Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Big Mojo Elem - Mojo Boogie

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:57
Size: 128.1 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 1978/1997
Art: Front

[ 5:18] 1. Drawing On Dry Land
[ 3:39] 2. Every Night And Every Day
[ 4:50] 3. Black Nights
[ 5:23] 4. Hush
[ 5:09] 5. Red Light
[ 2:55] 6. Talk To Your Daugher
[ 2:48] 7. Mojo Boogie
[ 2:37] 8. Living In Paradise
[ 4:54] 9. Hide Away
[ 3:38] 10. Every Night And Every Day
[12:08] 11. Long Meter Stomp
[ 2:33] 12. Be My Little Girl

Blessed with a sweet growl of a voice and grinding out a single-note groove heavier than any ZZ Top record you've got, this thing romps like nobody's business, and is the perfect showcase for Elem's hard driving, bare-bones honest singing and bass-pumping talents. Studebaker John Grimaldi plays some nice lead and even nicer slide, and blows some fine amplified harp when needed, while Twist Turner's no-frills drumming slots in nice with Mojo's bass hunch. A nice balance between old favorites and original material, most of it co-written with producer George Paulus. ~Cub Koda

Mojo Boogie mc
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Leadfoot Rivet - Welcome To My Mongrel Music World

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:39
Size: 164.0 MB
Styles: Contemporary blues
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[5:03] 1. Split Personality
[4:19] 2. I Feel Like I'm Sinking
[3:27] 3. Fried Okras
[4:42] 4. Friend Lover Wife
[5:08] 5. Famous
[6:40] 6. She Put The Jinx On Me
[3:16] 7. Them Changes
[4:22] 8. Mongrel Music
[3:34] 9. Apples Dipped In Candy
[3:23] 10. Dead End Avenue
[3:36] 11. A Godsend
[4:58] 12. Where Is The Director
[3:09] 13. The Worst Guitar Player In Town
[5:00] 14. I'll Find The Exit
[4:05] 15. Too Fast For Rapid City
[3:42] 16. Daddy The Ghost
[3:06] 17. How I Love Them Good Ole Blues

The powerful and moving Leadfoot Rivet’s voice can paint a full scope of émotions. As a songwriter he has the power and style he developed from his mentors and masters Randy Newman, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Reed or Guy Clark … As a musician, he has made the synthesis of his wide influences blues, folk, soul & country music, even fado, sòn, milonga and oriental and central asian music! That’s what you can hear in his latest offering 'Welcome to my mongrel music world'!.

Welcome To My Mongrel Music World mc
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Mike Osborn - In The Dog House

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:44
Size: 100.1 MB
Styles: Rockin blues
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[4:05] 1. Love Vs. Ego
[4:41] 2. Company Graveyard
[3:42] 3. Lovin' Time
[3:39] 4. Cold Man Cold
[4:58] 5. Fire & Gasoline
[4:19] 6. Tied Up
[3:27] 7. Cheap Women
[2:47] 8. Veteran's Song
[3:52] 9. Satan & S.T Paul
[4:36] 10. Jump In Your Fire
[3:33] 11. In The Dog House

When you start to explore any genre of music, you realize that there is a lot of music in that genre that doesn't get any attention, but should. Mike Osborn is a great example. He is a blues guitarist that you may not hear on any radio station (not that many stations bother to play the blues) outside of San Jose where he calls home. That being said, it doesn't take long to figure out that the guy is pretty good at playing the blues guitar.

Osborn's music is based in the blues, but he does a good job bringing other influences into his sound. "Lovin' Time" is a good blend of blues and soul with a dash of funk in the bass. "Cold Man Cold" has sort of a psychedelic blues rock sound. The theme, however, is pure blues. What's cold is the fact that his woman "just up and hit the road". Granted, it's not the first song ever written about the theme of a woman leaving, but it is a good one. It's not the only familiar theme on this album. Like John Lee Hooker, he sings about women and whiskey - both of the cheap variety because after all, a blues man is usually on a budget to say the least.

Mike Osborn is a very talented blues guitarist who is not afraid to mix things up with his sound. If you're a fan of the blues at all, this is an album you'll enjoy. ~Gary Schwind

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Big Al Carson And The Blues Masters - 3 Phat Cats & 1 Skinny Dog

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:36
Size: 170.8 MB
Styles: New Orleans blues
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[ 4:41] 1. I'm Calling You Out
[ 4:38] 2. Back To The Old School
[ 4:48] 3. Black Cat Bone
[ 4:30] 4. Hip Skakin' Mama
[ 7:42] 5. School Boy Crush
[ 3:36] 6. Don't Look Any Further
[ 5:01] 7. It's Not The End Of The World
[ 3:58] 8. The Turning Point
[ 5:57] 9. Who Knows
[ 4:25] 10. One Really Good Sad Song
[ 5:12] 11. I'll Play The Blues For You
[ 5:12] 12. Sunday Funnies
[ 4:45] 13. 32-20 Blues
[10:03] 14. A World Without You

Holding court at the Funky Pirate on Bourbon Street, 'Big Al' Carson greets assembled revelers with a boisterous laugh, a congenial sparkle in his eye, and a groove in his song that's deeply funkified and carefree as New Orleans itself. It's the spirit that fills Al's latest disc with the Bluesmasters. 3 PHAT CATS and 1 SKINNY DOG. Carson has performed as a tuba player in several Dixieland brass bands and has been an enduring presence at the city's Jazz and Heritage and French Quarter Festivals. When Al's fronting the Bluesmasters, polished, slow jam-inspired funk is the name of the game. The sound on the new disk is dirty, low down, with a transcendent groove factor. Carson and the band grab a handful of flavors and throw 'em against the canvas--a little Ohio Players here, a little Earth, Wind, and Fire there, Maybe a touch of Solomon Burke, all distilled through the ghost of Willie Dixon--it's a provocative blend. Carson channels a Teddy Pendergrass/Luther Vandross--inspired vocal vibe and nails the Philadelphia Sound on "Back to the Old School", the track's mesmerizing syncopated guitar plunking courtesy of Bluesmaster Harry Sterling. The funk also hits the fan on the sultry "School Boy Crush", another example of how velvety smooth the band is. Check out the seductive and sensual take on Albert King's "I'll Play the Blues For You", with late night soul dripping all over the steamy slow-cooker. The band does get it's more "traditional" blues on with Sunday Funnies. " I feel like a comic strip, I feel like a joke." Carson woefully testifies to his lady over a lazily throbing bassline and smoldering lead guitar run. 3 FAT CATZ and 1 SKINNY DOGG is blues-laced soul power with a sheen so bright it's blinding. Big Al Carson and the band have perfected a blend of coy, funky jams that, true to their New Orleans heritage, are rippling with spicy edginess and booty-shakin' good times. ~Mark Uricheck

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Ernie Hawkins - 2 albums: Whinin' Boy / Bluesified

Album: Whinin' Boy
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:06
Size: 133.0 MB
Styles: Acoustic guitar blues, Dixieland
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[4:46] 1. Whinin' Boy
[4:08] 2. Susie (Of The Islands)
[3:59] 3. Makin' Whoopie
[4:18] 4. The Southbound Sneak
[3:54] 5. Basin Street Blues
[3:14] 6. My Poodle Has Fleas
[6:06] 7. Vicksburg Blues
[4:29] 8. I'm Coming Virginia
[4:16] 9. Back In Your Own Backyard
[3:15] 10. Weather Bird
[3:11] 11. Blue Skies
[3:10] 12. Shuffle Rag
[4:41] 13. There Is A Table In Heaven
[4:33] 14. Whinin' Boy (Instrumental)

Whinin’ Boy" is an authentic and spirited guitar pickin’ romp through some of the greatest music of the early twentieth century.... a reminder of how infectious Dixieland music can still be in the hands of a creative and inventive musician and arranger. Ernie makes this music come alive. ~Mike Regenstreif

Ernie Hawkins • guitar, ukulele, vocals; George Heid • washboard, drums; Dwayne Dolphin • bass; Paul Consentino • clarinet; Marc Reisman • harmonica; Joe Dallas • trombone; Roger Day • tuba; James Moore • trumpet.

