​Diane Blue is probably best known as the lead singer of Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters. Yet she has been successfully working on a solo career for years. Her voice is an instrument in itself. Now there's LIVE! At The Fallout Shelter," and that includes seven originals and two covers. The album was recorded at The Fallout Shelter in Norwood, Ma. on February 26, 2021 and is a collaboration and is co-produced by Diane Blue and drummer Lorne Entress. We also find organist Dave Limina and guitarist Chris Vitarello in the rhythm section. Ronnie Earl is a special guest on the song 'Leave Me Alone'. Diane Blue has released another stunner of an album! 

​After the successful 'Unfiltered' from 2018, he is now promoting the long player 'Pier 43'. Paul opens with the slide guitar and voodoo-inspired 'Old Time Superstition' to continue his way with the shuffle 'Angel Face' and the guitar instrumental 'Pier 43'. The start of a very tight and strong album! 

​Lone Star Mojo, a blues rock band from Wichita Falls, Texas, are five musicians with decades of experience. All contributed their unique style to this album of new old songs. From hard soul rock and blues to quirky off-beat humorous songs. The band Lone Star Mojo creates a niche in today's musical landscape. The band is not perfect and has a rough edge. This is what makes these songs so special. They are real and sincere, taking you on a roller coaster of musical truths. When Covid hit, Joe Splawn, the Hammond B3 player with 57 years of stage experience, worked diligently on a lot of songs. He called the other four band members if they wanted to record an album. Joe Splawn (Hammond B3, lead vocals), Mark Snyder (guitar, vocals), Scott Biggs (guitar, vocals), bassist Tim Maloney and drummer Barry Sloan hit the studio. The result is 'Rough Around The Edges', a blues rock album in the time-honored Texas blues tradition. Great! 

​Anyone who regularly reads the reviews on this site will undoubtedly have noticed that we do not hide our enthusiasm for contemporary German bands that are active in the roots genres. That also applies to The Bluesanovas from Münster. The palmares of this five already explains a few things. In 2019 they won the 'German Blues Challenge', in both 2020 and 2021 they won the 'German Blues Award' and at the 'International Blues Challenge' in 2020 in Memphis, the men were among the semi-finalists. In addition, The Bluesanovas were allowed to play the support act for Eric Clapton's German tour in 2022. The guys already have two albums and an EP out. They went back into the studio for 'The Moonshine Record' and it also became their first album for CrossCut Records. The album will be released on LP and cd. On the LP you get, along with the lyrics of the songs, a card signed by the band and as a bonus, the CD. We only received the CD, which contains one bonus track.
What immediately stands out is that the musicians are damn well attuned to each other. The rhythm section is very tight and the lead guitar fills the gaps with knowledge and talent. And also the vocal parts score. But sometimes, very occasionally, actually only once the voice doesn't have enough range. That's in the rockabilly song 'Skinny Honey'. Is this an insurmountable problem? No, not at all, because when the band goes blues, the vocals are for more than 100% okay.
With 'The Moonshine Record' The Bluesanovas deliver a beautiful album, on which especially the slow blues songs have international class. Congratulations gentlemen Bluesanovas!

The story of and around Sem Jansen is well known in the music landscape. His debut album 'Uncle Sem' is therefore a special story. Until about five years ago, singer-songwriter/guitarist and teacher Sem Jansen went through life as singer Britt Jansen with the Leif de Leeuw Band. Until Britt started the transition. Before he started this route, Sem recorded the first six songs. Four years later, this album was supplemented with beautiful Americana songs and with his current much lower vocal range. The songs tell the story of a transgender person. A born woman goes into transition to continue life as a man. This path has social, medical, legal and psychological aspects. A story that is told in catchy blues songs.

