Artist: Groundhogs

Artist: Dr. John and the Lower 9-11

TAKE ME BACK TO NEW ORLEANS !, 2010-07-20
Dr. John has over many years now defined the amazing music of New Orleans.Along with piano greats performing in and from the Crescent city since the late forties like Professor Longhair,Fats Domino and Jon Cleary, Dr. John alias Mac Rebbenack has continued to produce great albums continue to be an awesome live performer over many years now.So come 2010 we get a new album with his more recent band Lower 911 and some band this is,from beginning throughout this wonderful set they back up the doctor superbly.We get 16 yes 16 tracks of top new songs covering the whole gammut of his sounds and styles to bring us I feel one of his best albums ever and that is saying something.It's fresh full of great arrangements yet as in most of his releases still has so much to offer.A few added musicians here and there give just the right backing and balance to every track.This is the music of New Orleans by one of it's greatest talents old and yet brand new.This album along with Mac's festival appearances this year could well draw in a new young audience and new fans of the man,but for long time fans this is another wonderful disc full of absolute top quality Dr. John, and shows he's still very full of ideas and still at the very top of his musical game.Absolutely recommended throughout.Good five star set this one certainly is !

Artist: Eric Clapton

Guitar Genius!, 2010-03-07

Eric dear Eric..how to make a Black Beauty sound better..Okay we had The Yardbirds,then the psychedelic 'Cream' offerings..to 'Derek and the Dominoes' and 'Layla' to just straight 'Eric Clapton' born 'Eric Clapp' in Ripley ,Surrey...got on with the 'Beatles'..George Harrison especially..Patti Boyd included..but here is a man that can make the guitar really talk..Okay 'Jimmy Page' with his violin bow bonus amazing!..Hendrix burning his guitar ay Monterrray and smashing his guitar through the speakers..and setting it on fire!...Eric seemed to to get through all of this without being a 'Show Off'.. Eric shruggs it off saying quote 'I'm Not the Best by Far!'....'Peter Green is by far better'...and in a way,i agree...but when Eric is on form,none of them can touch him!..Jimi Fans no dis-respect...the best lead guitarist in the world is none other than this man!

Artist: Gil Scott Heron

Fantastic new Album, 2010-06-15
Gill's new album is gold. some of the sound bites in between songs are skippable on subsequent plays. I recently saw him in Edinburgh. Excellent show aside from some support player showboating.

Artist: Etta James

A beautiful voice with a real spice!, 2010-06-26
I was first introduced to Etta James when I watched Cadillac Records where Beyonce in my opinion played the part incredibly well and helped me fall in love with a voice I can't believe I had never heard off. From the film I immediately become besotted with 'All I Could Do Was Cry' and subsequently downloaded 'I'd Rather Go Blind' after realising on a hitch that it was not an original Rod Stewart!
I selected this 'best of...' because I didn't know enough about Etta's musical back catalogue to decipher a best album and I have to say, not only is it a wonderful record because of Etta's incredible and astonishing vocal gift, but the actual selection and track order is brilliant. I love the first track 'I Just Want To Make Love To You' and never realised she had sang it. I am also glad they ended the album with 'At Last' because it is a beautiful song and leaves you with a wholesome feeling.
I would recommend this album if you are a fan of the 1950/60's blues scene. I have always loved Aretha Franklin and even though I don't think she can be beaten vocally, Etta has a spice and kick to her voice that I really love.

Artist: Rodrigo Y Gabriela

breath taking energy, 2010-04-22
Rod & Gab are out of this world. If this doesn't make you want to get up and dance then nothing will. Their energy is relentless and their mastery of their guitars superb. What an incredible duo. Buy it now and enjoy the summer with these tunes racing through your heart. My girl can't stop moving.

Artist: Joe Bonamassa

In the last nine years, bluesman Joe Bonamassa has released no less than six studio and two live albums. The Ballad of John Henry is his seventh proper album, and the follow-up to 2007’s acclaimed Sloe Gin. As on previous outings, The Ballad of John Henry sees the singer deliver a dynamite blast of blues-influenced rock, buoying the genre's acoustic tendencies with searing electric guitar riffs and gritty vocals. Seven of the 12 tracks here are written by Bonamassa, ranging from the blistering title track--a story of the eternal American folk legend--to the swaying, loping, tough-nosed “Last Kiss”. The songs are all suitably impressive, as are most of the covers, which include a Stevie Ray-esque take on Sam Brown’s ballad "Stop!" and great renditions of Tom Waits' "Jockey Full Of Bourbon" and Ike & Tina Turner's "Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter". The Ballad of John Henry further underlines Bonamassa's talents as both firebrand musician and compelling songwriter.
Review the Ballard of John Henry, 2010-07-26
I went to see this guy recently and I was totally blown away by his talent. If you like bluesy rock you will love this album some does sound a bit samey but generally he is very good. I will be buying more of his work having bought this and hearing him live.

Artist: Derek Trucks

WOW DEREK TRUCKS BAND LIVE SET OF THE YEAR !, 2010-06-28
There will not be a better album by anyone this year, as a live double CD set it's absolutely awesome.Derek Trucks is the best slide guitarist anywhere and with his band you have one of the most exiting and dynamic bands anywhere.Derek toured a couple or so years back with Eric Clapton, everyone then said who was this stunning guitarist.He plays also with The Allman Brothers Band when not touring with the band on this CD. The Allman Brothers Band sell out everywhere they play in the USA and sold out nearly a month at New York Beacon Theatre last year.So the background of this astounding talent his own band since his teens,married to Susan Tedeschi a major singing talent as well. Last years 'Already Free' Trucks most recent studio album had great reviews and the title song on this live set is an absolute classic so beautifully played,along with other tracks from that album,plus tracks from previous ones as well.We're also treated to blues classics such as o The Highway,'Get Out My Life Woman' and 'Anyday' for good measure.The band with an added three piece horn section get the party in full flow from track one, vocalist Mike Mattison surely one of the best vocalists in modern blues and soul,plus a rhythm section that is so solid so full of class that it becomes one of those sets you rather hope doesn't stop.
This must by any level rank as one of the most inventive modern blues based albums by one of the best bands there is lead by an astounding young guitarist who really must be on the way to legendary status in the great guitarists of all time.This live set is an absolute must for blues fans,guitar fans and basically everyone who likes great music played to perfection.Hope this album breaks big to give this band the arena stage they totally deserve.Are we aloud to give more than 5 stars, if not give it the most you can , very highly recommended indeed !.

Artist: Various Artists

Gets your mojo workin!, 2009-12-07
What a great find this album was - I was looking for a couple of tracks and came across the Essential Blues Anthology which is packed with 50 tracks of great blues tracks by a range of blues men.

With everything from the ever popular standars like Every Day I Have The Blues (B.B. King) to the lesser known rockabilly blues stylings of Cool Off Baby by Billy 'Curley' Barrix this album is a treat for blues lovers!

Artist: Aynsley Lister

Another cracker from Aynsley, 2010-07-17
Excellent live album from Aynsley, glad to see he has finally put Hendrix's 'Purple rain" down on disc. The inclusion of keys in his new line-up gives a more rounded sound to
some of the old numbers. Only one small blip, missing an audience reaction. Still, great album. Dock.