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Album: Bluesified
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:34
Size: 113.5 MB
Styles: Gospel-blues
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[3:50] 1. I Am A Pilgrim
[3:48] 2. Slow Drag
[4:42] 3. Bluesified
[5:17] 4. Crucifixion Jesus Gonna Make Up My Dying Bed
[5:02] 5. Riding On A Moonbeam
[3:45] 6. Broke Down Engine
[4:28] 7. Root Hog Or Die
[3:34] 8. Hawkins Rag
[4:42] 9. What You Gonna Do
[4:17] 10. I Belong To The Band
[6:06] 11. Amazing Grace (Tribute To Blind Willie Mctell)

Despite the title, Bluesified is as much a gospel album as a blues album, and it shows Ernie Hawkins taking a step closer to the masterful level of blues-and-spirituals versatility set by his two main influences, Reverend Gary Davis and Blind Willie McTell. As he did on his previous two solo albums, Hawkins pays considerable homage the Davis canon here, with achingly good results on "I Belong to the Band" (sung by guest vocalist Maria Muldaur) and a 12-string rendition of "Crucifixion" into which Hawkins also weaves the melody of "Jesus Gonna Make Up My Dying Bed." But whereas 1996's Blues Advice presented Hawkins in more of a revivalist mode, Bluesified has him stretching out, experimenting with musical roots ranging from prewar jazz to country to African folk songs. In the end, Hawkins still puts on a formidable ragtime guitar clinic -- but he's obviously got a lot on his mind besides the blues. ~Ken Chang

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Hubert Sumlin - 2 albums: My Guitar And Me / Hubert Sumlin's Blues Party

Album: My Guitar And Me
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:45
Size: 125.3 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 1975/2004
Art: Front

[3:58] 1. Happy With My French Friends
[5:49] 2. Broke And Hungry
[3:26] 3. I'll Be Home On Tuesday (Take 2)
[5:00] 4. Give The Name Jacquot
[4:12] 5. My Guitar And Me
[4:08] 6. Groove (Take 2)
[3:50] 7. Easy, Hubert, Easy
[2:44] 8. Don't Forget
[3:31] 9. The Last Boogie
[3:51] 10. I Wonder Why
[3:03] 11. Boogin' All Alone
[3:56] 12. Jerking In Paris
[4:00] 13. I'll Be Home On Tuesday (Take 1)
[3:10] 14. Groove (Take 1)

Recorded in Paris, France December 1975. Bass – Dave Myers; Drums – Fred Below; Guitar – Lonnie Brooks; Piano – Willie Mabon; Vocals, Guitar – Hubert Sumlin.

Loose jam feel offers Sumlin plenty of space. This 1975 set was his first as leader. ~Bill Dahl

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Album: Hubert Sumlin's Blues Party
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:07
Size: 85.0 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 1987/2014
Art: Front

[1:56] 1. Hidden Charms
[2:28] 2. West Side Soul
[7:19] 3. A Soul That's Been Abused
[2:16] 4. Letter To My Girlfriend
[4:50] 5. How Can You Leave Me, Little Girl
[2:46] 6. Can't Call You No More
[5:19] 7. Blue Guitar
[2:47] 8. Down In The Bottom
[2:39] 9. Poor Me, Pour Me
[4:43] 10. Living The Blues

Hubert Sumlin was Howlin' Wolf's guitar player for 23 years, and his jagged, desperate, and angular guitar playing was a big part of Wolf's rough-and-tumble sound. This album was recorded in October 1986 at Newbury Sound in Boston, 11 years after Wolf's death, and although Sumlin had headlined some European albums, it was to be his debut solo album in the U.S. The sessions were initiated and put together by guitarist Ronnie Earl, who arranged for the presence of an all-star band, and brought in Mighty Sam McClain to handle most of the vocals, since Sumlin was notoriously reticent about occupying center stage. The result was really more of a jam session than anything else, and Sumlin doesn't really assert himself on any of these tracks, although his hesitant, soft, and fragile vocal on "How Can You Leave Me, Little Girl?" gives the song a real poignancy that manages to overcome the banal lyrics. There was nothing shy about McClain's singing, however, and he grabs the vocal microphone on four of the songs, including the strong opening track, a version of Willie Dixon's "Hidden Charms." Originally released on LP in 1987 by Black Top Records, Hubert Sumlin's Blues Party has a loose, fairly generic sound, and a case could be made that Sumlin wasn't quite ready yet for a solo career. Still, the album has its charms. ~Steve Leggett

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Johnny Shines - Too Wet To Plow

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:56
Size: 109.8 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 1975/2012
Art: Front

[4:22] 1. Too Wet To Plow
[3:50] 2. Travelling Back Home
[3:09] 3. Hot Tomale
[4:40] 4. Moanin' The Blues
[4:38] 5. Red Sun
[2:36] 6. Winding Mind
[4:30] 7. You Better Turn Around
[3:38] 8. The Wind Is Blowin'
[5:19] 9. Trouble's All I See
[3:46] 10. 30 Days In Jail
[5:08] 11. Pay Day Woman
[2:15] 12. Epilog

Johnny Shines was far from predictable. Though he recorded his share of inspired electric dates, he had no problem turning around and delivering a stripped-down, all-acoustic Delta blues session like Too Wet to Plow. Recorded in Edmonton, Canada in 1975 and reissued on CD by Concord Jazz's Blues Alliance label in 1996, Too Wet to Plow finds Shines in excellent form. His solid accompaniment includes harmonica player Sugar Blue and bassist Ron Rault, as well as guitarist/singer Louisiana Red (a superb bluesman who isn't nearly as well known as he should be), and Shines clearly has a strong rapport with them on "Red Sun," "Traveling Back Home," and other highly personal originals. Although Shines' own songs are dominant, one of the album's high points is an interpretation of Robert Johnson's "Hot Tamale." Highly recommended. ~Alex Henderson

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Erin Jaimes With John McVey & The Stumble - You Had To Go

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:19
Size: 112.9 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[3:01] 1. You Had to Go
[2:56] 2. Ocean of Tears
[4:24] 3. Walkin' Blues
[3:11] 4. Don't Mess with the Messer
[2:40] 5. Warm & Tender Love
[3:41] 6. Watch Yourself
[4:11] 7. Funny Stuff
[2:10] 8. Never Have a Man Like You
[2:29] 9. High Cost of Love
[4:28] 10. Please Don't Dog Me
[3:05] 11. Drink Muddy Water
[3:02] 12. Checkin' On My Baby
[2:18] 13. Fussin' & Fightin'
[3:19] 14. Blowtop Blues
[4:16] 15. You Had to Go [a Slight Return]

Erin "Icewater" Jaimes came onto the Austin, Texas blues scene in late 1994, young and clueless, with a passion for the music. "If you play the blues, you're gonna end up living them," warned Erin's first serious musical mentor, drummer Jeff "Li'l Calvin" Hodges. Drummer "Uncle" John Turner, another major influence, often stated that "to some, blues is a state of mind. To others, it's a fact of life." (Little did she know how true their words were!) Listening to such artists as Koko Taylor, Dinah Washington, Etta James and Irma Thomas gave her an empowering but sobering look into a woman's survival in the blues - "a man's world." Erin didn't shy away - she embraced the challenge. The music had its hold on her.

Having previously sung "bass" in an award-winning all-women's acapella group at Vassar College and loving the primal power of a solid rhythm section, Erin was drawn to the electric bass. Appa Perry (of Appa's Blues Power and the Alan Haynes band) was the first to tell her "instead of asking me all these questions all the time, why don't you go and get yourself a *#@$%! bass?!" She got her first bass the next day and learned to play over time largely by watching and listening to bassists such as Appa, Larry Fulcher, Danny Galindo, Tommy Shannon, Keith Ferguson, Willie Weeks and Willie Kent. On April Fools Day, 1998, she landed a weekly gig of her own at the legendary Joe's Generic Bar.

