Ghalia Mississippi Blend (Ruf Records)

Ghalia

Mississippi Blend Ruf Records Review by Greg Johnson Belgium-based vocalist Ghalia has long been infatuated with the blues. Mississippi Blend is her sophomore release on the European blues label Ruf, and she has returned to the American homeland…
Charlie Parr (Red House Records)

Charlie Parr

  Charlie Parr Red House Records Review by Greg Johnson Minnesota-based fingerpicking guitarist returns with his thirteenth recording following a skateboarding accident that injured his shoulder so severely it required several pins and…
Various Artists - Cadillac Baby’s Bea & Baby Records

Various Artists – Cadillac Baby’s Bea & Baby Records

The Definitive Collection Earwig Review by Greg Johnson When calling out the great blues labels of Chicago from the late 1950s into the ‘60s, you’re naturally going to name Chess, Cobra, Delmark and Vee Jay. But Bea & Baby Records,…
Mike Zito and Friends - Rock ‘N’ Roll: A Tribute To Chuck Berry (Ruf Records)

Mike Zito and Friends ~ Rock ‘N’ Roll: A Tribute To Chuck Berry (Ruf Records)

Rock ‘N’ Roll: A Tribute To Chuck Berry Ruf Records By Greg Johnson Mike Zito brings together multiple friends to pay tribute to one of the crafters of modern music, Chuck Berry. Berry took his music from St Louis to Chicago and changed…
Mark Hummel - Wayback Machine (Electro-Fi Records)

Mark Hummel

Wayback Machine Electro-Fi Records By Greg Johnson Harmonica ace Mark Hummel jumps into his “Wayback Machine” to take us on a trip back to the sounds of Bluebird Records, the noted blues label who produced some of the most acclaimed…
Franck Goldwasser - Tyranny Is Rising (Slim Byrd Records)

Franck Goldwasser

Tyranny Is Rising Slim Byrd Records By Greg Johnson Franck L. Goldwasser sent me a copy of his latest EP, Tyranny Is Rising. This 3 track disc features the same song done in three different styles, swamp, traditional and lowdown. All are…
Brody Buster’s One Man Band

Brody Buster’s One Man Band

Damn! I Spilled The Blues Booga Music / VizzTone By Greg Johnson The first time I saw Brody Buster perform he was playing in a jam during the WC Handy Award weekend in Memphis. He was still just a teenager at the time, but his harmonica skills…
Rae Gordon Band - Wrong Kind Of Love - Self Released

Rae Gordon Band – Wrong Kind Of Love – Self Released

Wrong Kind Of Love Self Released By Greg Johnson After the release of her last album, the incredible Better Than I Was, it was hard to think that the Rae Gordon Band could surpass the authenticity of heart-felt delivery in their performance.…
Lucky Peterson - 50: Just Getting Started! - Jazz Village

Lucky Peterson

50: Just Getting Started! Jazz Village By Greg Johnson The term prodigy may be thrown out regarding many artists, but when it comes to Lucky Peterson it is clearly a fitting title. The son of bluesman James Peterson, Lucky scored his first…
Bob Corritore and Friends - Do the Hip-Shake Baby! - Vizztone

Bob Corritore and Friends

Do the Hip-Shake Baby! Vizztone By Randy Murphy Bob Corritore is a harmonica demon, and on his new release, “Do the Hip-Shake Baby!” he’s positively possessed. But his harmonica action is not the only attraction on this follow up to…