Looking for a relaxing evening after a rough day? Turn the lights down, sit back in your favorite cushy chair and let the calming, soothing sounds of George Thorogood and his Destroyers, recorded in concert, waft over you for an hour’s worth of introspective, peaceful, tension-releasing music. OK…just kidding…. you’ve no doubt guessed, that’s not what we have here.
As the title The Baddest Show on Earth: Greatest Hits Live implies, this eleven song traipse through some of Thorogood’s roughest, toughest, sweatiest, most heart-palpitating music, recorded live at various venues from 1978 until 2024, is not for those looking to achieve a Zen meditative moment. The pounding beat of the opening cover of Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love,”…
Category: blues
When Samantha Fish plays your town, or someplace nearby, on one of her 250 or so yearly dates, it’s to do one thing; kick out the jams.
She makes that clear covering the MC5 classic starting most of the shows on last year’s ‘Paper Doll Live’ tour promoting her recent release. It was also opened her previous run, sharing billing with roots rocker Jesse Dayton. This document of a typical gig, recorded at Knoxville, TN.’s Bijou Theater, exemplifies why Fish has become one of the finest and most vibrant contemporary blues/rock acts, of either gender, currently grinding out endless one-nighters.
Paper Doll is the first album she has recorded with her road band, the same three musicians on these shows. They are not only tight and…
…Cream’s third album Wheels of Fire was originally released on 14 June 1968 in the US; less than a month later, the three-piece – Ginger Baker (drums, vocals), Jack Bruce (bass, lead vocals) and Eric Clapton (guitar, vocals) – announced that they were going their separate ways…
The 5CD super deluxe edition features a 2026 remaster and a previously unreleased phase-corrected version of the entire album. The latter version was achieved by using software to reverse the Haeco-CSG effect originally applied to the album. This was a ’60s audio processing technique intended to make stereo recordings compatible with mono turntables but had a side-effect of ‘blurring’ the stereo imaging. The first CD offers the remaster of the original…
What began as a rather bizarre concept has fully blossomed, seven chapters in. Arguably, The Claudettes are the only band to successfully meld soul, rock, punk, and cabaret into an intoxicating stew. The juxtaposition of the two words in the title of Garage Glamour sums it up as succinctly as possible. The Claudettes take the raw, unabashed grit of rock n’ roll with a punkish flair, and combine it with a glitzy club vibe and even shady noir songs, seemingly right out of a soundtrack. In fact, Johnny Iguana, the band’s composer/pianist, is the co-composer of the original score of the Emmy-winning FX/Hulu series The Bear. His co-creator of that score, JQ, joined him to produce two tracks on this album, and Grammy-winning…
The difficulty most artists have creating a buzz on debut albums, especially in the blues genre, is partially alleviated on guitarist/singer/songwriter Troy Mercy’s initial foray. That’s due to his extensive history working with some of the most recognizable names in the business.
Fans of the Fabulous Thunderbirds might recognize Mercy as that band’s guitarist for a number of years in the early 2000s (replacing Kid Ramos), although under the last name Gonyea (there were some self-released earlier albums under this moniker too). He has also toured and/or recorded with roots music legends like Booker T. Jones, Jerry Portnoy, and Howlin’ Wolf’s guitarist/right-hand man Hubert Sumlin.
But now, taking the Mercy name brings…
When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was looking to fill the harmonica spot for their tribute to the great Paul Butterfield in 2015, they had their pick of dozens of talented blowers who would have jumped at the chance. They chose Jason Ricci.
He then killed it on “Born in Chicago,” a performance that should have raised his profile to headlining larger venues. That hasn’t been the case due to a variety of health and personal issues, but it doesn’t mean his talents have diminished. It’s clear he’s on a comeback of sorts, releasing two albums with his current Bad Kind band on Mike Zito’s co-owned Gulf Coast label. Those are now followed with a third, 13 Hours.
Ricci – who at one time was so eclectic that he famously covered jazz iconoclast Sun Ra and…
Some have described Gypsy Blue Revue as a gypsy jazz record. Don’t be fooled; although one track nods to Django Reinhardt, there is a potpourri of blues and other genres here as well. JP Soars is among the very best and most versatile blues guitarists. Violinist Anne Harris should be familiar through her decade-long stint with Otis Taylor. Both Soars and Harris are songwriters and vocalists, making this an ideal pairing. Their partnership began in 2019 after they crossed paths on the festival circuit and joined forces at the Big Blues Bender in Las Vegas. Their sound is a mix of Southern soul, roadhouse blues, Latin grooves, country, folk music, and, as displayed here, hints of gypsy jazz.
