​Three decades after exploding onto the rock scene with his groundbreaking debut album Ledbetter Heights, Kenny Wayne Shepherd is celebrating the milestone with the release of Ledbetter Heights: The 30th Anniversary Sessions, a newly reimagined version of the album that launched his career and helped redefine modern blues rock.

At a time when grunge dominated mainstream music, the then-teenage guitarist from Louisiana broke through with a bold blues-rock sound that earned multiple Top 10 rock singles and established him as one of the genre’s most influential voices.

“This is the album that put me on the map,” Shepherd says. “My goal has always been to make music that is unfiltered and straight from the heart, and Ledbetter Heights is an album I’m very proud of.”

Now, 30 years later, Shepherd revisits the landmark release with fresh perspective, renewed energy, and the experience of a seasoned musician and producer. Ledbetter Heights: The 30th Anniversary Sessions features updated recordings of the original songs along with vocals from Shepherd’s longtime collaborator Noah Hunt, bringing new depth and power to the classic material.

“Revisiting this album put me back in touch with the wonder and excitement of those days,” Shepherd reflects. “I didn’t know what lay ahead at the time, but I’m very grateful for what came from it.”
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Blending nostalgia with artistic growth, the anniversary collection honors the spirit of the original while showcasing how Shepherd’s musicianship has evolved over the past three decades. The release is expected to resonate with longtime fans while introducing a new generation to the album that helped shape contemporary blues rock.
​

Tracklist:
01. Born with a Broken Heart
02. Deja Voodoo
03. Aberdeen
04. Shame, Shame, Shame
05. One Foot on the Path
06. Everybody Gets the Blues
07. While We Cry (Live)
08. I’m Leaving You (Commit a Crime)
09. (Let Me Up) I’ve Had Enough
10. Riverside
11. What’s Goin’ Down
12. Ledbetter Heights

Website: 
kennywayneshepherd.net

Joanne Shaw Taylor has announced her new studio album, The Trouble With Love, which is set for release on October 23 via Journeyman Records. The album was produced by Kevin Shirley and will be available on CD, 180-gram dusty rose vinyl LP, and digital formats.

The album explores themes of love, heartbreak, resilience, and self-acceptance through a blend of blues, rock, soul, and pop influences. To coincide with the announcement, Joanne released the new single “This Is Who I Am,” a reinterpretation of a song originally recorded by Celeste for the television series The Day of the Jackal.
​
“Kevin brought this cover of Celeste’s beautiful song to the table,” Joanne shares. “It’s such a beautifully written track, for me about acceptance and self love. I hope we’ve done it justice.”

“This Is Who I Am” follows previously released singles from the album, including the title track “The Trouble With Love” featuring Joe Bonamassa, “What Good Is My Love?” featuring Orianthi, and “Hell Or High Water.”

The upcoming release follows Joanne’s 2025 album Black & Gold, which received strong reviews from several music publications. Joanne has also continued touring extensively behind the album and its deluxe edition.

Alongside the album announcement, Joanne revealed a slate of upcoming European festival appearances and U.S. tour dates running through September.
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TRACK LISTING
The Trouble With Love feat. Joe Bonamassa
Hell Or High Water
This Is Who I Am
Tired Of Being Right
Bad Boy
What Good Is My Love? feat. Orianthi
The Girl That You Loved Before
Never Gonna Please ‘Em All
You And Me (Rachel’s Song)
Death Wish

Spring Europe Tour Dates
May 23 – Peer, BE – Blues Peer Festival
May 24 – Schöppingen, DE – International Blues Festival Schöppingen
May 25 – Raalte, NL – Ribs & Blues Festival
May 27 – Hannover, DE – Pavillon Hannover
May 28 – Nuremberg, DE – Lowensaal
May 29 – Eindhoven, NL – BRIDGE Guitar Festival Eindhoven


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Sinds hun debuut The Alabama Kid profileert het zestal zich als een eigenzinnige kracht binnen de rootsrock, met een unieke draai die ze zelf omschrijven als Psychedelic Turntable Rock. Waar het genre vaak als stoffig wordt weggezet, bewijst Red Red het tegendeel: met een frisse benadering, eigentijdse sound en een sterke focus op songwriting houden ze de traditie levend én relevant.

Met de nieuwe single In Reverse slaan ze een volgende hoofdstuk open. Het nummer fungeert als eerste teaser van nieuw werk. De nieuwe single is het resultaat van een intens creatief proces, waarbij de band momenteel werkt aan een reeks nieuwe nummers. Opnames vinden plaats in Studio Swamp, samen met producer Damien Vanderhasselt.

