Hank Shizzoe - 2010 - Breather [320]

Swiss singer-songwriter Hank Shizzoe puts his native multi-lingualism to good use on Breather, with covers of Italian Adriano Celentano's prescient 1976 commentary on economics, "Svalutation", and "Et Moi, Et Moi, Et Moi" by Sixties' French Dylan wannabe Jacques Dutronc, the monotone diatribe of which is perfectly suited to Shizzoe's deadpan delivery. His own songs reflect the creeping disillusion of age, including a sardonic dismissal of online social networking ("Safe New World") and dyspeptic musings on the other new world in "Only In America", prompted by disgust at the spectacle of Michael Jackson's funeral. He's ably accompanied by his own guitar, banjo, slide guitar and keyboards in a variety of Euro-Americana modes, from rockabilly to boogie.

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Professor Longhair - 1996 - Fess' Gumbo [192]

This solo piano album by the late Professor Longhair is an undeservedly unknown gem. Originally recorded in 1979 for a Canadian radio station, it took almost twenty years to get it released, but it was still worth the wait. The record contains solo piano pieces and spoken interviews (no vocals), and it gives great insight into the music and mind of one of America's true originals.

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Professor Longhair - 1990 - House Party New Orleans Style [256]

Boiling blues and trademark African-Latin and boogie-woogie riffs were the menu when Professor Longhair brought his Crescent City music show to Baton Rouge and Memphis in 1971 and 1972, respectively. The 15 numbers on House Party New Orleans Style matched the great pianist with an esteemed array of musicians who included outstanding guitarist Snooks Eaglin on both sessions, and fine rhythm sections as well. Eaglin's flashy, inventive solos were excellent contrasts to Longhair's rippling keyboard flurries and distinctive mix of yodels, yells, cries and shouts.

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Professor Longhair - 1993 - Rum & Coke [192]

Professor Longhair (December 19, 1918 – January 30, 1980; born Henry Roeland Byrd, also known as Roy "Bald Head" Byrd and as Fess) was a New Orleans blues singer and pianist. Professor Longhair is noteworthy for having been active in two distinct periods, both in the heyday of early rhythm and blues, and in the resurgence of interest in traditional jazz after the founding of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

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Joey DeFrancesco Trio - 1994 - All About My Girl [128]

Joey DeFrancesco is an American jazz organist, trumpeter, and vocalist. Down Beat's Critics and Readers Poll selected him as the top jazz organist every year since 2003. This is swinging, exciting playing that equals any organ group you have heard. Tenor sax player Houston Person adds immeasurably to this group with his soulful playing. Joey's long-time associates Paul Bollenback on guitar and Byron Landham on drums cannot be improved on. The CD title "All About My Girl" is somewhat deceptive in that the songs are not all about girls, although we hear about "Donna Lee" and "Sonny Gets Blue." To quote Joey, it is more about wanting "to get together and do what we love, playing blues and standards." In fact, Joey calls this one of his favorite albums. Good luck in finding this out of print Muse label recording.
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Various Artists - 2005 - Funeral Songs - Dead Man Blues [192]

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Mud Morganfield With The Dirty Aces - 2008 - Live [VBR]

Mud Morganfield - better known as Muddy Waters' oldest son - has recently recorded a live album with The Dirty Aces. Classic Chicago blues.

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Kenny Wayne Shepherd - 2010 - Live In Chicago [320]

Four Grammy nominations, two Billboard Music Awards and millions of albums later, life came full circle when Shepherd and his band assembled several generations worth of blues legends, including Bryan Lee, at the House Of Blues in Chicago, captured for posterity on the brand new 'Live In Chicago' album.

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Randy Edelman - 1979 - You're The One [128]

Randy Edelman is a US-born award-winning composer. He is best known for his work for the cinema, with scores for films including Last of the Mohicans and Jackie Chan’s Shanghai films. This is a good seventies album. "If This Is Love" was a Melissa Manchester single, but the Edelman version is very strong and a highlight of the disk.

