Royal Southern Brotherhood – self-titled (Ruf Records: RUF 1180) At last one of the most anticipated albums of the year is with us, from an outfit which demands attention purely by having an Allman and a Neville in the ranks . . . from two of the US South’s most loved and well known musical [...]

Great short film about Daptone Records – the home to such talents as Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley – celebrating 10 years of existence. http://youtu.be/rK81HgOpbuM

Not blues, but no apologies for posting here . . . a great band and big favourites of ours. Check out this smashing new video of the track “Nothing Lasts Forever”, off their recent third album, “One Last Hard Goodbye”. http://youtu.be/KNU0HVvPpK0

Legendary Memphis-born bass player Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn has passed away earlier today, aged 70. The news was broken by long-time musical partner, guitarist  Steve Cropper, a colleague in Booker T & The MGs. Dunn had just played two shows in Tokyo, and died in his sleep. http://ultimateclassicrock.com/legendary-bassist-donald-duck-dunn-passes-away-at-age-70/

http://youtu.be/BGgc29fIT9Q www.scarlettcherry.com/home

Anders Osborne – Black Eye Galaxy (Alligator Records: ALCD 4948) Anders Osborne has followed up his Alligator Records debut, “American Patchwork”, which was released two years ago, with this stunning collection, “Black Eye Galaxy”, which tells of the struggles of his life, from the nightmare of addiction to the victory of recovery. It’s fair to [...]

**16th May-15th June** News just in from Lucas Campbell is that The Hop Pocket at Chorley will be closed from 16th May-15th June for refurbishment. Tomorrow’s Black Cat Bone (10th May) gig will be the last BJs Blues Club event until the pub reopens. Lucas says: “Apologies for such short notice but as everyone is [...]

Mark Radcliffe & The Big Figures perform Dr. Feelgood’s “Roxette” on Sunday at the Burnley Rock & Blues Festival . . . . three minutes plus of ‘stand up’ style banter from Mark and the tune . . . and a nice name-check for support act Lucy Zirins. Video shot by her dad Ian . [...]

Thursday, 5th May, 2012 I was delighted to witness this four piece band from Chesterfield playing their debut gig in Chorley, yes the band, The Idle Hands had hit town. This was a full on powerful performance by lead vocalist and front man Phil Allen – he has that rapport with an audience, an instant [...]

      Very sad news.  Arkansas based bluesman Michael Burks passed away yesterday.  He suffered a major heart attack in Atlanta airport.   The King Biscuit Festival and Pinetop’s Homecoming Festival will never be the same. The Arkansas Times carry a well written obit. RIP Michael Burks

Raphael Wressnig & Alex Schultz – Soul Gift (Pepper Cake Records – PEC 2077-2) Here’s a musical marriage made in heaven . . . the Vienna-based Hammond B3 maestro, Raphael Wressnig, teaming up again with the West Coast guitar legend Alex Schultz, one of the most in-demand players around, and with a CV that boasts [...]

The 75 years old guitar legend, Buddy Guy, has his autobiography, “When I Left Home: My Story”, out on 8th May, written with David Ritz. The current “Mojo” magazine has a five-star review from it’s writer, Lois Wilson. Here’s a link to a fine Rolling Stone interview about the book and the blues giants life [...]

Mary Bridget Davies – Wanna Feel Somethin’ (Self-release: Distributed by CD Baby) Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, and now based in Kansas City, Mary Bridget Davies vocals evoke the late, great Janis Joplin, and indeed her musical joruney is dotted with connections to the afore-mentioned Joplin, having played the lady on stage in a musical, “Love, [...]

Sad to record the death of guitarist Charles ‘Skip’ Pitts, at the age of 65. He was born in Washington DC, but moved to Memphis in 1970. A long-time musical associate of Isaac Hayes, he is probably best known for the distinctive wah-wah guitar on the “Shaft” theme from the 1971 film. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17923460 http://youtu.be/nFvRvSxsW-I

JW-Jones – Seventh Hour (CrossCut Records: CCD 11104) It’s hard to believe 12 years have now passed since Ottawa-based JW-Jones first album, “Defibrillatin’”, and here is his seventh release, aptly-titled “Seventh Hour”, and as with all his other recordings, again out on CrossCut Records in Europe.  Whereas the past albums have featured ‘blues royalty’ such [...]

**TONIGHT – 1ST MAY** Tommy Allen will be hosting a new jam night at Greenhill Bank and Dudleston Heath Workingmen’s Club, near Ellesmere, Shropshire SY12 9LU.  All performers and ‘spectators’ welcome; free entry. 1st May 12th June 3rd July 7th August