Ernie Williams & The Wildcats - I Remember

Album: I Remember
Size: 119,1 MB
Time: 51:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1995
Styles: Blues
Art: Full

1. I Remember (4:46)
2. Love Is Over (6:21)
3. Granddaughter (6:38)
4. Little Bird (5:25)
5. We Fit Together (5:36)
6. Children In The Streets (10:09)
7. All I Need Is You (4:18)
8. Bad Luck And Trouble (8:25)

It's pretty rare these days for veteran bluesmen to be "discovered" after years of obscurity, but bassist and vocalist Ernie Williams proves that there may still be some truth in that cliche. Though he'd worked for years in neighborhood venues in New York City and Albany, Williams was unable to expand his reputation until 1993, when he assembled his rough-and-ready band the Wildcats (Williams's old street nickname had been Wildcat Quick Ernie Lash).

Led by guitarist Mark Emanatian, they began gigging in rock clubs throughout the Albany area, and they eventually recorded Sun Goin' Down on the homegrown Wildcat label. On that disc, along with the current I Remember, Williams demonstrates a refreshingly unforced versatility: he immerses himself in a spectrum of musical and emotional expression from wistful blues balladry to roadhouse rockers.

His lyrics are unusually personal, even poignant, and his Wildcats, though predictably rock influenced, take their cues from Williams and remain rooted in a tasteful blues groove. Williams's brand of workmanlike artistry is becoming increasingly rare in this age of flash and vapid flamboyance, but it's what the blues needs if it's to remain viable as an art form.

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

I Remember mc
I Remember zippy

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Mel Brown & The Homewreckers - Blues: A Beautiful Thing

Album: Blues: A Beautiful Thing
Size: 119,5 MB
Time: 51:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2006
Styles: Blues
Art: Front, sleeve, tray

1. Take Your Time (4:33)
2. Blues - A Beautiful Thing (4:30)
3. Ruby Mae (5:34)
4. Snap (4:34)
5. I Wouldn't Treat A Dog (4:54)
6. Red Cross Store (5:44)
7. Sundown (2:38)
8. Make Love To Your Mind (4:35)
9. I Wanna See My Baby (3:52)
10. Master Blaster (7:08)
11. Karansa's Boogie (3:25)

Best known for his decade-plus stint in support of Bobby "Blue" Bland, Mel Brown channeled elements of soul, funk, and jazz to create one of the most distinctive guitar styles in contemporary blues. Born October 7, 1939, in Jackson, MS, Brown received his first guitar at the age of 14 while battling meningitis, spending hours each day studying the music of idols like B.B. King and T-Bone Walker from his sickbed. His father, John Henry "Bubba" Brown, a gifted amateur guitarist who often backed Delta legend Tommy Johnson, was another seminal influence. After recovering from his illness, Brown joined the Duke Juniors, a teenaged spinoff of the popular local society band the Duke Huddleston Orchestra. Word of his prodigious abilities spread quickly throughout the region, and at 15, he played a series of gigs backing the great Sonny Boy Williamson.

After a brief stint in Los Angeles, Brown returned to Jackson in 1955, honing his skills under Huddleston before permanently settling in L.A. three years later. After a six-month stretch with West Coast R&B singer Jimmy Beasley, Brown spent two years backing R&B great Johnny Otis. In late 1960, he toured with the Olympics, followed by a two-year tour of duty with the great Etta James. Most significantly, while touring with James he swapped his Les Paul for a hollow-bodied Gibson ES-175, later crediting the instrument for the warm, rich tone that set him apart from rival guitarists.

By 1963 the grind of touring forced Brown off the road. He returned to L.A. and resumed his collaboration with Otis, enjoying an extended residency at the Club Sands. He also launched a session career, playing on records by everyone from Bobby Darin to Bill Cosby as well as T-Bone Walker's Funky Town LP. His contributions so impressed ABC/Impulse! producer Bob Thiele that he invited Brown to cut his own album for the label: 1967's Chicken Fat, a wonderfully greasy blues-funk outing pairing Brown with fellow guitarist Herb Ellis, remains a cult classic. A series of impressive LPs including The Wizard, I'd Rather Suck My Thumb, and Big Foot Country Gal followed in quick succession before Brown joined Bland in 1971, appearing on the singer's classic California Album two years later.

During his stint with Bland, the guitarist also moonlighted behind blues legends John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Roy Brown, and in 1976 he relocated to Nashville, where he maintained an even busier session schedule than in Los Angeles. Upon resuming his collaboration with Bland, Brown made the decision to temporarily abandon guitar in favor of the piano. He remained with the singer until 1982, putting his performing career on hiatus and moving to remote northeast Mississippi in an attempt to escape the music business.

Brown resurfaced in 1983 as a member of the house band at the legendary Austin, TX, blues joint Antone's. In the years to follow, he backed everyone from Buddy Guy to Stevie Ray Vaughan to Clifton Chenier. In 1986, he accepted Albert Collins' offer to join his band the Icebreakers, recording the acclaimed LP Cold Snap before returning to Antone's. In 1989, he resumed his solo career with If It's All Night, It's All Right, released on the club's eponymous label. A few months later Brown headlined the Kitchener, Ontario, venue the Pop-the-Gator Club, finding the experience so much to his liking that he relocated to Canada in early 1990. There he formed a new band, the Homewreckers, and steadily toured the southern Ontario nightclub circuit, finally reappearing on wax in 1998 as a guest on Snooky Pryor's Can't Stop Blowin'.

Brown's Electro-Fi label debut, Neck Bones & Caviar, followed a year later, winning the W.C. Handy Award for Blues Comeback of the Year. With 2000's co-headlined Double Shot!, he and Pryor earned a W.C. Handy nomination for Traditional Blues Album of the Year. The concert disc Homewreckin' Done Live followed a year later. After another five-year layoff from recording, Brown issued Blues: A Beautiful Thing in early 2006. /Biography by Jason Ankeny, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Blues: A Beautiful Thing mc
Blues: A Beautiful Thing zippy

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Si Cranstoun - Modern Life (Deluxe Version) / Poems Unlocked

Album: Modern Life (Deluxe Version)
Size: 117.3 MB
Time: 49:11
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: R&B, Soul, Rock
Art: Front

01. Caught In The Moonlight (3:23)
02. Dance For Evermore (3:22)
03. Shout Out (2:46)
04. Never Gonna Let You Go (3:20)
05. Gods Of Love (2:34)
06. Modern Life (2:44)
07. Being With You (2:57)
08. Tick Tock (2:45)
09. Cry Me A Smile (3:24)
10. Monica (3:36)
11. Inner Demons (2:55)
12. Like It Like That (2:47)
13. Twisting The Night Away (2:59)
14. Build Me Up Buttercup (3:17)
15. Coupe De Ville (3:01)
16. Rise And Shine (3:14)
17. Dance For Evermore.mp4
18. Introducing Si Cranstoun.mp4

Modern Life (Deluxe Version) MP3
Modern Life (Deluxe Version) FLAC

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Album: Poems Unlocked
Size: 123.3 MB
Time: 52:49
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: R&B, Soul, Rock
Art: Front

01. Closeness (5:20)
02. Shining Lights (4:51)
03. Hunker Down (3:37)
04. Mojo (3:27)
05. Tears Of The Broken Hearted (4:47)
06. Howling Hounds (3:53)
07. Rainbow Parade (3:57)
08. Rescuers (3:28)
09. Overcome (5:33)
10. Daisy Duke (3:38)
11. Colour Blind (2:10)
12. Wash Out (3:35)
13. Rambling (4:28)

Busker Si Cranstoun pounded the pavement for 20 years before being literally signed up on the spot by a Warner executive who discovered him performing in the street. Born and raised in Caterham, Surrey, the son of a music promoter, he and his brother Tyber grew up with the sounds of reggae and ska, and as children wrote and performed their own songs for their parents. After graduating from London's prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the brothers formed their own ska band, the Dualers, in 1999.

