Music Reviews
Keep up with the latest Blues releases and concert reviewsMost of our CD Reviews come to us from the tireless Peter Lauro, over at Music4Mary.com, who keeps his finger on the pulse of all new releases in the Blues universe. Occasionally we have reviews submitted to us by ABS Members, and we encourage that! We also encourage reviews of live concerts, if you’ve seen something lately that was particularly noteworthy. There is a lot here, so click away!
Piper & The Hard Times
Piper & The Hard TimesRevelation Hard Times RecordsPublicity: KL ProductionsBy Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © July 2024 PreludeIf you are someone who attended the 2024 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, or if you are someone located in the Nashville area, then...
Red’s Blues
Red's BluesOld Diamonds & Uncut Gems Recorded Live At The Starlet RoomSherry & Ray MusicBy Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © July 2024 Old Diamonds & Uncut Gems is the fourth release for Sacramento based Red's Blues. It was recorded live at the Starlet Room in...
Mean Old Fireman
Mean Old FiremanRescue 3 First Due Music Company By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © June 2024 The Mean Old Fireman is actually a real life first responder - based in the Boston, MA area - whose name is Ned Bolle. Rescue 3 is his third release and I have had the...
The B. Christopher Band
The B. Christopher Band106 Miles To Chicago Guitar One Records By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © June 2024 Prelude Answering his own question of "Why record an album that is a tribute to a tribute band? - which appears on the album's liner notes, B. Christopher's...
Bobby Christina’s Caravan
Bobby Christina's Caravan True Blues Brother The Legacy Of Matt 'Guitar' Murphy Nola Blue RecordsBy Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © June 2024 PREDLUEFrom Mark Pucci Media: “After nearly forty years of musical and personal camaraderie, drummer and producer Bob Christina...
Jeff Pitchell
Jeff Pitchell(with notable friends and family) Brown Eyed Blues Deguello Records Publicity: Blind RaccoonBy Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © May 2024 Jeff Pitchell's last release was titled Playin' With My Friends, and here he is just a bit over a year later, pretty much...
Val Starr And The Blues Rocket
Val Starr And The Blues RocketTo The Blues And Back Again Sandwich Factory Records By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © May 2024 The latest release by Val Starr And The Blues Rocket is titled To The Blues And Back Again. Interestingly, the timing for this review could not...
Big Harp George
Big Harp GeorgeCooking With Gas Blue Mountain Records Publicity: Blind RaccoonBy Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © May 2024 With his Big Harp George Does Christmas sandwiched right between his fifth release - Cut My Spirit Loose, and his seventh - Cooking With Gas, this is...
Bart Bryant
Bart BryantBackstage II Horizon Music Group Publicity: Blind RaccoonBy Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © May 2024 Somehow, this twenty-five year veteran, who has worked with some highly recognizable names from many genres, has slipped through the cracks at the House of...
Markey Blue Ric Latina Project
Markey Blue Ric Latina ProjectBlue Eyed Soul SoulOSound RecordsPublicity: The Galaxie AgencyBy Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © May 2024 “This album is a gathering of most of the Markey Blue Ric Latina family”, the liner notes say. As Markey further points out, "We wanted to...
Blind Lemon Pledge
Blind Lemon PledgeOh So Good OFEH RecordsPublicity: Blind RaccoonBy Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © April 2024 Although it ever happening is a long shot, should you ever run into Blind Lemon Pledge while he's with his parents, I don't suggest you greet them as Mr. &...
Seth James
Seth JamesLessons Qualified Records Publicity: Blind RaccoonBy Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © March 2024 Have you ever listened to an album and been totally clueless as to why it was titled what it was? I know I sure have. Then there are some - like Lessons - that pretty...
Texas Hill
Texas HillWeight Of The World By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © March 2024 I generally don't review singles, but as the saying goes, there are exceptions to every rule. This song, by this group of all-stars, is the perfect exception. Texas Hill consist of founding members...
Rick Vito
Rick VitoCadillac Man Blue Heart Records Publicity: Blind Raccoon By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © March 2024While listening to Cadillac Man - Rick Vito's first release in five years - and reading about his accomplishments and credentials listed on the accompanying one...
Cedar County Cobras
Cedar County CobrasHomesick Blues Self ReleasedBy Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © December 2023 PrefaceSomething I read on the notes inside the CD jacket told a story that I thought might be inspirational to other artists, therefore, I felt compelled to share it… “The album...
Foghat
FoghatSonic Mojo Foghat RecordsBy Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © November 2023 PreludeIn the late fifties, Danny & The Juniors told us "Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay"; about twenty years later, Neil Young reiterated that with "My My, Hey Hey, Rock And Roll Is Here To...
Big Harp George
Big Harp George Does Christmas Blue Mountain RecordsPublicity: Blind RaccoonBy Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © October 2023 This is a first for both Big Harp George and me. For George, it's his first ever Christmas release, and in twenty plus years of doing reviews, it is...
Peter Veteska
Peter Veteska & Blues TrainFull Tilt Blue Heart RecordsPublicity: Blind RaccoonBy Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © October 2023 Since 2023 marks their tenth year together, I'd like to start off by wishing Peter Veteska & Blues Train a very "Happy Silver Anniversary"....
Li’l Ronnie
Li'l Ronnie And The Grand DukesGot It 'Live' From '05 EllerSoul Records By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © October 2023 Interestingly, the last review I did of a CD that Ronnie was a part of was in April of 2014. The group recording the project was called “Li'l Ronnie And...
Johnny Rawls
Johnny RawlsWalking Heart Attack Catfood Records Publicity: Blind RaccoonBy Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © September 2023 Although each release - be it a recording, a movie, or any other production where awards are given - needs to be judged on its own individual merit,...