As Soars explains, “This is a music lover’s record.
Ghalia Volt’s sixth album, Burn the House Down, was recorded in Nashville as Volt expanded her sound from her previous one-woman band style. Returning to the raw blues sound that first brought her attention, Volt sings with fire and plays with confidence on the satisfying record.
Working with producer JD Simo, the album is focused on capturing the emotional essence of Volt’s 11 blues-based songs, not necessarily aiming for perfection. Simo also plays guitar with Volt (both credited with slide and electric) while drummer Chris Powell and bassist Brian Allen hold down the low end. Songs were recorded mostly live in the studio after one or two takes to keep the energy high.
The crackling sound starts with the opener…
The follow-up to their show-stopping UK Top 20 album ‘Promised Land’, The Karma Effect arrive with their third record, Cruel Intentions the most complete, crystal-clear realisation of their ambitions yet: leaner, louder, heavier, and joyously larger-than-life.
Exploring love, lust, and danger with dark passion and flashes of cheekiness, the songs balance swagger and wit. The band’s modus operandi is “modern vintage”, a desire to polish up the retro sounds they were raised on into a gleaming, modern product. Although some line-up changes occurred in the background (which sees Nathan Keevil join them on bass, Alan Taylor on drums, and Tom Pitt on keys), a turn of events that could have left them on shaky…
Past albums from New York-based guitarist and singer-songwriter Chris Bergson have often straddled the line between blues and soul, especially those with vocalist Ellis Hicks. Yet, there have also been jazz tracks on his previous albums. After all, Bergson was a student of jazz great guitarist Jim Hall and has consistently expressed an affinity for Grant Green’s soul-jazz. Now, on East River Blues, Bergson collaborates with two of the most sought-after musicians in jazz. They are bassist Larry Grenadier (who has played with the likes of John Scofield, Brad Mehldau, Charles Lloyd, and the recent debut from Gabrielle Cavassa, released just two weeks ago), and drummer Herlin Riley, the premier New Orleans drummer, who has backed such giants as Dr. John,…
Jethro Tull released their debut album in 1968, titled This Was. Shortly after the release, guitarist Mick Abrahams left the band to embark on his own solo career and play a more blues-based rock. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull was leaning towards incorporating more folk and rock in their sound, leaving behind the blues influenced rock of their debut album. Although there were no ‘Mick Abrahams is God’ statements spray painted around London, he has always been recognized as one of the great guitarists of that era. He formed the band Blodwyn Pig, and they released their debut album in 1969. By 1970, following their second album, Blodwyn Pig had run its course and basically split. It is worth noting that both albums made the U.K. top 10 album charts and were…
For two decades, Tamikrest’s music has illuminated the sound, culture and conscience of the Kel Tamasheq (Touareg) people of the Sahara. Tamikrest means ‘connection’ or ‘union’ in Tamasheq, and the band have become one of the Kel Tamasheq’s most vital voices, raising awareness of their plight while channelling experiences of exile, loss and resistance. Their sixth studio album, Assikel, which means ‘voyage’ or ‘journey’, shows just how far the band have come.
…Tamikrest have always struck a balance between the calm and contemplative on one hand and the heavier, proggier sound on the other. Here, it’s all brought together under a particular atmosphere: analogue tape hiss, wide-open reverb and the inclusion of Paul Salvagnac’s…
The Northern California blues scene continues to be vibrant, now delivering to the national stage, the Carmen Ratti Band featuring vocalist Jill Dineen. Come to Me is the band’s second album and their debut on MoMojo Records. As with most artists in the Bay Area, the album was created at Greaseland and produced by Kid Andersen. Yet unlike most records involving Andersen, he does not play. The album is a showcase for guitarist Ratti’s band as they present an all-original program with either Ratti or Dineen writing or co-writing each song. They span the spectrum of soul, gospel, blues-rock, funk, and traditionally rooted blues. Formed in 2018, they are not newcomers to this music. It’s as if the collective experience of the players has coalesced into a new force,…
Along with fellow wonderkid Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd (KWS) was once branded the heir to heroic, blues revivalist Stevie Ray Vaughan (SRV). Even if you dismiss the triple-pronged, abbreviated initials that both guitarists are best known for, shrugging off the dogged critics and straight-up ‘SRV-clone’ accusations can’t have been easy in those early days for such a prodigious talent.