Starting as a duo before expanding to a full-band lineup, they performed on the streets for several years and toured heavily, eventually building enough of a fan base that their debut single, "Kiss on the Lips," released in 2004, went to number 21 in the U.K. chart. A second single, "Truly Madly Deeply," was released the following year and went to number 23; it was later used on the soundtrack of the romantic adventure film Fool's Gold, starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. The Dualers self-released more than ten albums and toured the U.K. in support of the Blockheads.

Alongside his work in the band, Cranstoun also performed solo; he was once given 30p by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and even met his future wife while busking on the streets of Croydon. He eventually left the Dualers in 2010 to focus on a solo career, with material heavily influenced by rockabilly, doo wop, and American R&B singers of the '50s and '60s. He self-released several solo albums, building a loyal following among fans of the "vintage" music scene, before being spotted in 2013 by a Warner executive and signed to a million-pound record deal. Dubbed "the new Jackie Wilson," he was booked to play in Las Vegas with Little Richard, and his major-label debut album, Modern Life, dropped in October 2014, peaking at number 30 in the U.K. album chart. ~John D. Buchanan

Poems Unlocked MP3
Poems Unlocked FLAC

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Mel Brown - Love, Lost And Found

Album: Love, Lost And Found
Size: 132,9 MB
Time: 57:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Blues
Art: Full

1. Love, Lost And Found (5:42)
2. My Baby Wants To Boogie (w. Snooky Pryor) (4:47)
3. You Were Wrong, Pretty Baby (3:40)
4. Red Wine And Moonshine (w. Enrico Crivellaro) (6:40)
5. Little Girl From Maine (w. Sam Myers) (5:48)
6. Pattern B (4:06)
7. Blues In The Alley (w. Miss Angel) (3:13)
8. Feel Like Jumping (w. Snooky Pryor) (4:51)
9. Come Back Baby (5:35)
10. Slow Moan (3:21)
11. Under The Counter Blues (4:28)
12. Hoochie Coochie Man (5:25)

When Mel Brown passed away on March 20, 2009, we lost an artist who had contributed much to the world of blues music virtually ever since his early childhood in Jackson, Mississippi. “I can’t remember when I didn’t play” he often told me, when speaking warmly about his father blues singer/songwriter John H. (Bubba) Brown and the musical household in which he and his brothers and sisters were raised. Despite serious health issues during the last years of his life, Mel also remained remarkably active in the music he loved, performing, writing and playing until the very last days of his life. He was scheduled to open for Mavis Staples on the day of his passing, and was deeply involved in two recording projects.

This album is a fusion of those two projects, the first was to be entitled “The Great Lost Mel Brown Album” and consisted of sessions by legendary producer Ed Michel recorded at the Village Recorder in Los Angeles during January 1972. Ed had rediscovered the tapes a few years ago and had very kindly forwarded them on to Mel, who was intent on finishing the album a mere 37 years after the tracks were first laid down! Tracks 6,7,10 & 11 are from this source, with Mel overdubbing new guitar tracks on them in January 2009 at Liquid, Toronto. He intended to do a vocal on track 7 as well, but when his health prevented this from happening. Mel’s wife, the Mississippi singer/songwriter Miss Angel stepped up with lyrics and a heartfelt vocal performance dedicated to Mel’s memory, “Blues In The Alley” took shape.

The other project on the go at the time of Mel’s passing was an album of new material, the title track, an original composition “Love, Lost and Found” had already been recorded with Mel playing guitar, piano and organ. I believe the deep soulful feel of this track stands with the very best of Mel’s work on record. Knowing Mel Brown was nothing less than a joy, a true honour and a real education. Working with Mel Brown was somehow even better yet. Enjoy the album. /Andrew Galloway

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Love, Lost And Found mc
Love, Lost And Found zippy

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Don P. & The Blue Jags - Lu-Town

Album: Lu-Town
Size: 92,0 MB
Time: 39:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: R&B/Blues/Rock & Roll mix
Art: Front

1. Lu-Town (2:32)
2. I Wanna Know (5:06)
3. Sharp Dressed Gumshoe (3:06)
4. Rattlesnake Boogie (3:51)
5. I'll Come Over (4:39)
6. Comfort (3:10)
7. Let It Roll (5:12)
8. The Flame Still Burns (4:02)
9. Trouble (3:41)
10. Mr. Mojo (4:27)

Straw hat, sunglasses and the Fender Telecaster are the trademarks of the Lucerne guitarist, singer and songwriter Don P. He plays a virtuoso and melodic blues rock guitar with references to the driving Texas blues and English blues rock. His powerful songs make every live show an intense experience! Don P. writes varied, emotionally charged songs and the sound is energetic, intense and played with great passion. The common thread of his blues-rock guitar stretches across the repertoire and gets under your skin immediately.

Don P. & The Blue Jags delivers a rousing show with pure joy of playing that gets your legs moving and always surprises with well-arranged songs, and their sound has a high recognition value and finally claims a place in modern, contemporary blues rock. The independent, fresh songwriting inspires with elements of rock, funk, jazz, soul or blues.

Personnel: Don P. (guitar, vocals); Bruno K. (bass, vocals); Pat R. (keyboards); Martin D. (drums).

Lu-Town mc
Lu-Town zippy

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Quicksilver Messenger Service - Live In San Jose 1966

Size: 164.7 MB
Time: 70:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Psychedelic Blues Rock
Art: Full

1. All Night Worker ( 3:39)
2. Walkin' Blues ( 3:20)
3. I Hear You Knockin' ( 3:34)
4. If You Live (Your Time Will Come) ( 6:28)
5. Smokestack Lightnin' ( 9:24)
6. Who Do You Love? ( 8:35)
7. Back Door Man ( 4:08)
8. Acapulco Gold And Silver (11:50)
9. Cod'ine ( 6:49)
10. The Fool (12:42)

Quicksilver Messenger Service (sometimes credited as simply Quicksilver) is an American psychedelic rock band formed in 1965 in San Francisco. They were most famous for their biggest hit, the single "Fresh Air" (from the album Just for Love), which reached #49 in 1970. Quicksilver Messenger Service gained wide popularity in the San Francisco Bay Area and through their recordings, with psychedelic rock enthusiasts around the globe, and several of their albums ranked in the Top 30 of the Billboard Pop charts. Though not as commercially successful as contemporaries Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead, Quicksilver was integral to the beginnings of their genre.

One of the earliest live recordings of the quintessential San Francisco psychedelic jam band, the legendary Quicksilver Messenger Service!

Features original vocalist Jim Murray alongside the classic Cipollina-Duncan-Freiberg-Elmore quartet performing their trademark tunes plus rare numbers such as Walkin Blues and All Night Worker!

Live In San Jose 1966 MP3
Live In San Jose 1966 FLAC

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Barbara Blue - From The Shoals

Size: 148.9 MB
Time: 65:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Soul
Art: Full

1. The Shoals (3:20)
2. Nutthouse Blues (7:10)
3. Tell Mama (3:22)
4. Steal Away (4:04)
5. Severed (5:13)
6. Curse Of Beauty (4:43)
7. Lost Young Love (4:40)
8. Slide Man (3:15)
9. Too Far (7:41)
10. Nothing Lasts Forever (3:09)
11. Never Stopped Loving You (5:12)
12. Song Of The River (6:42)
13. Trail Of Tears (6:25)

Pittsburgh native Barbara Blue left home in 1977 for Phoenix Az. From 1980 through 1987 Barbara lived in Detroit playing with the “City Limits Blues Band”. She returned to Pittsburgh and she started recording her own music after meeting Tony Braunagel on the blues cruise. She recorded with the Phantom Blues Band in 2001. Her first three album included Mike Finnigan, Johnny Lee Schell, co-producer Tony Braunagel, Larry Fulcher, horn players Joe Sublett and Darrell Leonard.

The first three albums “Love Money Can’t Buy”, 2001’s “Sell My Jewelry” and 2004’s “3rd & Beale”. In 2007 Barbara Blue recorded “Live at Silky O’Sullivan’s”. Like all her albums included were covers of songs by James Harman, Willie Dixon, Sandy Carroll and others.

