VA - Notodden Blues Festival: Bluestown

Size: 142,5 MB
Time: 61:04
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2001
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front, Back, CD

01 Sista Monica - The Sista Don't Play (5:02)
02 Mighty Sam McClain - A New Man In Town (6:05)
03 Kim Wilson's Blues Express - Don't Bite The Hand That Feeds You (7:38)
04 Marcia Ball - Louisiana 1927 (7:03)
05 Jimmie Vaughan - Six Strings Down (3:28)
06 Roomful Of Blues - Left My Baby (5:35)
07 Rory Block - If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day (2:49)
08 Duke Robillard - Fishnet (5:58)
09 Kim Wilson's Blues Express - Black Cat Bone (5:08)
10 Omar & The Howlers - Mystery Walk (3:24)
11 Alex Schultz - To Late To Turn Back Now (4:29)
12 Larry McCray - I Feel So Damn Good (4:20)

Notodden Blues Festival (NBF) is one of the largest blues music festivals in Europe and the largest in Scandinavia. The festival is held in Notodden, Norway, usually in early August. It has been running annually since 1988.

The festival does not aim to be the biggest of its type, but to become Europe's "largest blues experience", which is reflected in their emphasis on quality over quantity.

Notodden Blues Festival MP3
Notodden Blues Festival FLAC

---

Mighty Sam McClain - Sledgehammer Soul & Down Home Blues

Size: 165,1 MB
Time: 71:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1996
Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Blues Soul
Art: Full

01. Sledgehammer Soul & Down Home Blues (3:31)
02. Where You Been So Long (5:58)
03. Trying To Find Myself (4:24)
04. Things Ain't What They Used To Be (6:19)
05. When The Hurt Is Over (Maybe Love Will Flow) (8:05)
06. Pray (4:44)
07. They Call Me 'Mighty' (6:02)
08. Dancin' To The Music Of Love (4:38)
09. Hey Miss Bea (5:10)
10. If You Could See (8:44)
11. Bridge Of Faith (6:42)
12. Don't Write Me Off (7:16)

The title of this CD couldn't be more descriptive of its contents, for it illustrates that Mighty Sam McClain is indeed a master of sledgehammer soul and down-home electric blues. Influenced by Bobby "Blue" Bland but nonetheless his own person, the Louisiana native is a charismatic singer who is as convincing on blues gems like "Where You Been So Long," "They Call Me Mighty," and the haunting "When the Hurt Is Over" (the perfect marriage of Bland and John Lee Hooker) as he is on such Southern soul treasures as "Trying to Find Myself" and "Things Ain't What They Used to Be." When it comes to R&B, McClain's approach is essentially Southern and very 1960s-influenced -- the sleekness that characterized so much of the soul-pop of Detroit, Philadelphia, and Chicago isn't an influence on this fine album, and he shows no awareness whatsoever of mid-'90s trends in urban contemporary music. But McClain (who is joined by a solid band that includes horns, electric Hammond organ and a rhythm section) does surprise us by embracing reggae on the uplifting "Pray." This is definitely a CD to savor. ~Review by Alex Henderson

Sledgehammer Soul & Down Home Blues

---

Mighty Sam McClain, Knut Reiersrud - Tears Of The World

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:40
Size: 113.7 MB
Styles: Soul-blues-R&B
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[2:53] 1. Tears Of The World
[2:43] 2. Please Mr. Foreman
[4:30] 3. Jewels
[3:24] 4. Living In The Key Of G
[4:40] 5. Que Sera Sera
[5:17] 6. Friends
[5:16] 7. Too Proud
[4:40] 8. Apples Don't Fall Far From The Tree
[3:00] 9. I Wish I Had A Girl Like You
[3:39] 10. Somebody Help Me
[3:47] 11. Things Aint What They Used To Be
[5:45] 12. Promised Land

Even Norwegians get the blues. On “Tears Of The World,” guitarist Knut Reiersrud and his band find themselves in the company of the 72-year old vocalist Mighty Sam McClain, originally from Louisiana. Together, they have dedicated themselves to the music of the deep south and have given impressive proof that, when it comes to playing hard-driven R&B, soul or blues, it's not where you come from that's important.