In the previously published volumes in the 'Rhythm & Western' series, we were already introduced to black artists who found their inspiration in the country & western, which until then belonged more to white artists. That trend also continues in volume 6 'I'm Moving On'. Country & Western, rhythm & blues, blues and gospel in 28 tracks by well-known and lesser-known black artists. The names known to the general public are certainly Little Richard, Lazy Lester, Clyde McPhatter, Lloyd Price, Ivory Joe Hunter, The Platters, Sam Cooke and Blind Willie McTell. But just as well let yourself be surprised by the artists that may not be so well known to you. You won't regret it!
With this compilation, compiler Little Victor aka 'The Mojo Man' has once again delivered a direct hit. Next month, the series will continue with 'Jambalaya', the number seven.

​The release 'Capricorn' is the successor to the successful 'Little Black Flies', which was voted to Blues Rock Review's Top 20 Albums of 2021.The expectations were high, but Eddie 9V is now exceedingly fulfilling them. Eddie entered the studio with a whole list of guest musicians and puts his soul throat on songs like 'Beg Borrow Steal' and the funky 'Yella Alligator'. A lot of Memphis soul, some blues and a rare ballad and gospel in between... And that's how Eddie 9V knows how to keep his listeners focused. Highly recommended!

The release ‘Blue Credentials’, the new Malaya Blue album, is the follow up to the critically acclaimed Still, and as the title suggests finds the outstanding UK vocalist delving ever deeper into her blues heart. It’s certainly her most guitar driven album to date.

​The 13-song collection, Buchanan Lane, named where father and son reside, features original compositions Yates co-wrote with Gary Nicholson, two of his new instrumentals, and a selection of deep cuts from the heroes of blues and soul he has followed since the age of three, self-taught on guitar, bass, drums, and piano.

​With volume 1 of the miniseries 'Sin On Saturday, Pray On Sunday', compiler Mark Armstrong has again found a nice angle. Always on Saturday evening, the 'devils music' reigns supreme and provides loads of entertainment, but on Sunday the pub or at the time the juke joint is exchanged for the church. What can you expect on this album? First of all sublime rhythm & blues and blues for the entertainment on Saturday evening. On Sunday we take a more religious approach with infectious, rousing gospel.
Rhythm & blues, blues and gospel are alternately presented on the album.
Well-known names sure are Little Milton, Sonny Terry, Hound Dog Taylor, Slim Harpo, B.B. King, Memphis Minnie, Junior Wells, The Sensational Nightingales, The Golden Trumpets, Bells of Joy and Golden Gate Quartet.
With 'Sin On Saturday, Pray On Sunday' the KokoMojo label releases yet another high flyer. Volume two, entitled 'Screaming & Crying', will be released in February. Definitely one to look forward to!

​Pacific Northwest group Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers certainly had a good time with their new offering, Hot Mess. The eleven new tracks of the group’s seventh album are a high-spirited collection of snappy swing, sizzling funk and rocking blues. 

Afro-American George ‘Harmonica’ Smith (1924 – 1983) quickly earned a living in the music business thanks to his prowess on the harmonica, developing the approach of his prime master Little Walter aka Walter Jacobs. He was a well-respected side-man on stage for the likes of Champion Jack Dupree and Big Mama Thornton, but recorded little and made no real attempt to profile himself as a solo act. After touring with Muddy Waters in the mid-sixties though, he entered the studio for two solo albums, both re-mastered and rereleased by BGO, with ‘…Of the Blues’ in fact seeing its first release on cd!
‘… Of the Blues’ from 1969 shows the man’s versatility as a harp specialist, at the same time proving he’s an accomplished singer. The opening track ‘Letter to the President’ is just that: Smith reading his letter, i.e. a plea for equal rights, while accompanying himself. ‘Blues for Reverend King’ refers to the same topic, but is a slow, purely instrumental tune with splendid guitar stresses by one Marshall Hooks. Even if Little Walter is always present somehow, the variety never ceases: an up-tempo, instrumental take on ‘Ode to Billy Joe’; the theme of the tv-show ‘Hawaiian Eye’; the self-written jump of ‘Juicy Harmonica’; the classic ‘Got My Mojo Working’ and the funny, talking-and-shouting style ‘Milk That Cow’ – equally self-composed.
A young Rod Piazza plays his harmonica on two tunes. Later, Smith would join Bacon Fat and record for Mike Vernon’s Blue Horizon label – as would guitarist Marshall Hooks!
Radio 68  plays choice tracks on Sundays 8 and 15, and Tuesdays 10 and 17 January 2023, from 11 a.m. onwards. 