2010’s “Royal Blue” and 2012’s “Jus’ Blue” were recorded at the Royal Studios and co-produced by Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell. Included were the horn section of saxophonists Lannie McMillan, Gary Topper, and Jim Spake with Marc Franklin on trumpet. The guitarist was Charles “Skip” Pitts. Also co-produced by “Boo” Mitchell was2014’s “Sweet Strong and Tight”.

Barbara Blue has been named “The Reigning Queen of Beale Street” and she has been honored with a brass music note embedded in the sidewalk on what is called the Beale Street Walk of Fame. As an arranger Barbara has the uncanny ability to recognize a songs potential by re-imaging as her own. Barbara emotes so much soul as this is another performance deserving additional recognition.

On “From The Shoals” Barbara has written seven new songs with her new writing partner “Hutch” Hacic. Recorded by Jim Gaines at the legendary Nutthouse Recording studio in Muscle Shoals, Al. featured are Bernard “Pretty” Purdie drums, David Hood bass, Clayton Ivey keyboards, and Will Mc Farlane guitar. ~Richard Ludmerer

From The Shoals MP3
From The Shoals FLAC

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Dr. Helander & Third Ward - Shining Pearls

Size: 92.7 MB
Time: 39:07
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. I Don't Wanna Wake Up From My Dream (3:17)
02. Unwanted Person (5:00)
03. War Is Starting Again (4:20)
04. 61 Highway (4:41)
05. Cemetery Wall (3:01)
06. Your Old School (5:05)
07. Shining Pearls (3:43)
08. Bridge To Freedom (4:06)
09. You Don't Care (2:53)
10. Rollercoaster Riding (2:55)

Personnel:
Dr. Helander – guitar, vocals
Esa Kuloniemi – bass, guitar, vocals
Mooses Kuloniemi – drums
Mikko Vuorela – bass

Finnish blues power trio Dr. Helander & Third Ward have progressed to their third album, Shining Pearls, which will of course play the main role in Malmitalo's album release concert.

Like the band's previous Bluelight Records recordings Meat Grindin' Business (2018) and Traffic Jam on the Back Street (2020), which has been playing since 2017, the new album also consists almost exclusively of original material and a couple of current loans.

Around the same time, the band's frontman Dr. Ilkka Helander celebrates even decades - the musical think tank between Delta (Kurikka) in Southern Poznan and Delta (Clarksdale) in Mississippi has already been fueled by him on a time scale of 70 years! Thus, we will also hear a lot of accumulated material along the way.

Shining Pearls MP3
Shining Pearls FLAC

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Delta Wires - If Somebody Told Me

Size: 123.2 MB
Time: 52:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: West Coast Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Front

01. Can't Win For Losin' (4:27)
02. If Somebody Told Me... (6:32)
03. I Tried (3:49)
04. Bring Me Up (3:45)
05. Voodoo Cadillac (4:53)
06. I Pity The Fool (6:24)
07. Sloppy Drunk (3:24)
08. Hand Outta My Pocket (4:57)
09. Dimples (7:03)
10. Blues In Hoss' Flat (7:22)

Personnel:
Ernie Pinata – bandleader, vocals, harmonica
Tom Gerrits – bass
Richard Healy – guitar
Tony Huszar – drums
David Bowman – trombone
John Christensen – trumpet
Caleb Murray – saxophone
Richard Sylvester – keyboards

“Ernie Pinata’s searing and impassioned harp opens this dynamic new CD, If Somebody Told Me from San Francisco Bay Area treasure, The Delta Wires. This 7-piece East Bay-based band has been generating powerful blues for over 30 years, performing in festivals from Italy to Monterey, always with monumental audience response and earning them membership in California’s Blues Hall of Fame.

A combination of tight and highly-polished horns, fierce bluesy guitar and that crying, emotional harp make for a powerful fusion, blending the heartbeat of the Delta with electric sophistication and a full-blooded brass sound. Their latest release includes a number of originals, a few nods to the legendary Sonny Boy Williamson – and even a little Count Basie lagniappe. The best way to experience The Delta Wires is undoubtedly live. Onstage, the Wires always deliver an incandescent experience. But if you can’t catch them live, grab this CD – and hold onto your hats. You’re in for a wild, wild ride! ” -Kathleen Lawton

If Somebody Told Me MP3
If Somebody Told Me FLAC

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Eddie 9V - Capricorn

Size: 84.6 MB
Time: 35:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. Beg Borrow And Steal (3:05)
02. Yella Alligator (3:49)
03. Bout To Make Me Leave Home (3:26)
04. Are We Through (3:34)
05. How Long (2:57)
06. It's Going Down (3:22)
07. Tryin' To Get By (3:21)
08. Down Along The Cove (2:34)
09. Mary Don't You Weep (1:55)
10. Missouri (3:54)
11. I'm Lonely (3:51)

Expanding upon 2021’s stellar Little Black Flies, Eddie 9V returns with Capricorn, a larger, louder, and more thoughtful continuation of his sophomore LP. With his brother Lane Kelly once again handling production as well as occasional bass duties, the highly talented musical ensemble turns their focus toward the soul and funk side of their throwback sound, creating a set that consists of much more than an amplified revisit of albums past.

Working out of Macon, Georgia’s Capricorn Studios, the Kelly Brothers judiciously take advantage of their surroundings. Adding more instrumentation and a bit more production value, Eddie 9V colorfully fattens the band’s sound while avoiding the common pitfall of overloading the mix and creating an unpalatable sonic stew. Instruments are selectively chosen for certain tracks, and omitted altogether when unnecessary—as they should be. As a result, Eddie 9V maintains his raw, vintage sound, and the album never fatigues the ear from the overuse of any particular instrument.

“Beg Borrow And Steal” begins the set with a few slick guitar licks, horns, and a lot more soul than blues compared with the offerings on Little Black Flies. A tad flashier than the guttural blues that Eddie 9V has perfected, the extra touch of production suits his sound well, and the following “Yella Alligator” throws in a buzzy slide riff combined with a cool vocal cadence to create some funky semi-psychedelia. The tandem of Chad Mason and Spencer Pope help by laying a warm bed of organic sounding Rhodes piano and organ sounds on the number, as they do throughout the album. Both tracks are two of the album’s best.

Perhaps the collection’s top song, “How Long” features Capricorn’s strongest verse/chorus change, it’s best guitar solo, and near-perfect use of background singers. As such, it’s an easy candidate for repeat listenings for those consuming their music digitally. “Tryin’ To Get By,” a simple song at face value, features more great backing vocals and bell-like rhodes in a perfect example of what can be achieved with a great arrangement coupled with restrained-but-expressive musicianship. “Mary Don’t You Weep,” shares more in common with field songs from another century than a modern blues vocal performance. Covers, “Bout To Make Me Leave Home” and “Down By The Cove” are distinct from their originals in both sound and attitude. The former, made popular by Bonnie Raitt,” opens menacingly before sliding into a funk-laden groove that bears little resemblance to its forebearer, and the latter cuts the hardest blues of the set, a far cry from Dylan’s country-tinged original.

There’s a lot to like about Capricorn. Eddie 9V’s lyrics are honest and direct as always, but the songwriting is a step above previous efforts. His voice continues to age nicely, showing late-night gruff as well as a high-range falsetto that sparkles. Arrangements and production also hit the mark, and while some blues purists might miss a bit of the stripped-down rawness of Little Black Flies, they should quickly come around after hearing how the band can tackle soul and funk with equal aplomb. Now three-for-three, Eddie 9V continues his streak of joyful, organic, genre-bending gems. The Review: 9/10 ~Willie Witten

Capricorn MP3
Capricorn FLAC

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Lex Grey & The Urban Pioneers - How Many Roads?

Size: 105.9 MB
Time: 45:01
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. In It Together (5:02)
02. How Many Roads? (3:50)
03. Ain't From Mississippi (3:58)
04. Old Crookedy Broom (4:27)
05. Begin Again (3:05)
06. I Believe In You (3:47)
07. Aches And Pains (3:38)
08. You Confine Me (4:31)
09. Biker Down (5:05)
10. After A Lifetime (4:09)
11. Angel (3:27)

“I Believe In You” is a bluesy, powerful pop/rock number that nods to blues and soul while showcasing the band’s versatility and the unique vocals and lyrics of Lex Grey. The song is irresistibly uplifting and catchy while delivering a message of hope, unity, peace, and the importance of having faith in one another.

Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers spent their early years as the house band in New York City’s most legendary nightclubs and the band presided over lower Manhattan and Brooklyn’s burlesque and vaudeville revival. After departing their Williamsburg Brooklyn home studio “Shabbey Road” for the greener pastures of Catskill New York, they affectionately dubbed their new home studio “Bigger Pink”. Here the band are spreading their creative wings, exploring their spiritual side and bringing their unique musical energy to a diverse and rapidly growing fanbase.

Front woman, songwriter and guitarist Lex Grey’s vocal stylings have been compared to artists such as Etta James, Robert Plant, Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse and even Tom Waits but this multiple ASCAP Award-winning song writer has a style all her own. Grey was recently inducted into the New York State Blues Hall of Fame as a “Master Rock and Blues Artist”. Lex brings a wealth of life experience into her music. Having worked in the film and TV industry as a production designer, a B movie queen and a prop builder for the Pee Wee Herman Show, she has also been a dayshift bartender, a telephone psychic, an international stage actress and an animal rescue assistant all while performing in a working band. Lex is also a certified yoga instructor, lecturer and historian. Together with producer/guitarist/audio engineer Vic “Mix” Deyglio (Guns and Roses, Lena Horne, Spin Doctors) they are the founding members of The Urban Pioneers.

How Many Roads? MP3
How Many Roads? FLAC

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Jackie Venson - Evolution Of Joy

Size: 153.2 MB
Time: 65:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Soul
Art: Front

01. Afterglow #Evolution (4:52)
02. Flying #Evolution (4:17)
03. Listen (Feat. Jackie The Robot) (1:37)
04. All Rise #Evolution (3:07)
05. Joy #Evolution (4:09)
06. When It's Right #Evolution (5:14)
07. To Yourself (Feat. Jackie The Robot) (1:49)
08. Back To Earth #Evolution (6:57)
09. Don't Lie To Me #Evolution (4:24)
10. And In That Quietude (Feat. Jackie The Robot) (1:43)
11. I Will Find A Way #Evolution (3:43)
12. Witchcraft #Evolution (3:35)
13. Rollin' And Tumblin' #Evolution (3:06)
14. Keep On #Evolution (4:09)
15. You Might Hear (Feat. Jackie The Robot) (1:28)
16. Only Have You #Evolution (3:06)
17. The Voice Of God (Feat. Jackie The Robot) (2:03)
18. Never Say Die #Evolution (2:52)
19. Next Life #Evolution (3:18)

Evolution of Joy is a remake of her 2019 album, Joy. The new version recreates her live sound, swapping sparse original mixes with vibrant arrangements featuring a full band.

Evolution Of Joy MP3
Evolution Of Joy FLAC

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Mel Brown - The Wizard + Blues For We

Size: 148.8 MB
Time: 63:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. Ode To Billie Joe (4:25)
02. Swamp Fever (6:08)
03. Blues After Hours (6:36)
04. African Sweets (3:12)
05. Stop (4:22)
06. Chunk A Funk (4:56)
07. Miss. Ann (4:11)
08. W-2 Withholding (2:17)
09. Twist And Shout (2:41)
10. Blues For We (2:58)
11. Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da (3:37)
12. Son Of A Preacher Man (3:34)
13. Set Me Free (2:38)
14. Freaky Zeke (4:20)
15. Indian Giver (3:42)
16. Stranger On The Shore (3:36)

This remastered two-fer combines guitarist Mel Brown's second Impulse release from 1968, The Wizard, with Blues for We released the following year. The Wizard is a straight-ahead soul-jazz date picking up where Chicken Fat left off with a few originals alongside funky renditions of “Ode to Billie Joe” and Pee Wee Crayton’s R&B hit of the late '40s “Blues After Hours.” Blues for We relies more on an interesting selection of cover versions ranging from “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” and “Son of a Preacher Man” to the bubblegum staple by the 1910 Fruitgum Company “Indian Giver” and Acker Bilk’s “Stranger on the Shore,” which was the theme of a BBC television drama. Brown’s guitar work on both sessions is fluid and greasy, as are the funky drum licks, but occasionally, the arrangements drift into superior background music. New liner notes are absent, but the original packaging -- front and back cover art and liner notes -- remain intact. ~Al Campbell

The Wizard + Blues For We MP3
The Wizard + Blues For We FLAC

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Diane Blue All-Star Band - Live! At The Fallout Shelter

Size: 98.3 MB
Time: 42:07
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. I Got A Good Thing (2:43)
02. Crazy Hazy Lazy (4:04)
03. I Cry (5:39)
04. By My Side (6:21)
05. Leave Me Alone (7:38)
06. Take A Look (5:31)
07. I'm Gonna Get You Back (3:21)
08. Insomnia (4:04)
09. Push On Through (2:42)

Diane Blue “Live! At The Fallout Shelter” features the vocalist and harmonica player Blue on an album including seven originals and two covers. Blue is the first female member of Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters and she appears with them on their last six albums. This album features her solo and with regular guitarists Chris Vitarello and special guest Ronnie Earl playing on “Leave Me Alone”.

The album was recorded at The Fallout Shelter in Norwood, Ma. on February 26. The album is co-produced by Blue and drummer Lorne Entress. Entress and organist Dave Limina are also from the Broadcasters.

The song “I Cry” was originally recorded by Millie Jackson in the 1970’s. The song featuring Earl on guitar is dedicated to victims of domestic violence. Check out this great album from this wonderful vocalist.

Live! At The Fallout Shelter MP3
Live! At The Fallout Shelter FLAC

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Mississippi MacDonald - Heavy State Loving Blues

Size: 96.6 MB
Time: 41:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues
Art: Full

01. Howlin' Wolf (4:10)
02. Heavy State Loving Blues (4:19)
03. Blind Leading The Blind (Feat. Yaneese Thomas) (4:09)
04. Heading South (3:07)
05. (Ain't Gonna) Lie No More (4:10)
06. I've Been Searching (3:29)
07. I'll Understand (5:17)
08. Trouble Doing The Right Thing (3:35)
09. The Devil Wants Repayment (2:55)
10. Blues For Albert (5:57)

British musicians have long had a burning passion for American roots music and none more than three-time British Blues Award nominee, Mississippi MacDonald, who earned his moniker for displaying his love for the blues at an early age. The guitarist/singer songwriter with a whiskey-soaked baritone doesn’t waste time on his latest album, Heavy State Loving Blues, launching into a tight Chicago Blues rebuke of “would be” music fans on the horn driven opening number “Howlin’ Wolf,” emphasizing his point with sharp guitar leads. Mississippi MacDonald’s eighth album, his second on APM Records, is once again produced by Phil Dearing (Eliza Carthy, Gretchen Peters, Kris Drever, Laura Cantrell) and features two inspired cover songs and eight great new originals. Lucy Dearing on backing vocals, whose soulful approach gives many tracks real depth, is a notable addition.

The title track is a chunk of Hi Records Soul that could have come from the Al Green catalog. Acclaimed vocalist and Memphis scion Vaneese Thomas joins MacDonald for the fiery duet “Blind Leading The Blind,” trading barbs over a driving groove from the solid rhythm section of Elliot Boughen on bass and drummer “Texas” Joe McRoury. The excellent arrangement from Dearing comes into play on the spacious soul number “Heading South,” and the smooth burning “(I Ain’t Gonna) Lie No More,” as both feature tasteful horn lines and keyboards propping up MacDonald’s pleading vocals and gritty guitar solos.

The first cover song is a pure rundown of O.V Wright’s “I’ve Been Searching,” from his 1973 MemphisUnlimited album delivered as a loving tribute to MacDonald’s gospel soul hero. The emotional blues ballad “I’ll Understand,” finds him digging deep into his softer side. The country tune “Trouble Doing The Right Thing,” from Zack Logan is remade here as an easy-going blues ramble. The mysterious tome “The Devil Wants Repayment,” has a lazy bayou feel and a touch of voodoo charm. In the album notes MacDonald lists that he played a Fender Albert Collins Telecaster so naturally he was moved to write “Blues For Albert,” on which he professes the origin of his obsession and the devotion to the art as a blues benediction to close the set. Mississippi MacDonald continues to carry the torch as a next generation blues man on another strong album. ~Rick J Bowen

Heavy State Loving Blues MP3
Heavy State Loving Blues FLAC

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Catfish Keith - Fresh Catfish

Size: 121.0 MB
Time: 51:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1995
Styles: Acoustic Blues
Art: Front

01. High-Heeled Sneakers (3:22)
02. Way Out West (4:28)
03. Sweet Patootie (3:23)
04. Happy All The Time (3:02)
05. Way Down In Texas (5:23)
06. Kohala March (2:42)
07. You May Think Funny (3:34)
08. Uncle Ned, Don't Lose Your Head (3:11)
09. Cairo (4:51)
10. Asked You For A Favor (3:37)
11. Streamline Train (3:38)
12. Down Bt The Wishing Well (4:19)
13. Getting Away With Something (2:21)
14. God Don't Never Change (3:18)

Nominated for a W. C. Handy Award for BEST ACOUSTIC BLUES ALBUM, Fresh Catfish captures Catfish Keith live in the studio, twanging the strings on his acoustic guitar and sliding bottleneck style on the old National Steel-bodied guitar, singing foot-stomping originals, blues classics and a couple of finger-tangling island pieces as well.

"Catfish Keith plays bonafide old-time country blues fingerstyle guitar. He stomps his feet, thumps the bass line and generally seems to have an awfully good time. So did I, listening to this album. The whole package of singing and playing is somehow extremely charismatic, a quality that doesn't often come across from recorded music. And these are studio recordings. I just know this guy would be amazing live." -- Jennifer Zygott, Blues Revue

Fresh Catfish MP3
Fresh Catfish FLAC

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James Anthony Band - James Anthony Profile

Size: 85.6 MB
Time: 36:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Too Much Love (2:59)
02. Some People Get It (2:55)
03. When She Finally Gets Out (3:19)
04. Inside With You (Im With You) (3:35)
05. We All Fall Down (3:43)
06. Cheatin Clothes (4:41)
07. She's Only With Me For My Money (3:02)
08. Corona Blues (3:42)
09. Hard Times Are Coming (2:54)
10. We Gotta Get Out (2:50)
11. Whenever I'm With You (3:01)

1955- Born at Toronto Western Hospital on a Monday August 8 12:01, and I hear it was raining…..I guess thats a good start for a blues guy.
1964-66- Got My first Guitar a Harmony Archtop with really thick strings and brutally high action.I think my dad won it at the Barber shop in a poker game. Another great start for a blues guy. Learned country tunes and folkie stuff like Ledbelly and Sonny and Brownie. Roy Clark was huge on my list. Saw some bands in Italy and that did it.
1967-1970- Played at grade 7 Dance and was hooked from then on. Played with high school soul bands and then started playing legions and High Schools for Money…..Ontario Place too.
1971- Joined (Jay Douglas) the Cougars and played Reggae before anybody even heard of it. Lots of sessions West indian and Reggae recordings. I believe I’m the first white guy to do this in this country..Ask Jay?
1974- The last version of Edward Bear, James Ackroyd, Many soul bands and one nighters. Blue grass too 7 Nights a week!
1976- Jammed with Rick James at the Colonial Tavern on Younge Street. More local Soul bands and then a few Blues bands all over the Toronto Area. Air Port Strip. Juno winner Patricia Daulquist at Ontario Place and Night Clubs.
1977-1980- Grizzly Bear Blues band begat Footloose that begat Mondo Combo. One album on RCA and Massey Hall gig. Played full-time. First band to play live on Q107 all over the GTA on a Saturday night. Mostly clubs and venues.Lots of travelling.
1980-90- Went country and played with most of the Canadian stars. Played guitar on CFGMs Opry North Radio Show. Backed hundreds of Country Stars. Did some TV work. More Road. Every town in Canada maybe? Moved to Cambridge and joined Lulus Kats band in Kitchener 1990. Backed up over 200 music legends. Put out my first Cds Nite School and Play Something you Know! and Cable TV show The Midnight Hour for 5 years. Won Best Music Show in 96 on Rogers Cable.
1997-2000- Lulus was over so I recorded with Denny Doherty and many more. Won Fender-Coca Cola Guitar Warz in Toronto. More Cds to follow " Soul Shoes”, Played in Azores, Santa Maria.
2000-2005- "Room For Me" and Acoustic CD "All Spruced Up. Festivals and Europe. Hungary for 2 weeks.
2006-2010- Played in Dublin Ireland with CD release there..More Local House gigs. TV show on Cogeco "James Anthony Live".
2010-2016- Casinos, Summer Festivals, Clubs. Inducted into American International Blues Hall of Fame 2013 in Detroit.

James Anthony Profile MP3
James Anthony Profile FLAC

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Will Jacobs - Goldfish Blues

Size: 102.3 MB
Time: 43:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2022
Styles: Blues, Soul, Funk
Art: Full

01. Come Back To Me (5:03)
02. Katie's Blues (3:36)
03. Goldfish Blues (4:45)
04. Grooving With You (5:02)
05. I Wish (5:21)
06. Dirty Dog (3:42)
07. One Day At A Time (4:44)
08. Funky Woman (3:42)
09. You Do You (4:23)
10. Don't Burn Down The Bridge (3:20)

Although he is only twenty-nine, guitar player and singer Will Jacobs has a long career behind him. Gone is the time when, as a teenager, Jacobs went to Chicago clubs to back some of the great names playing there. In 2009 he competed at the International Blues Challenge and, since that particular moment, his prestige has not stopped to grow as, not in vain, he also finished his studies at Berklee College Of Music and was asked to play with C.J. Chenier in a good number of tours. In 2016 he travelled for the first time to Europe and, according to his own words, one of the most memorable shows he remembers was the one he performed at the oldest bullfighting arena in the world in Béjar, Spain.

Jacobs has recently broadened his approach to music, something you will appreciate if you listen to this album, he has just published for German label Ruf Records, where he shows a colorful palette of styles that move between rock, funk, soul and experimental blues.

Will Jacobs appears as a skilled guitar player, able to surprise listeners with his fingering, as well as an experienced interesting singer, thanks to the vocal range he develops with taste and reliability along the ten songs that give shape to the recording. He is joined by Stef Rosen on guitar, Matthias Falkenau on organ, Thomas “Tomek” Germann on bass and Brian Sauls on drums.

Goldfish Blues MP3
Goldfish Blues FLAC

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Texas Thunder - Lonesome Highway

Size: 303 MB
Time: 45:54
File: Flac
Released: 1996
Styles: Blues, blues-rock
Art: Folder, tray, front

1. Find A New Life (4:49)
2. Red Blooded Man (4:57)
3. I'm On The Road Again (2:36)
4. Drive My Car (3:03)
5. I Make Love (3:41)
6. Lonesome Highway (3:08)
7. Ain't No Doubt About It (3:43)
8. Lost, Blue And Lowdown (6:17)
9. Mean Mean Woman (2:42)
10. Crosscut Saw (2:48)
11. Texas Boogie (2:25)
12. Goin' Home Blues (5:39)

This band played gigs in the south east of England. I saw them a couple of times in High Wycombe over 20 years ago. Terry Wisbey was a very good guitarist but his voice was not too strong. The band later became known as Terry Wisbey's Texas Thunder and there is an album listed on Discogs. Thank you Fendermental

Lonesome Highway FLAC

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Ripoff Raskolnikov - Everything Is Temporary

Size: 378 MB
Time: 67:08
File: Flac
Released: 2006
Styles: Blues, singer-songwriter
Art: Front

1. Higway 5 (3:59)
2. Senile Insomnia (5:16)
3. Set Designer Blues (6:04)
4. Two - Point - Tw Re - Run (3:49)
5. Ain´t Nothing Sadder (5:19)
6. Souls Ringing In Tune (5:13)
7. Watertown Blues (3:23)
8. Near Miss (8:20)
9. Quinquagenarian Blues (6:05)
10. Rosie (3:10)
11. Good Week (3:54)
12. Toll - Gate Blues (6:43)
13. Temporary (5:46)

See post below

Everything Is Temporary FLAC

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Ripoff Raskolnikov - Crime And Punishment

Size: 224
Time: 43:38
File: Flac
Released: 2006
Styles: Blues, singer-songwriter
Art: Front

1. Y. G.'s Blues (5:16)
2. Forgiveness (2:24)
3. Letter From Home (3:06)
4. The Horse Dream (2:54)
5. Perfect Murder (3:42)
6. Set Designer Blues (2:25)
7. Suburban Flower (4:30)
8. Late Night Visit (3:58)
9. Down In The Cold Cold Clay (2:21)
10. Sparks And Flashes (1:43)
11. High Heels And Fishnet Stockings (1:42)
12. Traveller (4:07)
13. Sonya (5:23)

Both an accomplished blues guitar player and a prolific singer/songwriter, Austrian born Ripoff Raskolnikov must be considered one of the most idiosyncratic figures on the European blues scene. Like thousands of his colleagues, he admires and reveres such blues greats as Blind Willie McTell, Skip James, Robert Johnson or John Lee Hooker. On the other hand, and quite unlike most of his colleagues, he has no desire to imitate or copy them. Nor, for that matter, is he willing to remain within the boundaries of what is generally accepted as the blues. What does connect him to the aforementioned giants is his fully committed, unwavering integrity in exploring, and coming to terms with such human emotions as love, passion, desire, loss, pain, the quest of beauty, hunger for life, or fear of death. Driven by such forces, Raskolnikov unleashes songs of powerful poetic and musical expression which, more often that not, defy stylistic categorization. Whatever the line-up, Raskolnikov never fails to create an ambiance of poignant intensity. He is the sort of artist you like to watch as well as listen to. His stage charisma, his dry sense of humour and his highly personal approach to the blues make him one of a kind.

Crime And Punishment FLAC

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Rollie Tussing III - Blow Whistle Blow

Size: 227
Time: 42:03
File: Flac
Released: 1998
Styles: Acoustic Blues
Art: Front

1. Daddy Where you been so Long (4:51)
2. Dark was the Night....... (3:06)
3. Yonder come the Blues (3:39)
4. Sorrow Shall have a Name (2:31)
5. Bad Luck & Trouble (3:07)
6. Blues for Susie (2:28)
7. How Long, How Long Blues (4:31)
8. Gold Plated .44 (4:32)
9. Sun is Risin' (4:52)
10. Blow Whistle Blow (3:48)
11. M & O Blues (4:32)

This is an outstanding blues album. Rollie Tussing is a very gifted performer. Every cut on it is great, which is unusual. My personal favorite track is his cover of Blind Willie Johnson's "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground," on which he's accompanied by Jo Serrapere's singing. I'd recommend this as a "must have" to any blues fan.

Blow Whistle Blow FLAC

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Robin Morris - Mad Dog Blues

Size: 257 MB
Time: 49:02
File: Flac
Released: 2015
Styles: Blues
Art: Front

1. Barrel House Blues (2:55)
2. Stony Old Blues (5:04)
3. Sunday Blues (3:28)
4. Into the Blue (2:47)
5. Have Some Fun Tonight (5:04)
6. Monday Morning Blues (3:48)
7. Lawdy Mama (5:15)
8. Smoky Town News (3:37)
9. Midnight Blues (3:40)
10. Old Ghost Train (5:05)
11. Song for Richard (3:29)
12. The Law (4:43)

Robin Morris has surfed for more years than he can remember. He lives in paradise in Jeffreys Bay, awaking every day to gaze down the throat of a magnificent, dancing Super Tubes, renowned as the ultimate right hand reef break and rated as one of the top ten perfect breaking waves in the world. Robin spent several years in the business arena. Initially holding top marketing positions in Robertson’s Spices and Coca-Cola before launching his own Advertising Agency – Dynamics Advertising & Design – that became a landmark blue-chip Ad Agency in Natal. The family relocated to Jeffreys Bay in 1996 to a wonderful house situated on the beach, overlooking Tubes and down the line into Supers. Pro surfers - Kelly Slater, Pat O Connell, Taylor Knox and Shane Dorian stayed at the house with the Morris family for the following consecutive ten years for the annual Billabong WCT event, held in July every year. Five years after moving to J/Bay, Robin started the Quiksilver retail brand in the area, building seven stores from Port Elizabeth to St Francis Bay. He is now retired. Robin is also an avid musician, highly respected for his guitar wizardry. He’s produced several of his own albums to-date that have been distributed worldwide. He takes a keen interest in all the arts and has helped many fledging creative’s and young businessmen to achieve greater heights.

Mad Dog Blues FLAC

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Reverend Charlie Jackson - Way Over Yonder

Size: 298 MB
Time: 52:44
File: Flac
Released: 1997
Styles: Blues
Art: Front, tray, note

1. Wrapped Up And Tangled Up In Jesus (6:51)
2. Way Over Yonder (3:15)
3. God's Got It (4:17)
4. Storm Of Life (2:06)
5. Somewhere To Lay My Head (2:50)
6. Power (5:44)
7. Something Got A Hold Of Me (2:50)
8. What A Time (4:06)
9. Gave Up All I Had (3:29)
10. You Got To Move (2:11)
11. Mornin' Train (5:28)
12. Man Over The River (4:46)
13. Holy Ghost Boogie (4:44)

“Like a sanctified version of John Lee Hooker, Reverend Charlie Jackson plays raw, slashing electric guitar and erupts in urgent hallelujahs as occasional backup singers inject call-and-response fervor. Jackson’s gruff, exuberant vocals celebrate salvation, but he doesn’t portray it as a painless process: ‘Wrapped Up Tangled Up in Jesus’ depicts a soul in turmoil. These aren’t polished recordings; befitting their origins in tiny Louisiana studios, the songs boast crackling, distorted sound and are all the more effective for it. The rowdiest rock and roll has nothing on Reverend Jackson.”

Way Over Yonder FLAC

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Sam Lay - Sam Lay In Bluesland

Album: Sam Lay In Bluesland
Size: 91,3 MB
Time: 39:23
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1969
Styles: Blues
Art: LP front & back

1. Maggie's Farm (4:59)
2. Mean Mistreater (4:35)
3. Sam Lay & Mississippi John (5:06)
4. Cryin' For My Baby (3:32)
5. Sloppy Drunk (3:16)
6. My Own Fault (4:00)
7. Roll Over Beethoven (2:52)
8. Asked Her For Water (7:32)
9. Got My Mojo Working (3:27)

Sam Lay was born March 20, 1935, in Birmingham, Alabama, and began his career as a drummer in Cleveland in 1954, working with the Moon Dog Combo. In 1957 he joined the Original Thunderbirds and stayed with that group until 1959, when he left for Chicago to work with the legendary Little Walter. Lay began to work with Howlin' Wolf in 1960 and spent the next six years with that group. He and bassist Jerome Arnold were hired away from Wolf's band by Paul Butterfield in 1966 and became part of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, recording that classic first album. Lay toured with Butterfield until later that year when he accidentally shot himself.

Lay backed Bob Dylan at the historic 1965 Newport Folk Festival, when Dylan first introduced electric rock to the folk crowd. He went on to record with Dylan on Highway 61 Revisited. He can be heard on more than 40 classic Chess blues recordings, and his famous double-shuffle is the envy of every would-be blues drummer. In 1969, Lay played drums for the Muddy Waters' Fathers and Sons album, now a classic. He was also the original drummer for the James Cotton Blues Band. Later in 1969, Lay also worked with the Siegel-Schwall Band. He went on to form the Sam Lay Blues Revival Band, which has involved many players over the years including Jimmy Rogers, George "Wild Child" Butler, Eddie Taylor, and others.

Lay was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1992 and received a nomination for a W.C. Handy Award. He formed the Sam Lay Blues Band and recorded on Appaloosa Records (Shuffle Master, Sam Lay Live) and on Alligator with the Siegel-Schwall Band, with whom he often played. 1996's Stone Blues was followed four years later by Rush Hour Blues. Live on Beale Street followed in fall 2000. Sam Lay died in Chicago on January 29, 2022; he was 86 years of age. /Biography by Michael Erlewine, AllMusic

Sam Lay In Bluesland mc
Sam Lay In Bluesland zippy

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Glamour Puss - Wire & Wood

Album: Wire & Wood
Size: 121,6 MB
Time: 52:34
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2003
Styles: Blues
Art: Front, tray

1. Kitty Kitty (3:28)
2. Hollow Man (3:38)
3. Don't You Worry (3:49)
4. I Don't Know How To Win Your Love (3:17)
5. You're Rich I'm Poor (3:56)
6. Maman Don't Play No Zydeco (2:32)
7. Wire & Wood (3:17)
8. If You Miss Me (4:29)
9. Swingin' Cin (2:55)
10. Boom Boom (3:27)
11. Dangereuse (4:44)
12. Six Feet Down (2:37)
13. Million-Air (4:45)
14. Blues For Sheila (3:01)
15. Hidden Track (2:30)

Fourteen originals and one John Lee Hooker cover allow Glamour Puss to interpret modern electric blues with ease. Their title track explains through traditional roots anchors that the blues guitar, just a simple instrument made out of wire and wood, has been known to provide the kind of companionship that we need when things aren’t going right. That guitar never forgets birthdays and always has time to spare when it comes to keeping us company. Everybody needs such a friend.

This lively blues band hails from New Brunswick, Canada, whose Acadian Peninsula played a major role in the development of Southern Louisiana folk music. Cajun cooking bears a strong resemblance to the forceful presence that Glamour Puss brings to the stage. Roger Cormier’s “Dangereuse” is sung in French with the kind of exotic mystique that comes naturally with the blues. Dramatic pieces are interwoven on the program with happier, fun-loving tunes whose English lyrics generate festive thoughts. Their music amplifies the band’s message throughout the program.

The horn section on “I Don’t Know How to Win Your Love” promises to keep the session happy for all time. The session’s lone instrumental number, “Blues for Sheila,” provides traditional roots from way back. The album’s high point comes through Cormier’s “Maman Don’t Play No Zydeco,” where French and English lyrics give the listener an old friend in the New Orleans tradition. It’s repeated at the very end, in French. Throughout their highly recommended program, Glamour Puss provides a genuine look at what makes the blues so much fun. /Jim Santella, All About Jazz

Personnel: Ron Dupuis (drums, vocals); Travis Furlong (guitar, vocals); Paul Boudreau (bass, vocals); Roger Cormier (keyboards, accordion, harmonica, vocals); Don Rodgers (tenor saxophone, vocals).

Wire & Wood mc
Wire & Wood zippy

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Paul Carrack & The SWR Big Band - Don't Wait Too Long

Album: Don't Wait Too Long
Size: 106,2 MB
Time: 45:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Jazzy blues, big band
Art: Front

1. I'll Always Be In Love With You (2:50)
2. Don't Wait Too Long (3:51)
3. Cryin' Won't Help You (4:29)
4. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying (3:40)
5. Ain't Nothing You Can Do (3:54)
6. Question (3:52)
7. The Only Thing Missing Is You (4:48)
8. Got To Get You Off My Mind (3:59)
9. Frim Fram Sauce (3:24)
10. Trust In Me (4:18)
11. Bring It On Home To Me (3:36)
12. Next Time You See Me (3:04)

Celebrating a momentous five decades in the industry, legendary musician and songwriter Paul Carrack, who’s golden voice features on numerous classic world wide hits such as "How Long" (ACE), "Tempted" (Squeeze), "The Living Years", "Over My Shoulder" (Mike and the Mechanics) teams up with the Grammy Award-winning SWR Big Band on the epic new album "Don’t Wait Too Long". The covers album celebrates the pioneering golden era in music from the 50s and beyond spanning blues, gospel, country and jazz.

Paul has a deep love of R&B songs from the fifties and beyond. For him, 50s music was filled with intense emotion, it was wildly kinetic and had a profound impact on his career. In Paul’s mind, it’s where all modern pop music began, the sounds were spectacular and revolutionary. Days when the change from jazz to pop was stretched via pioneers and great singers like Bobby Bland, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Lloyd Price. These artists always resonated as fantastic performers with stylistic records that had such joy and intensity.

The 50s were not only a time for musical revolution but a social and generational upheaval of vast and unpredictable scope. The power of this music is as vital today as it ever was with the power to change lives forever. After working with the SWR band on a number of projects, Paul and his producers had the idea to find and record a selection of these time-warped classics, some well-known, others not so much, and the title track, a modern song that harks back to those times called "Don’t Wait Too Long". The result is an impassioned, compelling album. Honest, epic, touching, the album showcases a great vocalist who is at home with his art and talent.

Don't Wait Too Long mc
Don't Wait Too Long zippy

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Quicksilver Messenger Service - Fillmore Auditorium Nov. 5th 1966

Size: 150.0 MB
Time: 64:05
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Psychedelic Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. Dino's Song ( 3:14)
02. Hair Like Sunshine (Long Distance Call) ( 5:00)
03. I Hear You Knockin' ( 3:38)
04. Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You ( 4:32)
05. Smokestack Lightnin' (11:45)
06. If You Live (Your Time Will Come) ( 5:35)
07. All Night Worker ( 3:55)
08. Got My Mojo Workin' ( 4:11)
09. You Don't Love Me ( 2:39)
10. Susie Q ( 3:43)
11. Hoochie Coochie Man ( 5:24)
12. Acapulco Gold And Silver ( 2:14)
13. Stand By My ( 4:22)
14. Pride Of Man ( 3:47)

Personnel: Personnel: Gary Duncan, John Cipollina (vocals, guitar); Jim Murray (vocals, percussion); David Freiberg (vocals); Greg Elmore (drums).

Deluxe live archive release from the iconic San Francisco rockers, one of the earliest live performances ever recorded by the band. Features early vocalist Jim Murray (prior to the return of Dino Valenti) singing and playing harmonic in this ripping set that includes such fan favorites as 'I Hear You Knockin', 'Smokestack Lightnin', 'Susie Q', 'Pride of Man', and more.

Originally formed in 1965 in San Francisco, Quicksilver Messenger Service, although not as commercially successful as Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, or Big Brother & the Holding Co, are just as responsible for establishing the "San Francisco Sound". QMS's first two albums are widely considered to fine examples of this sound in its purest form, especially their second, Happy Trails, which emphasized extended arrangements and the fluid twin-guitar improvisations of guitarists John Cipollina and Gary Duncan. The acid-rock text! That said, the debut fused shorter West Coast rock pieces like 'Pride Of Man' and 'Dino's Song', which bridged the poppish folk-rock of The Byrds to the forming San Fran ethos. Much like their contemporaries, Quicksilver's root sound was based on folk and blues, but by mixing in jazz and classical elements, they created a distinctive individual sound that was both innovative and distinctively different. QMS featured two highly distinctive guitar players. Duncan's unparalleled melodic sensibilities and penetrating lead style combined with Cipollina's finger picking, slide technique, and individualistic whammy bar infused leads to create a clear biting sound that would literally define what it meant to be a "psychedelic jam band".

By the tail end of the '60s ailing leading QMS light Gary Duncan was in poor health and temporarily quit the group. Third album, Shady Grove, which incorporated pianist Nicky Hopkins into the mix, despite some memorable material was clearly a transitional time and when Duncan returned the group relocated to Hawaii to overhaul their sound. By the dawn of the '70s, singer/songwriter Dino Valenti, who had been peripherally involved with an early line up (and the subject of 'Dino's Song'), had become the de facto leader of the group. Valenti's leadership had an immediate impact; radically changing the once heavily dual guitar indebted QMS trademark sound. Two 1970 sessions in Hawaii resulted in What About Me and Just For Love, which would become the group's most commercially successful records, eventually outselling all others in their catalogue.

Growing increasingly frustrated with this new direction, John Cipollina quit, leaving the core band of Valenti, Duncan, Frieberg and Elmore soldiering on alone. QMS augmented their live performances by bringing in former Butterfield Blues Band keyboard player Mark Naftalin (soon replaced by Chuck Steaks, who plays keyboards here) and a percussionist to flesh out the new sound. For fans of the charismatic Valenti, the QMS concerts of this era were increasingly satisfying, but John Cipollina's departure was (and is) sorely missed by many.

Yet, despite the absence of Cipollina, QMS were still quite capable of riveting live performances, which now featured FM radio friendly songs as well as the trademark jamming that initially marked them out. This lengthy set, recorded on the eve of The Fillmore West's closing night captures the group at this precise moment. Although uneven, the recording captures the group in relatively good form and highlights both the strengths and weaknesses that they were dealing with under Valenti's tutelage.

On this memorable night in July '71 QMS performed several of the better tracks from their two Hawaiian albums as well as older choice material from Happy Trails and Shady Grove. Although Gary Duncan was often ill during this time, on this particular night he rises to the occasion. On many of these songs (not just the obvious jam vehicles of 'Mona' and 'Who Do You Love') his melodically sophisticated guitar playing is perfect, bringing a balance of old and new approaches to the group's more song oriented sound. His vocals were also every bit as captivating as they were in 1968.

QMS fans will be delighted to discover a wealth of rarely performed material here, some songs destined for their next two albums and some that would never be officially released. These include a remarkable reading of 'The Truth', a Valenti-penned number that would soon be recorded for their next album and fresh live versions of 'Doing Time In The USA' and 'Mojo', neither of which would see the light of day until their 1972 album, Comin' Through. Many ('Dr. Feelgood', 'Roadrunner', 'Much To Say', and 'Ain't That A Shame') would never be officially released on their studio albums at all and several are unique to this performance. Even on the weaker songs, Valenti often has the ability to induce a hypnotic effect and Duncan's lead guitar playing consistently provides rich colourful textures to the music.

Although not recorded during the band's prime their performance is an exciting addition to the final nights of rock's spiritual home in San Francisco.

Fillmore Auditorium Nov. 5th 1966 MP3
Fillmore Auditorium Nov. 5th 1966 FLAC

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Paul Filipowicz - Pier 43

Size: 123.8 MB
Time: 53:03
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. Old Time Superstition (4:07)
02. Angle Face (5:01)
03. Pier 43 (4:51)
04. When I Get To Town (3:23)
05. Spit Shine (2:46)
06. Hip Shake (6:10)
07. Poor Man's Throne (4:17)
08. Humdinger (4:13)
09. Cut You Loose - Texas Out (6:15)
10. Aint No Use (4:44)
11. Use My Imagination (7:13)

Fifty years of one nighters and 10 albums. What does a bluesman do next? How about "Old Time Superstition" side guitar and voodoo drums? How about a gut-bucket Howlin' Wolf-style shuffle called "Angel Face"? How about a little old and a little new?

Find all that and more on Filipowicz's 11th album, "Pier 43". A moody guitar instrumental called "Pier 43" which harkens back to Filipowicz's stint tossin' bags and pullin' hides on the Milwaukee longshore docks in the early 1970's. A take on the timeless waterfront sound. Nine fresh tracks and a Mississippi Hill Country track called "When I Get To Town" that is bone rattlin' enough to make you want to boogie and dance all night long, or at least until the cops come.

But wait! Why not throw in a couple of songs featuring Paul's hard-driving band from a live 1979 radio show featuring the one and only Clyde Stubbelfield (James Brown) on drums and Fat Richard Drake on alto sax? You won't be getting that anywhere but here. "Pier 43" proves that Blues with Soul is alive and well in the good old USA.

Pier 43 MP3
Pier 43 FLAC

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Robert Cray - Standing My Own Ground (Live 1980)

Size: 151.6 MB
Time: 64:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2022
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Soul
Art: Front

01. Cold Women (Live 1980) (4:21)
02. Band Intros/If You're Thinkin' (Live 1980) (3:54)
03. Wrapped Up In Love (Live 1980) (2:51)
04. Your Friends (Live 1980) (6:48)
05. Mohair Sam (Live 1980) (3:22)
06. From The Bottom (Live 1980) (2:58)
07. I'm Tired Of Your Jive (Live 1980) (5:17)
08. Blind, Crippled And Crazy (Live 1980) (4:11)
09. Can't Hold Back The Tears (Live 1980) (3:39)
10. I Don't Want No Wife (Live 1980) (4:11)
11. Too Many Cooks (Live 1980) (2:47)
12. Hands Off That Woman (Live 1980) (3:17)
13. I've Got Everything I Need (Live 1980) (3:53)
14. Instrumental (Live 1980) (4:54)
15. Move On Back Darlin' (Live 1980) (3:34)
16. Doin' Every Barbecue (Live 1980) (4:55)

Born in Columbus, GA, in 1953, blues guitarist/vocalist Robert Cray has--along with Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan--been credited with helping to create the blues "renaissance" of the 1980s. He began his music career in 1979 and has won three Grammy awards, with his 1986 album "Strong Persuader" selling over one million copies.

Cray's father was a career military man, so although Cray was born in Columbus, GA, he was raised in areas as varied as Virginia, California and Germany due to his father's various postings over the years, but the family finally settled in Tacoma, WA, in 1968. He had begun to study piano while his family was living in Germany, and was musically influenced by such artists as Ray Charles and Sam Cooke. He became a fan of The Beatles and eventually switched his choice of instruments from piano to guitar (a lucky meeting with actor John Belushi resulted in Cray's getting a part in the film National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) as a member of the band Otis Day and the Knights). Cray eventually formed his own band and in 1978 signed a contract with Tomato Records, coming out the next year with the album "Who's Been Talkin'?". Tomato didn't release it until 1980 and it didn't sell well, so Cray switched to Hightone Records and in 1983 released the well-received album "Bad Influence" His next album, "False Accusations", didn't break any sales records--although it was favorably reviewed by music critics--but in 1985 he released his breakthrough album, "Showdown!", which he recorded with Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland. It garnered him a Grammy and sold a quarter-million copies. The next year he went over to Mercury Records, where he released what many believe to be his best album, "Strong Persuader", which got him his second Grammy.

Cray embarked on a worldwide tour, playing in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. He appeared in the rock documentary Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987) and in 1989 released his album "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark", another million-seller that resulted in his third Grammy. His follow-up album, "Midnight Stroll", saw him move away from the blues somewhat and get more into soul and R&B, but it didn't alienate his blues fans. In 1991 he appeared in a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, with Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Jimmy Vaughan and pianist Johnny Johnson and later that year released his double album, "24 Nights", which contained his performances at the Royal Albert Hall.

Standing My Own Ground (Live 1980) MP3
Standing My Own Ground (Live 1980) FLAC

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LaBronn Conner Jr. - LaBronn Conner Jr: The Early Singles

Size: 78.8 MB
Time: 34:09
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2022
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Freedom On My Mind (4:44)
02. Peace (5:07)
03. Time (To Get Myself Back Together) (3:35)
04. Mushy Wall Blues (6:27)
05. Lady Sydell (3:55)
06. Ain't One Thing (4:38)
07. Peace (Connor Lafitte Remix) (5:41)

A 21-year old soulful, heartfelt singer that delves into the roots of electric blues music and the stylings of classic psych rock music with soul-gritted vocals. The music blends bluesy orchestrations of soulful organs, and jazzy horns, with psychedelic guitars and hard-hitting drums. Influenced by some of the great singers of blues, soul and rock music, such as: Janis Joplin, Big Mama Thornton, Otis Redding, Tina Turner, and artists of psychedelic rock music, Jefferson Airplane, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, for the summer months growing up he would live and spend time with his family down south in Selma, Alabama. There, he would sing gospel blues and spend time in the Baptist churches that dignified his vocal sound. From there, he made a switch to value these sounds in original musical expressions when he felt a strong connection to crafting music of his own. ? Through the music he releases, he presents blues-based arrangements, with explosive rock electric guitars, church-like organs, and a jazzy horn section. The impact of the sometimes soothing and calming vocals and other times vocals gritted with pain and emotion leaves the listener with a deeper connection to him, each and every time.

LaBronn Conner Jr: The Early Singles MP3
LaBronn Conner Jr: The Early Singles FLAC

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