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Various Artists - Blues Train Songs 105-107

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Danny Baker - 2002 - Whirlwind [128]

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Danny Baker - 2000 - Mama's Cookin' [320]

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Gov't Mule - 2010 - Mulennium [320]

December 31, 1999, ushered in a new century and millennium and called for something truly magical - and that nights show at Atlanta's historic Fox theater delivered it. What made the show so extraordinary? For starters, Little Milton, one of Warren Haynes' most important influences, joins Gov't Mule for six songs including 'I Can't Quit You Baby' and 'It Hurts Me Too'. Other special guests include longtime Mule friends and collaborators Audley Freed (Black Crows), Robert Kearns, Johnny Mosier, Mark Van Allen and Barry Richman. Secondly, this show contains many Mule covers played for the first time including The Black Crows 'Sometimes Salvation' and King Krimson's '21st Century Schzoid Man'.

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Paul Lamb & The King Snakes - 2006 - I'm On A Roll [192]

This set consists of a mix of those lovely, lightly skipping Little Walter styled numbers, California jump-blues (and few do these as well as Paul and co.), a little nod to the tough Chicago sound and the odd George Smith slow chromatic piece. One of Paul’s original inspirations was Sonny Terry, and ‘You’d Better Mind’ is a wonderful recreation of the Terry/ McGhee sound. There are several accomplished instrumentals, including a jazz workout from Rau, so that although this maintains the high standards we have come to expect from Paul, it is perhaps a little more varied than some of his previous offerings. One thing that does not change though is Paul’s position as one of the world’s top blues harmonica men – and that is assured and reinforced by this release.

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Lester Quitzau - 1994 - Keep On Walking [160]

Meet Canadian roots music artist Lester Quitzau, a mellow guy who throws down a heavy groove. In a field where intangibles like feel and integrity count for so much, Quitzau has forged an exemplary career. What began with a solid blues apprenticeship in the funky working-class bars of Edmonton has grown into an eclectic and constantly evolving musical journey for the guitarist, singer, song-writer, composer and producer. The album, 'Keep On Walking' is a classic collection of slide-inflected folk-blues, but it also revealed a rich voice and an undeniable songwriting talent. To support the record, Lester toured relentlessly throughout the mountainous countryside, barrelling down logging roads on his BMW R100 motorcycle, two guitars on his back and a saddlebag filled with CDs. Recently the track 'Valhalla" was used in the indy snowboarding film, "Sinners", and has been shown all over the world.

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Detroit With Mitch Ryder - 1972 - Get Out The Vote [320]

The Mitch Ryder 'Get Out the Vote' disc was recorded live at the University of Michigan's ornate Hill Auditorium on April Fool's Day, 1972. The bill was topped by The Spencer Davis Group, but Ryder and his Detroit Wheels, recently revamped with the addition of lead guitarist Steve "Decator Gator" Hunter (Hunter hailed from Decator, Illinois), were certainly the home-town favorites at this gig. The band also featured drummer Johnny "Bee" Badanjek, who would go on to front his own band, and record the ode to lysergic acid, 'Linda Sue Dixon'.

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Danny Baker - 2000 - The Blues Are Dangerous [320]

A great Blues/Rock artist from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Danny has written and performed on all the tracks in his latest CD's on Bison Records. His current band consists of Danny Baker Guitar/Vocals, Tommy Tripplehorn Piano/Guitar, Billy Pitcock IV Guitar/Saxophone, Jimmy Strader Bass, and Jimmy Karstein on drums and percussion.

