Rock Pays Tribute to ZZ Top (New York, NY) How one chooses what artists/bands are going to be featured on a tribute album honoring one of the industry’s greatest blues-rock acts is a mystery to us laypeople, but 2011’s ZZ TOP: A TRIBUTE FROM FRIENDS marks the second major-label tribute compilation to that “lil’ ol’ [...]
Archive for Category: "J. Blake"
Etta James’ The Dreamer, CD Review
Etta James’ Final Album (New York, NY) The world was recently saddened by the loss of a true music legend, Etta James. The singer’s last few years may have been marked with illness and controversial verbal outbursts, but her talent and artistry have insured that she will forever be remembered for her influential contributions to [...]
Christine Santelli’s Dragonfly, CD Review
Christine Santelli Flies Completely Solo (New York, NY) In the mid-1990s New Yorker Christine Santelli began touring the world as one of blues’/roots rock’s brightest new stars; sharing stages and concert bills with such respected veterans as Kim Wilson, Eric Burdon, Bonnie Raitt and Steve Cropper. Her ongoing career has been full of critical accolades, loyal [...]
Oz Noy’s Twisted Blues Vol. 1, CD Review
Oz Noy Puts His Own Twist On The Blues. (New York, NY) Guitarist Oz Noy may be best known for his contributions to the jazz world, but his latest studio effort, the aptly titled TWISTED BLUES VOL. 1, finds the Israeli born virtuoso putting his progressive stamp on the world of blues. With this latest [...]
The Black Coffee Blues Band Continues an NYC New Year’s Tradition
Popa Chubby & Crew in Brooklyn (New York, NY) 2012 has arrived and those New York blues fans that woke up on Sunday morning (January 1st), perhaps a little worse for the wear and fortunately “in the know” got treated to a wonderful New Year’s Day tradition, Black Coffee Blues Band live at Pete’s Ale [...]
Five of 2011′s Most Listenable Albums
Possible Holiday Gift Ideas (New York, NY) Every year provides music fans with a plethora of listening experiences; some are new and completely original, while others revisit the sounds and songs of a time past. As the holidays rapidly approach and 2011 winds down to a close, it only seems right to take a look [...]
Eric Clapton 2011: A Year in Review
Eric Clapton in 2011 (New York, NY) Despite the fact that it was nearly 10 years ago that Eric Clapton first claimed he was retiring from the road, it seems like it was only yesterday. As I get older, I am starting to realize just how quickly time flies by and when I look back [...]
Buddy Guy Brings The Blues To New York City
Buddy Guy Live in NYC. (New York, NY) Last week New York City blues fans were graced with the presence of a genuine blues legend, the great Buddy Guy. It has been a long time since this reviewer (and blues fan) has seen the energetic front man in a venue as small as B.B. King’s [...]
Of Mountains and Men – A Few Minutes with Leslie West
Though we didn’t discuss any of the hardships he’s had to overcome throughout his life, he did shine some interesting light on his inspirations, his musical equipment, his latest album and fact that his career has been blessed with a series of (as he puts it) “good mistakes.”
Chris Isaak’s Beyond The Sun, CD Review
Isaak’s voice and delivery feel perfectly at home with this material as he croons with a smoothness that is fit for “The King.”
Savoy Brown’s Voodoo Moon, CD Review
VOODOO MOON seems to be clear-cut evidence that the Savoy Brown “blues train” shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
The Mighty Mojo Prophets’ Self-Titled Debut, CD Review
…they are managing to take vintage musical conventions and making them sound fresh and exciting.
Popa Chubby’s Back To New York City, CD Review
…an interesting and often telling look at the artist behind the “Chubby” moniker.
Leslie West’s Unusual Suspects, CD Review
UNUSUAL SUSPECTS may feature some arguably atypical guest-appearances, but its content is unapologetically Leslie West.
Mark T. Small’s Blacks, Whites & The Blues, CD review
Acoustic Blues with a Modern Energy. (New York, NY) Mark T. Small may have over 40 years of playing music under his belt; exploring bluegrass to Chicago blues, but it wasn’t until 2000 that he found his true calling as a solo acoustic blues tour de force. His latest album, BLACKS, WHITES & THE BLUES, [...]