On June 16, 2015 Mighty Sam McClain died. „Tears Of The World“ is his last album and will remain as his legacy. The Blues- & Soulworld lost an outstanding artist.

Tears Of The World mc
Tears Of The World zippy

---

Mighty Sam McClain - Keep On Movin'

Size: 125,3 MB
Time: 54:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1995
Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Blues Soul
Art: Full

01. Can You Stand The Test Of Love (5:00)
02. I'm So Lonely (4:42)
03. Lord Will Make A Way (4:47)
04. Who Made You Cry (5:45)
05. Hold On To The Dream (3:45)
06. Don't Worry About Me (7:11)
07. Keep On Movin' (4:01)
08. A Soul That's Been Abused (7:00)
09. I'm Sorry (4:39)
10. Let's Have Some Fun (2:55)
11. This Is All I Have To Say (4:27)

McClain pours out his soul, but this album lacks the power evidenced on Give It Up to Love. The problem lies not with McClain, but with some of his supporting musicians. The closest cohesion exists between McClain and the musician on the title track, while "Who Made You Cry" has McClain sounding sympathetic and helpful to someone's plight, expertly complemented by Kevin Barry on guitar. However, the horn section extenuates the problems by cluttering up the arrangements and detracting from McClain's performance, while the Hammond B-3 lacks a nimble, crisp feel, and at times sounds buried in the mix. ~Review by Char Ham

Keep On Movin'

---

Mighty Sam McClain - Give It Up To Love

Size: 125,5 MB
Time: 54:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1993
Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Blues Soul
Art: Full

01. Give It Up To Love (4:26)
02. Too Proud (4:36)
03. What You Want Me To Do (4:51)
04. Here I Go Falling In Love Again (4:57)
05. Got To Have Your Love (6:38)
06. Child Of The Mighty Mighty (4:18)
07. I'm Tired Of These Blues (7:00)
08. I Feel Good (4:09)
09. Love Me I You Want To (4:20)
10. Don't Turn Back Now (4:54)
11. Lonesome Road (4:15)

McClain sings soul with incredible power -- he knows when to pull the punches and when to cool it down. "Give It Up to Love," the title track, acknowledges his gospel roots; he performs it as a vocal prayer to God asking for wisdom, love, and strength. Bruce Katz's contributions on B-3 Hammond organ expands McClain's sound, particularly on the "Green Onions"-influenced "What You Want Me to Do." The sparsely effective arrangement on "Here I Go Falling in Love Again" brings McClain up front as he cries of being a soul stripped to the bare bones. Kevin Barry's funky bass blows while McClain declares himself as a child of God in "Child of the Mighty Mighty." ~Review by Char Ham

Give It Up To Love

---

Mighty Sam McClain - Time And Change: Last Recordings

Size: 115,6 MB
Time: 49:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Blues, Soul, R&B
Art: Front

01. Let's Talk (Feat. Pat Herlehy) (4:15)
02. Sweet Love (Feat. Pat Herlehy) (4:37)
03. Let's Do Something (Feat. Pat Herlehy) (4:01)
04. Time And Change (Feat. Pat Herlehy) (5:30)
05. Bad Dreams (Feat. Pat Herlehy) (4:12)
06. Around Every Corner (Feat. Pat Herlehy) (4:44)
07. You Broke My Heart (Feat. Pat Herlehy) (3:50)
08. Touch Somebody (3:04)
09. Here I Come Again (4:38)
10. Praise (Feat. Pat Herlehy) (4:04)
11. Tou Worry Me (6:38)

Mighty Sam McClain never experienced the release of this, his final album, 'Time and Change', which contains his last 11 produced tracks. The legendary blues and soul performer passed away in New Hampshire June 15, 2015 by the age of 72. The songs on this album were all written and produced by Sam himself (except for one song, written by Sam's friend and mentor Melvin Underwood) in cooperation with the multi-instrumentalist Pat Herlehy, his musical partner through many years. This isn't one of those somber 'memorial' albums. Sam would not have wanted that. He wanted to be remembered with the same kind of spirit and energy he put into his music, on countless stages and recording sessions around the world. On 'Time and Change' you may enjoy the last works from the great Mighty Sam McClain. 'Time and Change' features Pat Herlehy (guitars, bass, sax and keyboards), Michael Rossi (bass), Rick Page (drums), Joe Deleault (keyboards and Hammond B3).

