Chris Cain - Good Intentions Gone Bad

Album: Good Intentions Gone Bad
Size: 118,5 MB
Time: 50:59
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2024
Styles: Blues
Art: Front

1. Too Little Too Late (3:29)
2. Fear Is My New Roommate (3:33)
3. Good Intentions (3:14)
4. Waiting For The Sun To Rise (4:30)
5. I Was Wrong (3:25)
6. Time To Cry (3:54)
7. Still Drinking Straight Tequila (3:51)
8. Bad Dream (5:39)
9. Had About All I Can Take (3:12)
10. Blues For My Dad (4:27)
11. TGIF (3:55)
12. Never Let You Break My Heart (4:59)
13. Thankful (2:46)

Ageing is something every musician has to deal with. Thankfully blues artists generally stay relevant longer than say pop ones, as they approach and even pass Social Security time, due to the rootsy, more timeless nature of their music and fan base. It’s a little harder for guitarist Chris Cain though. He got a later start than most, releasing a well-received 1987 debut at age 33. Now pushing 70, he boasts over a dozen discs garnering the praise of peers like Joe Bonamassa and Robben Ford along with a bulging press kit filled with glowing reviews. He may not have the instant name recognition of a Buddy Guy, Duke Robillard or Robert Cray, but Cain is surely their equal in guitar talents and especially songwriting.

Not surprisingly, age is referenced in Cain’s newest release, Good Intentions Gone Bad. Songs such as “Fear Is My New Roommate” (“My heart fills up with all the memories/ Of a world that we just let go to hell in a handbasket”), “Waiting for the Sun to Rise” (“I’m worried that this darkness will never go away”) and especially the humorous, funky and frisky “Still Drinking Straight Tequila” (one of his last remaining vices). On the personal, intimate, “Blues for My Dad,” he unplugs, moves to Latin-tinged jazz pop (think George Benson) and rewinds, providing details of his early years and how grateful he is to his father for purchasing his first instrument (“I always remember to play a little blues for my dad”).

Rather than appearing as a grizzled, churlish old-timer, Cain’s positive attitude shows he appreciates his fertile blues background and is thrilled to still be doing what he loves. He has crafted an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable set that stands with his finest work. His second for the Alligator label is helmed by producer Kid Andersen (of Rick Estrin & the Nightcats) who employs a horn section on seven of these 13 originals, but keeps the sound fluid, lean and mean. From the party-ready “TGIF,” to the rollicking kiss-off shuffle “Had About All I Can Take” (complete with swinging horns), and the New Orleans’ second line swagger of “Good Intentions,” Cain is in full control. His voice, often compared to that of B.B. King, exudes the sympathetic gruffness that being a veteran in the business provides.

He’s also an accomplished pianist, a talent exhibited intermittently throughout, but particularly on the slow blues “Bad Dream” which also benefits from Greg Rohn’s organ fills. Cain shifts into soul-blues for the bittersweet “Never Let You Break My Heart,” taking a rare piano solo, which leads into a tension-filled guitar lead (on his longtime Gibson ES 335, nicknamed Melba) for one of the album’s most irate selections (“Controlling things is what you’re all about…you only wanted to use me from the start”). His tone is clean, jazz-tinged, yet cutting. Like BB, he’s more concerned with the space between the notes than displaying any fret burning or shredding. That style fits songs which are as lyrically crafty as his playing.

The closing blues-rocking “Thankful” consolidates his approach in its pithy title. While he’s referring to his wife, Cain (assisted by second vocalist/label-mate Tommy Castro) could just as well be acknowledging his lengthy career which, with this terrific release, seems like it’s just now reaching its peak. /Hal Horowitz, Rock & Blues Muse

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Chris Cain - Raisin' Cain

Size: 101.2 MB
Time: 43:23
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2021
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Jazz
Art: Full

01. Hush Money (4:14)
02. You Won't Have A Problem When I'm Gone (3:06)
03. Too Many Problems (3:40)
04. Down On The Ground (3:28)
05. I Believe I Got Off Cheap (3:19)
06. Can't Find A Good Reason (3:05)
07. Found A Way To Make Me Say Goodbye (3:04)
08. Born To Play (3:17)
09. I Don't Know Exactly What's Wrong With My Baby (4:38)
10. Out Of My Head (3:21)
11. As Long As You Get What You Want (4:12)
12. Space Force (3:54)

From the minute Chris Cain’s new Raisin’ Cain release starts playing, “Underrated!” is what comes to mind. I 100% concur with what artists like Joe Bonamassa, Robben Ford, and others have been saying for decades, Chris Cain is one of the most underrated blues artists alive. Not just as a guitar player, but also as a vocalist. The tone of his playing (in his hands) and the soulfulness of his voice is better than ever. Words quickly come to mind like classic, sophisticated, soulful, and virtuoso. All of these descriptions may seem cliché, but they are accurate descriptions of Cain. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with him, stylistically he has elements of his heroes, B.B. King, Albert King, Albert Collins, Wes Montgomery, and many more. He seamlessly combines blues, jazz, funk, and soul to create what arguably is the best release of his career.

Chris teamed up again with Kid Anderson in the Producer’s role (Elvin Bishop, Sugaray Rayford, Tommy Castro), and recorded at Kid’s Greaseland Studios in San Jose. Chris enlisted his road-tested band to round out the core musicians on his latest release – Steve Evans on bass, Greg Rahn on keys, Sky Garcia and D’mar Martin on drums. This gives the release the live feel and tightness often needed to help capture the emotion in a studio performance. What you get is a well written, well performed, and well produced release.

