Matt Pearce & The Mutiny – “Got A Thing Going On”
YOUTUBE.COM
Blues Rocker alert! Matt Pearce & The Mutiny are starting to heat up the marketing machine with this video for their April 1st album, The Soul Food Store. I love that title. And, if this video is any indication, the album might just be tasty-good. (Hmmm, I must be hungry.)
Mike Zito – Blues For The Southside
MIKEZITO.COM
Warm crowd. Tight band. Homecoming time. Mike Zito’s latest album’s a live one, recorded at the Old Rock House in St. Louis (where he was born & bred). It’s nearly 2 hours of beatin’ good Blues Rock and the next best thing to being there. (A couple sneaky guest stars too.)
BMG Acquires Music Interests Of Blues Icon John Lee Hooker
MUSICBUSINESSWORLDWIDE.COM
BMG the “new kind of music company,” has acquired publishing and performance rights to John Lee Hooker’s music.
Another corporate acquisition of an artist’s music – one of several recently. It just feels a little off to me. Can’t put my finger on it. (Maybe I’ll be able to when I see my first laxative ad with “Boom Boom” as the soundtrack.)
Louisiana Red & Bob Corritore – Tell Me ‘Bout It
APPLE MUSIC
Bob Corritore, one of the hardest working men in Blues, has dropped a new album. It’s a tribute to one of his mentors, Louisiana Red. The music’s from Bob’s “vault” (early 2000’s), but it sounds very much alive, dripping with a traditional Blues feel you don’t get much of anymore. (And Bob’s harmonica fits right in.)
Keb’ Mo’ On The PBS NewsHour
YOUTUBE.COM
Blues musician Keb’ Mo’ has been a star for decades, but you might be surprised to learn how long it took to get there. NewsHour Weekend Special Correspondent Tom Casciato recently had a career-spanning conversation with the 70-year-old singer-songwriter, who just released a new album, called Good to Be, and begins a U.S. and European tour this coming week.
Eric Johanson – Live At DBA: New Orleans Bootleg
ERICJOHANSON.COM
Need a a super-sized dose of Eric Johanson? Then you’ll want his new album Live at DBA: New Orleans Bootleg. 19 songs, mostly originals. Just Eric, Terry Scott, Jr (drums), and Will Repholz (bass). Few folks can carry a 2-hour show on their shoulders, but few folks have vocal and guitar chops like Eric.
“She’s The First Black Superstar”: The Forgotten History Of Blues Trailblazer Mamie Smith
USATODAY.COM
In 1920, Mamie Smith gave a voice to Black female singers by becoming the first African American woman to make a Blues recording. The record became a smash hit in Black communities across the country, revolutionizing the Blues genre and opening the doors of popular music to Black female artists.
Bernard Allison – “So Excited”
YOUTUBE.COM
When it comes to Blues pedigrees and track records, few artists can match Bernard Allison. He’s been doing it for 30 plus years now and when he drops a new album (Highs & Lows – due next week), it’s a must listen. I know I’m excited. And from the sound of this first single, it looks like Bernard is too.
“Rivers Of Rhythm”: Episode 3 Takes A Look At The Blues
AMERICANSONGWRITER.COM
In the third episode of a six-part series presented by American Songwriter and Renasant Bank, Rivers of Rhythm takes a deep look at the popularity of blues music as we celebrate Black History Month. (A pretty darn concise history of the Blues in one short 7-minute video.).
Elles Bailey – “Riding Out The Storm”
YOUTUBE.COM
If God gives you singer’s vocal cords, you best be singing. Elles Bailey got the message. She’s been dropping singles and EP’s recently, and on February 25th her album, Shining In The Half Light finally touches down. This video is a taste of what she can do with a song. (Definitely an artist to watch.)
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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