Frank Catalano & Lurrie Bell - Set Me Free

Album: Set Me Free
Size: 110,2 MB
Time: 47:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2024
Styles: Blues, jazzy blues
Art: Front

1. Everyday I Have The Blues (5:33)
2. The Sky Is Crying (6:46)
3. Set Me Free (4:08)
4. Shakin' (4:16)
5. Georgia On My Mind (4:22)
6. Tuna Town (5:30)
7. I Am Ready (4:23)
8. Kicking (7:56)
9. At Last (4:40)

Frank Catalano and Lurrie Bell were both signed to record deals in 1995 by famed producer Bob Koester; Catalano was only 18 and Bell was 36 at the time. Both musicians went on to have storied careers. Lurrie Bell is bonified blues royalty and was recently inducted into the Blue Hall of Fame in Memphis. He started playing with his father Carey Bell at age 7 and went on to play with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, and many other blues giants.

Frank Catalano first sat in with his mentor Von Freeman at age 11; Pearl Bailey and Louie Bellson at age 12; Miles Davis at age 13; and Tony Bennett at age 14. At age 16, Frank’s career was on an amazing path and he was asked to perform at the Grammys. On his way to the airport, he was in a horrific car accident and his right middle finger was cut off. Catalano’s budding career and life were in jeopardy, but he beat the odds and relearned his signature saxophone technique.

Bell’s career was on a path to stardom when his undiagnosed bipolar and schizophrenia go the better of him. Initially, he failed to receive the medical treatment he needed and unfortunately experienced periods of homelessness and other adversities. Thankfully in 2016, Lurrie’s album “Can’t Shake This Feeling” received a Grammy nomination and his career was again on an upward trajectory.

Both musicians have overcome adversity to become the accomplished artists that they are today. Listen to their music and you will hear that they pour their heart and soul into every note they play. “Set Me Free” is a testament to their mutual love of music and gratefulness for the quality of life that they have now achieved. /Bluestown Music

Personnel: Lurrie Bell (vocals, guitar); Frank Catalano (saxophone); Tom Vaitsas (piano); Aaron Mitter (bass); Kurt Lubbe (drums).

Set Me Free mc
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Lurrie Bell - Everybody Wants To Win

Size: 100.1 MB
Time: 42:57
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1989
Styles: Chicago Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Full

01. Everybody Wants To Win (5:44)
02. Going Back To Louisiana (6:01)
03. I Feel So Bad (4:51)
04. 1215 W. Belmont Avenue (1:47)
05. Second Hand Man (6:20)
06. The Train I Ride (5:11)
07. Teenie Weenie Bit (4:35)
08. No Picks (2:33)
09. Cadillac Assembly Line (5:51)

Lurrie Bell was born on December 13, 1958, in Chicago. His famous father, harpist Carey Bell, had him working out on guitar as a wee lad. By 1977, he was recording with his dad and playing behind a variety of established stars, tabbed by many observers at the time as a sure star on the rise. But personal problems took their toll on his great potential; Bell's recorded output and live performances were inconsistent in the '80s and early '90s. Among the highlights of Bell's discography are three tracks in tandem with harpist Billy Branch under the Sons of Blues banner (Bell was a founding member of the band) from Alligator's first batch of 1978 Living Chicago Blues anthologies and 1984's Son of a Gun, a collaboration with his old man for Rooster Blues. Then there's his 1995 Delmark set Mercurial Son, as bizarre a contemporary blues album as you're likely to encounter. Bell followed Mercurial Son with the more straightforward 700 Blues in spring 1997; The Blues Had a Baby appeared two years later. Let's Talk About Love (2007) and The Devil Ain't Got No Music (2012) both appeared on Bell's own record label, Aria B.G. In 2013, he returned to Delmark with the release of Blues in My Soul, which celebrated the guitarist's straight-ahead Chicago blues roots. Three years later came Can't Shake This Feeling, also released on Delmark. ~Bill Dahl

Everybody Wants To Win MP3
Everybody Wants To Win FLAC

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Phil Guy & Lurrie Bell - Chicago's Hottest Guitars

Size: 124,5 MB
Time: 53:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1998
Styles: Electric blues, Chicago blues
Art: Full

1. Lurrie Bell - What Can A Poor Man Do (4:51)
2. Phil Guy - Wine Headed Woman (4:07)
3. Lurrie Bell - Little Red Rooster (4:53)
4. Phil Guy - What Have I Done (5:54)
5. Lurrie Bell - Goin' To Louisiana (4:38)
6. Lurrie Bell - Nobody Wants To Loose (3:46)
7. Phil Guy - Sky Is Crying (5:20)
8. Lurrie Bell - Sweet Home Chicago (3:55)
9. Phil Guy - Part' Time Love (6:32)
10. Lurrie Bell - Walkin' Thru The Park (4:02)
11. Phil Guy - Love Light (5:50)

Phil Guy is Buddy's little brother – he came from Louisiana and was a great singer and guitar player. He played with the Wolf Allstar Band with John Primer & Big Wheeler on harp. Lurrie is Carey Bell's son and the greatest guitar-talent in Chicago in the last 30 years. Some health problems stopped his career for a long time – but now he is back and great again.