The release starts off with a tongue-and-cheek song called “Hush Money”, which almost instantly sets the bar for the release and lets the listener know what they are in for. He continues on with tracks “You Won’t Have a Problem” and “Too Many Problems” which continue to show the diversity and talent of Cain as an artist. The fourth track “Down on the Ground” is a slow blues gem that finally lets the listener catch their breath and ease into the track. By the time the song ends you’re hooked and waiting to hear what’s next. “I Believe I Got off Cheap” is the lead single and a contemporary blues number reminiscent of the late Lucky Peterson.

“Born to Play” is an autobiographical song, that captures Cain’s vocal intensity and nuances that have often gained comparisons to B.B. King. Just like B.B.’s voice, Cain’s voice seems to get better with age, and along with his playing is the perfect vehicle to take the listener on a music journey. “I Don’t Know Exactly What’s Wrong with My Baby” and “Out of My Head” are sophisticated tracks that are a nod to his Jazz improvisation training from his earlier years and once again make the case for how under-rated Cain is as an artist. The release ends with the instrumental track “Space Force” where Cain stretches his wings shows the listener yet another side of his ability.

Raisin’ Cain is Cain’s 15th release and his debut for Alligator Records. Hopefully, with this new alliance, Bruce and the team at Alligator can finally give Cain the promotional support he needs and deserves to help take his career to the next level. Raisin’ Cain will be in my heavy rotation playlist for some time. This is a great release, but what’s even more exciting to me, is I can’t wait to hear what he does next! I feel Cain is getting better with age and is on the verge of making the best music of his career.

Chris is currently nominated for two 2021 Blues Foundation Awards, “Best Contemporary Blues Artist” and “Best Blues Guitarist”. The Review: 8.5/10 ~Jamie Warden

Raisin' Cain MP3
Raisin' Cain FLAC

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Chris Cain With The Rodger Fox Big Band - King Of The Blues

Size: 100,4 MB
Time: 43:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Blues, jazzy blues, big band
Art: Front

1. Helping Hand (4:54)
2. Whole Lotta Love (5:18)
3. One Year Ago Today (4:50)
4. Peeties Theme (6:13)
5. So Excited (5:54)
6. The Gal From Joe's (3:12)
7. Bossa For Josie (3:28)
8. Heartbreaker (4:25)
9. Sidewalk Stanley (5:13)

Presumably, the title of singer/guitarist Chris Cain's new CD, King of the Blues, refers not to Cain himself but to one of his idols, the legendary bluesman B.B. King, who passed away in May 2015. Cain, who was born and raised in San Jose, CA, attended his first B.B. King concert at age three, and among the album's nine tracks are a pair written by King, "Whole Lotta Lovin'" and "So Excited." Cain composed four others to complement down-home themes by Nina Simone ("Girl from Joe's"), Carole King/Gerry Goffin ("Heartbreaker") and pianist Alan Broadbent ("Sidewalk Stanley," written for the Woody Herman band when Broadbent was a member).

King of the Blues was recorded in New Zealand, and Cain is backed by that country's premier jazz ensemble, the Rodger Fox Big Band. Unusual for a blues session, perhaps, but the combination works rather well. Although the band is intensely involved, it keeps its distance when Cain commands the spotlight. Cain has a strong, steady voice, sings on key, has a well-honed flair and conspicuous fondness for the blues, and, like King, plays a mean guitar. He also writes well, and his quartet of songs ("Helping Hand," "A Year Ago Today," "Peeties Theme," "Bossa for Josie") are among the album's highlights.

"Peeties Theme" and "Bossa for Josie" are instrumentals, with trombonist Fox and trumpeter Ben Hunt soloing crisply on "Peeties," pianist Anita Schwabe on "Josie." Tenor saxophonist Mike Isaacs adds a solo on "Whole Lotta Lovin,'" while Erna Ferry plays blues harp and Bryn van Vliet solos on alto sax on "So Excited." Cain's raunchy guitar is front and center on "Stanley," which was arranged by Broadbent; New Zealander Daniel Hayles scored everything else. Musically speaking, the album is first-rate; as for its blues quotient, that's harder to reckon, as this reviewer is far from well-versed in that genre. Those who are familiar with Cain's work should know roughly what to expect; those who aren't should check him out.

(NOTE: There are some glitches/cuts on some of the tracks of this album. Unfortunately this is the only copy I have been able to find, so there's nothing I can do about it unless I can find a better copy. Have however decided to keep the post for now and hope that you can enjoy the album despite them glitches. Sorry about that folks!)

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Chris Cain - So Many Miles

Year: 2010
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:06
Size: 97,3 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Scans: Full

1. So Many Miles (4:14)
2. Tomorrow's Gonna Be A Better Day (4:52)
3. Late Night Jungle Dreams (3:23)
4. Down At Dinos (3:51)
5. Interplanetary Jam (4:05)
6. Good Time Barry (4:05)
7. Golden Boy (3:54)
8. While The City Sleeps (4:31)
9. East Foothill Fingerprints (4:55)
10. Something Just Won't Let Me Turn Around (4:11)

Chris Cain’s emotional blues singing and dynamic guitar playing have been praised by the likes of B.B. King and Albert King. His soulful jazz talents have been lauded in the pages of such publications as Guitar Player and Down Beat. Though his writing skills have also received high praise in the past, this new release, So Many Miles, should elevate Chris to a level that few blues song writers ever achieve. Cain's songs have a structural complexity and individuality that force you to pay attention. You find yourself intrigued by the changes and the subtle nuances and exhilarated by the imagination that brought it all together.