​In Reverse is een dynamisch nummer dat vooruit stuwt en tegelijk reflecteert. Een strakke ritmesectie, gelaagde instrumentatie en de kenmerkende scratches van DJ Courtasock zorgen voor spanning en karakter. De track bouwt op naar een sterke climax, met opvallende snaren van Steve Ceulemans en krachtige samenzang van Tom Beardslee en Arianne Van Hasselt.
​

​Little Village proudly announces the full‑length debut from Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport, the 19‑year‑old Mississippi phenom whose rapid rise has electrified the blues world and reaffirmed that the tradition is not only alive — it’s evolving in real time.

Raised in Vicksburg, Mississippi and steeped in the cultural memory of the Delta, Young Rell represents the rarest combination: a deeply rooted traditionalist with the instincts and imagination of a modern songwriter. A standout guitarist of striking maturity, a fat‑toned harmonica player with a signature attack, and a vocalist who sings with unforced authority, Davenport has already emerged as one of the most compelling young voices in contemporary blues.

His story is the kind that reminds the community why Little Village exists. Like D.K. Harrell, Sean McDonald, Kyle Rowland, Candice Ivory (and more!) before him, Young Rell arrives at the label at the exact moment when raw talent, lived experience, and artistic purpose converge. Little Village has made a mission of catching young artists on their ascent — and Davenport is unmistakably on his way up, up, and up!!

One of Davenport’s greatest strengths is the breadth of his musical vocabulary.  His repertoire moves effortlessly from deep Mississippi Delta blues to acoustic country blues, from Chicago electric grit to southern soul. He understands the connective tissue between these styles because he has studied them — not casually, but obsessively. His knowledge of blues history is astonishing: legendary recordings, obscure B‑sides, forgotten innovators, regional variations, and the overlooked artists who shaped the music from the shadows.  Young Rell’s songwriting is extremely impressive and his taste in covers is impeccable; he wrote all the songs on this album except two, and they aren’t the usual standards — they’re deep cuts, songs most musicians never touch, like his unique, fascinating and timely take on Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” and Fenton Robinson’s should be classic “I Hear Some Blues Downstairs!”  And he doesn’t just play them; he inhabits them, reshaping each tune with a sense of ownership and emotional clarity far beyond his years.

Discovered by many through a viral clip of his first‑ever Chicago performance — 165,000 views and 4,000 shares within days — Young Rell has since built a global following through his musicianship, his humility, and his gift for community‑building. His social media presence is not a marketing strategy; it’s an extension of the same generosity he brings to the bandstand. Fans and musicians alike engage with him on technique, tone, gear, and the deep history of the music he carries forward.

As a child, Davenport found refuge in the blues, writing his way through hardship and trauma. By the time he finished high school, he had written more than 150 original songs — personal without being confessional, poetic without affectation, shaped by experience and the emotional intelligence of someone who listens as intently as he plays.

This debut album — recorded at Kid Andersen’s Greaseland Studios and produced by Chicago blues harmonica ace Matthew Skoller with co‑production and engineering by Kid Andersen — showcases a young artist already in full command of his voice. Surrounded by a powerhouse Bay Area rhythm section and supported by Larry Batiste’s horn arrangements and background vocals, Davenport delivers a set that honors the lineage while sounding unmistakably like himself.
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With his debut release, Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport steps confidently into the national spotlight — not as a novelty, not as a prodigy, but as a fully realized artist whose voice, vision, and virtuosity signal a new chapter in the story of the blues.

Tracklist:
1. Tomorrow 3:51
2. Fatherless Child 4:38
3. Spinning 3:17
4. Giving Me The Blues 3:49
5. Richland Swing 3:55
6. Hurt People, Hurt People 4:57
7. I Be Tryin’ 4:39
8. Masters Of War 3:27
9. I’ll Keep It Hot For You 3:23
10. I Hear Some Blues Downstairs 3:55
11. Nite Creepin’ 3:45
12. The World Don’t Deserve Your Smile 3:28
 
Harrell Davenport Vocals, Harmonica; Guitar (1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12)
Jim Pugh Organ And Piano
“Kid” Andersen Guitar (2, 6, 7, 11); Rhythm Guitar (3, 10)
Daquantae “Q” Johnson Bass (1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12)
Endre Tarczy Bass (2, 3, 5, 10)
June Core Drums
Aaron Lington Tenor And Baritone Sax (3, 5)
Niel Levonius Trumpet (3, 5)
Larry Batiste Background Vocals (3); Horn Arrangements (3, 5)
 