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

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Billy Branch & Lurrie Bell & The Sons Of Blues - Chicago's Young Blues Generation

Size: 95,3 MB
Time: 41:01
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1982/2001
Styles: Chicago Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Full

01. Help Me (6:50)
02. Breakin' Up Somebody's Home (7:20)
03. Sweet Little Angel (5:45)
04. Don't Start Me Talkin' (4:34)
05. Just A Little Bit (4:00)
06. I Need You So Bad (5:22)
07. Mystery Train (7:08)

Another quality L&R Records production that has been saved by a reissue on Evidence Music. Originally recorded in 1982, Chicago's Young Blues Generation features the raw, frantic work of guitarist Lurrie Bell and harp blower Billy Branch, who remain the closest the blues scene has to a modern-day Buddy Guy and Junior Wells. Back in 1982, Bell and Branch were still carving out a sound of their own -- an amalgam of Rice Miller, the West Side guitar slingers (namely Guy and Magic Sam), and the funkier Stax and Hi Records hitmakers. This album consists entirely of reworked blues and R&B covers, each one drawn out by lengthy, tag-team soloing -- sometimes derivative, but more often wildly inspired and unpredictable. Bell, in particular, goes for broke on almost every note, from his manic vocal inflections to the smallest guitar fill. Branch, meanwhile, stays mostly in Junior Wells mode (especially on the two Rice Miller covers, "Help Me" and "Don't Start Me to Talkin'"), although he has a few nice surprises up his sleeve, including the funky octave riff that redefines "Breakin' up Somebody's Home," the album's high point. Originally a minor footnote in modern blues history, Chicago's Young Blues Generation offers a hip coda to the sounds documented in the Living Chicago Blues series. Yes, the '80s blues scene had more to offer than Robert Cray and Stevie Ray Vaughan; you'll find some of the best of it right here. ~Ken Chang

Chicago's Young Blues Generation MP3
Chicago's Young Blues Generation FLAC

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Nasta Super - Jammin' With Lurrie Bell: Romaphonic Session II

Size: 172,1 MB
Time: 74:03
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Chicago Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Every Day I've The Blues ( 7:07)
02. Messing With The Kid ( 4:03)
03. Reconsider Baby ( 7:53)
04. Doodlin ( 7:20)
05. It Ain't Right ( 5:53)
06. Spider In My Stew ( 7:20)
07. Tavo's Stomp ( 4:54)
08. Blues After Hours ( 6:34)
09. I Need You So Bad ( 6:20)
10. The Sky Is Crying (11:28)
11. Cat Shuffle ( 5:06)

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.

Jammin' With Lurrie Bell

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Lurrie Bell & The Vampin' Blues Band - Cuttin' Heads

Year: 2004
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:44
Size: 132,9 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Scans: Full

1. I've Got A Watch On You (4:41)
2. A Man And The Blues (9:37)
3. One Day (5:15)
4. I'll Be Your 44 (6:00)
5. Leaning Tree (9:52)
6. Call Me On The Phone (4:53)
7. Smoke Stack Lightning (1:48)
8. I'll Play The Blues For You (7:25)
9. I Ain't Nobody (4:01)
10. 4:59 Am (4:07)

Lurrie Bell was born on December 13, 1958, in Chicago. His famous father, harpist Carey Bell, had him working out on guitar as a wee lad. By 1977, he was recording with his dad and playing behind a variety of established stars, tabbed by many observers at the time as a sure star on the rise. But personal problems took their toll on his great potential; Bell's recorded output and live performances were inconsistent in the '80s and early '90s. Among the highlights of Bell's discography are three tracks in tandem with harpist Billy Branch under the Sons of Blues banner (Bell was a founding member of the band) from Alligator's first batch of 1978 Living Chicago Blues anthologies and 1984's Son of a Gun, a collaboration with his old man for Rooster Blues.

Then there's his 1995 Delmark set Mercurial Son, as bizarre a contemporary blues album as you're likely to encounter. Bell followed Mercurial Son with the more straightforward 700 Blues in spring 1997; The Blues Had a Baby appeared two years later. Let's Talk About Love (2007) and The Devil Ain't Got No Music (2012) both appeared on Bell's own record label, Aria B.G. In 2013, he returned to Delmark with the release of Blues in My Soul, which celebrated the guitarist's straight-ahead Chicago blues roots. Three years later came Can't Shake This Feeling, also released on Delmark. /Biography by Bill Dahl, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

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Michael Coleman & The Delmark All-Stars - Blues Brunch At The Mart

Year: 2006
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:16
Size: 160,1 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Scans: Full