Then there are the stories. Cain's song lyrics in So Many Miles tell stories about characters like “High” who lives in a basement “with everything from scuba tanks to spam” and who hears music in his head from other worlds. And "Good time Barry," who drives a limo and shows people a good time. And then there is the war vet who keeps his boots and knives polished and likes to blow things up. Each song reveals new worlds and experiences. Like a young kid with a comic book you can’t wait to get to the next episode. Supporting these wonderful songs and Chris’ impressive guitar and vocal performances are grooves so deep they feel like they were tunneled into the tracks rather than recorded. The rhythm section demands your attention on every track. While their technical skills are stunning, the “grooves” are what will make you stand up and pay attention.

So Many Miles rhythm section features Travis Carlton (Larry Carlton’s son) on bass along with Gary Novak and Toss Panos sharing the drum chores. This talented group provide everything you could hope for and so much more. Assisting Chris on rhythm guitar is Robben Ford. Robben's talents and enthusiasm in the support roll have a large impact on each track; his rhythm parts, by themselves, are a real joy to listen to. Long time Robben fans know that while he is one of the top lead guitar players of our time, his deeply intuitive support work is, to some, an even greater skill than his lead work, which is an amazing statement, but true nonetheless. Robben asked to be on this recording and suggested using his band. Chris loved the idea has never been happier to have the support of his long time friend.

Another real treat was the addition of Larry Carlton on "East Foothills Fingerprint." Larry also asked to be a part of this project and the interplay between he and Chris is simply magical. Put all of this together and you have one of the most unique and exciting blues projects to be recorded in many years. Chris Cain has traveled “So Many Miles” and as this release shows, he has just gotten better with each mile. May there be many more. /Patrick Ford

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Chris Cain Band - Can't Buy A Break

Year: 1992
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:40
Size: 108,0 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Scans: Full

1. Hey Sweet Baby (3:17)
2. Place In This World (3:38)
3. Strange Things (3:41)
4. My Baby Left This Morning (4:15)
5. Deep Freeze (5:18)
6. What Goes On (3:11)
7. Weary Traveller (6:32)
8. Can't Buy A Break (2:04)
9. Endless Highway (2:48)
10. Gin 'N' Soda (4:13)
11. Material Girl Blues (4:10)
12. My Life Is Getting Sweeter (3:28)

Can't Buy a Break is a slow-burning, laidback contemporary blues record that positively swings. Cain's licks are clean, warm and fluid - he's able to seamlessly bounce back and forth between R&B, funk, jazz, jump blues, and Chicago blues. Furthermore, he proves himself to be an adept saxophonist, keyboardist and vocalist, as well as songwriter - the album is a true tour-de-force. His backing band is tight and sympathetic, giving the impression that Cain is fronting a much larger band than he is. It's a refreshing, diverse, and relaxed record that shows there is more to contemporary blues than wailing blues-rock. /Thom Owens, AllMusic

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Chris Cain Band - Late Night City Blues

Year: 1987
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:10
Size: 97,3 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Scans: Full

1. Wake Up And Smell The Coffee (3:46)
2. I Need A Woman To Treat Me Right (2:40)
3. Late Night City Blues (6:20)
4. A Woman Don't Need (5:28)
5. A Case Of The Blues (4:25)
6. She Takes Good Care Of Me (3:37)
7. When The Blues Comes To Call (4:02)
8. Same Old Fool (4:50)
9. Lonely Room (6:59)

Chris Cain offers up a soulful stew of Memphis style electric blues. His powerfully deep vocals and jazz inspired, blues guitar riffs are unforgettable; uniquely his own, while reminiscent of the legendary BB King and Albert King. As a child, Chris Cain attended concerts with his dad to hear many of the great blues artists of the time. When Cain burst onto the blues scene in 1987 with his award winning debut album, he soon found himself sharing the stage and trading licks with a few of those legends, including Albert King and Albert Collins. Chris Cain has released a dozen albums, each filled with soul-stirring songs pulled from his own blues drenched heart. His brand of blues is unforgettable.

Cain was raised on stories of his father's childhood upbringing on Memphis' Historic Beale Street and attended his first B.B King concert at the tender age of three. Blues music played continuously on the home stereo and family outings were often trips to concerts. Cain recalls, "I remember when I was a kid, my Dad would be mowing the lawn with the stereo blasting Muddy Waters. When I look back, that was pretty cool! There was always music playing at our house, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Freddie King, Albert King, all the greats."

At the age of eight, Cain taught himself to play guitar and began playing professionally before he was eighteen. Chris studied music at San Jose City College, and was soon teaching jazz improvisation on campus. Over the next twenty years, Cain would also master piano, bass guitar, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone. The combination of his blues upbringing and his jazz studies melded to form the searing guitar style that sets Chris Cain apart and has moved him to the top ranks of the blues music scene.

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Chris Cain - Unscheduled Flight

Year: 1997
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:24
Size: 133,1 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Scans: Full

1. Drinking Straight Tequila (2:52)
2. Helping Hand (2:37)
3. Good Old Days (3:08)
4. Do You Call That A Buddy (5:31)
5. Blues For Curtis J (2:41)
6. Good News (4:00)
7. Change My Luck (5:06)
8. I Still Want To Believe (3:46)
9. Living On A Fault Line (3:27)
10. Something's Got To Give (4:14)
11. Bad Situation (4:09)
12. The Day Your Luck Goes Away (4:13)
13. You Give Me The Strength (4:03)
14. Three Nights Without My Baby (4:59)
15. Unscheduled Flight (2:32)

Guitarist Chris Cain has some stories to tell on his Unscheduled Flight, and each song is a masterful combination of vocal and instrumental elements. Most of Cain's tales deal with agony of being born under a bad sign - Cain describes the situations with poetic empathy - and Cain's lyrics avoid trite emotions and situations. In "Do You Call That a Buddy," a slow blues about a friend who repays the singer's generosity by stealing his woman, Cain focuses on the disintegration of the male friendship rather than the tired-and-true themes of love triangles or wrong-doing women.

