The Olympic Southside Theater Cedar Rapids, Iowa February 18, 2023 By Phillip Smith; Mar. 11, 2023   Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   Last year, KCCK Jazz 88.3celebrated thirty years of playing ‘da Blues over the airwaves, and marked the occasion by producing a well-oiled blues event in Cedar Rapids called ‘daBluesapalooza.  This five-hour long live blues show honored radio show hosts Bob DeForest and John ‘Big Mo’ Heim and featured many local and regional artists.  The event was such a success, another gathering of the blues tribe was warranted, and ..read more

  2023 – Ruf Records By Phillip Smith; Mar. 4, 2023 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   Striking while the iron is hot, Brooks Mason aka Eddie 9V continues to forge his own unique path into the world of southern soul.  I absolutely loved his previous album Little Black Flies.  It was among my favorite 20 albums of 2021.  Prior to the recording of this album, Eddie 9V stated he had been “listening to Muscle Shoalsand soul, a lot of music recorded at Capricorn in the late ‘60s too.”, hence the title Capricorn. A rush of feel-good, horn-infused, southern ..read more

  2023 – Whiskey Bayou Records By Phillip Smith; Feb. 25, 2023   Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   Alastair Greene’s guitar wizardry coupled with his innate ability to craft songs is just the beginning of why his live albums are as delectable as the ones he recorded in studio.  I love the studio albums, but the live albums make for an entirely different listening experience with Alastair packing more into several of the songs.  Greene’smost recent disc Alive in the New World covers ten of the eleven tracks on his 2020 studio album New World Blues ..read more

  2023 – Vizztone By Phillip Smith; Feb. 18, 2023 Release Date : Feb 10, 2023 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   I find the Blues is still quite alive when listening to The World in a Jug, the new collaboration between Maxwell Street blues veterans Jimi “Primetime” Smith and Bob Corritore.  The two reconnected seven years ago in Arizona, and this album documents ten songs they have recorded since.  With Smithon vocals/guitar and Corritore on harmonica, the album features a cast of fifteen backing musicians and vocalists coming together in different config ..read more

  2023 – Ferver Records By Phillip Smith; Feb. 11, 2023 Release Date : Feb. 17, 2023 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   I’m very excited to hear new music from Iowa-based artist Craig Erickson.  He always delivers the goods when it comes to high-octane, guitar-fueled blues-rock.  I love his funky, cosmic and from-the-heart approach to songwriting.  His latest album Modern Blues is a twelve-track journey of finding balance amidst the challenges facing the world today.  As a proficient multi-instrumentalist, Erickson takes on vocals, guitar, bass ..read more

  2022 – Kim & Brian By Phillip Smith; Feb. 4, 2023 Release Date : Dec. 18, 2022  Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   Kim & Brian, a blues act from Tacoma, Washington, has recently caught my attention in a large positive way.  Comprised of Kim Archer and Brian Feist, the duo have been playing and writing songs together since 2019.  In 2022, they were awarded “Best New Band” from the Washington Blues Society.  Their new EP release In the Valley of the Blues is jam-packed with five solid original blues tracks topped with stellar vocals, and ..read more

2023 – Lex Grey By Phillip Smith; Jan. 21, 2023 Release Date : Jan 27, 2023 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   How Many Roads? , the eighth release from New York ensemble Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers grabbed my attention quite quickly on the first listen.  Grey’s voice is powerful and soulful as she performs the eleven masterfully-written originals on this album.  Known for their rock, blues, and burlesque shows in Brooklyn and lower Manhatten, the group is comprised of vocalist/guitarist Lex Grey, producer/guitarist/audio engineer Vic ‘Mix’ Deyglio, writer ..read more

2023 – Landslide Records By Phillip Smith; Jan. 14, 2023 Release Date : Jan 20, 2023 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com I been preaching the gospel of Damon Fowler for almost ten years.  In 2013, Fowler, J.P. Soars, and Victor Wainwright unleashed an outstanding record under the name of Southern Hospitality, called Easy Livin’.  The CD had landed in my mailbox for review and after giving it a listen, I was smitten with his work.  Fowler’s latest release features this master guitarist playing live at the Palladium alongside bassist Chuck Riley, drummer Justin H ..read more

  2022 – Regina Royal Records By Phillip Smith; Jan. 7, 2023 Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com   Live! At the Fallout Shelter, the latest release from Boston-based vocalist Diane Blue has fabulously captured my full attention.  Recorded on February 26, 2022, at the Fallout Shelter in Norwood, Massachusetts, this live album contains two excellent covers, and seven original tracks written by Blueduring the pandemic.  Blue’s smooth and soulful vocals are perfectly matched with a tight, rhythm and blues band which features Chris Vitarello on guitar, Dave Limin ..read more

  By Phillip Smith; Dec.22, 2022   PhillyCheeze's Favorite 20 of 2022 (in alphabetical order) Bernard Allison - Highs & Lows https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2022/01/537-bernard-allison-highs-lows.html Bad Daddy - It's a Mad Mad Bad Dad World https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2022/08/568-bad-daddy-its-mad-mad-bad-dad-world.html Buckmiller Schwager - To Memphis and Back https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2022/03/phillycheezebluesblogspotcom-545.html Gary Cain - Next Stop https://phillycheezeblues.blo ..read more