Album review: PAULIE BOY BLUES – Back from the Dead Live in Brooklyn New York

July 30th, 2026 by jason

Paulie Boy is on a mission to spread the blues, but is this album of six songs recorded rough, ready and live, the blues, or is it psychedelic rock? It’s certainly channelling Hendrix, and it’s certainly covering classic blues songs, with a voice like a cross between Slim Harpo and John Mayall. For any young person out there looking for a new axe hero who is away from the norm, Paulie Boy Blues could be a revelation.

The comparisons are obvious, a young black guy playing a white Strat, (albeit right handed), dressed in psychedelic clothing backed by two white guys, playing mostly Hendrix covers, and even when they aren’t covers they sound like Hendrix at his wildest.

I saw Paulie Boy earlier this year, and loved his stage show, it was extremely entertaining, playing behind his back, with his teeth, playing those Hendrix tones so well, but I’m not sure if this transfers to recorded material even if it is live, as you haven’t got the visuals and the contact you get with a live experience.

Of the six songs, one is an original – Chasing the Dragon, which could be a Hendrix tune it is so close to his chops. The other five are Rooster – a Lightning Slim tune, Farther On Up The Road, which I first heard Eric Clapton cover on EC Was Here, but the original was Bobby Blue Bland, Voodoo Child Slight Return, Hendrix , Early One Morning, an Elmore James classic and Who Knows off Hendrix’ last album Band Of Gypsys.

There isn’t an awful lot of variation in the tunes, all of them employing wah wahtastic stratospheric playing, with the drummer in direct competition with Paulie, as was Mitch Mitchell with Hendrix.

Spreading the gospel of Hendrix is a noble plan, as his estate seem determined to keep his music away from successive generations, but I wonder how far can this go. At the moment it seems to me like a Hendrix tribute act, which only works in a live situation Even Hendrix had gotten tired of his wild man of rock mantle by the end, and was veering toward more traditional blues with Band Of Gypsys pointing the way.

Paulie Boy Blues is a phenomenal guitarist without a doubt, and his potential limitless at this point. This album does showcase his exceptional playing, but a little more variety with more original material would go a long way to establishing a long term career and help him in his mission. But he does go down extremely well in a live situation right now.

If you missed Hendrix the first time round, Paulie Boy is doing quite a few dates in August, get out to see him if you can and make your own mind up, he’s about the closest you’ll get. ***

Review by Andy Sharrocks

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 28 June 2026.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 30 June 2026

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 20 July 2026

BAD PRESS Old Hatchback (indie)
MARYLANE Seven (indie)
WOOD BURNT RED Fire Me Up (indie)
EMERGENCY RULE Hollow Gold (Wormholedeath Records)
SOME DAYS ARE DARKER Dead Romance (indie)
SWEET GORILLA Feels Like I’m Still In Love (5000 Records)

Featured Albums w/c 20 July 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.