He can also play lyrical lines, as emphasized in the funky "Bad Situation," while other songs find him bending notes or making them squeal. Unscheduled Flight proves that Chris Cain can do it all - write, arrange, play, and sing - with all the sincerity and power that the blues demands. /Living Blues

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Chris Cain - Cain Does King

Year: 2001
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:31
Size: 102,9 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Scans: Full

1. Heartbreaker (3:26)
2. Whole Lot Of Lovin' (3:05)
3. Better Not Look Down (4:07)
4. Gamblers' Blues (6:11)
5. I'm Gonna Do What They Do To Me (3:41)
6. I'm Gonna Quit My Baby (2:36)
7. Take It Home (4:03)
8. I'm Going Home (2:29)
9. House Rocker (3:16)
10. Lookin' The World Over (3:59)
11. So Excited (3:25)
12. Hummingbird (4:08)

Chris Cain offers up a soulful stew of Memphis style electric blues. His powerfully deep vocals and jazz inspired, blues guitar riffs are unforgettable; uniquely his own, while reminiscent of the legendary BB King and Albert King. As a child, Chris Cain attended concerts with his dad to hear many of the great blues artists of the time. When Cain burst onto the blues scene in 1987 with his award winning debut album, he soon found himself sharing the stage and trading licks with a few of those legends, including Albert King and Albert Collins. Chris Cain has released a dozen albums, each filled with soul-stirring songs pulled from his own blues drenched heart. His brand of blues is unforgettable.

Cain was raised on stories of his father's childhood upbringing on Memphis' Historic Beale Street and attended his first B.B King concert at the tender age of three. Blues music played continuously on the home stereo and family outings were often trips to concerts. Cain recalls, "I remember when I was a kid, my Dad would be mowing the lawn with the stereo blasting Muddy Waters. When I look back, that was pretty cool! There was always music playing at our house, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Freddie King, Albert King, all the greats."

At the age of eight, Cain taught himself to play guitar and began playing professionally before he was eighteen. Chris studied music at San Jose City College, and was soon teaching jazz improvisation on campus. Over the next twenty years, Cain would also master piano, bass guitar, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone. The combination of his blues upbringing and his jazz studies melded to form the searing guitar style that sets Chris Cain apart and has moved him to the top ranks of the blues music scene.

Cain Does King mc
Cain Does King zippy

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Nasta Super - 2 albums: Intimo / Solo Por Mi

Band formed at the beginning of the 90s by Guitarist Rafael Nasta. At this moment the formation of the Band is Rafa Nasta in Guitar and Voice, Gabriel Cabiaglia in Drums, Mauro Ceriello in Bass and Walter Galeazzi in Keyboards. Nasta Super account in his career with five edited Cd's, "Nasta Super", "Social Problem", "Will Pay", "May Luck Accompany You" and "Lost Time". At this moment the band is recording their second DVD in the Casa Frida studio.

Rafael Nasta is one of the most important references of the Blues of our country, counting on his own style and dedicated to modern Blues, he has played and shared the stage with the most important guitarists of the local scene, artists of the size of: Luis Salinas, Francisco Rivero, Alambre González and internationally with: Lurrie Bell, Phil Guy, Duke Robillard, Eddie C. Campbell, Bitter Smith, Larry Mc Cray, Eddie King, John Primer, Little Mc Simmons, among others.

I recently made a successful tour of our country, with the renowned guitarist of the West Coast of USA, Chris Cain. Confirming his leadership as Blues guitarist in Argentina with his band Nasta Super Blues Band. (Translated from Spanish.)

Album: Intimo
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:33
Size: 157.0 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:34] 1. Tiempo Perdido
[2:18] 2. El Codicioso
[4:45] 3. Otra Vez
[6:51] 4. Blues En Bb
[4:55] 5. Poco Tiempo
[5:13] 6. Ser Feliz
[7:33] 7. I Remember J. Newberry
[4:04] 8. La Flor Más Dura
[4:34] 9. Blues Instrumental
[4:27] 10. Enemigo Mío
[6:46] 11. Idle Moments
[7:23] 12. Blues Acústico
[2:36] 13. Boogie Acústico
[3:27] 14. Blues En Bb-Toma 2

Intimo mc
Intimo zippy

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Album: Solo Por Mi
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:51
Size: 127.9 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[3:53] 1. El Gran Estafador
[4:06] 2. La Negación
[5:12] 3. Que Curioso
[3:56] 4. El Viaje
[4:44] 5. Quiero Conocerte
[5:14] 6. Blue In Green
[4:36] 7. El Hipocondríaco
[6:53] 8. Balada Para Vivian
[6:34] 9. Sólo Por Mí
[5:01] 10. Uptown Groove
[5:37] 11. Blues Para Johnny Nitro

Solo Por Mi mc
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Nasta Super & Chris Cain - Ramaphonic Session

Size: 100,7 MB
Time: 43:23
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Electric Blues
Art: Front

01. Cold Women With Worm Hearts (5:11)
02. Ain't Nobody's Business (8:43)
03. Barefootin (6:25)
04. Sweet Sixteen (8:54)
05. Help The Poor (6:07)
06. Guess Who (8:01)

Band formed at the beginning of the 90s by Guitarist Rafael Nasta. At this moment, the formation of the Band is Rafa Nasta in Guitar and Voice, Gabriel Cabiaglia in Drums, Mauro Ceriello in Bass and Walter Galeazzi in Keyboards.