1. Little Arthur Duncan - Knockin' On Your Door (4:34)
2. Michael Coleman - The Sky Is Crying (6:48)
3. Lurrie Bell - I Need You So Bad (4:20)
4. Lurrie Bell - Reconsider Baby (6:51)
5. Willie Kent - Something New (4:35)
6. Bonnie Lee - Sad & Evil Woman (6:06)
7. Steve Freund - My Little Playhouse (4:31)
8. Zora Young - Toxic (6:50)
9. Steve Behr - Memories Of Albert Ammons (4:53)
10. Shirley Johnson - As The Years Go Passing By (6:23)
11. Tail Dragger - Be Careful (5:22)
12. Aaron Moore - Wading In Deep Water (3:34)
13. Michael Coleman - You're Going To Miss Me (4:22)

More than 50-years-old and still going strong, Delmark records is Chicago's oldest jazz and blues label and arguably the most important one still operating. They've released stone-cold classics in both genres over the years and currently maintain one of the best rosters of Chicago talent in the field. You can thank Bob Koester for that; a nominee for "Patron Saint of Chicago Jazz and Blues" if ever there was one. He also heads up the world's largest blues and jazz retail store: Chicago's Jazz Record Mart. Every year during the Chicago Blues Festival, Jazz Record Mart hosts the blues brunch, where members of the Delmark blues family put on a free show (and brunch!) inside the store.

In 2005, Michael Coleman & the Backbreakers acted as house band, backing a variety of other Delmark artists in a great informal setting, and Blues Brunch at the Mart was recorded for posterity. Aside from the two solo piano numbers (Steve Behr and Aaron Moore), the Backbreakers back all performers giving the album a unified sound, even as the lead performers come and go. But don't think this all sounds the same.

You go from an updated version of "The Sky Is Crying" by Michael Coleman to the gritty blues of Lurrie Bell to the gospel-informed sounds of Shirley Johnson to the growling, extroverted Tail Dragger. The late, great Willie Kent takes a final bow as well. From the between-song patter, one gets the sense that this isn't just a group of musicians united by their label; this is the Delmark blues family, and the patriarch is Bob Koester (who turns in a couple of priceless introductions). Part label roster sampler and part historical souvenir, Blues Brunch at the Mart is a fine snapshot of Delmark blues circa 2005. /Sean Westergaard, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

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Blues Brunch At The Mart zippy

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Lurrie Bell - Blues Had A Baby

Year: 1999
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:04
Size: 153,1 MB
Styles: Electric blues, Chicago blues
Scans: Full

1. Givin' Me A Hard Time (5:09)
2. Got My Eyes On You (4:02)
3. You're The One (2:58)
4. Rapid Transit (3:07)
5. Mean Black Spider (4:37)
6. Blues Had A Baby (4:30)
7. Lurrie's Walk (6:30)
8. Mean Old Frisco (3:26)
9. Five Long Years (5:23)
10. Who Do You Love (4:10)
11. Raised On The Blues (3:25)
12. I'll Be Your 44 (4:04)
13. If I Had A Hammer (6:39)
14. Mary Had A Little Lamb (3:18)
15. Rollin' & Tumblin' (4:41)

The blues of Lurrie Bell comes from a turbulent place, but there's no denying the man can play. This album brings together tracks from three different sessions, the bulk being held in 1997. Supported by a spartan rhythm section, Bell sprays kamikaze guitar licks over a bevy of old standards like "Five Long Years," "Who Do You Love," "Mean Old Frisco," and "You're the One." The last four songs on the album are the real treat; cut in 1995 at the Mercurial Son sessions, this is just Lurrie and his electric guitar running through raw, soulful, and sometimes whacked-out versions of everything from "Rollin' and Tumblin'" to "If I Had a Hammer." If you've wondered what all the fuss is about, grab this CD and turn on to the blues world of Lurrie Bell. /Cub Koda, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

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VA - Tribute: Delmark's 65th Anniversary

Size: 113,5 MB
Time: 48:34
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Front & Black

01 Omar Coleman - Train I Ride (4:09)
02 Lurrie Bell - One Day You're Gonna Get Lucky (3:34)
03 Linsey Alexander - All For Business (6:09)
04 Demetria Taylor - Riverboat (4:39)
05 Jimmy Burns - She Left Me A Mule To Ride (2:48)
06 Lil' Ed - Speak My Mind (3:55)
07 Jimmy Johnson - Out Of Bad Luck (5:00)
08 Corey Dennison - Broke And Hungry (4:38)
09 Mike Wheeler - So Many Roads (5:18)
10 Shirley Johnson - Need Your Love So Bad (4:17)
11 Ken Saydak - Boot That Thing (4:00)

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Lurrie Bell & The Bell Dynasty - Tribute To Carey Bell

Size: 134,1 MB
Time: 57:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. Gone To Main Street (3:24)
02. Hard Hearted Woman (4:29)
03. I Got To Go (3:53)
04. Keep Your Eyes On The Prize (5:51)
05. Tomorrow Night (3:10)
06. So Hard To Leave You Alone (8:45)
07. What My Momma Told Me (3:02)
08. Woman In Trouble (6:11)
09. Carey Bell Was A Friend Of Mine (5:40)
10. Break It Up (3:38)
11. Heartaches And Pain (5:29)
12. When I Get Drunk (3:53)