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Chris Duarte - 2010 - Infinite Energy [256]

Chris Duarte continues to improve and refine his craft with each successive release. The new CD "Infinite Energy" will build expectations of his loyal fan base as he consistently delivers some of the best work in the context of high energy blues rock. This CD contains moments that bring to mind legendary artists as diverse as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Johnson. ALL THE CREDITS TO JULYBLUE FOR THIS!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

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Rockin' Sidney - 1988 - Live With The Blues [320]

Born Sidney Semien on April 9, 1938 in Lebeau, Louisiana, he began playing harmonica and guitar professionally while in his teens, and made his first R&B-styled recordings on the Fame and Jin imprints during the late 1950s; his first regional hit, "No Good Woman," appeared in 1962. Between the mid-1960s and the late 1970s, Sidney cut well over 50 singles for the Louisiana-based Goldband label, working in a variety of contemporary blues, soul and R&B modes; none proved successful, however, and upon learning the accordion he began playing zydeco. He issued his first true zydeco record, Give Me a Good Time Woman, on the Maison de Soul label in 1982; two years later he cut My Zydeco Shoes Got the Zydeco Blues, which included the track "My Toot Toot." Although Sidney himself was reportedly unhappy with the song, it became a local jukebox hit, and soon regional radio stations began playing it regularly; in time, the single became a grass-roots smash, selling well over a million copies on its way to charting in the U.S. and the U.K. and even winning a Grammy Award. While Sidney never again reached the same commercial peaks, he remained one of zydeco's most notable artists, setting up his own label, Bally Hoo, and touring regularly until his death on February 25, 1998.

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Roy Roberts - 1993 - Introducing Roy Roberts [256]

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Reverend Dan Smith - 1992 - Just Keep Goin' On [128]

Smith sang in church and played harmonica as a child. He didn't begin his professional career until the early '60s, when he played behind folk legends Rev. Gary Davis and Pete Seeger. This is an absolutely wonderful recording of Rev. Dan Smith a few years before his death. Great Chicago blues music with a gospel message, comparable to Muddy Waters, but with a little more harmonica. Includes original songs interspersed with some personal testimony in his world-wise, gravelly voice. One of the most enjoyable gospel blues albums available.

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Scott Finch - 1993 - Pipe Dreams [320]

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Michael Fuller - 2003 - Days Into Years [DBR]

Singer Dave Robinette and guitarist Michael Fuller go way back 25 years ago a young Dave hired a real young Michael Fuller to fill in for his ailing guitarist and Dave made a huge impression on Mr Fuller. Mike went on to form the world-famous Fulltone Guitar Effects company and vowed to have his good friend Dave sing on his records, and what you have here are the results of their long-time collaboration. Dave still resides in Boise, fronting many bands including the Solution Brothers, and can be seen/heard almost any given night in Boise area clubs. Mike and Dave continue to get together for the occasional gig and recording session in Mike's Los Angeles recording studio, whenever time allows. (Sorry for the bitrate, but i can't find something better. Super rare CD). Tune 12 is actually the tune 11.

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Magic Red & The Voodoo Tribe - 2002 - Fire & Soul [VBR]

"Fire & Soul" is the follow-up to Red's critically acclaimed nuclear blues/rock debut "First Temptation" and certainly proves that Red and Company will not fall prey to any "sophomore jinx". Though the supporting players have changed since the first recording, Magic Red remains at the epicenter of this recording, just as he was on the first. The new band, which consists of E.J. "Moose" Beles on bass and vocals and Mark Griffith on drums, is every bit as capable as the earlier Voodoo Tribe and supports Red's guitar in fine style.

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Buddy Guy - 2010 - Living Proof [320]

Buddy Guy, no stranger to songs dealing with chilling realities, addresses his 74 years with a mixture of drama and bravado on “Living Proof” (Silvertone) aided by producer, drummer and co-songwriter Tom Hambridge. Loosely tracing Guy’s life story from his boyhood on a Louisiana sharecropping farm to his current status as a septuagenarian blues icon, the album is free of the guest stars that have occasionally diluted the artist’s past efforts. The exceptions are cameos by Carlos Santana and B.B. King, with whom Guy sings an affectionate, low-key duet.

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Paul Lamb & The King Snakes - 2000 - Take Your Time And Get It Right [256]

British harp player Lamb and his five-piece band do a respectable job of getting a Chicago sound with a bit of Louisiana influence. The sparse arrangements and restrained solos give this recording a mature sound.

