other aspects of New Orleans music.

His new album is entitled Electric Church for the Spiritually Misguided and it is a good example of how Zucchero’s music has been influenced since he settled in New Orleans. It is a blues album that takes you on a musical tour of the various influences that make New Orleans music so great.

The album begins with “Big Boss Boy,” a song that seems to find its origins more in Texas than in Louisiana. The guitar in the song has a clean sound that brings Freddie King to mind. On top of that, it is an upbeat song with a groove that is sure to get you moving, even if it’s just dancing in your seat while you drive.

“Last Minute Packer” is an excellent example of how Zucchero has absorbed the sounds of new Orleans into his music. Ghalia Volt plays some excellent guitar and lends her unmistakable vocals to this tune that is a combination of blues and Cajun. The Cajun aspect of the song is provided by Wayne Thibodeaux on the fiddle and Alex MacDonald on the washboard. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking to two-step when you listen to this song.

If a stripped-down blues song is more your speed, Zucchero has you covered. “Empty Postbox” is about as simple as blues gets with Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes on vocals and harmonica and Zucchero on bass and percussion. It’s an interesting tune in that it includes the unusual dynamic of the harmonica and the bass sharing the lead. It’s the kind of song that is easy to imagine being played on a back porch somewhere. Whether or not you listen to it on a porch, you are likely to tap your foot as you listen.

Fascism has been an unfortunate topic of conversation recently. It’s not often that you associate the term fascist with the word love, but the album includes a song called “Fascist Love.” Leslie Blackshear Smith lays down some tough and soulful vocals that are the perfect compliment to the heavy blues-rock riffs laid down by Papa Mali. This is a song that might remind you of some of your favorite bands of the 70s that were heavily influenced by the blues.

Electric Church for the Spiritually Misguided by Dean Zucchero is an excellent blues album that doesn’t dwell in any particular style of the blues. Zucchero shows his talent as a songwriter, whether the tune is a foot-stomper or a groovy instrumental. When you listen to this album, play it loud and have your dancing shoes ready. ~Gary Schwind

Electric Church For The Spiritually Misguided MP3
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Ty Curtis Band - Ascendant Blues

Size: 131.9 MB
Time: 56:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Texas Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. Hey Now (3:03)
02. What's The Use (3:48)
03. Loose Ends (4:27)
04. Back To You (3:11)
05. Moving Forward (6:13)
06. Treat Someone (5:57)
07. So Far Gone (3:51)
08. Big Deal (5:15)
09. Cut And Run (4:35)
10. Wish You Well (3:29)
11. Back To You (Extended) (7:08)
12. Hey Now (Extended) (5:35)

There are singers, songwriters, and guitarists, and some do it all, but few as convincingly or with the proficiency of Ty Curtis, whose record of accomplishments stands with and, arguably, exceeds those of artists twice his age. Now, with his eighth album, “Ascendant Blues”, Ty pushes boundaries, framed in the context of a seminal, but evolving art form, and looking to its future. Another album, from the same star-studded session, is in reserve, soon to be issued as a follow-up. These recordings were done in a manner that comes as close to live performances as possible, intended to bring that level of excitement to the listening audience.

The strength of these live performances, with Ty leading the charge, is supported by a group of seasoned musicians – Steve Kerin (keys), David Kahl (bass), and Richard Lawrence (drums) – each of them respected artists, with drawing power, in their own rights, in the Portland-based community. There’s something special in the interplay between them, an energy and flow in their music, with each of them prepared to guide the others through a sonic adventure. Of course, this comes from lots of playing together but here it is strengthened and tempered by their intimate involvement in developing the songs, featured on the new recordings. Responses, during and after, from musicians and nonmusicians, alike, have been consistently positive, whether as a solo artist, acoustic or electric, from solo performer, through various configurations and even into collaborative efforts.
If you’ve seen Ty Curtis before, then be prepared for what others have said; that, as good as he is, there is now an elevated quality about seeing him performing, especially with this band. If you’ve never had the pleasure, prepare yourselves; you’re about to embark on a memorable journey.