Nasta Super have in his career with five edited CD's, "Nasta Super", "Social Problem", "Will Pay", "May Luck Accompany You" and "Lost Time".

Rafael Nasta is one of the most important references of the Blues in Argentina, counting on his own style and dedicated to modern Blues, he has played and shared the stage with the most important guitarists of the local scene, artists of the size of: Luis Salinas, Francisco Rivero, Alambre González and internationally with: Lurrie Bell, Phil Guy, Duke Robillard, Eddie C. Campbell, Bitter Smith, Larry Mc Cray, Eddie King, John Primer, Little Mc Simmons, among others.

Recently made a successful tour of our country, with the renowned guitarist of the West Coast of USA, Chris Cain. Confirming his leadership as Blues guitarist in Argentina with his band Nasta Super Blues Band.

Ramaphonic Session

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June Core - Rhythm & Blues

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:15
Size: 107.4 MB
Styles: Blues, Jazz, R&B
Year: 2017
Art: Full

[3:49] 1. Love Is On Me w/ Kid Andersen & Alabama Mike
[6:09] 2. Cruisin' w/ Charlie Baty & Chris Cain
[4:11] 3. Were You There? w/ Charlie Musselwhite & John Blues Boyd
[5:09] 4. This Is My Prayer w/ Dennis Dove & Jim Pugh
[3:52] 5. If I Ever Needed You w/ Adrian Costa & Bob Welsh
[4:43] 6. Rhythm & Blues w/ Rick Estrin & RJ Mischo & Mark Hummel
[3:53] 7. We're Busy! w/ Charlie Baty & Chris Cain
[5:02] 8. Standin' On The Corner w/ Jon Lawton
[3:45] 9. Cry For Me w/ Rusty Zinn & Mike Schermer
[3:32] 10. Never Too Late w/ Adrian Acosta & Bob Welsh
[2:06] 11. Rhythm & Blues Reprise

JUNE CORE - drums & percussion with his friends: ALABAMA MIKE (vocals), CHRIS CAIN (guitar), CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE (harmonica), RICK ESTRIN (harmonica), KID ANDERSEN (guitar, bass), LITTLE CHARLIE BATY (guitar), JIM PUGH (organ), RUSTY ZINN (guitar), BOB WELCH (guitar, piano), MIGHTY-MIKE SCHERMER (guitar), JON LAWTON (guitar, vocals), LORENZO FARRELL (organ), RANDY BERMUDES (bass), RJ MISCHO (harmonica), MARK HUMMEL (harmonica), AKI KUMAR (harmonica), DENNIS DOVE (vocals), TERRY HANCK (saxophone), MANNY ANGEL (trumpet), ERIC SPAULDING (saxophone), DON DAILY (strings) & JOHN BLUES BOYD (vocals). This set is full of different sounds & styles and feature all original material. From blues to funk to gospel soul and some swingin guitar workouts from his many plank plunking friends. Recorded by Kid Andersen at his Greaseland Studios. Killer Diller!!!!!

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, June is a self-taught musician. He got his first paying gig at 17 after only playing for a year. Over the next few years June gigged in and around Cleveland with organist Eddie Baccus and with various funk, jazz and soul groups. In 1978 June was introduced to Robert Lockwood Jr. and Johnny Shines. Eddie Baccus suggested that Robert use June for an upcoming tour. Lockwood reluctantly agreed to hire an unproven drummer and, consequently, the band was fired after the first week because June insisted on playing funk grooves over blues. The club owner recognized talent however, and allowed the band to practice in a broom closet. Robert and Johnny taught June, in one day, five different shuffles to use in any blues. “That was start of my career”, says June. Robert and Johnny Shines became June’s second father’s and June’s musical relationship with Lockwood lasted nearly ten years. In 1980, June moved to New York and played pickups with jazz and funk bands doing the club circuit that included The Bitter End, Lonestar Café, and Freddies Café. In 1982, June returned to Cleveland. As a result of his relationship with Robert Lockwood, June shared the stage with BB King, James Cotton, Mighty Joe Young, Willie Dixon, and Albert Collins.

In 1987 June headed west to San Jose, California. Shortly thereafter, he was hired by Mark Hummel, a stint that lasted two years. He soon met Andy Santana and the West Coast Playboys and then, along with Andy and Mike Schermer, founded the Soul Drivers, a highly successful Santa Cruz based blues band. In 1991, The Soul Drivers became Angela Stehli’s backup band. June also worked as a side man for Miss Laverne Baker. In 1996 June was asked to join Little Charlie and the Nightcats and spent five years touring with that band. Throughout the next few years June played with various west coast based bands such as Terry Hanck and Mighty-Mike Schermer. In 2004 Charlie Musselwhite hired June and has been touring with him since.

thank you M@j@.
Rhythm & Blues

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The Ford Blues Band - In Memory Of Michael Bloomfield

Year: 2002
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:10
Size: 127,7 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Scans: Full

1. Interview (0:18)
2. Killing My Love (4:35)
3. 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) (5:44)
4. Stop (3:21)
5. Next Time You See Me (2:41)
6. Interview (0:17)
7. I Got A Mind To Give Up Living (5:18)
8. Interview (0:11)
9. Groovin' Is Easy (3:33)
10. Peter's Trip (2:06)
11. The Ones I Loved Are Gone (3:11)
12. It's About Time (6:21)
13. Jimi The Fox (3:33)
14. Mary Ann (5:04)
15. Interview (0:23)
16. Blues With A Feeling (3:47)
17. Interview (0:23)
18. Blues For MB (4:18)

Following their 2001 tribute to Paul Butterfield (credited to Robben Ford & the Ford Blues Band), the Ford Blues Band pick 13 tracks they feel best-represent the harmonica bandleader's illustrious — but short-lived — guitarist, Mike Bloomfield. Interspersed with five fascinating but brief interview snippets of Bloomfield chatting about his first employer and playing blues in general, the band, with help from brother Robben Ford, guitarist Chris Cain, and a sparingly utilized horn section, judiciously choose many obscure selections from the guitarist's diverse projects.

"Jimi the Fox" comes from the little-known Two Jews Blues, "Peter's Trip" was a tune included on the B-movie soundtrack to The Trip, and "Next Time You See Me" as well as "The Ones I Loved Are Gone" were originally found on Bloomfield's seldom-heard and generally disappointing solo album, It's Not Killing Me. This band not only resurrects these forgotten gems, they bring them alive with sizzling authority. Ford burns on a version of East-West's "I Got a Mind to Give up Living," guest harmonica player Andy Just sounds scarily like Butterfield on a supercharged "Blues With a Feeling," and the horn-infused cover of the Electric Flag's "Groovin' Is Easy," featuring female backing vocals, nearly outdoes the original.

Guitarists Cain and Ford do a terrific job re-creating Bloomfield's terse style without aping it and these reinterpretations never seem rote. The recording quality is crisp but not slick, the performances are scintillating, production by drummer Patrick Ford is lean, and the arrangements bring out the best in these tunes. Except for shoddy graphics that look like they were thrown together overnight, this is an inspired project that will hopefully expose Bloomfield's music to another generation. /Hal Horowitz, AllMusic

In Memory Of Michael Bloomfield mc
In Memory Of Michael Bloomfield zippy

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Chris Cain - Chris Cain

Size: 99,5 MB
Time: 39:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Electric Blues
Art: Front

01. Tired Of The Way You Do (2:52)
02. Meanest Woman In Town (3:49)
03. My Baby Wants To Leave Me (3:05)
04. Tell Tale Signs (4:43)
05. Trying To Forget It (4:00)
06. Back On Top (4:08)
07. Evil Minded Woman (3:57)
08. Kidney Stew (3:49)
09. Sittin' And Wonderin' (5:51)
10. You're Gonna Need Me (3:16)

Chris Cain's jazz-tinged, blues soaked guitar and deep, warm vocals have the maturity and authenticity of bluesmen many years his senior. His expressive style is the result of a lifetime of study and the relentless pursuit of music mastery. His passion and intensity are a blend of his mother's Greek ancestry and his father's soulful black heritage.

Cain was raised on stories of his father’s childhood upbringing on Memphis’ Historic Beale Street and attended his first B.B King concert at the tender age of three. Blues music played continuously on the home stereo and family outings were often trips to concerts. Cain recalls, “I remember when I was a kid, my Dad would be mowing the lawn with the stereo blasting Muddy Waters. When I look back, that was pretty cool! There was always music playing at our house, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Freddie King, Albert King, all the greats.”

At the age of eight, Cain taught himself to play guitar and began playing professionally before he was eighteen. Chris studied music at San Jose City College, and was soon teaching jazz improvisation on campus. Over the next twenty years, Cain would also master piano, bass guitar, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone. The combination of his blues upbringing and his jazz studies melded to form the searing guitar style that sets Chris Cain apart and has moved him to the top ranks of the blues music scene.

Cain’s debut recording, Late Night City Blues (Blue Rock’it Records-1987) garnered four W.C. Handy Blues Award nominations, including Guitarist of the Year.” Dan Forte of Guitar Player wrote, “An impressive debut album by a top notch guitarist.” Cain’s next two releases; “Cuttin Loose” (Blind Pig Records-1990) and “Can’t Buy a Break” (Blind Pig Records-1992) collected a long list of awards and accolades. In August of 1995 Blind Pig released “Somewhere Along the Way” his 4th compilation of his unique brand of original music sophisticated blues, funk, jazz and gospel.

In 2003 Patrick Ford produced Chris’s latest CD, “Hall Of Shame” (Blue Rock’it Records-2003). “...this is now the sixth Chris Cain solo release I have produced, not to mention his work with me on projects like the Ford Blues Bands’ “In Memory Of Michael Bloomfield” CD, and I continue to be in awe of his incredible talent. As a guitarist/singer, Chris has been praised by mentors like Albert King and peers like Robben Ford.”

Larry Nager (syndicated Scripts-Howard music critic) writes, “Nowadays most young blues players are Strat-wielding Stevie Ray Vaughan-a-bes. Not Chris Cain. With a voice that recalls B.B. King and a thick toned Gibson guitar sound reminiscent of Albert King, Cain is forging a unique style. With his own highly personalized songwriting, “Hall Of Shame” is a giant step in the development of one of the most compelling young bluesmen on today’s scene.”

Through his guitar mastery and remarkable songwriting ability, Chris Cain has established himself as a musical force to be reckoned with. And as San Jose Mercury News music reviewer John Orr writes, “more than anyone else, anywhere, Chris Cain represents the future of the blues.”

Chris Cain

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Nancy Wright - Playdate!

Size: 130,1 MB
Time: 55:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Blues, Soul, R&B
Art: Front

01. Why You Wanna Do It (With Wee Willie Walker) (4:35)
02. I Got What It Takes (With Tommy Castro) (4:27)
03. Yes He Do (With Victor Wainwright) (3:22)
04. Blues For The Westside (With Joe Louis Walker) (4:33)
05. Been Waiting That Long (With Frank Bey) (4:35)
06. Trampled (With Jim Pugh) (3:43)
07. Satisfied (3:47)
08. Warranty (With Terrie Odabi) (4:53)
09. Cherry Wine (2:52)
10. There Is Something On Your Mind (With Elvis Bishop) (4:30)
11. Back Room Rock (3:48)
12. Good Loving Daddy (4:27)
13. Soul Blue (With Chris Cain) (5:59)

PLAYDATE! is a freewheeling showcase for Wright's soulful playing, singing and songwriting, and a celebration of the thriving West Coast roots music scene that is her playground. Nancy decided to follow her heart and have fun with this album, so she enlisted the help of many of her friends and touring partners, including: producer Kid Andersen; guitarists Tommy Castro, Elvin Bishop, Joe Louis Walker, Mike Schermer and Chris Cain; vocalists Frank Bey, Wee Willie Walker and Terrie Odabi; and keyboardists Victor Wainwright and Jim Pugh.

The album features Nancy's songs and favorites, including a song by her friend and mentor Lonnie Mack that he never released. Nancy Wright lives in the San Francisco Bay area, and tours regularly around the United States, Canada and Europe, playing major Festivals and clubs with headlining artists and her own band. Recent appearances include New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Bayfront Blues Festival, San Diego Blues Festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and festivals across Italy and the Canary Islands. She is a popular regular on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, performing this year with Tommy Castro and the Painkillers.

Her two previous albums, Moanin' (2008) and Puttin' Down Roots (2014) won her critical acclaim, a top-20 spot in the DownBeat Reader's Poll, and a place in the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame.

Playdate!

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VA - If This Is Love... I'd Rather Have The Blues

Size: 116,5 MB
Time: 49:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2004
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01 Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers - Cool Guitars (3:40)
02 Debbie Davies - Wrong Man For Me (4:58)
03 John Mooney - Brand New Woman (4:07)
04 Studebaker John & The Hawks - Two Time Boogie (3:56)
05 E.C. Scott - Before Quick Can Get Ready (4:48)
06 Chris Cain - Middle Name Is Trouble (3:03)
07 Big Bill Morganfield - Left Alone (2:52)
08 Renee Austin - Bury The Hatchet (4:16)
09 Lloyd Jones - Treat Me Like The Dog I Am (3:32)
10 Nick Curran & The Nightlifes - Shot Down (3:06)
11 Chris Cain - You're The Kind Of Woman That Ain't That Hard To Find (4:15)
12 Arthur Adams - Who Does She Think She Is (3:31)
13 Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers - You Came Back To Me (3:41)

You can't ignore the sexy packaging that graces the cover of this budget compilation of Blind Pig blues artists. Evidently it must be difficult to grab the attention of blues fans without this type of eye-catching gimmick. Well, as far as the music goes, If This Is Love...I'd Rather Have the Blues contains 13 decent previously released tracks from Blind Pig Records with a heartbreak, romance, and don't-get-caught theme including LLoyd Jones, Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers, Debbie Davis, Studebaker John & the Hawks, Renee Austin, John Mooney, Big Bill Morganfield, and Chris Cain. Let's hope labels like Blind Pig will stick to signing passionate blues players and releasing budget-priced comps to attract listeners without the need to use sexy promotional campaigns. ~ by Al Campbell

If This Is Love... I'd Rather Have The Blues

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VA - Blind Pig Presents California Blues

Size: 198,7 MB
Time: 85:38
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Tommy Castro - Can't Keep A Good Man Down (3:58)
02. Roy Rogers - Mercury Blues (6:01)
03. Debbie Davies - Picture This (3:57)
04. Craig Chaquico - Blue On Blue (5:26)
05. Roy Rogers - Walkin' Blues (4:32)
06. Chris Cain - You're The Kind Of Woman That Ain't That Hard To Find (4:15)
07. Commander Cody - Let's Rock (2:17)
08. Norton Buffalo - Is It Love (3:59)
09. Coco Montoya - Monkey See, Monkey Do (4:08)
10. Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers - Bad Weather Blues (5:16)
11. Norton Buffalo - King Of The Highway (4:28)
12. Commander Cody - Truck Stop At The End Of The World (3:18)
13. Craig Chaquico - Lie To Me (4:35)
14. Tommy Castro - My Kind Of Woman (3:46)
15. Debbie Davies - Howlin' At The Moon (4:20)
16. Roy Rogers - Ramblin' Blues (5:21)
17. Chris Cain - Trouble Makin' Woman (7:07)
18. Coco Montoya - Gotta Mind To Travel (3:49)
19. Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers - West Coast Midnight Blues (Instrumental) (4:57)

Blind Pig Presents California Blues

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Chris Cain - 2 albums: Somewhere Along The Way / Cuttin' Loose

Album: Somewhere Along The Way
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 47:03
Size: 107.7 MB
Styles: Jazz-blues, West Coast blues
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[4:45] 1. Street Of Broken Dreams
[3:20] 2. Steppin' On A Highwire
[4:13] 3. Don't Let The Same Dog Bite You Twice
[4:42] 4. On This Fine Morning
[7:03] 5. Trouble Makin' Woman
[2:53] 6. Movin' Back To Memphis
[3:29] 7. Know Who You Can Trust
[3:16] 8. My Baby's Got It
[5:09] 9. Before The Rooster Crows
[2:43] 10. At The Club
[2:05] 11. Skeletons In Her Closet
[3:18] 12. Somewhere Along The Way

His Blind Pig release, Somewhere Along the Way, demonstrates anew Cain's immense musical talents. Larry Nager (syndicated Scripts-Howard music critic) writes, "With a voice that recalls B.B. King and a thick toned Gibson guitar sound reminiscent of Albert King, Cain is forging a unique style. With his own highly personalized songwriting, Somewhere Along The Way is a giant step in the development of one of the most compelling young bluesmen on today's scene."

Through his guitar mastery and remarkable creativity as a songwriter, Cain has carved a sound that's unmistakably his own. As San Jose Mercury News music critic John Orr writes, "Chris Cain, more than anyone else, anywhere, represents the future of the blues."

Somewhere Along The Way mc
Somewhere Along The Way zippy

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Album: Cuttin' Loose
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 44:38
Size: 102.2 MB
Styles: Jazz-blues, West Coast blues
Year: 1990
Art: Front

[3:27] 1. Pick Up The Tab
[3:32] 2. Everything You Do Is Just Right
[3:17] 3. Just Ain't My Plan
[4:15] 4. You're The Kind Of Woman That Ain't That Hard To Find
[2:16] 5. Real Bad Fall
[2:33] 6. Turn It Loose
[3:08] 7. My Mood
[3:03] 8. Middle Name Is Trouble
[5:49] 9. Woman Down In Texas
[4:13] 10. Tippin' At Taylor's
[3:17] 11. Never Knew I Could Be This Blue
[3:08] 12. I'm Going Through A Love Detox
[2:34] 13. Change Might Do Us Good

This is a wonderful, big-voiced, contemporary West Coast bluesman and superb guitar player. There are several horns in the band, giving it a great, huge sound. Even better things will be coming. ~Niles J. Frantz

Cuttin' Loose mc
Cuttin' Loose zippy

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Chris Cain - Live At The Rep / Hall Of Shame

Album: Live At The Rep
Size: 146,4 MB
Time: 62:55
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1998
Styles: Modern Electric Blues
Art: Full

01. Good Evening, Baby ( 8:36)
02. Me & My Baby ( 8:06)
03. Help Me ( 9:00)
04. My Nest Is Still Warm (11:38)
05. Drinking Straight Tequila ( 6:22)
06. Jaguar's Theme ( 1:42)
07. Thunder Knocking On The Door ( 2:36)
08. I Do, I Will, I Can ( 5:36)
09. Back On Top Of My World ( 3:00)
10. Helping Hand ( 6:15)

Chris Cain Live at the Rep is Chris' sixth recording, his first independent release and his long awaited 'live' recording debut.

In 1997, San Jose Repertory Theater commissioned Chris Cain and Michael Butler to compose music and lyrics for the award winning play Thunder Knocking on the Door: A Blusical Tale of Rhythm and the Blues by Keith Glover. Though Cain had an international reputation as a top blues musician, he had virtually no theater experience, and had never collaborated with another musician. Michael Butler, having worked in theater and film, offered the perfect compliment to the partnership and together they created thirteen original songs and underscoring for the production.

The musical score was performed live on stage by Chris Cain and a blues trio with the lyrics performed by the cast and Cain who was musical director as well. The blusical was a huge success in San Jose and was nominated for Best Original Score by the Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Awards in San Francisco. The production traveled to Seattle's ACT in the Spring of 1998 and played to sold out houses for five weeks.

At the end of Thunder's run in Seattle, San Jose Rep scheduled a homecoming concert for Chris in their new 550 seat theater. A portion of that sold out performance is contained on this disc and represents the first recordings of selected songs from the Thunder Knocking on the Door score.

For years, Chris Cain fans have suggested a live recording. There have been numerous requests for recordings of the songs from Thunder. What is contained here is just a sample of the thunder and the lightning from the play and that two hour concert.

Thanks to Marc.
Live At The Rep

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Album: Hall Of Shame
Size: 109,1 MB
Time: 46:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2003
Styles: Modern Electric Blues
Art: Full

01. First Time For Everything (3:47)
02. World Got The Blues Before Sunrise (3:15)
03. End Of The Tunnel (2:05)
04. Hall Of Shame (5:43)
05. Love Doin' Something (3:43)
06. Stars Over Memphis (2:55)
07. Downfall Of A Lonely Man (4:02)
08. Up On Stoney Mountain (4:23)
09. Double Dose (3:53)
10. Love Just Moved (4:09)
11. Ain't Gonna Worry (4:28)
12. Feel The Chill (4:03)

This is now the sixth solo release I have produced by Chris Cain, not to mention many other projects where he was a guest, and I continue to be in awe of his incredible talent.

As a guitarist/singer Chris has been praised by mentors like Albert King and peers like Robben Ford. As a song writer Chris is one of those unique individuals who has more of a problem stopping the flow of ideas then he does getting started, and he has written all the songs on the release.

Chris also demonstrates his talents on key boards on this CD. There is a feel he has for his music that no one else can completely get and it seemed to me that on a few of these songs his approach to the keys was what was needed. Hall Of Shame is a good example of what I mean.

With every new Chris Cain CD you get to hear another side of this amazing artist and this one does not disappoint.

Thanks to Marc.
Hall Of Shame

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