It's almost 50 years since blues harp master Carey Bell released his debut album on Delmark Records. Carey's children followed him into blues and performed with him often while growing up. Lurrie's debut recording was with Carey appearing on Heartaches And Pain (DMK 666) and he joined with pops again in 2006 to record a live album / DVD, Gettin' Up (DMK 791/DVD 1791) only one year before Carey passed away. Now Lurrie, Steve, Tyson and James Bell join forces as The Bell Dynasty to present this tribute to their dad, Carey Bell. The Bell Dynasty is joined by special guests Charlie Musselwhite and Billy Branch.

Tribute To Carey Bell

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Carey & Lurrie Bell - Gettin' Up Live: At Buddy Guy's Legends, Rosa's & Lurrie's Home

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:40
Size: 145.8 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[5:51] 1. What My Mama Told Me
[7:31] 2. Gettin' Up
[3:44] 3. Baby Please Don't Go
[4:14] 4. Bell's Back
[5:59] 5. One Day
[3:07] 6. Leaving In The Morning
[8:01] 7. Last Night
[5:23] 8. Low Down Dirty Shame
[6:54] 9. Broke And Hungry
[4:54] 10. When I Get Drunk
[5:17] 11. Short Dress Woman
[2:39] 12. Stand By Me

Blues harmonica legend Carey Bell created his own style after learning from the masters Big Walter Horton, Little Walter Jacobs and Sonny Boy Williamson II. A veteran of both Muddy Waters' and Willie Dixon's bands, Carey Bell is on the short list of today's blues harmonica superstars. Carey celebrated his 70th birthday just after this recording and is still going strong. Lurrie Bell, Carey's eldest son, has recorded albums with his father starting with 1977's "Heartaches and Pain". Since the release of "Mercurial Son" the amazing guitarist has been dazzling audiences around the world. Thirty years after first recording together Carey & Lurrie Bell have reunited for this album.

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Big Chico - My New Blues

Year : 2013
Bitrate : 320K/s
Total Time : 57:40
Total Size : 134,1 MB
Styles: Chicago Blues, Harmonica Blues
Scans: Full covers

1. 20 Years ( 4:56)
2. You're All I Need ( 3:12)
3. Chromatic Style ( 4:06)
4. One Eyed Woman ( 7:48)
5. Hey Guy ( 4:22)
6. I Got The Blues ( 4:22)
7. Further On Up The Road ( 3:37)
8. Tin Pan Alley (10:29)
9. Guetto Woman ( 6:51)
10. Catfish Blues ( 2:40)
11. The Creeper Returns ( 5:12)

Big Chico is a great artist with a powerful voice and a superb multi-instrumentalist as a harmonica player and guitarist, with tremendous refinement and good taste! "My New Blues" demonstrates Chico's new phasing and production, with a great cameo from the legendary singer and guitarist Lurrie Bell Chicago (one of the best in the world today). We think that this is Big Chico's best work to date. His Chicago blues have been polished, yet remain quite credible. The guitar playing (by Rodolpho Crepaldi) speaks to the listener and Chico's harp adds just the right touches. The rhythm section is synced-up, completing a real good offering. Grab this one!

The Players ...
Big Chico - Harp & Vocals, Rodolpho Crepaldi - Guitar,
Eder Dias - Bass, Richard Leao - Drums
* Guest Artists : Andre Youssef* - Keyboards, Marcos Klis* - Upright Bass,
Edmar Pereira* - Saxophone, Lurrie Bell* - Guitar

My New Blues

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Sunnyland Slim - Be Careful How You Vote

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:17
Size: 94.5 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 1989
Art: Front

[4:40] 1. You Can't Have It All
[3:08] 2. Workin' Two Jobs
[3:47] 3. Have A Good Day Now
[4:13] 4. Chicago Jump
[4:48] 5. Past Life
[3:36] 6. Be Careful How You Vote
[3:47] 7. Johnson Machine Gun
[5:01] 8. Speak Once And Think Twice
[4:06] 9. Midnight Jump
[4:08] 10. Patience Like Job

Lurrie Bell/Guitar; Beau Biley/Trombone; Sam Burckhardt/Sax (Tenor); Chico Chism/Drums; Fred Grady/Drums; Nick Holt/Bass; Eddie Lusk/Organ; Magic Slim/Guitar; Mickey Martin/Drums; Hasson Miah/Drums; John Riley/Bass; Bob Stroger/Bass; Hubert Sumlin/Guitar; Sunnyland Slim/Composer, Piano, Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals; Eddie Taylor/Guitar.