Produced By Matthew Skoller
Co-Produced, Engineered, Mixed And Mastered By “Kid” Andersen
• Recorded At Greaseland Studios, San Jose, Ca
 
All Tracks By Harrell Kavon Davenport, Agusta Davenport Music (Bmi)
Except 8: Bob Dylan, Universal Music Publishing Group (Sesac) And 10: Fenton Robinson, Eyeball Music (Bmi)

Website:
www.facebook.com/YOUNGRELLBLUES


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The Rolling Stones have announced their brand-new studio album Foreign Tongues, set for release on July 10 via Capitol Records. The 14-track record arrives less than three years after Hackney Diamonds, the band’s chart-topping, Grammy-winning comeback that achieved multi-platinum status worldwide.

Leading the rollout is the upbeat new single “In the Stars,” which dropped digitally on May 5 alongside opening track “Rough and Twisted.” A physical release of “In the Stars” follows on May 15. The band will officially unveil the album later today at a media launch event in Brooklyn, New York.

In the weeks leading up to the announcement, the Stones quietly stirred intrigue with a limited white-label vinyl release of “Rough and Twisted” under the alias The Cockroaches. Circulating among collectors, the mysterious drop fueled speculation about the album’s direction—now revealed to lean into a raw, exploratory energy.

Foreign Tongues was recorded during a particularly prolific stretch, coming together in under a month at Metropolis Studios in West London. The band reunited with Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt, continuing the creative momentum established on Hackney Diamonds. The result is a vibrant, forward-looking record that blends their signature sound with fresh sonic and lyrical ideas.

Alongside core members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood, the album features key collaborators Darryl Jones, Matt Clifford, and Steve Jordan. It also includes a poignant appearance from Charlie Watts, captured during one of his final recording sessions before his passing in 2021. A stacked lineup of guest artists contributes to the project, including Steve Winwood, Paul McCartney, Robert Smith, and Chad Smith.

​
​Speaking about the sessions, Jagger described the process as intense and immediate: “We had 14 great tracks and went as fast as we could. I love that studio—it’s not too big, so you really feel everyone’s energy in the room.”

Richards highlighted the continuity with their previous work while emphasizing the joy of creation: “It’s got a thread from Hackney Diamonds. A month of concentrated punch, really. I’m just grateful to still be doing this.”

Wood echoed the sentiment, noting the band’s chemistry: “The atmosphere was incredibly creative. A lot of the time we nailed tracks on the first take. I hope people feel that when they hear it.”

The album artwork comes from acclaimed American artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn, who called the collaboration “an artistic honour” and described it as “a dialogue with one of the most enduring forces in cultural history.”
​
Foreign Tongues will be available across a wide range of formats, including standard and deluxe CDs, cassette, multiple vinyl editions (including limited color pressings), retailer exclusives, and box sets. The single “In the Stars” will also be released on both CD and vinyl.

​

​Foreign Tongues track listing:
​
1. Rough And Twisted
2. In The Stars
3. Jealous Lover
4. Mr. Charm
5. Divine Intervention
6. Ringing Hollow
7. Never Wanna Lose You
8. Hit Me In The Head
9. You Know I'm No Good
10. Some Of Us
11. Covered In You
12. Side Effects
13. Back In Your Life
14. Beautiful Delilah

​The new single captures Ghalia Volt’s fearless fusion of blues, rock, and roots influences, combining gritty grooves with a deeply personal lyrical core. Driven by a swampy rhythm and pulsing energy, “Burn the House Down” offers a powerful glimpse into an artist continually pushing beyond genre boundaries.

“In this song, I hold onto every photograph, every memory,” says Ghalia. “The lyrics sweat nostalgia while the music pulses like a heartbeat swampy and greasy tracing my flamenco roots into my own sound.”

“Burn the House Down” is also the title track of Ghalia Volt’s sixth studio album, recorded in Nashville with producer JD Simo. Spanning 11 tracks, the album showcases the full breadth of her influences from the John Lee Hooker-inspired swagger of “Lucifer’s Grip” to the juke joint groove of “Let Yo’ Hair Down,” the Hill Country blues of “Where Do We Go,” and the late-night rock ’n’ roll feel of “Mine.”