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Brownie McGhee - 1940 - Not Guilty Blues [320]

Here's an 18-track collection of McGhee's earliest recordings, all of it emanating from sessions held in 1940 and the following year. Brownie's recordings as Blind Boy Fuller #2 are here, as well as the first recordings pairing him with longtime future partner Sonny Terry. His work with washboard player Oh Red and the mysterious Jordan Webb playing harmonica is every bit as effective, though, and tracks like "Picking My Tomatoes" and "Born For Bad Luck" get this set off to a wonderful start; the musical quotient stays high all, the way to the end. Everything is pulled off of old, beat-up 78s, and the quality is up and down on every track, but this as fine an early Brownie McGhee set as you'll come across.

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Jimmy Johnson - 1999 - Every Road Ends Somewhere [256]

Jimmy Johnson is one of Chicago's finest blues musicians, yet he still is relatively unknown outside of the Windy City. Except for a few highly-acclaimed albums on Delmark and Alligator more than a decade ago, his recorded output has been minimal. That's what makes his newest CD, Every Road Ends Somewhere (Ruf), worth its weight in gold. This is a solid release from start to finish, highlighted by Johnson's stinging West Side-style guitar and soulful, almost falsetto, vocals. Most of the cuts are original numbers, and the covers are so different from the originals that you'll recognize them only by the lyrics.

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Jimmy Johnson - 1994 - I'm A Jockey [192]

It shouldn't have taken Johnson a full decade to find his way back into a studio, but such are the injustices of the record business. The wait was worth it, though -- backed by his touring trio of the timeframe, Johnson mixes blues and soul, originals (a heartfelt "Black & White Wall" and the soaring ballad "My Ring") and covers (his takes on McKinley Mitchell's "End of a Rainbow" and Wilson Pickett's "Engine Number 9" hit home), in decidedly solid contemporary form.

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Miles Davis - 1957 - Bluing - Miles Davis Plays The Blues 1951-56 [160]

This compilation of classic Prestige tracks spans from 1951 to 1956 and focuses specifically on Davis's mixing of bebop's intricate rhythms and adventurous phrasing with traditional twelve-bar blues. Flanked by some of the best jazz men of the century (Art Blakey, Paul Chambers, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Red Garland and Sonny Rollins among them), Davis blazes his way through these superb recordings with moods that alternate between the breakneck brilliance of "Blue n' Boogie" (replete with dazzlingly inventive solos by Davis and saxophonist Lucky Thomson) to the nonchalant cool of "Green Haze." Vibraharpist Milt Jackson's bright, swing-infected solos and Monk's trademark idiosyncracies create a nice counterpoint to Davis's astringent lines on tracks such as "Bag's Groove" and "Dr. Jackle."

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Jimmy Johnson - 1990 - Livin' The Life [320]

Jimmy Johnson, a Chicago guitarist, born (James Thompson) in Holly Springs, Mississippi to a musically inclined family. Jimmy Johnson, came to Chicago in 1950, started to play professionally in 1959. Played with may famous musicians as a guitarist. Fist recoding in 1978 on the Living Chicago Blues anthologies album, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. The next few albums sent Johnson's career soaring into the number one rank of blues in Chicago. Jimmy Johnson shows outstanding musical qualities, way above the average. Jimmy has a superb guitar style of his own along with a high-pitched singing voice. Jimmy Johnson has toured Europe over the past twenty plus years and has recorded several landmark albums in the modern blues world.

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Various Artists - 1992 - Dig These Blues [192]

Johnny Otis produced these hot R&B sides for his Dig label during the mid '50s.

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Johnny Otis - 1991 - Creepin' With The Cats [128]

Twenty-two tracks, almost half previously unreleased, from circa 1956-57 that Otis recorded for his own short-lived Dig label. Not as vivacious as the sides he recorded for Capitol in the late '50s, this is spirited but generic jump blues/R&B, divided evenly between vocals and instrumentals. Occasional cuts like the silly novelty instrumental "Ali Baba's Boogie" stand out from the pack. The one commanding greatest interest is "Hey! Hey! Hey!," which served as the model for Little Richard's version, which in turned was covered by the Beatles in the mid-'60s (as "Kansas City").