Since 1998, getting muddy in the trenches of Austin's highly competitive music scene, Erin feels fortunate to have shared the stage with many remarkable musicians and Texas Blues legends, including Double Trouble, Antones' Blue Monday Band, Pinetop Perkins, Angela Strehli , Willie “Big Eye” Smith, Sue Foley, Hubert Sumlin, "Uncle" John Turner, John McVey, Alan Haynes, Mike and Cory Keller, Gary Clark Jr., Shawn Pittman, George Rarey, Guy Forsythe, Carolyn Wonderland and Barry "Frosty" Smith, to name a few. She's opened up for Gatemouth Brown, Johnny Winter, Jimmie Vaughan, Jimmie Thackery, Chris Duarte, Long John Hunter and Lavelle White, done live radio broadcasts and has made several TV appearances. Jaimes has played the stages of many Austin venues and toured throughout Texas, as well as in Louisiana, Missouri, Massachusetts, Oklahoma and Arkansas. She was featured at the 11th Annual Oklahoma Blues Festival (Tulsa, 5/05) with John McVey & the Stumble and at the Bluebonnet Blues Festival (4/06) with Walter Higgs. Internationally speaking, Erin Jaimes & her band played for a week on Ambergris Caye, Belize in May of 2004 and toured both Israel and Italy in the spring of 2005. Drummer/singer "Uncle" John Turner invited Erin to join him to play in Germany, Sweden and Denmark in May of 2006 and later that summer the US Consul to the Azores brought her with Scott Unzicker and Ian Bailey to play in the Portuguese Azore Islands.

In March of 2003, Erin came out with her first CD, "Erin Jaimes with John McVey & the Stumble - 'You Had to Go'," which has received national and international airplay. In August and September of 2005, Erin was featured in the "My Perfect 10" ad campaign for Net10 Wireless Telephone, singing and appearing in commercials on primetime network & cable television, webcast, radio, and print ads in Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly & People Magazines.

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Fabrizio Poggi - 2 albums: The Breath Of Soul / Spirit Of Mercy (A Collection)

Album: The Breath Of Soul
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:19
Size: 117.5 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[4:41] 1. The Soul Of A Man
[5:08] 2. Dust My Broom
[4:35] 3. John The Revelator
[4:29] 4. Diving Duck Blues
[3:54] 5. Song For Angelina
[4:05] 6. Cross Road Blues
[2:53] 7. Pay Day
[5:07] 8. Beefsteak Blues
[3:33] 9. Glory Glory
[4:27] 10. Another Man Done Gone
[2:45] 11. Checkin' Up On My Baby
[3:34] 12. The Breath Of Soul
[2:03] 13. Sitting On Top Of The World

“Sunshine” Sonny Payne” host of the legendary King Biscuit Time KFFA Radio, Helena Arkansas “Here in the deep south of America, it's often been said a white man cannot sing or play the black man's blues. After hearing the new cd "The breath of soul" with Fabrizio Poggi, someone, somewhere got their stories mixed up. I have played the blues for 56 years, and the "The breath of soul" cd is the finest I've ever heard by a white group. My point is, you don't have to come to America to hear the blues, because you have it right there in Italy. These guys are for real”. Blues Revue says: “Poggi is a terrific harp player and a good singer whose own songs match up well with the covers, and the band is tight and tasteful...”. Easy Reeding (Official Hohner Magazine) says: “ … a great CD that certainly crosses geographical and cultural boundaries...”.

The Breath Of Soul

Album: Spirit Of Mercy (A Collection)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:41
Size: 129.8 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[1:09] 1. Mercy
[4:05] 2. You Gotta Move
[4:33] 3. Needed Time
[5:32] 4. I'm On My Way
[4:33] 5. I Heard The Angels Singin'
[5:31] 6. Spiritual
[3:34] 7. Nobody's Faul But Mine
[3:53] 8. Glory Glory
[5:01] 9. Soul 0f A Man-Alternate Take
[3:39] 10. Precious Lord
[4:41] 11. Jesus On The Mainline-Alternate Take
[1:13] 12. Amazing Grace
[3:28] 13. I Want Jesus To Walk With Me
[5:43] 14. I Shall Be Released

Fabrizio is a multi talented musician, a man who lives, walks, talks, and is the blues. Fabrizio is a star player, one of a handful of the very best, who not only plays A1+ harmonica, but writes great lyrics, and sings very nice to, coupled with so much meaningful expression, and tone. I love this Artist, truly, and certainly is one of a handful of today’s living harmonica Legends. ~Shaun Monument May

Spirit Of Mercy (A Collection)

Shawn Pittman - 2 albums: Edge Of The World / Too Hot

Album: Edge Of The World
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:58
Size: 116.7 MB
Styles: Rockin blues
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[4:25] 1. Sugar (Where'd You Get Your Sugar From)
[3:08] 2. Leanin' Load
[4:25] 3. Scent Of Your Benjamins
[3:47] 4. Almost Good
[3:41] 5. One Of These Days
[3:51] 6. Edge Of The World
[4:38] 7. That's The Thing
[3:51] 8. Maintain
[2:56] 9. I've Had Enough
[3:42] 10. This Time
[4:38] 11. Something's Gotta Give
[4:41] 12. Somebody Gonna Lose, Somebody Gonna Win
[3:09] 13. If I Could (Make The World Stop Turning)

Shawn Pittman's Delta Groove debut showcases a rising star at the peak of his powers. Edge Of The World marks his 10th release and contains an inspired program of original material by an accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist, recalling all the vintage tones and ambiance of the great blues recordings of the 1950's & '60's. Even more astonishing is the fact that Shawn plays virtually every instrument on the CD, handling everything from vocals and guitar, to bass, drums and piano, on top of doubling as the album's producer and engineer! Jonathan Doyle represents the album's only other personnel by contributing tenor & baritone saxophone on 4 songs.

Edge Of The World

Album: Too Hot
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:46
Size: 127.7 MB
Styles: Rockin blues
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:18] 1. How Many More Years
[3:21] 2. Secret Weapon
[2:31] 3. The Same Thing Could Happen To You
[4:23] 4. Slow Down
[2:59] 5. Geronimo Rock
[2:43] 6. Next Door Neighbor
[4:11] 7. Lookin' Good
[3:13] 8. My Love Is Here To Stay
[3:19] 9. Can't Stand To See You Go
[3:41] 10. Play A Little While
[4:05] 11. Business Man
[4:07] 12. Where You Get Your Sugar From
[5:34] 13. Burnin' Up
[4:38] 14. Reap What You Sow
[3:37] 15. Too Hot

Although he’s often closely associated with the Lone Star State since originally taking up residence in Dallas, Texas in the early ‘90s, vocalist/guitarist Shawn Pittman is actually an Oklahoma native. Pittman was born in the small town of Talihina and raised in Norman, a city located in Cleveland County, Oklahoma. At eight years old he began taking piano lessons under the encouragement of his mother, but later began sneaking into his older brother’s room to play on his drum kit. By the age of fourteen he had switched to guitar and was soon introduced to the mysterious sounds of Lightnin’ Hopkins and Muddy Waters by Braken Hale, a good friend and member of his seventh grade football team. Their friendship would prove significant as Hale would later collaborate with Shawn on writing material for many of his albums.

Pittman moved to Dallas, Texas when he was seventeen years old where he attended the Booker T Washington High School of the Performing Arts. He later dropped out, but picked up his music education courtesy of his uncle who would take him over to the Schooner’s jam in Dallas where he first met Sam Myers. According to Pittman, “Sam Myers was one of the best musicians I’ve ever played with!”