​Tas Cru is known as a blues eclectic who refuses to let his music be bound to just one blues style, making him truly one of the most unique of bluesmen plying his trade today! You get it all from Tas, swing, shuffle, blues ballad, country blues and then he’ll rock your knobs off. 

​One of the treasured benefits of traveling the world playing music is that you accumulate a wide circle of friends, like minded souls and collaborators on your journey. Croatian blues singer, songwriter and harmonica player, band leader, blues educator, radio DJ, festival organizer and recording artist, the inexhaustible Tomislav (Tomi) Goluban celebrates his two decades as a performer by bringing some of those friends together for his 14th studio album, 20 Years On The Road.

​The release 'Changing Time' exudes the soul of the blues. An existent and refreshing mode of modern blues music. This is flawless blues and soul! Blues and soul once again with Silent Partners and their album ‘Changing Times’, yet another example of sidemen reaching the bright lights. But these aren’t just any sidemen. It is the mission of the Little Village Records label to bring lesser-known, authentic artists to the recording studio. Hereby…! Highly recommended..!

​For the follow up to his sixth Billboard #1 album, The Blues Is Alive And Well, Buddy reunited with his Grammy Award winning producer/songwriter and longtime collaborator Tom Hambridge, to bring us even more emotionally charged music with even more bone-chilling hard earned lyrics and lessons.

​Her fan base has been asking for a live release for a while, which in turn is the ideal Christmas gift. Vanessa is a fresh fieselemie on stage, and she now embodies that in ten live tracks. She received backing from guitarist Laura Chavez, drummer Byron Cage, bassist Andrew Crane and William Gorman on piano, Hammond B3 and Rhodes. For those who have never seen Vanessa live on stage, this is the perfect opportunity. Anyone who has already experienced this, can give themselves a nice gift full of beautiful memories...!

​Mick Kolassa is one more than busy bee. The long player 'For The Feral Heart' is already the successor to 'They Call Me Uncle Mick!, which was released in the summer of 2022. It is his third album that will be released this year and every album has been given a theme. Now these are apparent love songs, but fortunately there is more than just love songs musically. The sound goes from blues, jazz, calypso, reggae and Americana standards. 

​With 'Burlesque A Rama' the label Atomicat starts a new series. The word 'Burlesque' comes from the Spanish 'burla' which means joke, fun and ridicule. For the roots of burlesque, we have to go back to the music halls and vaudeville theaters of 19th century America. The stage act performed there may have seemed ridiculous, but it was carefully staged by the dancers to seduce. During their act, they targeted a man in the audience. This man was set up and laughed at as the dancers frolicked around him and humorously teased him.
Naturally, the 28 tracks also have connections to love and seduction. By the way, the temperature immediately rises a few degrees with 'Fever', here in the version of singer and saxophonist Sam Butera. What follows are songs that can be classified as rhythm & blues, blues, rock 'n' roll and catchy instrumentals from 1948 till 1962, but above all they express the seductive musical characteristic of burlesque.
The recently launched 'Burlesque A Rama' once again puts a lot of great well-known and lesser-known artists in the spotlight. Volume 1 already makes us long for more!