Time And Change

---

Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters - Test Of Time: A Retrospective

Year: 1992
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:04
Size: 163,8 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Scans: Full

1. Ronnie Johnnie (2:56)
2. I Smell Trouble (4:22)
3. Ridin' In The Moonlight (4:05)
4. Baby Doll Blues (6:03)
5. You Give Me Nothing But The Blues (2:38)
6. Narcolepsy (3:53)
7. Waitin' For My Chance (2:42)
8. Soul Searching (2:45)
9. Backstroke (4:19)
10. Ships Passing In The Night (4:52)
11. I Want To Shout About It (3:32)
12. I Wish You Could See Me Now (3:35)
13. I Cried My Eyes Out (2:52)
14. T-Bone Boogie (3:50)
15. A Soul That's Been Abused (6:22)
16. One Of These Mornings (4:21)
17. Off The Hook (2:58)
18. AKOS (4:51)

Test of Time collects the highlights from Ronnie Earl's six Black Top albums. The 18-song compilation showcases one of the finest blues guitarists of the '80s, picking nearly all of his finest material, which happen to include duets with Robert Jr. Lockwood and Hubert Sumlin. The album is an excellent introduction to Earl, as well as his most consistently entertaining release. /Thom Owens, AllMusic

Test Of Time mc
Test Of Time zippy

---

Mighty Sam McClain - Live In Japan

Size: 164,9 MB
Time: 71:11
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1988
Styles: Blues Soul
Art: Full

01. Every Day I Have The Blues (3:25)
02. Sweet Dreams (3:04)
03. Talk To Me, Talk To Me (5:06)
04. Fannie Mae (4:38)
05. Why (2:45)
06. Your Perfect Companion (3:43)
07. In The Same Old Way (4:17)
08. Pray (6:18)
09. A Change Is Gonna Come (6:14)
10. Whatever It Takes (5:41)
11. Forgive And Forget (3:45)
12. Dancin To The Music Of Love (4:56)
13. This Time I'm Gone For Good (5:31)
14. I Just Came To Get My Baby (Out Of Jail) (4:31)
15. The Blues Is Alright (7:11)

A sophisticated bluesman in the tradition of Bobby "Blue" Bland or Joe Williams, Mighty Sam McClain had not recorded in some 13 years when he cut a demo of song called "Pray" in 1984. The demo attracted the attention of a Japanese promoter, who subsequently coordinated the Japanese tour from which this live album, recorded in Tokyo, is culled. Despite the presence of ace session guitarist Wayne Bennett, McClain's backing band is sub-standard and lifeless; few moments generate any heat. ~by Jason Ankeny

Live In Japan

---

Mighty Sam McClain - Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:12
Size: 110.4 MB
Styles: Soul-blues
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:20] 1. I Wish You Well
[3:41] 2. Missing You
[3:13] 3. Can You Feel It
[3:45] 4. Feel So Good, Feel So Right
[3:39] 5. Tears
[2:43] 6. Stand Up
[3:07] 7. Real Thing
[4:03] 8. Use Me
[3:46] 9. Rock My Soul
[3:22] 10. Hey Baby
[3:34] 11. So Into You
[3:42] 12. Wake Up Call
[3:38] 13. Too Much Jesus Not Enough Whiskey
[2:33] 14. Dance

Music legend Mighty Sam McClain titled his latest project Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) with tongue planted firmly in cheek. By my call, at least five of the album’s 14 tracks are thematically religious or inspirational. McClain also enlists divine help to bring a lover back on the jazzy torch ballad “Tears,” and McClain cites God as the heavenly matchmaker on the soul/funk ballad “So Into You.” The crooner asks his Heavenly Father for guidance while reflecting on another lost love on the very good “Missing You.”

In a way it shouldn’t be too surprising to find spiritual themes and references in McClain’s spiritual and secular tunes. The 69 year old started singing in his mother’s church at five-years old. McClain came up the old school way by singing on the Chitlin’ Circuit, which is where he refined his vocals. And he spent much of his career as the quintessential hard working and underappreciated artists who had to go overseas to receive the acclaim so richly deserved.