This CD reissues a variety of recordings cut by the veteran blues pianist/vocalist Sunnyland Slim during 1981-83 for his private label Airway Records. In his mid-70s at the time, Slim's energetic vocals and powerful piano playing belie his age. As is typical of the pioneer Chicago bluesman, he allocated plenty of solo space to his sidemen (which include Hubert Sumlin, Eddie Taylor, Lurrie Bell or Magic Slim on guitar) although there was never any doubt about who was in control. The intelligent lyrics, high musicianship, mood variation (including two excellent instrumentals) and spirited playing make this a highly enjoyable and recommeded date despite the LP-length playing time. ~Scott Yanow

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Detroit Jr. - Blues On The Internet

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:14
Size: 140.2 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[4:24] 1. Call My Job
[2:45] 2. Hot Pants Baby
[5:42] 3. Weak Spot
[3:40] 4. Money Crazy
[3:38] 5. Less Violence, More Love
[3:51] 6. Love No One But You
[3:32] 7. Rockin' After Midnight
[5:23] 8. Somebody Better Do Something
[3:57] 9. Just You My Love
[2:31] 10. When It Comes To Your Love
[6:51] 11. Blues On The Internet
[2:29] 12. Messin' With The Kid
[3:17] 13. Which One Of Us You Want To Please
[4:58] 14. Man Around The House
[4:09] 15. Party All Night Long

Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Eric Schneider; Bass – Bob Stroger; Drums – Kenny Smith; Guitar – Jimmy Dawkins, Lurrie Bell, Maurice John Vaughn, Willie Davis; Horns – Sonny Cohn; Piano, Vocals – Detroit Junior.

Veteran blues pianist (and longtime Howlin' Wolf sideman) Emery Williams Jr. -- known professionally as Detroit Junior -- has had a renaissance of sorts in the past decade, releasing three albums on Blue Suit Records, and now this one, Blues on the Internet, on Delmark Records. Williams is a throwback to the classic Chicago blues piano style, and his warm, expressive vocals fall somewhere between a hoarse Ray Charles and a latter-day Bob Dylan, while his songwriting, although hardly innovative, is solid and workmanlike, avoiding most of the obvious blues clichés. His intent isn't to move blues into the 21st century so much as preserve the way it was played in Chicago in the 1950s (where Williams played alongside the likes of Jimmy Reed, Eddie Boyd, Eddie Taylor, and Little Mack Simmons), and he succeeds wonderfully on original tracks here like his signature tune, "Call My Job," "Money Crazy," and "Somebody Better Do Something," as well as a nice cover of Lowell Fulson's "Rockin' After Midnight." The disc also includes a Quicktime video of Williams, along with a short interview. Fans of vintage Chicago blues piano will find this collection a delight, while listeners looking for gutbucket electric guitar leads will be better served turning elsewhere. ~Steve Leggett

Blues On The Internet

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Lurrie Bell - Can't Shake This Feeling

Size: 128,2 MB
Time: 55:09
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. Blues Is Trying To Keep Up With Me (4:10)
02. Drifting (3:25)
03. I Get So Weary (4:20)
04. One Eyed Woman (4:14)
05. This Worrisome Feeling In My Heart (4:54)
06. Sit Down Baby (2:57)
07. Hold Me Tight (2:35)
08. Sinner's Prayer (4:43)
09. I Can't Shake This Feeling (4:33)
10. Born With The Blues (5:59)
11. Do You Hear (3:56)
12. Hidden Charms (3:54)
13. Faith And Music (5:22)

Lurrie Bell returns with a new CD he's telling people is his best. It showcases all the passion, depth, rawness and uniqueness that keeps Lurrie at the top of many Real Deal Chicago Blues lists. His ace working band and frequent collaborator Matthew Skoller (on harp) provide the drive and the safety net while Lurrie walks the tightrope vocally and instrumentally. Motivated by his 2013 Blues Music Award for 'Song Of The Year' for the title track from Blues In My Soul (Delmark 830), Lurrie had a hand in writing five of the thirteen tracks. 'Driftin'', 'One Eyed Woman', 'Hold Me Tight', 'Sinner's Prayer', 'Do You Hear', 'Born With The Blues', 'Hidden Charms' and more.

Can't Shake This Feeling

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Breezy Rodio - So Close To It

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:09
Size: 151.4 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[4:37] 1. When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer
[4:27] 2. So Close To It
[2:30] 3. Just About To Lose Your Clown (Feat Chris Foreman)
[4:51] 4. Walking With My Baby (Feat Billy Branch)
[3:53] 5. Sneakin' Around
[3:48] 6. Time To Come Back Home
[3:16] 7. Too Lazy
[4:50] 8. Mary
[6:49] 9. The Day I Met You
[2:51] 10. I Can't Get Enough Of You
[6:02] 11. Please Accept My Love
[5:09] 12. I Win Some More
[3:43] 13. One Broken Heart For Sale
[4:25] 14. How Much Can A Poor Man Take
[4:52] 15. Evil Hearted Woman

