Hey there. I’ve listened to Stompin’ On The Front Porch several times this last week and each time I find something new that flips my biscuit (in a good way).
This album covers a wide range of Blues and Roots music, and it has a lot of moving parts. Yet everything dovetails into something cohesive and really special. This is a great album.
The musicianship is tip-top terrific. Guitar, harp, violin, piano, and my personal favorite, organ are all showcased here. And they all take turns leading and supporting beautifully.
On top of that, there are no less than 5 different lead singers on the album. Each one lends a different flavor to this first-class mix of original tunes and covers. The result is a vocal variety you almost never hear nowadays.
It boggles my brain that so many parts of this album were recorded in separate home studios (due to Covid). Toby Soriero, the mastermind behind Rosedale Junction, was able to stitch it all together somehow. That’s a testament to him and to all the quality players he was able to attract to the project.
This is one of those albums that’s meant to be consumed from start to finish folks. Give it a listen. Your ears will thank you.
Online Corner
- Eric Johanson has a film noire video for his cover of “Midnight Rider” out now – it’s very 1950’s (Music Video)
- Hybrid Blues, the New Zealand band, is teasing a possible new album with this single “Throw Me A Lifeline” (Music Video)
- Acoustic Guitar gives you some in-depth insights into slide guitar playing from some great players (Article)
- The Black Keys new album is all about their musical roots like this John Lee Hooker song “Crawling Kingsnake” (Music Video)
- Samantha Fish gives gives you an idea of where her mind is at now that music is coming out of lockdown (Article)
- Kurt Allen took an animated approach to his latest single “Graveyard Blues” (Music Video)
- Amoeba Records looks like it will come out of the pandemic alive and well – but it was a close call (Article)
- Cedric Burnside is prepping for his June album I Be Trying; here’s a studio look at one song, “Step In” (Music Video)
- The Blues Rock Review is providing *Daily* coverage of the Dallas International Guitar Show this coming week (Articles & More)
A Half-Century Of Joy
Alligator Records is celebrating its 50th anniversary by slapping together 58 Songs from its vault into a beautiful compilation. This 4-CD set represents Alligator’s best work over the last half-century. (Over 230 minutes of music.)
Aside from the fact that this is some damn-fine Blues, it’s also a musical time capsule. One that traces a straight line through the Chicago Blues scene from the 1970’s until today. You can almost see the baton being passed between the musical generations as you listen to these tunes.
Some of these artists are no longer with us. But their music is here to stay. You can pre-order now.
New Blues Albums
- Eric Johanson: Covered Tracks; Vol 1 (Out Now)
- The Immediate Family: Can’t Stop Progress (Out Now)
- Steve Cropper: Fire It Up (Out Now)
- Jimmie Bratcher: I’m Hungry (Out Now)
- Reverend Freakchild: Supramundane Blues (Out Now)
- Until The Sun: Drowning In Blue (Out Now)
- Blues Rock Review: Blues Rock Review Album Sampler (Out Now)
- Kurt Allen: Whiskey, Women & Trouble (Out Now)
- Gary Moore: How Blue Can You Get (Coming Apr 30th)
- Alex Lopez: Rising Up (Coming May 7th)
- Bob Corritore & Friends: Spider In My Stew (Coming May 14th)
- The Black Keys: Delta Kream (Coming May 14th)
- Robert Finley: Sharecropper’s Son (Coming May 21st)
The Little Engine That Could
The harmonica is a simple little musical instrument. It’s inexpensive, easy to play, and it’s portable too. But it’s also a powerful little beast when it comes to the Blues.
Almost single-handedly, the harmonica can turn a song into a Blues tune. And just hearing the harmonica intros on “My Babe” or “Hoochie Coochie Man” tells you immediately that the Blues is right around the corner.
Lots of folks have lifted an harmonica to their lips, but few have played it as well as the players listed in this Blues Rock Review article: “Top 10 Blues Harmonica Players.” Check it out. (It’s like taking a short graduate seminar in Harp)
ATWB: New Blues Playlist
This week on the ATWB: New Blues Playlist I’ve got new singles from Gary Moore, Cedric Burnside, The Black Keys, and more.
These are my personal picks from the new tunes out right now.
Check them out on Spotify, and please Follow or Share.
I’ll Leave You With: Some Albert King With Stevie Ray Vaughan
Here’s a slice of the live-for-television album Albert King made with Stevie Ray Vaughan in 1983. It was for the Canadian TV show, In Session.
There was a lot of conversation between songs and it felt like Stevie Ray was trying to soak up every bit of wisdom and advice Albert would lay down.
Here, they’re working their way through the Blues classic, “Don’t (You) Lie To Me.”
Jon Beres
I’m one part Blues Fan and one part Digital Native (with a dash of Curmudgeon.) I’m also the publisher of AlltheWayBlue.com. If you love the Blues, I have a feeling we’ll get along just fine - cheers!
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