People in Europe and Asia gladly accept the soul music that many on this side of the pond take for granted. On Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) fans will hear the qualities that gave McClain international acclaim: His masculine vocal possesses the clear intonation of a jazz singer on tunes such as “Missing You” and he brings the same funk/rock/gospel sensibility to the inspirational “Can You Feel It” that Edwin Starr brought to “War.”

One thing that gives a sense of irony to the album’s title is that the best work on Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) comes when McClain takes his listeners to church. In addition to the aforementioned “Can You Feel It,” the record’s best track may very well be “Use Me,” a contemporary R&B influenced cut that is nothing less than a love song to God. As contemporary R&B scrubs any hint of its connection to gospel music, it becomes far too easy for the mainstream to marginalize legends such as McClain. Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) is a reminder that the best soul music is called “soul” for a reason – it possesses elements of the church house and the roadhouse. ~Howard Dukes

Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) mc
Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) zippy

---

Various - Blues Quest

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:55
Size: 123.5 MB
Styles: Modern electric blues, Soul blues
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[3:46] 1. Terry Evans - Get Up, Get Ready
[5:12] 2. Doug Macleod - One Good Woman
[2:15] 3. Joe Beard - Dirty Groundhog
[4:35] 4. Mighty Sam Mcclain - Too Proud
[4:48] 5. Ronnie Earl - Country Girl
[6:21] 6. Bruce Katz Band - The Prowler
[5:12] 7. Sherman Robertson - Going Back Home
[4:35] 8. Doug Macleod - Old Country Road
[3:21] 9. Robert Lucas - 50 Lbs Of Bone
[3:36] 10. Joe Beard - See See Rider
[5:41] 11. Ronnie Earl - Ronnie's Blues
[4:28] 12. Mighty Sam Mcclain - Somebody Help Me

This album is probably the best SACD recording released to-date. The air around musicians and instruments is simply jaw-dropping; it'll startle you from track 1's Get Up, Get Ready by Terry Evans. By the time you reach track 4 - Too Proud by Mighty Sam McClain, you'll probably be too drowned by the technical perfection of this disc and you'll be having goosebumps already. If you still manage to get to track 9 - 50 Pounds of Bone by Robert Lucas, you may be at the pinnacle of musical orgasm to the point of almost getting emotionally disturbed. I swear there was a moment when I can almost see Mr. Lucas inside the room! Down to the decay of the last note on the last track, when everything suddenly becomes dead silent, it'll take you about 2 minutes to realize that you are only in your room. ~Nick Salsamento

Blues Quest mc
Blues Quest zippy

---

Various - Orleans Records Story

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 72:31
Size: 166.0 MB
Styles: New Orleans blues/jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[4:41] 1. Mighty Sam Mcclain - Pray
[4:23] 2. Dorothy Goodman - Born With The Blues
[6:12] 3. Guitar Slim, Jr. - It's A Privilege, Baby, To Be Loved By You
[2:18] 4. Danny Barker - Ham And Eggs
[4:12] 5. C.P. Love - True Blue
[3:19] 6. Willy De Ville - Jump Steady Come My Way
[3:59] 7. Roland Stone - Remember Me
[6:14] 8. Coco Robicheaux - Cottonmouth
[2:59] 9. Johnny J & The Hitmen - J-Walkin'
[3:31] 10. Blue Lu Barker - Bring The Greenbacks When You Call
[3:21] 11. Robert Lowery - A Good Man Is Hard To Find
[5:35] 12. Pinstripe Brass Band - I Ate Up The Apple Tree
[7:19] 13. Marva Wright - I'm Not Coming Back
[4:49] 14. Little Freddie King - Mean Little Woman
[3:18] 15. Ironing Board Sam - Chillin' Like An Ice Cube
[2:19] 16. Tony Green - Waltz For Pud
[3:53] 17. Rockie Charles - Don't Let Me Go

The Orleans Records Story presents some of the best tracks recorded for the label, concentrating mostly on modern electric and acoustic blues, but also featuring some more traditional sounds as well (in jazz as well as blues). Featured artists include Mighty Sam McClain, Danny Barker, Blue Lu Barker, Marva Wright, Coco Robicheaux, Guitar Slim Jr., Willy DeVille, Little Freddie King, Ironing Board Sam, Dorothy Goodman, and more. ~Steve Huey