Recorded live in the studio over just two days, the album features a tight-knit band including drummer Chris Powell, bassist Brian Allen, and Simo on guitar. The sessions embraced spontaneity, with minimal takes, natural bleed between amps, and performances captured in the moment.

“Being true is always what resonates with me,” Ghalia explains. “If you make art for yourself if it feels right then it translates. People connect with it because it’s real. It’s you.”
She also praises Simo’s instinctive approach behind the board: “I like to compare JD to a photographer he captures a moment, an energy. We only did a few takes of each song. It’s raw, it’s real, it’s simple. It’s all about spontaneity and feel.”
​
With “Burn the House Down,” Ghalia Volt delivers a track that feels both intimate and electrifying rooted in memory while surging forward with undeniable spirit.
​

Youssou N’Dour en Angélique Kidjo staan op 7 april 2027 samen in Bozar met ‘Chimes of Freedom’, hun eerste tournee als duo. N’Dour en Kidjo behoren al meer dan vier decennia tot de meest invloedrijke stemmen van hun continent. Ze delen ook eenzelfde uitgangspunt: muziek als tool voor verbinding en engagement. 
 
De living legends stonden sporadisch al eens samen op het podium voor een nummer of twee, maar met ‘Chimes of Freedom’ presenteren ze voor het eerst een volwaardig programma. “Zij aan zij brengen we de songs die het meest betekenen voor ons en ons publiek”, vertelt N’Dour.
 
Vanuit zijn geliefde thuisland Senegal bouwde Youssou N’Dour een indrukwekkende internationale carrière uit die geworteld is in het energieke Senegalese muziekgenre mbalax, maar dat zich steeds vermengd met invloeden van over de hele wereld. Van zijn historische album ‘Immigrés’ (1984) tot ‘New Africa’ (een hymne aan een positief Afrika en de helden van het continent): N’Dour maakt songs als dragers van ideeën over vrede, rechtvaardigheid en trots op zijn continent.
 
De Beninse singer-songwriter en vijfvoudige Grammy-winnares Angélique Kidjo staat bekend om haar krachtige stem en avontuurlijke samenwerkingen. Naast West-Afrikaanse invloeden, beweegt Kidjo zich moeiteloos tussen allerlei genres. Ze bracht net haar negentiende studioalbum ‘HOPE!!’ uit, met op vrijwel elke track een bekende gastartiest. Haar engagement reikt verder dan de boodschap die ze brengt op het podium, zo helpt ze via haar stichting Batonga kwetsbare tienermeisjes in Afrika uitgroeien tot zelfstandige vrouwen.
 
Verwacht een unieke en uitzonderlijke avond, gecureerd door twee van de grootste muzikanten van onze tijd. Een avond die in het teken staat van hoop, solidariteit en de onstuitbare culturele kracht van Afrika. ​

​Acclaimed blues artist, harmonica virtuoso, and master songwriter Chris O’Leary returns with Blue Collar, his second album for Alligator Records, set for release on July 10, 2026. The album will be available on translucent blue vinyl, CD, and all major digital platforms.

A Marine combat veteran, former federal police officer, and ex-frontman of Levon Helm’s Barn Burners, O’Leary channels a lifetime of extraordinary experiences into a deeply personal and compelling collection of songs. Blue Collar transforms hard-earned stories into timeless blues narratives, grounded in authenticity and emotional depth.

Whether in the studio or on stage, O’Leary commands attention with soul-drenched vocals and explosive, locomotive harmonica playing. His all-original compositions are musically captivating by turns humorous, reflective, and wise blending Chicago blues, Memphis soul, and New Orleans funk into a rich, high-energy sound.

“I’ve lived the craziest life,” says O’Leary. “Going to war, touring with Levon Helm, learning from blues legend James Cotton, and now recording for Alligator it’s something I’ll never take for granted.”
The album’s first single, “Bad Decisions,” premieres today alongside an official video. “I’ve been writing about my poor judgment for years,” O’Leary notes, “only this time it’s the actual name of the song.”

Self-produced, Blue Collar features 11 original tracks that showcase O’Leary’s powerful harp work and impassioned vocals, backed by a dynamic band brimming with confidence and groove. Each song reflects real-life experiences “all personal, all real-life,” as O’Leary puts it.