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Diamond Dave & The Doodaddies - 2008 - West Coast Blues - Live! [320]

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The Fabulous Thunderbirds - 2005 - Painted On [320]

Produced by Los Lobos' Steve Berlin and Kim Wilson, Painted On holds a few surprises, including eight brand-new compositions, a reworked Waylon Jennings song, a pure soul ballad, and vocal duets with guitarist Nick Curran and special guest Rachel Nagy of the Detroit Cobras. The title track (and first single) is a soulful rocker with a memorable hook that has "future T-Birds classic" written all over it. The songs draw from a variety of styles and influences, but they are all built solidly around the deep and unmistakable T-Birds groove.

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Rob Tognoni - 2010 - Rock And Roll Live [192]

Recorded at the Spirit of '66, Verviers, Belgium in March this year, it captures the fast and furious energy to the subtlety that Rob's gigs are well known for.

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Angel Forrest - 1997 - Angel Sings Janis Live [320]

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Fats & His Cats - 1964-68 - Dance Party [320]

Fats and his Cats from Frankfurt were a very active live band, in fact they were one of the groups that played at the Star Club the most. By the mid-60's all of the “Cats” were in their 30's. Initially they had started as a conventional dance band but then they caught the rock 'n' roll-bug in the late 50's and began to play the G.I.-clubs around the south of Germany. They first recorded for the small Carina and Linda Labels until they were picked up by CBS. Fats and his Cats stayed together long enough to catch the second wave of the rock 'n' roll revival in the 80's. Their band leader Otto “Fats” Ortwein died in 1990. Bear Family records has re-issued the complete 60's output of Fats and his Cats.

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Diamond Dave & The DooDaddies - 2005 - Lonely Part Of Town [VBR]

Hailing from Perth, Western Australia the "Doodaddies" are a four piece Chicago style blues band featuring the red hot guitar chops of Dave Brewer and the sensational harmonica playing of 'Diamond' Dave Billing.The 'Doodaddies' cover a solid selection of uplifting grooves including swinging shuffles, soul, boogaloo, cry in your beer' blues and more. With a number of live shows and two cd releases including the recently released (Jan 2006) 'Lonely Part of Town' the 'Doodaddies' prove not only that the roots of the blues are strong and far reaching but that the future of the blues is bright!

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Chris Duarte - 2009 - Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, All Things Blue [VBR]

Texas guitar slinger Chris Duarte is a household word among blues guitar aficionados. Duarte's career spans over 20 years and he remains one of the most active touring artists on the blues circuit. This CD is Duarte's first collection, culled from some of the best moments of released and previously unreleased performances from this highly revered guitar hero.

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Angel Forrest - 2005 - Here For You [VBR]

Quebec's answer to Janis Joplin, Angel Forrest has captivated audiences for more than 20 years with her charismatic stage presence and powerful voice. No matter the setting, the blueswoman is capable of making an instant connection with her spectators. In 2005, she released her first English recording, Here For You.

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Vdelli - 2010 - Take A Bite [320] (Re-Up)

The CD is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Jazzhaus Records release Ain’t Bringing Me Down which made a significant statement amongst rock listeners and was voted among the best rock albums of 2009.
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Axel Zwingenberger - 2010 - The Magic Of Boogie Woogie [320]

Axel Zwingenberger, today's leading boogie woogie pianist, together with Charlie Watts at the drums and Dave Green, the stellar double bass player, let shine the swinging magic of blues and boogie woogie in full glory. This is the pure joy of trio playing! Spontaneously created numbers alternate with boogie classics, and for the first time, Charlie's drums' artistry is featured in such an intimate setting.