Orleans Records Story mc
Orleans Records Story zippy

---

Mighty Sam McClain - Sweet Dreams

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 54:24
Size: 124.5 MB
Styles: Soul-blues, R&B
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[5:09] 1. Here I Come Again
[3:14] 2. Sweet Dreams
[4:50] 3. Standing In The Wings
[5:21] 4. Learn How To Love You Again
[3:50] 5. Fool For The Blues
[3:36] 6. Living In My Dreams
[4:18] 7. Nothing But A Feeling
[3:27] 8. Respect Yourself
[4:20] 9. This One Is For My Baby
[3:24] 10. I Love Hard
[4:50] 11. Where Would I Be
[3:08] 12. Must Be The Music
[4:51] 13. Here I Come Again (Reprise)

Sweet Dreams is the second release for Telarc by modern soul singer Mighty Sam McClain. On these 13 tracks, McClain delivers a powerful mix of originals and covers similar to one of his greatest influences, Bobby "Blue" Bland. Recording at the legendary Bearsville Studio in Woodstock, NY, McClain utlized his regular band of Kevin Belz (guitar), Bruce Katz (piano), Barry Seelen (Hammond B-3), Tim Ingles (bass), and Jim Arnold (drums) along with the addition of the Mighty Horns on several cuts, giving the album an extra funky edge. ~Al Campbell

Sweet Dreams mc
Sweet Dreams zippy

---

Mighty Sam McClain - The Amy Records Sessions 1966-1969

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 45:53
Size: 105.1 MB
Styles: Soul-blues
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[2:45] 1. Fannie Mae
[2:08] 2. Baby Come On Home
[2:40] 3. Georgia Pines
[2:33] 4. In The Same Old Way
[2:25] 5. I Need Alot Of Lovin'
[3:01] 6. I'm A Man
[2:21] 7. Nothing But The Truth
[1:42] 8. Silent Tears
[2:39] 9. Sweet Dreams (Of You)
[2:02] 10. Good Humor Man
[2:49] 11. Just Like Old Times
[2:29] 12. Talk To Me, Talk To Me
[2:33] 13. Badmouthin'
[2:16] 14. A Stranger To Me
[2:31] 15. I Who Have Nothing
[2:35] 16. Papa True Love
[3:38] 17. I Just Came To Get My Baby (Out Of Jail)
[2:40] 18. When She Touches Me (Nothing Else Matters)

”America’s best purveyor of red-clay soul blues…”
Sam McClain was born on the northern edge of the Bible Belt in Monroe, Louisiana in 1943. As a five year old, he began singing in his mother’s Gospel Church. It was then that he realized singing was his mission. He left home when he was thirteen to escape an abusive stepfather and followed local R&B guitarist, “Little Melvin” Underwood through the Chitlin Circuit, first as his valet and then as lead vocalist himself at 15.

While singing at the 506 Club in Pensacola, Florida he was introduced to Producer/ DJ, “Papa Don” Schroeder and in 1966, Sam recorded Patsy Cline’s “Sweet Dreams” - his first real success. Several recording sessions at Muscle Shoals produced singles, “Fannie-May” and “In the Same Old Way”. For fifteen years, first in Nashville, then in New Orleans Sam worked menial jobs and was forced to sell his plasma while he was homeless. From cotton fields to the Apollo Theater to the park bench, all while living the songs that would jump-start his career in the mid-1980. New Orleans own, Neville Brothers extended themselves at this lowest of times. Sam was offered a chance to tour and record in Japan in 1989. “Live in Japan”, featuring legendary Wayne Bennett is a fine recording, much sought after by fans worldwide.

Mighty Sam McClain is in control - of his life and career as he continues to perform nationally and internationally. It’s full steam ahead for this great vocalist! “The Soul of America” is what he is called in Europe - he is, just as his lyrics describe, “I’m a singer, a man with a song.and I’ve got a message for you.”

The Amy Records Sessions 1966-1969 mc
The Amy Records Sessions 1966-1969 zippy

---