​The full-length release ‘Ace of Blues’ pays a tribute to the artists who inspired Angela throughout her career and features renditions of songs made famous by Elmore James, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Otis Clay. The album ends with 'SRV', a beautiful and personal tribute to the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. This one and only original song celebrates their friendship, creative connection and musical bond that Angela had with one of the most sincere artists. Strehli's lifelong dedication to the blues is fully realized here
Buddy Guy calls ‘Ace of Blues’: “Tough, soulful, and sexy. My kind of blues” while Bonnie Raitt says, “Always a fan, I’m so glad Angela’s back with a new album, putting her soulful take on this collection that pays tribute to her old blues friends.” Charlie Musselwhite says, “Angela has just kept getting better. She truly loves and ‘gets’ real deal blues and what it means. It’s great to see her share her blues with us all” while Maria Muldaur offers, “Her lifelong devotion to the blues is fully realized here! This is an absolute, must-have album for any blues lover.” What should we add to that..? 

​Thirty years and eight albums later, Rick Berthod now pays a tribute to Peter Green. Rick Berthod is a gifted guitarist who perfectly personifies the sound of Peter Green. Berthod also knows how to display that subtlety in his guitar playing. He plays with pure emotion and hyperbolizes the essential blues feeling. If you are not really familiar with the sound of Peter Green as a youngster, you will get a chance here with the release 'Tribute To Peter Green' by Rock Berthod.

​This is Mud’s first album for Delmark Records. All but the first track is produced by Bob Corritore. Corritore plays harmonica on half the tracks splitting the harp time with another harp ace Harmonica Hinds. Guitarists include Rick Kreher on all tracks and Billy Flynn on all but the first track. The bass chores are mostly performed by E.G. McDaniel except for the first track which features Mud on bass. Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith is featured on drums on all but the first track. Also guesting is guitarist Mike Wheeler who plays on the first track. Barrelhouse Chuck plays piano and organ on all but the first track which includes Luca Chiellin. This is Mud Morganfield’s newest album. Included are seven originals and seven covers. The covers include Muddy Waters “You Can’t Lose What You Ain’t Never Had” and John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson’s “Good Morning Little School Girl.

​Internationally acclaimed artists, American soul-blues singer Annika Chambers and Canadian Blues-rocker Paul DesLauriers have unified their personal and artistic destiny. After a brief introduction in Memphis at the 2018 International Blues Challenge, they met again at a 2019 recording session and got married in August of that year. Now they have come together to create a powerful, soulfully rocking album that’s an inspiration and a balm for life in today’s world. GOOD TROUBLE started as Pandemic therapy, as newlyweds Annika and Paul got together with guitarist JP Soars and drummer Chris Peet in Peet’s Florida home studio. The collaboration grew and blossomed.

​Every great artist has a moment when they realize who they are, Jeremiah Johnson has truly come into his own with his new release ‘Hi-Fi Drive By’. Get ready for a high-fidelity sonic explosion that combines Johnson's master guitar work, songwriting skills and uniquely powerful vocals into ten tracks of pure brilliance. From the first track, featuring Victor Wainwright, to the third track featuring Brandon Santini, and all the way to the last note of the epic final track; HI-FI DRIVE BY delivers more hooks than fishermen's tackle box. Every song is carefully crafted with multiple layers of tasty musicianship; with new audio delights to discover every time you give this first-class release a spin.

​Will Jacobs is a newcomer to the Ruf Records label. He is an unparalleled guitarist from Chicago. He is barely 29 years old and is widely praised for his powerful live performance. In his early teens, he played clubs in and around Chicago and supported many legendary blues artists. In mid-2016, Will jumped across the Atlantic to Europe and emigrated to Berlin. He has performed at festivals in Poland, Spain and France, toured with Hohner artist Marcos Coll, played with Gary Wiggins in Berlin and toured with Ruf's Blues Caravan. So now there is the release 'Goldfish Blues'! And Jacobs contrasts almost immediately, and that keeps the blues lovers on their toes. Some funky stuff, Chicago and Texas blues, and a rare ballad. Hell yeah!