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Cashbox - 2010 - Iron Mountain Train [VBR]

Cashbox is a southern rock band with ties in many different styles of music. With awesome vocals, tight guitars, and steady drums, they are looking to bring back southern rock! Sounds like Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special, ACDC, and Georgia Satellites.Cashbox was formed in 2006 by drummer Michael Murphy and bass player Jeremy Payne. After jamming together for a couple of months, they sought out a singer, and found Andrew Brannon. In 2007 they added guitar player Tyler Chambers, and Cashbox was almost complete. After almost 4 years of searching, and never willing to just settle, Cashbox accidentally stumbled upon LB Abernathy on lead guitar. This forced the band to evolve and challenged them to create an even more unique and refined sound. With roots in gospel, country, rock, southern rock, blues, and several other types of music, Cashbox consistently refines their music to reflect their unique sound.

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Freddie & The Screamers - 2010 - I Ain't Crazy [320]

Re-union CD by the Screamers. Songwriter, producer, guitarist and vocalist Fred James calls it 'nothing fancy, just good, greasy Tennessee R&B'. That's right.

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Soul Survivors - 1969 - Take Another Look [192]

The Soul Survivors, originally from New York City, grew up listening to the R & B groups of the 1950’s. The sounds of groups like the Moonglows, Heartbeats, and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers had a great influence on brothers Charlie and Rich Ingui. "Expressway to Your Heart" was a #1 hit regionally in Philadelphia and New York in the spring of 1967, and the tune reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 nationally. Take Another Look, their second LP, includes slide guitarist Duane Allman on a few songs.

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Walter 'Wolfman' Washington - 1992 - Get On Up [192]

Washington's good-time, funky R&B groove is present throughout, as well as his vocal style, which is very close to that of Little Milton. With very few Wolfman Washington recordings in the world, this is a good choice and one to search for.

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The Paladins - 2007 - Power Shake Live In Holland [320]

For over 20 years, the Paladins have been a leading force in rockin' Blues and Rockabilly. Their versatile approach to the songs they play (both originals and covers) and the consistent quality of their album releases have assured a large following on both sides of the Atlantic. This concert, recorded at Nijmegen's Kids 'n' Billies Festival, brings you the original line-up at its best. Bryan Fahey, Thomas Yearsley and Dave Gonzalez had a ball that day at the open air stage of the Goffert Theatre and it shows.

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Little Johnny Taylor - 1991 - The Galaxy Years [160]

Born Johnny Lamont Merrett on Feb. 11 1943 in Grgory, AR. This is the original "Johnny Taylor". Little Johnny came to Los Angeles in 1950 and did a stint with the Mighty Clouds Of Joy before going secular. He debuted as an R&B artist with a pair of 45s for the Swingin' logo, but his career took off with Fantasy's Galaxy subsidiary in 1963. His first hit "You'' Need Another Favor" hit #27 on R & B charts in 1963 but it was his next hit where he hit the big time. His cover of Clay Hammond's "Part Time Love" went straight to #1 on the R & B chart and even crossed over on pop charts to #19. After some more minor hits for Galaxy Taylor eventually signed with Stan Lewis' Ronn label and scored big again with the hits "Everybody Knows About My Good Thing" & "Open House At My House". LJT's chart success waned and it wasn't until the late 80s that he started recording often again with Ichiban Records. Although he never returned to the success of his glory days he remained active performing until his death in 2002. This superior compilation of LJT's Galaxy material, contains 26 tracks.

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John Lennon - 2004 - Rock 'N' Roll [320]

Rock 'n' Roll is a 1975 album of late 1950s and early 1960s-era rock songs covered by John Lennon. The recording of the album spanned a year and its dramatic sessions have since entered into rock music folklore. Rock 'n' Roll became another hit for Lennon, reaching #6 in both the UK and US, where it soon went gold. The single "Stand by Me" also proved a US Top 20 hit that spring.In 2004, Yoko Ono supervised the remixing of Rock 'n' Roll for its reissue, including four bonus tracks from the ill-fated Spector sessions.

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