2024 – Wonderful Smiths By Phillip Smith; April 16, 2024   Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   I was first introduced to the music of Wonderful Smiths in the winter of 2023 at the second annual da’Bluesapalooza in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The band played a stellar set of music, turning me into an instant fan. Wonderful Smiths are an Iowa-based blues-rock band which brings to the stage a high-energy show filled with excitement and a ripping array of songs. Fronted by Adam Springer on lead/rhythm guitar and lead vocals, the band is comprised of lead/rhythm guitarist Drew H ..read more

  2024 – Org Music By Phillip Smith; April 12, 2024 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   Funkadelic’s Uncle Jam Wants You was released while I was in my senior year of high school. I absolutely loved that album. It led me to record stores in search of more music by this wonderous band. Bernie Worrell (April 19, 1944 – June 14, 2016) was an integral part of the P-Funk family, and over the years his name appeared on many albums I purchased. Wave From the WOOniverse, a posthumous release produced by former Bernie Worrel Orchestra bandleader Evan Taylor is a double album ..read more

  2024 – Zavuya Music LLC   By Phillip Smith; April 7, 2024   Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com     There’s a huge retro-blues appeal to the new album from Washinton DC area bluesman Linwood Taylor. Taylor, whose musical influences include Muddy Waters, Albert Collins, and Luther Allison recorded Two Sides live in a couple of sessions in 2021 at two different venues. One location featured five songs from the electric set, and the other featured five songs from the acoustic set. With Taylor mastering guitars and vocals, his band is comprised of Steve Wo ..read more

  2024 – Vizztone Label Group By Phillip Smith; April 5, 2024 Release Date : .Mar. 29, 2024 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com There are not many artists around who instill Chicago blues authenticity into their music as Blues Hall-of-Famer John Primer and Bob Corritore do. Paired together for the fourth time since 2013, this dynamic duo returned to the studios and cut yet another fabulous album. Crawlin’ Kingsnake is the name, and it contains a dozen ripping tracks. With Corritore on harp and Primer on guitar and vocals, they are joined by bassist Bob Stroger, Jimi “Primet ..read more

  2024 – Dixiefrog Records By Phillip Smith; Mar. 30, 2024 Release Date : Mar. 1, 2024   Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com Twelve years have passed since UK British Blues Award winner Bex Marshall released her previous record The House of Mercy. Her latest album Fortuna features nine all-original songs and one cover. Marshall’s guitar mastery combined with her wonderful raspy vocals and brilliant song-writing make for a captivating listen. The record is an absolute delight. With Marshall on lead vocals and lead guitar, her band on this album is comprised of drummer ..read more

  2024 – Blind Pig Records By Phillip Smith; Mar. 23, 2024 Release Date : Mar. 22, 2024 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com I was very excited to hear there was a new release on the way fromMilwaukee’s hardest working bluesmen Altered Five Blues Band. This seventh and latest release Testifyin' absolutely cooks. With five all-original tracks of smokin’ blues, this EP is hitting the scene with quite an impact. With Jeff Taylor on lead vocals, Jeff Schroedl on guitar, Mark Solveson on bass, Steve Huebler on keys, and Alan Arber on drums, A5BB plays the blues with feeling and ..read more

  Wylde Nept – St. Paddy’s Day Party Ideal Theater Cedar Rapids, Iowa March 16, 2024   By Phillip Smith; Mar. 17, 2024 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   I always have a great time when Iowa’s favorite Celtic band Wylde Nept is onstage. If one can catch them on or near St Patrick’s Day, that makes for even more of a special occasion. With four albums under their belt, and over thirty years of playing live shows, Wylde Nept has cultivated a faithful following of fans. Comprised by Westan James (lead vocals/didgeridoo), Steven James (vocals/accordion), Jon Southw ..read more

  2024 – Cherryburst Records By Phillip Smith; Mar. 16, 2024 Release Date : Mar. 10, 2024 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   Rocky Athas is one of my all-time favorite blues-rock guitarists. He’s played with musical legends John Mayall, Glenn Hughes, Buddy Miles and Black Oak Arkansas and whether performing with someone else or recording his own solo work, he always manages to amaze me. Livin’ My Best Life is his latest release. It contains ten bodacious tracks of high-octane music and I absolutely love it. He puts the ‘rock’ in blues-rock. With Rocky on lead guitar ..read more

  One Dime Band Side Hustle 2024 – Toneblanket Records By Phillip Smith; Mar. 9, 2024 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   One Dime Band from Boston, Massachusetts has caught my full attention with their third and latest album Side Hustle. In serving up thirteen all-original tracks, the band delivers a savory bowl of musical gumbo made from assorted blues sub-genres gathered along the Mississippi River from St. Louis, through Memphis, and down to the Big Easy.     The core of the band is an acoustic duo comprised of John Brauchler on guitars, resonator ..read more

  2024 – Woodward Avenue Records Release Date Jan 12, 2024 By Phillip Smith; Mar. 2, 2024 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com It’s been eight years since Brothers Brown released their debut album Dusty Road. Their follow-up record Nowhere Left to Go recently landed and is very much worth the wait. Founded by Grammy-nominated keyboardist/synth-master Brother Paul Brown of the Waterboys, and two-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter/guitarist Paul Brown (George Benson, Al Jarreau, Norman Brown) the band also includes bassist/rhythm guitarist/vocalist David Santos (Billy Joel ..read more