Ascendant Blues MP3
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Elliott & The Untouchables - Smokin' The Blues

Album: Smokin' The Blues
Size: 147,5 MB
Time: 64:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2001
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Front, inside, tray, cd

1. Call My Job (4:34)
2. Jumpin' Jelly (5:00)
3. Up The Line (4:37)
4. Crazy 'Bout You (4:43)
5. She's Tuff (3:27)
6. Goin' Down Slow (10:30)
7. More Than That (6:42)
8. Now I'm Good (Bad Boy) (5:08)
9. Honey Hush (6:29)
10. Tigerman (4:40)
11. Where Were You (8:05)

Based in Columbia, SC, Elliott and the Untouchables are one of the most popular blues bands in the southeastern U.S., specializing in jump and jump-influenced blues. Guitarist, singer/songwriter, and frontman Elliott New, a former blues radio show host, has played with Guitar Shorty, Mike Morgan and the Crawl, Bob Margolin, and the late Robert Covington.

Harmonica player Mike "Naz" Nazarenko grew up in the Panama Canal Zone and was introduced to the blues by neighbors who were originally from Chicago. After picking up the harmonica and moving to the U.S. in 1980, Nazarenko settled in Hot Springs, AK, and then later in Columbia, SC, to play with blues legend Drink Small. After sharing the stage with Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets, Nappy Brown, Guitar Shorty, and others, Nazarenko joined the Untouchables in 1996.

Bassist J.T. Anderson is a South Carolina native who has played with countless blues and R&B bands in his home state. Prior to joining the Untouchables in 1997, he too played with Drink Small. Drummer David Hunt has been performing since his college days, when he played four nights a week with R&B band Julius Cobb & the Soul Messengers. Hunt headed down the blues road after becoming enamored with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Ringo Starr, Mitch Mitchell, and Elvin Jones have all had an influence on his approach to drumming. Hunt joined the Untouchables in 1992.

Elliott and the Untouchables released their first CD, Last Meal, in 1995, followed by Danger Zone in 1997 and Both Ends Burnin' in 2000. The band has a busy schedule; in addition to nightclub gigs, they have played festivals in Memphis, Birmingham, Charleston, SC, Asheville, NC, and Ireland. /Biography by Ann Wickstrom, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Smokin' The Blues mc
Smokin' The Blues zippy

Elliott & The Untouchables - Last Meal

Album: Last Meal
Size: 125,2 MB
Time: 67:21
File: MP3 @ 256K/s
Released: 1995
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Full

1. Lollipop Mama/Jump My Baby (4:47)
2. Every Night And Every Day (5:11)
3. Nothin' 'Bout The Blues (4:51)
4. Tigerman (4:40)
5. Can't Hold Out (5:11)
6. 29 Ways (5:03)
7. She's Murder (3:04)
8. Kiss Me Baby (5:45)
9. Coupe DeVille (4:11)
10. What I Won't Do For You (5:06)
11. Last Meal (3:01)
12. Honey Bee (2:42)
13. Scratch My Back (4:14)
14. Frankenstein Baby Blues (5:24)
15. Blow Wind Blow (4:04)

Based in Columbia, SC, Elliott and the Untouchables are one of the most popular blues bands in the southeastern U.S., specializing in jump and jump-influenced blues. Guitarist, singer/songwriter, and frontman Elliott New, a former blues radio show host, has played with Guitar Shorty, Mike Morgan and the Crawl, Bob Margolin, and the late Robert Covington.

Harmonica player Mike "Naz" Nazarenko grew up in the Panama Canal Zone and was introduced to the blues by neighbors who were originally from Chicago. After picking up the harmonica and moving to the U.S. in 1980, Nazarenko settled in Hot Springs, AK, and then later in Columbia, SC, to play with blues legend Drink Small. After sharing the stage with Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets, Nappy Brown, Guitar Shorty, and others, Nazarenko joined the Untouchables in 1996.