It began in New York, where Breezy managed to make his mark. But Chicago was where the real blues action was, and remains. So within a year the guitarist made the auspicious decision to hit the road again, this time heading straight for the Windy City. He’s settled in ever since, steadily honing his craft while emerging as one of circuit’s top young axemen. Breezy quickly found himself a mentor in guitarist Guy King, whose swinging, eminently tasty licks have graced the Chicago blues scene for quite some time. Before long, Rodio joined the band of guitarist Linsey Alexander, known as “The Hoochie Man” to his many devoted fans. Breezy soon advanced to a bandleading role with Alexander’s outfit, the guitarist working on his 2010 CD If You Ain’t Got It as well as Linsey’s two acclaimed Delmark albums, 2012’s Been There Done That and his most recent release in 2014, Come Back Baby. But Rodio found time to do his own thing too, cutting his 2011 debut album Playing My Game Too with a stellar supporting cast that included guest guitarists Lurrie Bell, Rockin’ Johnny, and Dave Herrero and bassist Bob Stroger along with Alexander and King. Breezy’s muse isn’t limited to blues. He issued his first reggae CD,Hope, in 2012 (guitarist Donald Kinsey and bassist Smoking Joe Thomas were in the grooving band), following it up the next year with Strange Situation (not only was local reggae legend Hurricane a prominent presence in the studio combo, he and Breezy perform frequently together in local clubs).

On So Close To It, Breezy reaffirms his crisp, clean mastery of electric blues guitar, displaying a keen sense of tradition and proving himself a convincing vocalist as well. He’s invited another cadre of Chicago’s top blues luminaries to join him, led by harpist extraordinaire Billy Branch, searing guitarist Bell, and two-fisted pianist Ariyo. Hammond B-3 master Chris Foreman is on board too, along with jazz mainstays Art Davis and Bill Overton on trumpet and saxophone respectively. Bassist Light Palone and drummer Lorenzo Francocci constitute a supple rhythm section that gives Rodio precisely the rhythmic push his approach requires. So Close To It is dominated by Rodio’s well-crafted originals. The title track is a hard-edged shuffle sparked by Quique Gomez’s harp and some unexpected tempo changes, while Branch wails the high-end licks on the grinding “Walking With My Baby (She’s So Fine),” its gritty storyline name-checking one of the city’s leading blues thoroughfares. “Time To Come Back Home” is a horn-driven houserocker, the straight-up shuffle “Mary” opens with stinging, Albert King-tinged Rodio guitar before he takes to the mic, and an elegant “The Day I Met You” elicits more marvelous Breezy fretwork and boasts memorable vocal turns from longtime Chicago favorites Joe Barr and Carl Weathersby.

Lurrie steps up vocally for an utterly sublime, T-Bone-influenced downbeat gem, “I Win Some More.” The stop-time romp “I Can’t Get Enough Of You” reveals Breezy’s lighthearted, swinging side, and a lowdown “How Much Can A Poor Man Take” brings the set deep down in the alley. Breezy is particularly enamored of B.B. King’s songbook, reviving his mournful “When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer” as well as a pair of tunes originated by others but popularized by B.B., “Sneakin’ Around” (first out by Rudy Render) and “Please Accept My Love,” originally waxed by Jimmy Wilson. There’s a sleek, surging treatment of Ray Charles’ “You’re Just About To Lose Your Clown,” a revival of T-Bone Walker’s droll “Too Lazy,” and a splendid redo of Elvis Presley’s Otis Blackwell-penned “One Broken Heart For Sale.” Cut live, the closing “Evil Hearted Woman,” another T-Bone goodie, is an exquisite slice of after-hours fare sporting full-bodied piano on the intro.

From Chicago’s top nightspots to European concert halls, this talented young guitarist has made his presence felt. And judging from the convincing contents of this set, this sure won’t be Breezy’s last rodeo! ~ Bill Dahl

So Close To It mc
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Tail Dragger - My Head Is Bald: Live At Vern's Friendly Lounge, Chicago

Year: 2005
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:49
Size: 142,4 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Scans: Full

1. Intro (1:18)
2. Sitting Here Singing My Blues (9:24)
3. Talk (1:09)
4. Tend To Your Business (4:23)
5. Talk (0:50)
6. Prison Blues (8:09)
7. Talk (1:42)
8. So Ezee (5:31)
9. My Woman Is Gone (7:30)
10. Talk (3:31)
11. My Head Is Bald (8:56)
12. You Gotta Go (4:02)
13. Jump For Joy (4:17)

James Yancy Jones, known professionally as Tail Dragger, is on the radical edge of contemporary blues simply by not changing a thing since he first hit the Chicago blues scene from his native Arkansas in the 1960s. A Howlin' Wolf protégé, Jones has grown into his role as an elder statesman, and in an era when drums are processed and guitar leads are as much synthesizer as they are strings, his "just the old blues, thank you, Ma'am" approach is downright refreshing.