Highlights include the late-night cautionary tale “After 2 A.M.,” the wry and relatable “What Would I Do Without You?,” and the swampy, high-octane “Live Baby Gators,” featuring accordionist Wayne Toups. Longtime collaborator Bob Margolin contributes Muddy Waters-inspired guitar to the soulful “Nothing But A Memory,” while Alligator labelmate Lil’ Ed Williams brings fiery slide guitar to the autobiographical “One More Cup Of Coffee.”

From his home base in Virginia to stages worldwide, O’Leary has established himself as one of modern blues’ leading harmonica players, songwriters, and live performers. A veteran of the road, he has toured extensively across North America and Europe, earning a reputation for electrifying performances and relentless energy.

With a career spanning decades and a catalog that includes five independent releases prior to his Alligator debut, The Hard Line, O’Leary continues to push the boundaries of contemporary blues while staying rooted in its traditions.

As noted by Blues Music Magazine, O’Leary delivers “excellent, high-energy performances…powerful, first-rate virtuosity.” With Blue Collar, he raises the bar once again.
​

Tracklist:
​1. Bad Decisions 4:21
2 .Lady Luck 3:32
3. Am I The Only Fool? 3:44
4. One More Cup Of Coffee 3:35
5. Nothing But A Memory 5:08
6. Justice Must Be Blind 3:43
7. After 2 A.M. 4:43
8. One Way Street 5:04
9. Live Baby Gators 4:45
10. How'd I Ever Get Along? 5:01
​11. Daddy Was A Wolfman 3:51

Website:
thechrisolearyband.net


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This new EP captures the raw intensity of a live Armstrong performance, featuring six original tracks alongside a blistering cover of Willie Dixon, recorded during sold-out European tour dates in late 2025.

Armstrong’s unmistakable fusion of blues, soul, rock, and funk comes to life through powerhouse vocals and a commanding stage presence. Backed by a world-class band Kev Hickman (drums), Josh Rigal (bass), and Olly Knight-Smith (guitar) the recordings channel the electric connection between artist and audience, with the energy of enthusiastic crowds woven into every track.

The release delivers the dynamic storytelling and distinctive songwriting that have defined Armstrong’s rise, including back-to-back UK Blues Awards for Contemporary Artist of the Year (2024, 2025), a European Blues Challenge victory, and a 2026 Jazz FM Blues Act of the Year nomination.
​

Tracks:
01. Scratching Walls
02. Built For Comfort
03. Blood In The Water
04. Autoassassin
05. Good Love
06. Punchline
07. B-Side
​

​Website: 
​alicearmstrongmusic.co.uk

Blues trio GA-20 and legendary harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite have announced the release of their collaborative album BLUES NOW, arriving July 31, 2026 via New West Records. The 10-track collection was produced by GA-20’s Matthew Stubbs and recorded at Rare Signals in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

BLUES NOW brings together one of today’s most prominent young blues acts with a master of the genre whose career spans more than six decades. Since forming in 2018, GA-20 has built a dedicated following, with four studio releases reaching No. 1 or No. 2 on the Billboard Blues chart. Musselwhite’s deep roots in the tradition add historical weight and authenticity to the collaboration.

The album’s lead single, “Crazy Love,” is available now. Written by Willie Dixon and originally recorded by Buddy Guy, the track reflects the project’s commitment to honoring classic blues while bringing a fresh perspective.

“This song has all of the elements we look for—the attitude, a Chicago blues foundation, with a soul/garage approach,” said Stubbs. “Buddy Guy is a favorite, and this tune is not one easily found. It’s a hidden gem.”

Much of the album’s material was selected based on Musselwhite’s personal connections to the artists and songs. “We tried to find songs that Charlie had a connection to or artists he knew personally from Chicago,” Stubbs explained. “But we also chose songs we love and felt we could do justice.”

While rooted in the raw Chicago blues sound of the late 1950s and early ’60s, the band aimed to channel influence rather than imitation. “We didn’t want to simply re-create Stand Back!,” Stubbs added. “We wanted to capture the spirit of that record.”
​
Reflecting on the sessions, Musselwhite said, “We’re so good we have to make mistakes on purpose. Everything went smoothly—making this album was as easy as falling off a log.”
BLUES NOW will be available on digital platforms, CD, and vinyl, including limited color vinyl editions through select retailers and directly from the band.
​

TRACK LISTING
Crazy Love
I Can’t Hold Out
I’ll Change My Style
Big Stars Falling
Universal Rock
The Blues Never Die
Strange Land
Stroll Out West
Short Dress Woman
Cristo Redentor