Additional guidance and inspiration came by way of local area musicians Mike Morgan and Hash Brown. His first album, “Blues From Dallas,” was recorded in 1996 and later picked up and retooled for his national debut in ’97 as “Burnin’ Up” on the short-lived Cannonball Records label. His second album, “Something’s Gotta Give,” was produced by Jim Gaines and followed in ’98. Pittman toured as rhythm guitarist for Susan Tedeschi briefly in ’99, just long enough to make a television appearance with her on the Conan O’Brian Show. The following year he relocated to Austin and recorded his third album “Full Circle,” backed by Stevie Ray Vaughan’s rhythm section Double Trouble. In 2004, a more experimental and adventurous album titled “Stay” was released. After a much needed break from the music business, as well as some serious soul-searching from 2005-2008, Pittman returned to performing and made a plan to record one album per year. By mid-2010 he already had five independently released recordings under his belt! This flurry of activity eventually led to a new record contract with Delta Groove and plans were immediately set in motion to record yet another album.

Too Hot

Jeremy Wallace Trio - Suicide Suitcase

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:35
Size: 99.8 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[4:05] 1. Broke And Hungry
[4:39] 2. Two Busted Legs
[4:09] 3. Virginia
[3:33] 4. Backdoor Man
[3:49] 5. Lillian
[5:22] 6. You Might Do It Too
[4:49] 7. Morgan Street
[4:15] 8. Death Letter Blues
[3:15] 9. Casey Jones
[2:49] 10. Gimme Some
[2:45] 11. Certain Someone

The Jeremy Wallace Trio’s “Suitcase Suicide” smokes with its own brand of swagger, grit & humility. He takes Willie Dixon’s “Back Door Man,” snarling and snaking through the song, until you forget it’s been covered by Howlin’ Wolf and the Doors. “You Might Do It Too” starts slow but feels fast with the blistering electric guitar, “When she got drunk, she’d take off her clothes; The evening was warm and she was calling me in; The water was cool, tasted sweet on her skin.” “Death Letter Blues” smokes relentlessly, making the blues rock and cry. “Suicide Suitcase” is a brilliant set, one that was hinted at from his first two releases.

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Magic Sam - Chi-town Boogie & Other Favorites

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 28:12
Size: 64.6 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[2:01] 1. Chi-Town Boogie
[3:10] 2. Sly And Sleazy
[1:26] 3. Creole 'n' Roll
[2:17] 4. Blues 'nooze
[1:51] 5. E.J.'s Thing
[1:24] 6. F.P. Blues
[3:19] 7. P.J. Blues
[2:51] 8. West Madison Street Blues
[2:38] 9. Boppin' The Blues
[3:18] 10. 43rd And S. Park Blues
[1:58] 11. Scatter Blues
[1:55] 12. Black Magic Blues

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John Primer - 2 albums: Blue Steel: A Tribute To Elmore James / Stuff You Gotta Watch

Album: Blue Steel: A Tribute To Elmore James
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:03
Size: 126.0 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[2:00] 1. Shake Your Money Maker
[4:16] 2. It Hurts Me Too
[2:57] 3. Sunnyland Train
[5:52] 4. Too Much
[3:58] 5. I'm In Love
[2:19] 6. Can't Stop Loving
[5:18] 7. Since My Baby Left This Town
[5:58] 8. I'm A Blues Man
[4:34] 9. I'm Worried
[3:12] 10. 1839
[2:34] 11. Fine Little Mama
[3:19] 12. I Held My Baby
[5:13] 13. I Had A Dream Last Night
[3:26] 14. Stranger Blues

Born to a poor family from the Mississippi Delta in 1918, Elmore James was destined to become a legend. By 19, he had mastered Robert Johnson's Delta Blues style, using open-tunings, steel slides and amplified guitars. For almost 20 years, James laid down some of the most scorching Blues classics ever recorded. Also hailing from the Mississippi Delta, John Primer drew early inspiration from the haunting slide tones and unique phrasing of fellow Delta native James. Primer has worked with Sammy Lawhorn, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and Magic Slim and this experience has made him a top-notch guitarist and a masterful storyteller.

Highlights of this album include powerful Blues classic "Shake Yo Moneymaker," a supercharged version of "Can't Stop Loving," the soul-drenched slow Blues jam "I Held My Baby" and the raw, Delta-inspired "Sunnyland Train."

Blue Steel: A Tribute To Elmore James mc
Blue Steel: A Tribute To Elmore James zippy

Album: Stuff You Gotta Watch
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:38
Size: 157.1 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 1993
Art: Front

[3:04] 1. Stuff You Got To Watch
[4:22] 2. See See Baby
[5:54] 3. Inflation Blues
[5:27] 4. Cairo
[4:03] 5. Lawhorn Special
[5:56] 6. Double Trouble
[4:47] 7. Rhinestone Cowboy
[6:35] 8. Fed Up Baby
[5:10] 9. Baby Bring Your Clothes Back Home
[5:28] 10. That's All I Need
[4:56] 11. I'm Gonna Ride Until I Get Satisfied
[6:05] 12. Travelin' Blues
[6:46] 13. The Mojo

John Primer still remains true to his blues, deeply rooted in the classic Chicago blues of Muddy Waters and Elmore James. This review of his first US release on Earwig appeared back in Jazz & Blues Report in 1993 while he was still a member of Magic Slim & the Teardrops.

Fans of straight ahead Chicago blues should check out John Primer's "Stuff You Got to Watch" on Earwig. The Mississippi born Primer was in the houseband at Theresa's Lounge where he was befriended by the late Sammy Lawhorn. Later he was in Muddy Waters' last band and has been with Magic Slim and the Teardrops for the past few years. While he has an album for the Austrian Wolf label, this US debut certainly makes one wonder what took him so long to get hooked up with a US label. Among those on this date are fellow Teardrop, Nick Holt, on bass, Harmonica Hinds on harp and Carl Snyder on keyboards. It is an excellent studio band which strongly supports Primer's delta rooted vocals and guitar . While much of this is Primer's originals, his covers are imaginative with a strong nod to Muddy on the title track. His renditions of Freddy King's "See See Baby" and Magic Sam's "That's All I Need" are wonderfully paced performances while he personalizes Otis Rush's "Double Trouble," giving it a fresh cast that almost is as good as Rush's original (which had Ike Turner's guitar in addition to Rush's). Jimmy and Jeannie Cheathem's "Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On," is answered by Primer's original "Bring Your Clothes Back Home." Less expected is his transformation of Texas country bluesman Little Son Jackson's "Cairo Blues" into a Chicago band blues. The instrumental "Lawhorn Special" is a fitting nod to the late guitar giant and his mentor. To these ears, the only misguided effort is "Rhinestone Cowboy" (the Glen Campbell pop-country hit), but perhaps it will get him on Nashville Now. This is first-rate album of Chicago blues that comes from (to borrow a Bob Margolin phrase) "The Old School." ~R. Weinstock

Stuff You Gotta Watch mc
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Drew Nelson - Tilt-A-Whirl

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:34
Size: 111.2 MB
Styles: Americana, Folk, Acoustic blues
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:35] 1. Promised Land
[3:18] 2. Danny And Maria
[3:56] 3. Dust
[4:33] 4. St. Jude
[4:09] 5. Lessons
[5:14] 6. 5th Of September
[4:25] 7. Here To There
[5:33] 8. What She Does
[5:58] 9. Copper
[4:29] 10. My Girl (Shooting Star Wishes)
[3:20] 11. Hallelujah Morning

Drew’s Red House debut Tilt-A-Whirl comes out in early 2012. He can also be heard on the new album Dark River: Songs of the Civil War Era, along with Jon Dee Graham, Slaid Cleaves, James McMurtry and new label-mate Eliza Gilkyson. In support of his new album, Drew Nelson will be showcasing at the 2012 International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis and will be touring across North America and Europe.

When Drew is not on the road, he enjoys reading, rooting for the Detroit Tigers, doing hot yoga and working as an amateur luthier, building guitars and octave mandolins. He is also working on putting together a photography show.

Tilt-A-Whirl mc
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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Champion Jack Dupree - 2 albums: Blues From The Gutter / The Women Blues Of Champion Jack Dupree

Album: Blues From The Gutter
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:59
Size: 82.4 MB
Styles: Louisiana blues
Year: 1958/2013
Art: Front

[2:56] 1. Strollin'
[3:38] 2. T.B. Blues
[3:38] 3. Can't Kick The Habit
[4:17] 4. Evil Woman
[3:07] 5. Nasty Boogie
[3:08] 6. Junker's Blues
[3:55] 7. Bad Blood
[4:00] 8. Goin' Down Slow
[3:19] 9. Frankie & Johnny
[3:56] 10. Stack-O-Lee

The 1958 masterwork album of Champion Jack Dupree's long and prolific career. Cut in New York (in stereo!) with a blasting band that included saxist Pete Brown and guitarist Larry Dale, the Jerry Wexler-produced Atlantic collection provides eloquent testimony to Dupree's eternal place in the New Orleans blues and barrelhouse firmament. There's some decidedly down-in-the-alley subject matter -- "Can't Kick the Habit," "T.B. Blues," a revival of "Junker's Blues" -- along with the stomping "Nasty Boogie" and treatments of the ancient themes "Stack-O-Lee" and "Frankie & Johnny." ~Bill Dahl

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Album: The Women Blues Of Champion Jack Dupree
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:18
Size: 92.3 MB
Styles: Louisiana blues
Year: 1961/2012
Art: Front

[4:20] 1. Ain't That A Shame
[4:16] 2. Talk To Me, Baby
[2:20] 3. Tell Me When
[4:16] 4. Old Woman Blues
[4:01] 5. Hard Feelings Blues
[2:44] 6. Bus Station Blues
[3:06] 7. Rattlesnake Boogie
[3:03] 8. Black Wolf Blues
[4:06] 9. Jail House
[3:32] 10. Come Back Baby
[4:30] 11. On My Way To Moe Asch

Orphaned at age 2, William Thomas Dupree grew up in the same New Orleans boys’ home where Louis Armstrong first played the cornet. Continuing his music education with barrelhouse piano musicians, Dupree became known for his gritty yet soulful piano blues and boogie–woogie style. During the Depression, he started boxing for a living and earned the nickname “Champion Jack,” which stuck with him for the rest of his life. Here, Dupree’s theme is clear: “Bad women and good women. Hard times… hot hands, and hot music.” Liner notes include lyrics, photos, and an introduction by Charles Edward Smith.

The Women Blues Of Champion Jack Dupree mc
The Women Blues Of Champion Jack Dupree zippy

Vickerstaff's Doghouse - Low Down And Dirty

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:15
Size: 135.6 MB
Styles: Rockin blues
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[4:58] 1. Ride With Me
[5:02] 2. Turnaround
[3:36] 3. Ball And Chain
[5:46] 4. Backdoor Man
[5:19] 5. Cruel Operator
[6:06] 6. Down On You
[3:47] 7. Easy Lady
[6:18] 8. Evil Woman Blues
[3:54] 9. Low Down And Dirty
[4:32] 10. Revenge
[5:17] 11. Synchronicity
[4:34] 12. Get Me Out Of Here

Low Down And Dirty mc
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The Gryffyn Band - 2 albums: No Apologies / Am I Blue

Album: No Apologies
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:04
Size: 114.6 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[3:10] 1. Feedin' The Cat
[4:16] 2. I Ain't Feelin' Right
[5:30] 3. My Girl Friend Left Me(For My Best Friend's Dad)
[3:01] 4. Rough On Your Daddy
[5:03] 5. Love Don't Live Here Anymore
[3:18] 6. Messin' Up My Home
[5:22] 7. The Slider
[4:45] 8. Fool Me Once
[3:32] 9. Reborn In The Blues
[5:54] 10. 13 Hours
[3:01] 11. Trouble Ain't Hard To Find
[3:07] 12. See Me No More

Jim Collins, Sean Denton, Rick Mutter and Mark Talbott collectively known as the Gryffyn band are at it again. Following the international success of their first CD, Am I Blue, the Gryffyn band's second CD, No Apologies, amply demonstrates how the band continues to grow as musicians, songwriters and producers. No Apologies represents a 2 year project culminating in an eclectic collection of some of the finest original blues, rock, funk and R&B that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. It's readily apparent that these guys truly enjoy creating and working with each other. See them live and you'll witness a group of musicians who listen to and play off each other in a way that will leave you wanting more. Visualize a tight, high energy band with great songs, stellar vocals and nearly flawless execution and you've painted an accurate portrait of their live performances.

“No Apologies” represents Gryffyn's continuing effort to contribute material to a truly American genre with a very long history. This is their passion and they trust you will enjoy listening to this collection of songs as much as they did writing and recording them.

No Apologies mc
No Apologies zippy

Album: Am I Blue
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:46
Size: 130.0 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[3:55] 1. You're The One
[3:59] 2. Clean Up Man
[2:16] 3. Searchin' For A Big Band
[2:27] 4. Crucify Me
[5:36] 5. Am I Blue
[4:44] 6. Earl's Boogie
[3:33] 7. Kickin' You
[6:15] 8. Voodo
[2:53] 9. Gypsy Woman
[3:46] 10. Baby's On Fire
[5:50] 11. Cold, Cold, Cold
[5:07] 12. Footsteps
[3:29] 13. Your Turn To Cry
[2:48] 14. Just Don't Want To Fight

Am I Blue is a unique blend of the full spectrum of musical experiences of it's song writers. Born of the blues but influenced by R&B, Funk, Jazz, Rock and Pop, the songs are a fresh take on a well established genre. Written and produced primarily by singer/guitarist, Sean Denton and drummer, Mark Talbott, the CD varies from straight ahead R&B to a more contemporary pop blues sound.

The smooth, soulful voice and catchy lyrics of Sean Denton capture the essence of classic blues while together as a band, Gryffyn creates a truly unique blend of music. From the cool bluesy title track, "Am I Blue" to the up-beat funk stylings of "Clean Up Man' to the jazz influenced "Earl's Boogie", The Gryffyn Band stretches out to cover the gambit of R&B. Whether you're a fan of the slide guitar, phat Hammond B3 chops, strong backbeat drumming or tight rythm sections you'll find it all on these recordings.

The Gryffyn Band is made up of veteran Seattle area musicians Sean Denton, Rick Mutter, Mark Talbott and Jim Collins. Ask them about their influences and you're likely to hear such names as Albert King, Perry Como, Sid Vicious, Captain Beefheart, Eric Clapton, Dreams, Jimmy Smith, Weird Al and Robben Ford amongst many, many others. These guys have been around the block! :)

Am I Blue mc
Am I Blue zippy

Missy Andersen - In The Moment

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:49
Size: 114.1 MB
Styles: Soul blues
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[3:59] 1. Rent Party
[4:40] 2. Whole Lotta Nuthin'
[4:14] 3. Night Stalker
[5:35] 4. More Than Enough
[3:26] 5. Better Or Worse
[4:19] 6. No Regrets
[3:43] 7. Same Things Make You Laugh Will Make You Cry
[4:04] 8. Reach Out
[5:30] 9. Ladies Shoes
[4:40] 10. Hey Now!
[5:35] 11. I've Been Walkin'

Missy likens her musical approach to Soul dipped in Blues. While you wrap your head around that description, consider the early influence of her parent’s extensive record collection of soul, R&B, blues, jazz and gospel. Her mother fanned Missy’s interest in singing early by entering her in a children’s talent contest and practicing with her after school. Missy started singing and performing at six, and particularly loved listening to songs that told stories like those by Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, The Staples Singers and Teddy Pendergrass. Teenaged Missy released a single which led to a string of club dates opening for the Grammy Award winning American soul and gospel singer, Cissy Houston. Missy’s music career had taken root, and it continued to evolve as she fronted local bands and did professional studio sessions as a background vocalist.

In the late 90’s Missy became one of the original Juke Joint Jezebelles, a gospel, blues, and soul quartet. They performed as an act, and also toured the U.S. and Europe as back-up singers in blues festivals and at clubs. While touring Missy had ample opportunity, and plenty of motivation, to further develop her chops by opening for, and sharing the stage with Ray Charles, B.B. King, Robert Cray, John Hammond, Keb’ Mo’, Kenny Neal, and The Meters.

In The Moment mc
In The Moment zippy

The Steve Lott Band - If Licks Could Kill

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:13
Size: 117.3 MB
Styles: Blues rock
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:15] 1. Money Don't Care
[3:46] 2. Too Hot To Handle
[4:55] 3. Tamborine Walk
[4:43] 4. Sunset To Sunrise
[3:31] 5. Ashes To Ashes
[6:42] 6. Set Me Free With A Broken Heart
[3:54] 7. Bad Information
[4:32] 8. Better Angels
[5:11] 9. I'll Survive
[4:56] 10. West Texas Refugee Part Ii
[4:42] 11. If Licks Could Kill

If Licks Could Kill mc
If Licks Could Kill zippy

Great Swamp Blues Band - Come Together

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:40
Size: 90.8 MB
Styles: Jazz blues
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[ 9:36] 1. Come Together
[11:20] 2. Fragile
[ 9:40] 3. Whippin Post
[ 9:03] 4. Bird Of Beauty


In my life as a musician, I have played instrumental versions of many popular songs. “Come Together” is a continuation of this concept. I was lucky enough to find these four songs that “spoke” to me near the time that the album was recorded. In some ways, this CD is a tribute to the wonderful songwriters of my recent past. The Allman Brothers Band was one of the many Hammond organ bands in the 1960’s that made me, an accordion player, want to learn how to play organ. “Whippin Post,” with its 11/8 and 12/8 sections, is a tip of my cap to Gregg Allman.

I have always loved Stevie Wonder’s music, and after trying a few of his songs, “Bird of Beauty” got stuck in my brain. I had “help” with “Come Together” when, another musician in my circle of friends, started playing it one night in the “wrong” key. It turned out that I could play the bass line better with my feet in this “wrong” key. After hearing another instrumental version of “Fragile,” I heard some “Jazzier” chords that were possible in this song. The beginning and ending of this song just “happened” as we were recording, so I left it in.

I hope that you, the listener, will enjoy this recording. ~Mark Hamza

Come Together mc
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John Verity - Some Favourites

Released: 2014
Size: 135.4 MB
Time: 59:09
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles: Blues, Rock
Art: Front

1. Bring It On Home [2:20]
2. Good Times, Bad Times [2:42]
3. Loser [4:14]
4. Livin' Lovin' Maid [2:33]
5. Heartbreaker [3:42]
6. D' Yer Mak' Er [4:01]
7. Black Dog [4:41]
8. Rock And Roll [3:09]
9. Whole Lotta Love [5:26]
10. Lemon Song [5:00]
11. Communication Breakdown [2:30]
12. Stairway To Heaven [7:49]
13. Immigrant Song [2:06]
14. Rock And Roll, Pt. 2 [2:37]
15. Dazed And Confused [6:14]

"John Verity began his music career in the early 1960's, playing guitar in various local bands around his home town of Bradford, Yorkshire, until he was offered a full time gig with a band which was backing various visiting US pop acts, as well as Decca Records UK acts when they toured. The earliest incarnations of the John Verity Band supported legends such as Hendrix, Mountain, Canned Heat and Janis Joplin, and he was quickly signed up as the replacement for Argent's Russ Ballard after Ballard quit the band in 1972. When Argent disbanded in 1976, John put together an outfit called Phoenix with bassist Jim Rodford (later to join The Kinks), then spent a few years producing, playing guitar or providing backing vocals for various acts including Motorhead, Ringo Starr, Russ Ballard, Brian Connolly, John Parr, BowWowWow and The Searchers amongst others. More solo albums followed, with Verity dividing his time between his solo career and recording and touring with Keith Emerson (ELP), Jools Holland, Mike Rutherford (Genesis), The Zombies and John Coghlan (ex-Status Quo). JV always said that live work was his first love and that holds as true today as ever. After playing the Cambridge Rock Festival in the summer of 2009 JV and the band went into the studio once more – The resulting recordings were released in April 2010: VERITY – A Phoenix Still Rising... yet another stage in JV's amazing journey ... "

What first attracted you to the blues?

John: I just drifted into it. When I look back, even Elvis’s early stuff had a lot of blues influence and probably didn’t realise it at the time, but I was attracted to those particular tracks. I got hold of a lot of early blues imports and was listening to those alongside the chart stuff of the day. Remember I started gigging in my early teens so always had to keep an awareness of what people would be prepared to listen to. I think I probably began very early on in my career to sort of rearrange stuff into my own, more bluesy style – I would play popular songs, but in a slightly different style / more bluesy.

What does the blues mean to you?

John: An awful lot. It’s a way to express myself. My whole life has revolved around music, performing/playing/writing/recording. I’ve had to diversify at times to survive but my music has always had a blues edge.


Some Favourites


Monday, December 29, 2014

Josh White - Blues Singer (1932-1936)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:48
Size: 139.2 MB
Styles: Pre-war gospel blues, Piedmont blues
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[2:54] 1. New Milk Cow Blues
[3:03] 2. Milk Cow Blues
[3:02] 3. Black Man
[2:48] 4. Friendless City Blues
[3:23] 5. Lord, I Want To Die Easy
[3:04] 6. Did You Read That Letter
[2:58] 7. My Father Is A Husbandman
[2:59] 8. Paul And Silas Bound In Jail
[3:12] 9. Black And Evil Blues
[3:04] 10. Howling Wolf Blues
[3:04] 11. Greenville Sheik
[2:49] 12. Double Crossing Woman
[2:50] 13. Lazy Black Snake Blues
[3:14] 14. Downhearted Man Blues
[2:51] 15. Low Cotton
[3:23] 16. Welfare Blues
[2:59] 17. Stormy Weather No. 1
[2:57] 18. Silicosis Is Killin' Me
[3:10] 19. Badly Mistreated Man
[2:54] 20. Bed Springs Blues

The suave and debonair blues sex symbol in his earliest and purest period, when the Piedmont influence was at its peak in his playing. This is strong stuff, eons away from the collegiate crowd-pleasing folkie stuff he engaged in during the '60s: "Milk Cow Blues," "Lazy Black Snake Blues," and "Silicosis Is Killin' Me" are acoustic solo blues of a consistently high quality, and there are a few religious tunes thrown in to spotlight the other side of White's early recording activities. ~Bill Dahl

Blues Singer (1932-1936) mc
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Katie Webster - 2 albums: No Foolin' / Deluxe Edition

Album: No Foolin'
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:47
Size: 102.5 MB
Styles: New Orleans blues
Year: 1991
Art: Front

[3:05] 1. A Little Meat On The Side
[4:34] 2. I'm Bad
[3:55] 3. No Deposit, No Return
[6:28] 4. Zydeco Shoes And California Blues
[4:06] 5. Too Much Sugar For A Dime
[4:11] 6. Hard Lovin' Mama
[6:29] 7. It's Mighty Hard
[3:30] 8. Tangled In Your Web
[4:57] 9. Those Lonely Lonely Nights
[3:27] 10. Mama Cat Cuttin' No Slack

Katie Webster is a powerful singer who can really belt out the blues, but perhaps her greatest skill is her two-handed piano solos. On this CD she is featured on a fairly wide range of material within the idiom including a zydeco-flavored blues, a sincere blues ballad ("It's Mighty Hard"), a couple of Motownish soul numbers, a rock and rollish "Those Lonely Lonely Nights" (on which she shares vocals with Lonnie Brooks) and, best of all, a variety of basic blues. Although she also contributes some atmospheric chordal organ, it is Katie Webster's piano playing that gives her music its most distinctive personality. A fun set. ~Scott Yanow

No Foolin' mc
No Foolin' zippy

Album: Deluxe Edition
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:20
Size: 140.4 MB
Styles: New Orleans blues, Chicago blues
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[3:22] 1. Two Fisted Mama
[3:58] 2. Who's Making Love
[4:33] 3. I'm Bad
[2:37] 4. C.Q. Boogie
[6:29] 5. It's Mighty Hard
[3:21] 6. Love Deluxe
[3:18] 7. Sea Of Love
[3:05] 8. A Little Meat On The Side
[4:17] 9. Try A Little Tenderness
[5:09] 10. Never Let Me Go
[3:35] 11. I'm Still Leaving You
[3:17] 12. Whoo-Wee Sweet Daddy
[6:32] 13. On The Run
[2:52] 14. Hallelujah, I Just Love Him So
[4:48] 15. The Love You Save May Be Your Own

Katie Webster plays barrelhouse boogie-woogie, New Orleans R&B, Gulf Coast swamp pop, deep bayou blues and Southern gospel-flavored soul like nobody's business; her 35 years of professional piano work has appeared on at least 500 singles, including the original version of "Sea of Love," and countless albums. Music critics and fans around the world acknowledge her as the premier female blues piano player anywhere. Alligator Records' Deluxe Edition collects 15 of her very best tracks from her three albums since 1988, and there isn't a filler track to be found. Webster never once failed to deliver on her sassy and sensuous blend of barrelhouse boogie-woogie. Some of the high points of Deluxe Edition include several duets -- "Love Deluxe" with Vasti Jackson and the classic "Who's Making Love," which finds Kim Wilson (the Fabulous Thunderbirds) and bluesman Robert Cray jamming with the Boogie Queen. Wilson also accompanies Bonnie Raitt and Webster to wail "On the Run." Other standout tracks include her remake of "Sea of Love" and the non-vegetarian "A Little Meat on the Side." "The Love You Save" and "Two Fisted Mama" are sure to go down in the music history books as prime examples of Webster's swamp boogie styles. But perhaps the best cuts of the 15 are the blues-rich vocals and sax of "Try a Little Tenderness," a sure winner, and "Never Let Me Go," a torch-bearing ballad. Alligator's Deluxe Editions are just that -- the best songs by the best artists in their catalog. And Katie Webster ranks right there at the top of that rich list. ~Michael B. Smith

Deluxe Edition mc
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The Breeze Kings - Two Guys Live

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:12
Size: 142.4 MB
Styles: Acoustic blues
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[5:06] 1. Up The Country
[6:01] 2. Back Door Man
[5:33] 3. The Sun Is Shining
[3:10] 4. Evil
[4:04] 5. 32-20
[2:37] 6. Keep It To Yourself
[7:21] 7. Walking Blues
[7:17] 8. All Your Love
[4:47] 9. Sorry That You Put Me Down
[8:24] 10. Hello Central
[2:54] 11. Sweet Pea
[4:53] 12. Going To Decatur

Carlos "Breeze" Capote- vocals, harmonica - Originally from south FL, 'Breeze' grew up musically in the Atlanta blues scene and many locals still remember his first performances ever. That was a few years ago. Since then, his talent and reputation have grown far and fast. Blues fans everywhere have taken notice of his exciting harp style and passionate, natural vocals. Carlos has played with other local blues icons such as Mudcat, Smokestack Lightnin', Johnny Knox, and many blues legends from the Music Maker Relief Foundation. Carlos is also the musical director for the Atlanta Blues Society's "Blues In The Schools" program. These programs are intended primarily for Atlanta area schools but are available to all community groups. The goal is to educate, enlighten and entertain students of all ages about the history, tradition, and cultural impact of American blues music through a presentation combining both live music and lecture.

Jim "Taste Bud" Ransone- guitar - Originally from VA, Jim's musical roots also started in Atlanta. Today, Jim is a seasoned and soulful player, the likes of which are not often seen. With a deep foundation in old school blues traditions ranging from the styles of the delta, to the piedmont to Chicago, Jim's classic tone and fluent finger picking leaves fellow players and fans alike wide eyed and aching for more. Jim has played all over the Southeast with the Urban Shakedancers, the Delta 88's, the Transport Blues Band, and is also well known in Atlanta for his documentary and research on local blues legends as well as his days as an Atlanta blues DJ on WREK 91.1fm. Most recently, Jim was recognized by Creative Loafing magazine as Atlanta's 2010 Best Local Instrumentalist !!!

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Little Charlie & The Nightcats - 2 albums: All The Way Crazy / Shadow Of The Blues

Album: All The Way Crazy
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:27
Size: 92.6 MB
Styles: West Coast blues, Harmonica blues
Year: 1987
Art: Front

[3:45] 1. T.V. Crazy
[2:42] 2. Right Around The Corner
[4:07] 3. Clothes Line
[3:18] 4. Living Hand To Mouth
[5:18] 5. Suicide Blues
[4:13] 6. Poor Tarzan
[4:48] 7. When Girls Do It
[3:19] 8. Eyes Like A Cat
[5:39] 9. I'll Take You Back
[3:14] 10. Short Skirts

This 1987 outing found the band in fine form with its usual mix of strong originals and choice covers. Estrin's harp work on "Poor Tarzan" shows him to be a blower of chops equal to shining guitar whiz Charlie Baty's mercurial flights. Baty, as usual, struts vintage approved tones and blows hotter than a flamethrower on "Suicide Blues," and sprays Magic Sam licks all over Bobby Guitar's "When Girls Do It." Another solid entry in this band's discography. ~Cub Koda

All The Way Crazy

Album: Shadow Of The Blues
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:31
Size: 127.1 MB
Styles: West Coast blues, Harmonica blues
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[5:07] 1. Never Trust A Woman
[3:47] 2. New Old Lady
[5:49] 3. When Your Woman Is Gone
[3:10] 4. You Got Your Hooks In Me
[4:11] 5. Big And Fat
[3:19] 6. You Don't Love Me That Way
[5:41] 7. Walkin' In The Shadow Of The Blues
[3:19] 8. Got It Good
[4:23] 9. Dirty Dealin' Mama
[4:17] 10. Percolatin'
[4:46] 11. I Don't Drink Much
[3:15] 12. Murmur Low
[4:20] 13. You Got To Rock

Little Charlie & the Nightcats' seventh album for Alligator found the group at the top of its game, sharp songwriting combining with the expert playing of a group that has spent years on the road honing its craft. Rick Estrin's sleazy used-car-salesman-as-blues-singer persona comes shining through on his originals "Never Trust a Woman," "New Old Lady," and "Big and Fat," while Charlie Baty's guitar mastery is brought to the fore on the dazzling instrumental "Percolatin'." The title track is a great minor-key slow late-night piece, full of atmosphere and sporting great chromatic harp work from Estrin and a jazzy break from Baty. Down-home award-winner goes to the only cover on board, Arthur "Big Boy" Spires' "Murmur Low," which also features Estrin in the rare role of second guitarist. As always, the rhythm section of Ronnie James Weber on bass and June Core on drums provides swinging support throughout, and the addition on certain tracks of Jimmy Pugh on piano and organ is most welcome. The result is another solid album of modern-day blues served up by one of the genre's best working bands. ~Cub Koda

Shadow Of The Blues

Big Boy Bloater - Loopy

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:20
Size: 78.6 MB
Styles: Juke joint blues
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[4:09] 1. Bear Cat
[3:05] 2. Every Path Has Its Puddle
[2:55] 3. Pall Bearer's Song
[2:44] 4. Bring Her Back To Me
[2:16] 5. Double Whammy!!
[3:56] 6. Alligator Wine
[3:17] 7. Where'd It All Go Wrong For You
[4:14] 8. Only Fools Know Everything
[4:25] 9. More Than A Million
[3:14] 10. You Don't Know Diddley

One voice, one guitar, and a box of tricks makes the blues shiver and shake. Big Boy Bloater’s youthful good looks bely the fact that he’s been fronting rhythm and blues bands since his teenage years in the 1980s. The experience gained from playing dives one night and supporting legends the next has made him a force to be reckoned with in the British blues scene, as his most recent band album, The World Explained showed. But, he’s decided to take a sharp left turn to create a solo album that celebrates the sound he grew up listening to, and making it so raw I swear I saw blood coming out of the speakers.

I can’t think of a more suitable opening track than Rufus Thomas’s "Bear Cat" (which owes a lot to "Hound Dog"!) to open Loopy. Bloater's whisky-soaked rasp, which comes from the pit of his ample stomach, coupled with some gutsy electric guitar playing, make the song very much his own. He does it again, later, with a scary interpretation of Leiber and Stoller’s "Alligator Wine". The fact that those two great songs don’t really stand out proves what a clever songwriter and performer Bloater is. "Every Path Has Its Puddle" opens with his guitar creating a thunderclap, followed by the box of tricks that keeps the atmosphere dark and moody. The singer begs "her" for a "kiss and a cuddle / but every path has its puddle / a pretty girl like you is going to get me in trouble." This, for me, is a song that epitomises the blues.

I’m not sure what purists and pedants will make of the looping machine that is used throughout the album, but I absolutely love the way Bloater uses it to breathe new life into a classic formula, especially on his signature tune "Double Whammy". He makes it sound like something you would have heard in a Louisiana juke joint on a Saturday night, instead of the R&B rocker that fans will be used to. It’s a similar story with the funky "Only Fools Know Everything" and "You Don’t Know Diddley", which sounds like something Bo himself would have been proud of in his latter years. Even as a fan of Big Boy Bloater, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the sound he’s created here. It certainly is a sound that I haven’t heard in a very long time. ~Harrisonaphotos

Loopy mc
Loopy zippy

Lazy Poker - The Real Deal

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:03
Size: 110.0 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2004/2010
Art: Front

[4:50] 1. Gypsy's Curse
[3:40] 2. I Know My Baby
[2:47] 3. Pink Thunderbird
[3:47] 4. Back Door Game
[2:14] 5. Ain't No Sunshine
[3:53] 6. All You've Got Is The Blues
[8:10] 7. Heart Full Of Doubt
[3:44] 8. Rise Up With The Blues
[2:49] 9. Swing Thing
[3:09] 10. Don't Mess Around With Me
[3:04] 11. Too Much Pork In My Stew
[2:58] 12. The Real Deal
[2:52] 13. C U Later

Lazy Poker is a constantly-evolving collective of Scottish bluesicians. From the first show on 1st December 1995 the band has played many UK and Irish festivals, albums have been well-received worldwide and been played on radio stations in UK, USA and Australia.

The Real Deal mc
The Real Deal zippy

Inside Straight Blues Band - Straight Up... Down And Dirty

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:59
Size: 141.9 MB
Styles: Rockin blues
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[4:33] 1. Never Make My Move Too Soon
[5:39] 2. Put The Shoe On The Other Foot
[5:24] 3. Everyday I Have The Blues
[6:05] 4. Walkin' The Dog
[5:29] 5. Early In The Morning
[7:46] 6. The Thrill Is Gone
[4:49] 7. Let The Good Times Roll
[8:00] 8. You Don't Know What Love Is
[5:08] 9. Stagger Lee
[4:43] 10. Born In Chicago
[4:17] 11. I'm Tore Down

Inside Straight Blues Band, a popular band with Twin Cities and regional club audiences, plays blues and blues-rock in the Chicago, Texas, Memphis, Kansas City, St. Louis and New Orleans traditions. Tempered with solid jazz, funk and R&B influences, the result is a sound that is unique to Inside Straight; a sound that is truly a collection of its member's backgrounds and experiences.

The core of the Inside Straight Blues Band is the quartet of Kurt Koehler on Guitar, Bill Swanson on Keys, Mark Zmuda on Bass, and Greg Mans on Drums. In addition to the quartet, Inside Straight offers both five and six piece ensembles with either an added saxophone player or a two horn section.

Straight Up... Down And Dirty mc
Straight Up... Down And Dirty zippy

Mighty Sam McClain - Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:12
Size: 110.4 MB
Styles: Soul-blues
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:20] 1. I Wish You Well
[3:41] 2. Missing You
[3:13] 3. Can You Feel It
[3:45] 4. Feel So Good, Feel So Right
[3:39] 5. Tears
[2:43] 6. Stand Up
[3:07] 7. Real Thing
[4:03] 8. Use Me
[3:46] 9. Rock My Soul
[3:22] 10. Hey Baby
[3:34] 11. So Into You
[3:42] 12. Wake Up Call
[3:38] 13. Too Much Jesus Not Enough Whiskey
[2:33] 14. Dance

Music legend Mighty Sam McClain titled his latest project Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) with tongue planted firmly in cheek. By my call, at least five of the album’s 14 tracks are thematically religious or inspirational. McClain also enlists divine help to bring a lover back on the jazzy torch ballad “Tears,” and McClain cites God as the heavenly matchmaker on the soul/funk ballad “So Into You.” The crooner asks his Heavenly Father for guidance while reflecting on another lost love on the very good “Missing You.”

In a way it shouldn’t be too surprising to find spiritual themes and references in McClain’s spiritual and secular tunes. The 69 year old started singing in his mother’s church at five-years old. McClain came up the old school way by singing on the Chitlin’ Circuit, which is where he refined his vocals. And he spent much of his career as the quintessential hard working and underappreciated artists who had to go overseas to receive the acclaim so richly deserved.

People in Europe and Asia gladly accept the soul music that many on this side of the pond take for granted. On Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) fans will hear the qualities that gave McClain international acclaim: His masculine vocal possesses the clear intonation of a jazz singer on tunes such as “Missing You” and he brings the same funk/rock/gospel sensibility to the inspirational “Can You Feel It” that Edwin Starr brought to “War.”

One thing that gives a sense of irony to the album’s title is that the best work on Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) comes when McClain takes his listeners to church. In addition to the aforementioned “Can You Feel It,” the record’s best track may very well be “Use Me,” a contemporary R&B influenced cut that is nothing less than a love song to God. As contemporary R&B scrubs any hint of its connection to gospel music, it becomes far too easy for the mainstream to marginalize legends such as McClain. Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) is a reminder that the best soul music is called “soul” for a reason – it possesses elements of the church house and the roadhouse. ~Howard Dukes

Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) mc
Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) zippy

Various - Blues Quest

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:55
Size: 123.5 MB
Styles: Modern electric blues, Soul blues
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[3:46] 1. Terry Evans - Get Up, Get Ready
[5:12] 2. Doug Macleod - One Good Woman
[2:15] 3. Joe Beard - Dirty Groundhog
[4:35] 4. Mighty Sam Mcclain - Too Proud
[4:48] 5. Ronnie Earl - Country Girl
[6:21] 6. Bruce Katz Band - The Prowler
[5:12] 7. Sherman Robertson - Going Back Home
[4:35] 8. Doug Macleod - Old Country Road
[3:21] 9. Robert Lucas - 50 Lbs Of Bone
[3:36] 10. Joe Beard - See See Rider
[5:41] 11. Ronnie Earl - Ronnie's Blues
[4:28] 12. Mighty Sam Mcclain - Somebody Help Me

This album is probably the best SACD recording released to-date. The air around musicians and instruments is simply jaw-dropping; it'll startle you from track 1's Get Up, Get Ready by Terry Evans. By the time you reach track 4 - Too Proud by Mighty Sam McClain, you'll probably be too drowned by the technical perfection of this disc and you'll be having goosebumps already. If you still manage to get to track 9 - 50 Pounds of Bone by Robert Lucas, you may be at the pinnacle of musical orgasm to the point of almost getting emotionally disturbed. I swear there was a moment when I can almost see Mr. Lucas inside the room! Down to the decay of the last note on the last track, when everything suddenly becomes dead silent, it'll take you about 2 minutes to realize that you are only in your room. ~Nick Salsamento

Blues Quest mc
Blues Quest zippy