Tag Archives: soul

Album review: THORBJØRN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO – Songs From The Road

THORBJØRN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO - Songs From The Road

Ruf [Release date 25.09.15] If ever there was ever a case to be made for a European blues band emulating or surpassing their American counterparts, then you need look no further than Denmark’s Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado. ‘Songs … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: HEATHER CROSSE – Groovin’ At The Crosse Roads

        Ruf [Release date 04.09.15] Heather Crosse is a bass playing soulful blues vocalist who recently introduced herself to European blues audiences on the back the 2015 Girls With Guitars/Blues Caravan tour. She draws on the rich … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: SOLOMON HICKS – Carrying On The Torch Of The Blues

SOLOMON HICKS – Carrying On The Torch Of The Blues

Organic Recordings [Release date 08.06.15] 20 year old Solomon Hicks is a self proclaimed ‘jazz & blues innovator and keeper of the legacy’, who as his album title suggests is ‘Carrying On The Torch Of The Blues’. The guitar playing … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBERT CRAY – 4 Nights of 40 Years Live

ROBERT CRAY – 4 Nights of 40 Years Live

Mascot [Release date 04.09.15] In an age where volume, speed and showmanship dominate, Robert Cray is here to remind us of the value of heartfelt lyrics, a resonant tone and a soulful singer’s ability to explore every nuance of the … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD, CANDY KANE BAND, TEXAS CANNONBALLS – Relache Festival, Bordeaux, 12 July 2015

Royal Southern Brotherhood -  Relache Festival, Bordeaux, 12 July 2015

As Candy Kane tells the crowd, the French have always supported music and the arts, and tonight it seems they are supporting an American blues export drive it. Texas Cannonballs do what it says on the tin. You can take … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD – Don’t Look Back

ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD – Don

Ruf [Release date 26.05.15] And so it comes to pass that the bloodline has been cast asunder and a new line-up of Royal Southern Brotherhood takes on the mantle of the kings of southern kissed funk, blues and soul. ‘Don’t … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: BETH HART, The Barbican, London, 8 May 2015

BETH HART, The Barbican, London, 8 May 2015

The Barbican is hot tonight. The apparent lack of air con and a sense of pre-gig anticipation mean that when Beth Hart hits her stride the venue has an old fashioned clubby vibe. An expansive black back-drop, flickering candles on … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Gig review: KING KING – Jazz Cafe, London, 6 May 2015

KING KING - Jazz Cafe, London, 6 May 2015

These are good times for King King. The band sits at the top of the blues charts with ‘Reaching For The Light’ and this official album launch comes right in the middle of a hugely successful tour. They’ve sharpened their … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: KING KING – Reaching For The Light

KING KING - Reaching For The Light

Manhaton [Release date 04.05.15] Four years after their debut album, King King have outgrown their original mould to such a extent that the album title is more a reality than an aspiration. ‘Reaching For The Light’ reflects a band that … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: GIRLS WITH GUITARS 2015 – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 25 April 2015

GIRLS WITH GUITARS 2015 – Boom Boom Club, Sutton, 25 April 2015

What a difference three months touring makes. Last February the 2015 Blues Caravan/Girls With Guitars made a splash at the Skegness Rock & Blues Festival, but only got about 45 minutes to show what they can do. A few months … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: WILLY DeVILLE – Live at Rockpalast 1995 & 2008

WILLY DeVILLE – Live at Rockpalast 1995 & 2008

Repertoire [Release date 26.01.15] ‘Live at Rockpalast 1995 & 2008’ is a triple CD and DVD release that finds Willie DeVille revisiting his back catalogue on two shows recorded 13 years apart and presented back to front. Surprisingly, the early … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 15 April 2015

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, 15 April 2015

This was the first time I had been exposed to support act Ben Poole‘s material to any serious degree and I came away exceedingly impressed. Very much in the boxcar of Britain’s youthful blues train, Poole has a healthy respect … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: D.A. FOSTER – The Real Thing

