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!
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,...
Tom Hambridge
Tom HambridgeBlu Ja Vu Quarto Valley Records Publicity: Blind RaccoonBy Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © September 2023 Every once in a while, I'll read something on the liner notes or the One Sheet that accompanies an album, and I feel like I should share it as stated. So...
Teresa James
Teresa James & The Rhythm TrampsRose-Colored Glasses Vol. 2 Blue Heart Records Publicity: Blind RaccoonBy Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © September 2023 It's always cool when you listen to a release filled with great music and the words "Vol. 1" appear in its title....
EG Kight
EG KightSticks & Strings Blue South Records By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © September 2023 Since crossing over from country to the blues with Come In To The Blues, her debut blues release back in 1997, Sticks & Strings is the tenth release in the genre for...
The Boneshakers
The BoneshakersOne Foot In The Groove Deluxe EditionTake It To The BridgeBy Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © September 2023 After twenty-six years on the road, the popular soul blues band The Boneshakers are celebrating their legacy with a deluxe re-issue of their studio...
Willie J. Campbell
Willie J. CampbellBe Cool Blue Heart RecordsPublicity: Blind RaccoonPeter "Blewzzman" Lauro © August 2023 It's sad that award winning bassist Willie J. Campbell, who played with countless award winning musicians and bands, is not around to witness the huge success...
Joel Astley
Joel AstleySeattle to Greaseland Blue Heart RecordsPublicity: Blind RaccoonPeter “Blewzzman” Lauro © August 2023 As far as longevity goes, since it was less than ten years ago when Joel Astley formed his first band, calling him a 'new kid on the block' might not...
Tony Wessels
Tony Wessels and the RevolversReloaded Self ReleasedPeter "Blewzzman" Lauro © August 2023 Reloaded is the second release from the Atlanta, Ga, based Tony Wessels and the Revolvers. As Tony tells it, the name of the band was derived from so many talented musicians...
Mark Cameron
Mark CameronNasty Business Blue Heart RecordsPublicity: Blind RaccoonPeter "Blewzzman" Lauro © July 2023 By no means do I want to make Mark Cameron sound old, because he truly isn't - especially by blues standards. That said, with the release of Nasty Business, Mark...
Mark Telesca
Mark TelescaBrand New Day Mosher Street RecordsPeter "Blewzzman" Lauro © June 2023 Without getting into his personal life, I'm just going to say that Brand New Day, Mark Telesca's new release, could not have been more appropriately titled. Those of us who know him...
Larry Taylor
Larry Taylor and The Taylor Familywith The Soul Blues HealersGenerations Of Blues: West Side Legacy Nola Blue RecordsRelease Date: June 16, 2023Publicity: Blind RaccoonPeter "Blewzzman" Lauro © June 2023 PreludeIn Memory: Eddie And Vera Taylor.Eddie Taylor Sr. 1923...
Mike Bourne Band
Mike Bourne Band featuring Johnny BurginCruisin' Kansas City Blue Heart RecordsRelease Date: June 16, 2023Publicity: Blind RaccoonPeter "Blewzzman" Lauro © June 2023 For the last twenty-five years, Mike Bourne has been playing in many of the best clubs and festivals...
Mike Guldin
Mike Guldin and Rollin' & Tumblin'The Franklin Sessions Blue Heart RecordsRelease Date: June 16, 2023Publicity: Blind RaccoonPeter "Blewzzman" Lauro © June 2023 I've got to admit that immediately upon seeing this album's title - The Franklin Sessions - my...
Shaun Murphy
Shaun MurphyI'm Coming Home Vision Wall RecordsPeter “Blewzzman” Lauro © June 2023 Since 2009, when I first reviewed her Livin' The Blues CD, I'm Coming Home will be the tenth release by Shaun Murphy that we have had the honor and privilege of working with. By the...
Nigel Mack
Nigel MackBack In Style Blues Attack RecordsRelease Date: June 1, 2023Publicity: Blind RaccoonPeter "Blewzzman" Lauro © May 2023 When Chicago bluesman Nigel Mack isn't gigging in clubs around the windy city, he's most likely off headlining shows somewhere around the...
Lil’ Jimmy Reed
Lil' Jimmy Reed with Ben LevinBack to Baton Rouge Nola Blue RecordsRelease Date: May 19, 2023Publicity: Blind Raccoon Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © May 2023 Having just learned that Lil' Jimmy Reed - or as his military ID would have read, Leon Atkins - spent twenty years...