Bassist J.T. Anderson is a South Carolina native who has played with countless blues and R&B bands in his home state. Prior to joining the Untouchables in 1997, he too played with Drink Small. Drummer David Hunt has been performing since his college days, when he played four nights a week with R&B band Julius Cobb & the Soul Messengers. Hunt headed down the blues road after becoming enamored with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Ringo Starr, Mitch Mitchell, and Elvin Jones have all had an influence on his approach to drumming. Hunt joined the Untouchables in 1992.

Elliott and the Untouchables released their first CD, Last Meal, in 1995, followed by Danger Zone in 1997 and Both Ends Burnin' in 2000. The band has a busy schedule; in addition to nightclub gigs, they have played festivals in Memphis, Birmingham, Charleston, SC, Asheville, NC, and Ireland. /Biography by Ann Wickstrom, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Last Meal mc
Last Meal zippy

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Quicksilver Messenger Service - Live At The Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco 4th April 1968

Size: 219 MB
Time: 1:29:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2008
Styles: Psychedelic Blues Rock
Art: Full

CD 1:
01. Back Door Man ( 4:48)
02. Light Your Windows ( 5:33)
03. Who Do You Love? (12:57)
04. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You ( 5:08)
05. Walkin' Blues ( 5:40)
06. The Fool (13:38)

CD 2:
01. The Jam (41:48)

Part of a series of live recordings unearthed after 40 years, this album is said to present an appearance by Quicksilver Messenger Service at the Carousel Ballroom in San Francisco on April 4, 1968, a month before the release of the group's self-titled debut album. Although earlier shows presented in the series demonstrated that QMS certainly were ready to record years before they did, this performance is recognizably one by the band that made the first album and its follow-up, Happy Trails, a group comfortable improvising for 12 or 13 minutes at a time on "Who Do You Love" and "The Fool." In fact, the second disc contains a formless jam lasting nearly 42 minutes that presses the point a bit too far. The jam includes a flute and an organ, not instruments that were part of the QMS lineup (there is also a flute on "Light Your Windows"), so some unnamed guests seem to be present. Although this recording is a valuable document in the history of QMS and the San Francisco scene in general, it has been treated shoddily in this packaging. Guitarist John Cipollina and bassist David Freiberg's names are misspelled in the skimpy liner notes, which mistakenly bear the title of another album in the series. For that matter, the April 4, 1968, performance by QMS actually occurred at the Fillmore Auditorium, not the Carousel. (It wasn't until July 1968 that promoter Bill Graham took over the Carousel and renamed it the Fillmore West.) That is assuming this concert even took place on April 4, 1968. On the recording, someone comments that it's Easter Sunday; April 4, 1968, was a Thursday. Easter Sunday 1968 occurred on April 14. QMS did not play a show on April 14, 1968, but they did play at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on the night of Saturday, April 13; maybe this is actually that show. ~William Ruhlmann

Live At The Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco 4th April 1968 MP3
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Kenn Lending Blues Band - Game Of Life

Size: 143.6 MB
Time: 61:59
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Chess ( 6:08)
02. Ain't It Hard ( 7:31)
03. No Reason ( 5:41)
04. Going To Build Me A Playhouse (12:33)
05. Sidewalk Strut ( 6:43)
06. Night Watchman Blues ( 7:59)
07. Times ( 6:41)
08. I'm Coming Home ( 8:39)

Kenn Lending (Danish singer, guitarist, composer and producer, born Feb. 8. 1955) is a musician with an extraordinary history. His devotion to music goes back to his early childhood, and african-american music, of any style, has attracted him since he was a baby.

He started learning guitar when he was seven, playing songs of Bob Dylan, Donovan and other folk artists of the time. But it was the “American Folk Blues Festival” in 1968, that made up his mind about his future life. On stage was Big Joe Williams, Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker and Eddie Taylors Chicago Blues Band. To witness these guys play their blues, was such a shock, that this event have had huge impact on the rest of his life. Right away he made a blues band with some schoolmates, and was determent to learn to play the real blues.