        Vizztone/Shaboo [Release date 02.02.15] D.A. Foster’s rich baritone sounds as if he’s pouring a life time’s experience into a well chosen set of soul songs. His rich and warm timbre makes the most of a batch … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: PISTOLS & VULTURES – Seven

PISTOLS & VULTURES - Seven

It’s rare that a PR blurb says so little, and it takes some digging to discover that Pistols & Vultures are an Ipswich/Colchester based ‘alternative’ rock band formed in 2009 whilst Carnell Cook: (vocals), Alex Green (guitars, bass, percussion and … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: DR. JOHN – Anutha Zone/Duke Elegant (reissue)

DR. JOHN – Anutha Zone - Duke Elegant (reissue)

Edsel [Release Date: 16.02.15] Anutha Zone doesn’t break any new ground, but is a celebration of all that is good about Dr. John. Cut in 1998, it’s an album full of timeless music with deeply embedded grooves and nuanced vocals … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: DR. JOHN – Creole Moon/N’Awlinz: Dis Dat Or D’Udda (reissue)

DR. JOHN – Creole Moon/N

Edsel [Release Date: 16.02.15] Creole Moon is a return to the musical potpourri with which Dr John made his name as ‘The Night Tripper’, but the album doesn’t quite have the same magic as the latter, though it does bubbles … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: JJ GREY & MOFRO – 02 Academy Islington, London, 18 March 2015

JJ GREY & MOFRO – 02 Academy Islington, London, 18 March 2015

JJ Grey is clearly a man who likes to take his time. Whether it’s the way he’s built his career or the pacing of tonight’s set, his unhurried style focuses on making a meaningful connection with either a song or … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DVD review: DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES – Live In Dublin

Live In Dublin

Eagle Vision [Released 30.03.15] Recorded on last year’s whistle stop European tour in July, this was the first time Daryl Hall and John Oates had played Dublin. They give a little insight on the interviews with the pair, the only … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK MAGIC JOHNSON – Walk With You Baby

Black Magic Johnson [Released 01.09.14] ‘Walk With You Baby’ is a refreshingly honest and delightful contemporary blues album. It’s rooted in traditional blues but is given a contemporary relevance by the shared universal truths to be found in the songs. … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: 24 PESOS – Do The Right Thing

24 PESOS – Do The Right Thing

Ourgate Records [Released 19.01.15] ‘Do The Right Thing’ is the fourthalbum by 24 Pesos and it’s another step-up for a fiercely independent band that has forged its own niche by riding roughshod over musical expectations. All their trademark elements of … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Interview: JJ GREY (February 2015)

JJ Grey’s 9th album ‘Ol’ Glory’ is released on February 23rd and it’s his first for his new label Mascot/Provogue. As with previous album he’s immersed himself in a seamless blend of deep swampy grooves, country blues and jammed out old school … Continue reading

Posted in INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: NEVER THE BRIDE – Jealousy

Never The Bride - Jealousy

Lock Stock And Barrel [Release date 29.12.14] Never The Bride are back with their most accessible album ever, the hard hitting but musically slick ‘Jealousy’. The band tells us it’s ‘A Tribute to Transatlantic Rock and Blues Pioneers’, and its … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: WILY BO WALKER & KARENA K – A Long Way From Heaven

WILY BO WALKER & KARENA K – A Long Way From Heaven

Mescal Canyon [Released 12.12.14] From the opening, sharply contrasting but perfectly synchronised vocals of Wily Bo Walker’s Tom Waits style growl, and Kareña K’s  fluttering retorts, you will either love or recoil from ‘A Long Way From Heaven’.  Happily the … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: THUNDER – Wonder Days

thunder

earMUSIC [Release date 16.02.15] This is studio album number ten from Thunder and it is an album many thought they would never see. With the band going into hiatus for a few years, apart from the odd live show here … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: MOJO MAKERS – Devils Hands

Mojo Makers - Devils Hands

        Hypertension Music   [Release Date: 10.10.14] ‘Devils Hands’ is a successful lo-fi, ‘live in the studio’ attempt to capture an essential bluesy feel and soulful vibe. The album comprises 11 impressive tracks steeped in a retro … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment