History Rhymes* indeed, some old near-classic tracks played with a distinctive style and near-ragtime, period flourish and feeling. Steve Howell is a true US master-picker whose recent recordings have shimmered … Read more
Photos by Debra Rothenberg We had a good idea what to expect after reading Iain Patience’s review of Van Zandt’s brilliant new CD, Summer of Sorcery, so missing the album … Read more
Welcome to the anointing. As a blues fan, you must have already read about child prodigy “Kingfish” Ingram who is being hailed not only by major publications as “the … Read more
From Canada comes Holly Hyatt, a young lady with one of those surprisingly spirited releases that simply crosses musical divides with an understated simplicity and style. Funky, blues-infused stuff, Hyatt’s … Read more
When soul singer-songwriter William Bell is a guest artist on a young Memphis band’s second CD, something exciting must be happening. From Bell’s early US and UK chart-toppers like “You … Read more
Stevie Vaughan took the blues to wild places naturally, but Jimmie rarely strayed from the real deal over the ensuing 56 years. Now, Vaughan proves he’s in the league of … Read more
This won’t be an ordinary review, due to extraordinary circumstances. The backstory is as compelling as this record is good, but I don’t want to dwell on the impetus too … Read more
At 19, he was the Duke of the Roomful of Blues. Guitar stylist Duke Robillard founded that still-New England-based institution in 1967, kicking open the door to a huge warehouse … Read more
Some of us out there may recall having to lift the needle, many times at the risk of scratching the hell out of your 89-cent 45, or worse your $3.98 … Read more
Honk is yet another of those “Best of” releases from one of the world’s most loved outfits. While many will already have much of the material included here in other … Read more
