WILL TANG “Blues” (Zen Music – ZM01010) With the exception of the final track, the thirteen tracks of this album were all recorded live in Hong Kong – three in 1998, three in 1999 and five in 2002. The final track was recorded at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool in 2004. In the words of [...]

Junkhouse Dog + Crossfire True Blues Club 21st August 2010 A short review of last week’s gig from Graham Woodhouse What a fantastic night we had once again. Dave was back from his hols so Crossfire went to town with a wonderful 70 min set! The lads are absolutely amazing, putting four new tracks in [...]

Here’s another batch of top releases from Chicago’s excellent Earwig label. Chris James and Patrick Rynn – Gonna Boogie Anyway First up is Chris James and Patrick Rynn’s Gonna Boogie Anyway (Earwig CD4960). The pair follow their highly-rated 2008 debut Stop and Think About It with more of the the same, a joyous set mixing [...]

ANDY COHEN “Built Right On The Ground” (Earwig Records – CD 4959) This one is squarely in the mode of the early days of the blues revival, back when it was still closely linked to the folk boom of the early sixties. Boston-born singer/ guitarist Andy has been around a long time; in his youth [...]

Although published by Armadillo Music in the UK, this first solo album by Stevie Nimmo was recorded at the Zone Studios, Dripping Springs, Austin, Texas. Stevie is backed on the album by a fine collection of American musicians: Lloyd Maines on pedal steel, Dobro and slide guitars, mandolin and banjo; George Reiff on bass guitar, [...]

MATT SCHOFIELD “Live From The Archive” (Nugene Records – NUG1002) Without doubt one of the classiest European guitar players around, our own Matt Schofield has come a long way in the six years since his debut cd – also a live offering – and here, after three acclaimed studio albums he has dipped back into [...]

BOOK REVIEW ANDRES ROOTS “Build Me A Statue” 25 Songs: 1995-2010 Here’s a nice book from Estonian  musician, writer and guitarist, Andres Roots, a member of the very fine band, Bullfrog Brown – a collection of 25 song lyrics spanning some 15 years, and illustrated by Siret Roots. Andres Roots has just also enjoyed major [...]

24PESOS “Busted Broken And Blue” (OurGate Records) Here’s a great album from four-piece London band, 24Pesos – 11 tracks that straddle many genres – a heady mix of blues, funk and soul, with a touch of hip-hop thrown in – all-in-all a very modern blues album, with some ‘old school’ influences on board, and all [...]

ROB STONE “Back Around Here” (Earwig Music Company – Earwig CD 4961) Now here’s a belter of an album from young Chicago-based bandleader Rob Stone – the Boston-born harmonica player and singer has produced a great traditional blues album, mainly all upbeat, firmly rooted in the classic Chicago 50s style – twelve tracks all highlighting [...]

Here is the update from Graham Woodhouse Review – Saturday 17th July CROSSFIRE, minus Dave who for some reason wouldn’t fly back from his holidays for the night, once again opened the evening’s entertainment at 8.00pm. They gave the audience a treat as Brian put a new twist on lead guitar in Dave’s absence. Their [...]

ELVIN BISHOP “Red Dog Speaks” (Delta Groove Music – DGPCD138) Slide master Elvin Bishop’s second release for Delta Groove Music, following the star-studded “The Blues Rolls On” in 2008, sees the veteran paying homage to his trustee ’59 Gibson Stereo ES 345 guitar, “Red Dog”, with the 11 tracks on offer being very varied, and [...]

BARE BONES BOOGIE BAND (self-titled – BBBBCD1) Released at the turn of this year, comes the debut from the rocking Southern-based Bare Bones Boogie Band – a four-piece comprising of Helen Turner (vocals), Iain Black (guitar), Trev Turley (bass) and Andy Jones (drums). The band deal in a hybrid of classic British rock with blues [...]

THE MARTIN HARLEY BAND – Worthenbury Village Hall, Friday July 16th This was the first time that Martin Harley and his band had appeared in the region and whilst the schools breaking up that day had affected the attendance, a good crowd nevertheless enjoyed one of the best nights in Worthenbury in a long, long [...]

Due to illness, chief reviews editor Señor Rhodes was unable to make the gig, then on top of this, I raced out minus trusty Canon s90.  So the chances of a well written review accompanied by a classy picture are zero (until Pete and Ian do their stuff that is). So I will just say [...]

JIMMIE VAUGHAN “Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites” (Proper Records – PRPCD062) With only four solo outings in some 16 years, Texas guitar legend and ex-Fabulous Thunderbird member, Jimmie Vaughan, has hardly been prolific, but it’s a pleasure to report his latest offering, “Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites” does exactly what it ‘says on the can’ [...]

A brilliant compilation video as made by the Linton Festival Away Team from last week’s brilliant  Worthenbury Blues and Roots Festival.  Thanks Martin  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1Es9f3KZGs