My Head Is Bald, a live set from Vern's Friendly Lounge on Chicago's West side, is as comfy as a pair of old wool socks, and while Jones isn't particularly innovative -- he still sounds like an ever-so-slightly polished-up version of the Wolf -- his version of the blues is so familiar and devoid of flash that it feels lived in and real, and original songs like "Tend to Your Business" and "Prison Blues" seem like they've been around forever. A Tail Dragger show is predictable, but that's the charm of it. This is blues in the neighborhood bar. You wouldn't want it to sound any other way. /Steve Leggett, AllMusic

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Lurrie Bell - 2 albums: Let's Talk About Love / Blues In My Soul

Album: Let's Talk About Love
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:34
Size: 104.3 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[2:34] 1. Let's Talk About Love
[4:21] 2. Earthquake And Hurricane
[3:04] 3. You Ought To Be Ashamed
[3:30] 4. Why (Am I Treated So Bad)
[3:30] 5. Feeling Good
[3:32] 6. Missing You
[3:28] 7. Directly From My Heart To You
[3:26] 8. Cold Chills
[6:10] 9. Chicago Is Loaded With The Blues
[3:39] 10. My Dog Can't Bark
[4:23] 11. Turn To Me
[3:51] 12. Wine Head Woman

Lurrie Bell kicks off Let's Talk About Love with a song about love, a move that might seem a bit odd or risky for anyone steeped in blues tradition. It's a tradition, after all, that has often seemed like a depository of relationship problems and sexual come-ons. Bell delivers the upbeat "Let's Talk About Love" against the backdrop of a full electric band featuring his own stinging guitar work. Bell is joined by a "loose but together" band, featuring rhythm guitarist Anthony Palmer, bassist Felton Crews, drummer Kenny Smith, pianist Sidney James Wingfield, and a number of guests. The players are comfortable with one another, and each is in his own element whether tackling a slow burner like "Chicago Is Loaded with the Blues" or a swinging number like "You Ought to Be Ashamed." Of course the promise of the opener, "Let's Talk About Love," is too good to last, attested to by titles like "You Ought to Be Ashamed" and "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)." These songs are a cliché for sure and certain to never make it onto a Gloria Steinem mixtape, but as far as blues go, they sound superb. Bell makes sure to alter his tempos and arrangements to keep the listener listening, and there is also an interesting acoustic arrangement for "Feeling Good." For blues fans and anyone who enjoys good roots music, Bell and his comrades have made a solid album. ~Ronnie D. Lankford Jr

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Album: Blues In My Soul
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:49
Size: 150.7 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:09] 1. Hey Hey Baby
[6:01] 2. Blues In My Soul
[4:11] 3. I Feel So Good
[4:37] 4. She's A Good 'Un
[6:09] 5. 'Bout The Break Of Day
[4:13] 6. Going Away Baby
[3:54] 7. 24 Hour Blues
[5:27] 8. My Little Machine
[2:43] 9. I Just Keep Loving Her
[3:19] 10. T-Bone Blues Special
[6:58] 11. Just The Blues
[5:36] 12. South Side To Riverside
[3:48] 13. If It's Too Late
[5:38] 14. Blues Never Die

Lurrie Bell is a throwback and so is Blues in My Soul. It's the sound of classic small-band Chicago blues as played in the '50s and '60s: no flash, no showboating, and no screaming guitar...just solid ensemble playing. Of course, as the son of Carey Bell, Lurrie comes by it naturally, having learned at the feet of any number of Chicago blues legends. The set is mostly covers, but the only real warhorse is "'Bout the Break of Day," which suffers slightly from overexposure. Bell also contributes a handful of originals, with the nicely personal title track as an album highlight. Lurrie's got a gruff but soulful voice and his guitar style harks back to players like Jimmy Rogers (who he covers here twice). The album was cut with Bell's regular working band, with some tasty added horns on two cuts. If you like your Chicago blues old-school style, check out Blues in My Soul. ~Sean Westergaard

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Nico Smoljan & Shakedancers - Nico Smoljan & Shakedancers

Size: 100,9 MB
Time: 38:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. Booguiebuck (2:06)
02. Mannish Boy (Feat. Mud Morganfield, Daniel De Vita & Juan Codazzi) (3:41)
03. Little Blue Girl (Feat. Catuto García & Rafo Grin) (4:02)
04. You're The One (Feat. Eddie Taylor Jr) (3:09)
05. That's All I Need (Feat. Juan Codazzi) (3:49)
06. Once, 3AM (5:44)
07. I Been Dealing With The Devil (Feat. Javier Goffman & Juan Codazzi) (3:41)
08. Honey Bee (Feat. Lurrie Bell) (8:51)
09. I Got To Find My Baby (Feat. Eddie Taylor Jr) (3:39)

This is the debut album with veteran Nico Smoljan as a leader. This self titled release is a big helping of straight ahead, electric Chicago style blues. Smoljan is a first rate harmonica player who excels at both the diatonic and chromatic blues harp. This 35 year old is a native of Patagonia and is a long time resident of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Smoljan has performed at some of the most prestigious blues and jazz festivals in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. He has played with other internationally renowned musicians including Lynwood Slim, Duke Robillard, Rick Estrin, Henry Gray, Igor Prado, Jody Williams, Mark Hummel, Flávio Guimarães and many others.