Bringing in the entire Double Trouble band for his second LP Trouble Is… (1997) probably didn’t help matters either, but it’s not every day you’re a self-taught, Fender Strat-wielding teenager. But just like the gusty first few lines that buccaneer this record, Kenny defiantly surfaced ‘up from the ashes, out of the flames’ and now stands as one of the most respected and electrifying guitarists on the planet.
When Jimmie Vaughan and Kim Wilson teamed up to form The Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1974, they created a band that helped shape the soul of modern Texas blues. Vaughan’s history with that storied band has finally been chronicled in The Jimmie Vaughan Years: Complete Studio Recordings 1978-1989, a comprehensive four-CD box set available December 11th, 2025 via The Last Music Co.
The Jimmie Vaughan Years captures Grammy-winning Vaughan’s blues journey after he cut his teeth in Austin’s late-60s blues scene, including an early recording produced by legendary American songwriter Doc Pomus and Joel Dorn. The result is a stunning collection, not only of Vaughan’s music, but also The Fabulous Thunderbirds…
Longtime fans of Evansville, Indiana’s the Cold Stares might be confused by the title of the once-duo/now trio’s new album.
Promotional notes advise us that Texas was created after touring extensively in that state, looking to capture its essence in their music. They recorded these eleven songs in Austin at the mostly analog Bud’s Recording Services, further cementing the Lone Star connection.
This is not an outfit that sits around waiting for inspiration to strike. Texas is the fifth album since 2021, following two discs of The Southern (2024, 2025), in addition to nearly constant touring. Initially, singer/songwriter/guitarist Chris Tapp was so convinced in his songs that he self-released the first four Cold Stares albums…
…includes three reimagined tracks: a revamped version of fan-favorite “Delilah,” a duet with Billy Strings on “Dirt – Macon version” and a cover of The Allman Brothers‘ “Ramblin’ Man”. The remaining nine tracks explore walking the line between letting go of old love and addiction.
Last year, Marcus King deviated from his norm with the Rick Rubin-produced Mood Swings. He scaled back his vaunted guitar and valiantly focused on his vocals, experimenting with soul. Now he follows that up by returning to his roots, reuniting with his longtime live band for their first album since 2018’s Carolina Confessions. The new release, Darling Blue, is a safe, guest-filled, country-tinged offering that still manages to deliver a few changeups to King’s sound.
The octogenarian roots master and national treasure, Taj Mahal, is still going strong. He has a 22-date tour planned for the Spring and Summer, backed by his three-decade collaborators, The Phantom Blues Band (PBB). Surprisingly, they have a ‘new’ record to tour behind. Most of us thought this partnership reached its peak with the back-to-back Grammy wins for 1997’s Senor Blues and 2000’s Shoutin’ in Key. Since then, The Phantom Blues Band has released their own records, but not with Taj, the most recent being 2020’s Still Cookin’. So, we have a resurrection of this partnership, apparently by unearthing the 2010 recording, unreleased until now, Time. Given that some of the music on the record was composed seventy or eighty years ago, as has been…
Mike Zito returns home with Outside Or The Eastside, his fourth solo studio album for Gulf Coast Records. A personal record for Mike shaped by memory, places, and renewal. Walking the streets of his birthplace, St. Louis, Zito reconnects with the sounds, stories, and hard lessons that forged his signature blend of soul-driven blues and fearless storytelling. Thirteen years after Gone to Texas, this album feels like a defining moment, marking a new chapter for Mike, his family, and a life reclaimed in the city that started it all.
The songs paint vivid snapshots of city life and personal reckoning, from late-night regret and self-awareness to raw portraits of neighbourhood survival and street-level truth. Tracks like “Downtown at Midnight”…
Halfway to the Stars gathers all the recordings made by Jack and his band The Cuicoland Express between 2001 and 2003. Includes the albums ‘Shadows In The Air’, ‘More Jack Than God’ and the double album ‘Live at The Milky Way’, recorded at The Melkweg in Amsterdam in October 2001, along with the concert video ‘Live at The Canterbury Fayre’, recorded in 2002.
‘Shadows In The Air’ was Jack’s acclaimed 12th studio album and saw him reunited with Eric Clapton on re-recordings of two Cream classics, ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’ and ‘White Room’, along with other notable guests including Dr. John and Gary Moore.
‘More Jack Than God’ was his next studio album and featured new material…