Up through the seventies he was working in several reputable Danish groups. Such as the Salsa Rock group “Himmelexpressen” and the Soul and Reggae group “Survivors”. But forming his own Blues Band in 1980, fulfilled the dream, that he had, since he saw T Bone Walker live on that stage in 1968.

Already a year before Kenn Lending formed his band, he started his well known partnership with the legendary american barrelhouse piano-player and blues singer Champion Jack Dupree, who lived in Hannover, Germany since 1975. This partnership, that through the years turned into a close friendship, lasted until “The Champ” passed away in January 1992.

The Duo did over 1000 concerts together in 35 states and countries, including a seven week tour in USA and Canada in 1991. They also appear together on at least 19 different albums. Three of the albums was recorded in Champion Jack Dupree’s hometown New Orleans, for Rounder Records in 1990 and 1991, in connection with their performances on “New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival”. One of these CD’s “Forever and Ever”, received the WC Handy Award for the best traditional album in 1991.

When an old bluesman like Champion Jack Dupree, choose to work and travel with a young musician, it’s not only for the friendship and the help it is, to travel with a younger guy. It’s also because it’s time to pass the heritage to the next generation. Thats exactly what The Champ did to Kenn, over the years they spend together. Because of this fact, Kenn has received a lot of respect and encouragement from other African-American blues artist, such as BB King, Junior Wells, John Lee Hooker and Willie Dixon, over the years. Many blues artists also started using Kenn for concerts and recordings. Artists like Memphis Slim, Luther Allison, Bobby Rush, Louisiana Red, Aron Burton, Janice Harrington, Lillian Boutté, and many others, have frequently used Kenn Lending and his Blues Band as backingband on concerts and recordings. In 1991 he also recorded with the legendary american rockband “The Band” in their studio “Big Pink” in Woodstock. Along with Champion Jack Dupree he is present on their 1996 album “High On The Hog”.

Even though Kenn knows his “down home blues”, and respects the heritage he got from Jack Dupree, Kenn Lending Blues Band is known to have a very personal sound. This is evident on all their 12 album’s, from the first LP “Live” in 1981 – to “It’s Been A Long Time” in 2020. With all the songs by Kenn Lending, he is taking the audience on a trip “from roots to fruits with the blues”. In the music you will find elements from his lifelong love and experience with African-American music. The lyrics is highly personal statements and the high performance of the individual musicians along with a perfect sound, makes all the album’s milestones in the great career of Kenn Lending and his blues band, that in 2020 celebrated their 40 years jubilee.

Game Of Life MP3
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Dobrothersblues - Dobrothersblues

Size: 95.1 MB
Time: 40:36
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Joker (3:37)
02. Black Sheep Blues (4:14)
03. Tempete (3:51)
04. Lulette (4:14)
05. Meme Terre (4:22)
06. Merci Ma Belle (3:50)
07. Copropriete Blues (3:56)
08. Mississippi March (4:03)
09. Le Blues De La Maison Du Blues (4:23)
10. Devil In The Coal Mine (4:03)

Dobrothersblues is a Franco-American duo which in a few tours in France has conquered the public. From the Maison du Blues to the “La Bonne ville du Blues” Festival, these two artists left no one indifferent. Jim Roberts comes from Los Angeles (CA) and Jeff Toto Blues from Auvergne. They met in California. On the instruments side, this is also the great discovery with their Dobros, Cigar-box and Lapsteel.

Dobrothersblues MP3
Dobrothersblues FLAC

VA - Blues Singles Collection Vol. 63

Size: 225.3 MB
Time: 96:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01 Dawn Brothers - (Do The) Double Cream (2:49)
02 Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real - Alcohallelujah (3:33)
03 The Dig 3 - All The Love That I Got (Dig 3 Big Version) (3:25)
04 T.G. Copperfield - Born To Die II (3:56)
05 Tony Cuchetti - Convince My Heart (4:55)
06 Tiny Legs Tim - Death Bells Ringing (4:26)
07 Jamie McLean Band - Give My Life To Rock And Roll (Live) (4:52)
08 Mick Clarke - Goin' Back (3:48)
09 John Haydock - Hard Truth (4:28)
10 Monster Mike Welch - I Me Mine (4:06)
11 Seth Walker - I Must Be In A Good Place Now (3:07)
12 Nic Clark - It'll Be Alright (3:34)
13 Monster Mike Welch - I've Got Nothing But Time (4:03)
14 Davide Pannozzo - Keep On Loving You (5:12)
15 Ghost Hounds - Make It Shake (3:14)
16 Nat Myers - Pray For Rain (3:13)
17 Danny Bryant - Rise (2:52)
18 Andre Bisson - Shake (3:45)
19 Bad Boy Blues - Should I Stay Should I Go (3:18)
20 Bette Smith - Sign Your Name (4:35)
21 Mick Clarke - Stupid Cupid (2:32)
22 Chris Kramer - The Thrill Is Gone (Live) (6:24)
23 Maddie In Good Company - Travelin' Band (Live) (Live) (2:45)
24 Ginger Blues - When Will I Lose My Mind (3:25)
25 Jeremy Spencer - Lighthouse 2 (4:06)

A collection of blues singles released in May/June 2023 compiled by myself.

Blues Singles Collection Vol. 63

Duke Robillard - Six Strings Of Steel

Size: 104.1 MB
Time: 44:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Blues Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front & Back

01. Git With It! (3:12)
02. Shame, Shame, Shame (2:13)
03. Lima Beans (3:06)
04. Love Struck (5:08)
05. In Perfect Harmony (4:47)
06. Watching The River Flow (3:46)
07. Billy In The Lion’s Den (Feat. Katie Shore) (4:43)
08. I’m Gonna Be A Wheel Someday (2:27)
09. Take Your Fine Frame Home (3:02)
10. Groovin’ In The Swamp (4:58)
11. Lovin’ You (4:10)
12. Rumble (2:51)

Inside the cover of Duke Robillard’s new CD is a photo of him wearing a shirt that cheekily proclaims, “Duke the King of Strings.” While never self-aggrandizing in his music, Robillard to be sure has long established himself as a guitarist’s guitarist. From his stints with Roomful of Blues (which he co-founded) and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, to his work with Dylan, Tom Waits, and many others, as well as his voluminous solo work, he has displayed a range and virtuosity that are as striking as they are seemingly effortless. Whether breathing new life into vintage material or presenting originals, he does so with a mix of earthiness and elegance.

The title Six Strings of Steel puts the focus on Robillard’s instrument, but note that the set is co-billed to his All-Star Band. So, while the album does provide another showcase for his own mastery of blues, rock, and jazz, it also points up another hallmark of his work – exceptional ensemble playing. He easily shares the stage with his ace band mates – bassist Marty Ballou, drummer Mark Teixeira, saxophonist Doug James, piano and organ man Bruce Bears, and vocalist Chris Cote.

Working with these longtime accompanists, Robillard is able to confidently put his own stamp on numbers well-known and obscure without sounding simply retro. Dylan’s driving, bluesy “Watching the River Flow” is taken at a slower tempo, with the addition of baritone sax, an acoustic texture, and fiddle by Katie Shore of Asleep at the Wheel, giving the song a laid-back vibe that suits the reflective mood of the lyrics. Fats Domino’s “I’m Gonna Be a Wheel Someday” is also slowed down and transformed with a seductive ska groove, along with a tangy but typically brief solo by Robillard. Ike Turner’s “Take Your Fine Frame Home” is an R&B fireball – one of several numbers that highlight Cote’s robust vocal power – but Robillard delivers a solo with rockabilly echoes. As usual, it works.

The set cooks right from the start with the Barney Kessel instrumental “Git With It!,” as Robillard’s guitar and James’ baritone sax face off in a fun duel. The breakneck “Shame, Shame, Shame,” a Smiley Lewis hit, shows off Robillard’s love of old New Orleans rock-and-roll, while “Lima Beans,” a Chess chestnut from 1951, is insanely infectious, thanks to the way James’ burping sax gooses the groove. It’s one of two vocals by Robillard. The other is on Lowell Fulson’s “Lovin’ You,” a classic blues that Robillard gives his usual stylish veneer.