The Shakedancers are guitarist Matias Cipiliano, Mariano D’andrea on bass, drummer Pato Raffo and Gustavo Doreste on piano and Hammond B3.

Three players who Smoljan has also performed with at festivals are guests on this album. They are Eddie Taylor Jr., Lurrie Bell and Mud Morganfield.

The album opens with a Smoljan instrumental. He demonstrates right out of the chute he has a full robust sound with exceptional tone. Then it is on to a song that probably shouldn’t be covered and that is Muddy Waters’ adaptation of the Bo Diddley tune I’m a Man entitled, Mannish Boy. Since Muddy’s son Larry “Mud” Morganfield is singing the tune, we can let it slide.

Then it is on to another Smoljan instrumental. This slow blues is in the spirit of Little Walter. It features Arthur “Catuto” Garcia on loan from Brazil’s The Headcutters and guitarist Rafo Grin.

Then Eddie Taylor Jr. makes the first of two appearances on the CD. Here he sings and plays guitar on the Jimmy Rogers tune, You’re the One. On the Magic Sam tune, That’s All I Need, Smoljan makes his only vocal contribution to the album. This is followed up by another slow Smoljan instrumental, Once, 3AM which features his fine chromatic abilities.

Javier Goffman sings the John Lee Williamson (Sonny Boy 1) tune I Been Dealing with the Devil. Lurrie Bell sings and plays guitar on an almost nine minute workout of Muddy’s Honey Bee. The album closes with Eddie Taylor Jr. singing and playing guitar on one of his dad’s tunes, I Got To Find My Baby.

This album is imbued with stellar musicianship from top to bottom by players whose hard work, practice and study are evident on every track. The band’s deep devotion, dedication and reverence to this type of material is clearly evident. The album’s production is also top shelf. I look forward to hearing more from Nico Smoljan & Shakedancers.

This is the surprise album of 2015 and is definitely a contender for New Artist Debut Album of the Year.? ~David Mac

Nico Smoljan & Shakedancers

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VA - Up Jumped The Blues: An Up-Tempo Blues Collection

Size: 181,0 MB
Time: 77:07
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1996
Styles: Modern Electric Blues
Art: Front & Back

01. Phillip Walker - Don't Leave Me Baby (With Otis Grand) (2:44)
02. Carey Bell - Leaving In The Morning (Live) (4:42)
03. Buddy Guy - Girl You're Nice And Clean (4:41)
04. U.P. Wilson - Half Step (Instrumental) (3:34)
05. Johnny Big Moose Walker - Rambling Woman (4:23)
06. Larry Garner - Shak Bully (3:36)
07. Byther Smith - Put Your Arms Around Me (5:05)
08. Tutu Jones - Excited (Instrumental) (5:00)
09. Guitar Shorty - Red Hot Mama (With Otis Grand) (3:16)
10. Big Walter Horton - Two Old Maids (Live) (4:25)
11. U.P. Wilson - Need The Need (4:01)
12. Carey & Lurrie Bell - Gladys Shuffle (Instrumental) (6:08)
13. Little Willie Littlefield - Cry Over You (Live) (2:55)
14. Guitar Shorty - Shorty Jumps In (Instrumental) (With Otis Grand) (5:58)
15. Charlie Sayles - Down And Out (2:45)
16. Hubert Sumlin - Look Don't Touch (3:41)
17. Phil Guy - Professor's Boogie (Instrumental) (7:04)
18. Johnny Mars - Cash Ain't Nothing But Trash (3:04)

This 18-track budget-priced compilation features an uptempo collection of tracks from the vaults of the British JSP firm, who long have recorded visiting American blues artists with varying results. The highlights this time are numerous and the quality stays high -- as all compilations should be -- but several are worthy of special mention. Phillip Walker with Otis Grand do a nice opening turn with "Don't Leave Me Baby," and Carey Bell checks in with a live rendition of Little Walter's "Leaving in the Morning (I Got to Go)" as well as a nice duet with son Lurrie on "The Gladys Shuffle," and Buddy Guy is rockin' with "Girl You're Nice and Clean." Little Willie Littlefield checks in with some two-fisted piano boogie on "(Sit Right Down And) Cry over You," U.P. Wilson contributes a nice instrumental in "Half Step" and a scorching shuffle with "Need the Need," Johnny "Big Moose" Walker takes it back home with "Rambling Woman," Guitar Shorty contributes two tracks with Otis Grand, and Hubert Sumlin's vocal on "Look Don't Touch" is both mellow and affecting. This compilation also includes tracks by Charlie Sayles, Phil Guy, Johnny Mars, Larry Garner, Byther Smith, Tre', and Tutu Jones. With a 77-minute running time and excellent liner notes from Bill Dahl, this is one blues compilation that's a solid value for the money. ~Review by Cub Koda

Thanks to DrPeak.
Up Jumped The Blues

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