The album includes two Robillard originals. “In Perfect Harmony” (co-written by Ballou, Cote, and Teixeira), a sweet tribute to his wife, has an irresistible pop buoyancy and Crescent City overtones in the way James’ sax punctuates Cote’s vocal. “Groovin’ in the Swamp” (co-written by Ballou and Teixeira) is just that, a languid instrumental in which Robillard’s liquid lines practically make you feel the humidity.

Six Strings of Steel closes with Link Wray’s foreboding “Rumble,” the instrumental that launched who knows how many guitarists. Robillard keeps it faithful to the original. The King of Strings seems to know – another of his virtues – that it’s hard to improve on perfection. ~Nick Cristiano

Six Strings Of Steel MP3
Six Strings Of Steel FLAC

Angelina Hunter Trio - Let It Slide

Size: 95.1 MB
Time: 40:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Back In 73' (4:37)
02. Crispy Bill (4:16)
03. Wait For Tomorrow (4:42)
04. Let It Slide (5:37)
05. The Sun Never Sets (6:23)
06. Show Me A Sign (5:43)
07. Off The Line (4:23)
08. Hard To Breathe (5:05)

Personnel:
Angelina Hunter: Guitar, Vocals
Adam Bell: Bass
Sandy Hunter: Drums

The Angelina Hunter Trio, or AHT, are comprised of three friends who are veterans of the Ottawa scene. The band is based on the vocal and guitar stylings of Angelina Hunter.
This conglomeration consists of vast influences of music, styles and tastes-from hard rock, gospel, soul, blues, jazzy flavors, pop, or whatever we want to play at any given time, stirred up and blown back out at the audience.

Whatever we do, it’s delivered with passion and it’s all give. The band has an almost molecular connection to each other onstage, which allows us to veer into exciting jams and explorations at any time.

We three have been very fortunate to be a part of many shows and festivals. This culminated in 2017/18 with a win at the Road to Memphis competition in Ottawa. This allowed us to compete in the International Blues Competition in Memphis. Playing blues on Beale Street for a week was an absolute dream come true! We also were delighted to perform at various festivals such as the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival, The RBC Ottawa Bluesfest and many more.

Since then, we have seen our debut album, ROLL WITH IT, and its follow-up EP, RIGHT KIND OF CROOKED released to acclaim across most fine online streaming platforms.
WE ARE THE ANGELINA HUNTER TRIO!

Let It Slide MP3
Let It Slide FLAC

Elliott & The Untouchables - Danger Zone

Album: Danger Zone
Size: 110,7 MB
Time: 47:56
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1997
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Full

1. Sweet Little Woman (3:20)
2. Ain't No Big Thing (2:36)
3. More Than That (3:49)
4. Empty Heart (3:18)
5. Where Were You (3:24)
6. Check Out Time (2:04)
7. Crazy 'Bout You (4:44)
8. Why Baby Why (2:28)
9. J.T.'s Groove (3:06)
10. Danger Zone (4:25)
11. You're Gonna Miss Me (4:03)
12. Nazmania (2:32)
13. Limo Driver (3:39)
14. Maurice's Mood (4:23)

Elliott and the Untouchables are a super foursome from Columbia, South Carolina. Everything about this CD is first-rate, from the cover art to the songwriting (all are originals). Elliott New doesn't sound like he's trying to win a speed contest when he plays guitar, nor would that be appropriate for this kind of music. It's a combination of swinging West Coast jump blues and Chicago-style burners. Guest performer Buddy Parker comes out smokin' on piano on the first song, "Sweet Little Woman." This is a song that would make Duke Robillard proud! Mike "Naz" Nazarenko deserves special recognition for his fine harp playing, especially when he gets out the chromatic. Not many play it this well.

There is a nice balance among the instruments throughout this album. New has some very clever lyrics as well. Here's an excerpt from "More Than That": "More than a jockey can ride/More than a woman wants a ring/More than the river's wide/More than B.B. is King/I love you more than that." "Maurice's Mood" wraps up the CD with a heavy dose of smoky, instrumental jazz. Guest musician Skip Pearson's tenor sax and Elliott's guitar take the lead together on this tune that defies you not to snap your fingers. /Ann Wickstrom, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Danger Zone mc
Danger Zone zippy

Long John Hunter - Swinging From The Rafters

Album: Swinging From The Rafters
Size: 131,3 MB
Time: 56:57
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1997
Styles: Blues, Texas blues
Art: Full

1. Time And Time Again (4:23)
2. I Don't Care (3:20)
3. Stop What You're Doing (3:25)
4. Both Ends Of The Road (5:01)
5. Bugs On My Window (3:23)
6. Take It Home With You (3:58)
7. Trouble On The Line (4:58)
8. In The Country (4:47)
9. V-8 Ford (3:38)
10. 39 Days (3:09)
11. I'm Broke (5:00)
12. Walking Catfish (4:02)
13. Locksmith Man (2:56)
14. Love Prevails (4:48)

Long John's second album for the Alligator imprint is even more potent than his first, Texas Border Legend. This time around, Hunter's sly, drawling vocals and stinging clusters of guitar are well to the fore, keeping the spotlight firmly in place on this Texas guitar legend. The record was cut in Austin and Abilene, Texas, and as such boasts Lone Star talent like Derek O'Brien, who plays rhythm guitar on this disc and solos on "I Don't Care" and "V-8 Ford."

Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff blows saxophone on eight tunes and harmonica on "Locksmith Man." For his part, Hunter contributes 10 of the 14 tunes, co-writing with various members of his Walking Catfish Band or his co-producers, Tary Owens and John Foose. Long John's no-holds-barred approach literally screams Texas blues, letting you know you're listening to an originator, not an imitator. /Cub Koda, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Swinging From The Rafters mc
Swinging From The Rafters zippy

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Little Milton - Welcome To The Club: The Essential Chess Recordings (2 CD)

Album: Welcome To The Club
Size: 149,0 + 149,4 MB
Time: 63:47 + 63:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1994
Styles: Blues/R&B/Soul
Art: Full

CD 1:
1. She Put A Spell On Me (1:56)
2. Sneaking Around (2:59)
3. I'm Coming Home (2:24)
4. Lonely No More (2:18)
5. Someone To Love (1:46)
6. I Need Somebody (2:02)
7. My Song (3:04)
8. Never Too Old (2:55)
9. I Wonder Why (2:07)
10. So Mean To Me (2:32)
11. Losing Hand (2:33)
12. Ain't No Big Deal On You (2:18)
13. Meddlin' (Instrumental) (2:14)
14. Blind Man (3:23)
15. Stand By Me (2:51)
16. Sacrifice (2:39)
17. Blues In The Night (3:09)
18. You're Welcome To The Club (2:44)
19. Can't Hold Back The Tears (2:31)
20. Country Style (2:44)
21. We're Gonna Make It (2:40)
22. Who's Cheating Who? (2:56)
23. Without My Sweet Baby (2:49)
24. Feel So Bad (4:03)

CD 2:
1. I'm Mighty Grateful (2:32)
2. Give Me This Chance (3:33)
3. Loving You (3:21)
4. Man Loves Two (Man's Temptation) (Alternate) (2:38)
5. Let Me Down Easy (2:42)
6. My Baby's Something Else (2:38)
7. Things Go Better With Coke #1 (1:02)
8. You Colored My Blues Bright (2:48)
9. Moanin' For You Girl (2:40)
10. You Mean Everything To Me (2:27)
11. Things Go Better With Coke #2 (1:05)
12. Nothing Beats A Failure (3:10)
13. More And More (2:45)
14. Don't Talk Back (2:22)
15. Twenty Three Hours (2:23)
16. Grits Ain't Groceries (2:38)
17. Just A Little Bit (2:22)
18. Steal Away (2:53)
19. If Walls Could Talk (3:07)
20. Spring (3:55)
21. I'm Tired (2:32)
22. Let's Get Together (3:00)
23. I Play Dirty (2:30)
24. Baby I Love You (2:44)

Milton was born James Milton Campbell Jr. on September 7, 1934 in Inverness, Mississippi. He was raised in Greenville, Mississippi by a farmer and local blues musician. By age twelve he was a street musician, chiefly influenced by T-Bone Walker and his blues and rock and roll contemporaries. He joined the Rhythm Aces in the early part of the 1950s, a three piece band who played throughout the Mississippi Delta area. One of the members was Eddie Cusic who taught Milton to play the guitar. In 1951, Milton recorded several sides backing pianist Willie Love for Trumpet Records.

In 1953, while still a teenager playing in local bars, he was discovered by Ike Turner, who was a talent scout for Sam Phillips at Sun Records. Milton signed a contract with the label and recorded a number of singles. None of them broke through onto radio or sold well at record stores, so Milton left the Sun label in 1955. The next two years he released singles on Modern Records' subsidiary, Meteor Records. In 1958, Milton moved to East St. Louis and set up the St. Louis-based Bobbin Records label, which ultimately scored a distribution deal with Leonard Chess' Chess Records. As a record producer, Milton helped bring artists such as Albert King and Fontella Bass to fame, while experiencing his own success for the first time. After a number of small format and regional hits, his 1962 single, "So Mean to Me," broke onto the Billboard R&B chart, eventually peaking at #14.

Following a short break to tour, managing other acts, and spending time recording new material, he returned to music in 1965 with a more polished sound, similar to that of B.B. King. After the ill-received "Blind Man" (R&B: #86), he released back-to-back hit singles. The first, "We're Gonna Make It," a blues-infused soul song, topped the R&B chart and broke through onto Top 40 radio, a format then dominated largely by white artists. He followed the song with #4 R&B hit "Who's Cheating Who?" All three songs were featured on his album, We're Gonna Make It, released that summer.

Milton's song "Let Me Down Easy" was recorded by the Spencer Davis Group on The Second Album (1965), but his authorship was not acknowledged on the record. He released a single of it himself in 1968 on Checker. It was also chosen by Etta James as the final track in her final album The Dreamer in 2011. Throughout the late 1960s Milton released a number of moderately successful singles, but did not issue a further album until 1969, with Grits Ain't Groceries featuring his hit of the same name, as well as "Just a Little Bit" and "Baby, I Love You". With the death of Leonard Chess the same year, Milton's distributor, Checker Records fell into disarray, and Milton joined the Stax label two years later. Adding complex orchestration to his works, Milton scored hits with "That's What Love Will Make You Do" and "What It Is" from his live album, What It Is: Live at Montreux. He appeared in the documentary film, Wattstax, which was released in 1973.

Stax, however, had been losing money since late in the previous decade and was forced into bankruptcy in 1975. After leaving Stax, Milton struggled to maintain a career, moving first to Evidence, then the MCA imprint Mobile Fidelity Records, before finding a home at the independent record label, Malaco Records, where he received his second GRAMMY nomination for "Welcome To Little Milton" in 1999. He remained with the label for much of the remainder of his career. His last hit single, "Age Ain't Nothin' But a Number," was released in 1983 from the album of the same name.

In 1988, Milton was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and won a W.C. Handy Award. His final album, Think of Me, was released in May 2005 on the Telarc imprint, and included writing and guitar on three songs by Peter Shoulder of the UK-based blues-rock trio Winterville. Milton died at the age of 70 on August 4, 2005 from complications following a stroke. He was posthumously honored with a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail in Inverness. /Wikipedia

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Welcome To The Club: The Essential Chess Recordings (2 CD) mc
Welcome To The Club: The Essential Chess Recordings (2 CD) zippy