Peter Parcek – Most of the Time – Review
Lightnin Records Peter Parcek has been a mainstay of the New England blues scene for many years, but he is now producing some of the finest recorded music of his career. Most of the Time, the follow-up to 2020’s Mississippi Suitcase, continues the journey begun on that release. Parceck is a tasteful guitarist whose deeply […]
Misty Blues Band – Still Ticking – Review
Guitar One Records There is a particular kind of musical confidence that comes only with experience. It is the ability to stretch without losing focus, experiment without sacrificing soul, and make complex arrangements sound effortless. Misty Blues display that quality throughout Still Ticking. The band’s eighteenth album continues their exploration of the space where blues, […]
Kevin Burt – This Trip – Review
Gulf Coast Records Kevin Burt has never relied on studio polish or elaborate arrangements to make an emotional connection, and This Trip shows why restraint can be so powerful. This deeply personal collection strips the music back to its essentials, placing Burt’s voice, acoustic guitar and harmonica at the centre. Across eleven songs, he draws […]
Brigitte Purdy – Mother of the Crossroads
DirtShack Records Brigitte Purdy blends blues, rock, soul, gospel and Americana on Mother of the Crossroads, creating a compact but energetic album that showcases both her commanding vocals and the strong musicianship surrounding her. Produced by Dave Osti, who also plays most of the instruments, the album opens with Sugar Fried Candy, a driving blues-rock […]
Andy Smythe – Quiet Revolution – Review
Dreaming Element Records Andy Smythe’s eighth album, Quiet Revolution, is a thoughtful and ambitious collection of songs that examines the realities of modern life through sharp observation, social commentary and richly layered arrangements. Opening track Life Of A Man immediately establishes the album’s themes. Accompanied by Kit Dellow-Jones’ trumpet and Paul Challenger’s guitar, Smythe reflects […]
Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice – Who Knows What The Future Holds – Review
MoMojo Records At 75, Greg Piccolo sounds anything but reflective or ready to slow down. On Who Knows What The Future Holds, the former Roomful of Blues saxophonist delivers a collection of songs built on rhythm and blues fundamentals, played with confidence, honesty and decades of experience. Best known for his explosive tenor saxophone work, […]
Energy – Rise From The Fall – Review
Pyramid Records The story behind Rise From The Fall is one of survival, loss and unfinished business. These songs were not written from a place of comfort. Instead, they were forged through years of setbacks, perseverance and a determination to finally complete what had been left unfinished. The emotional heart of the album lies in […]
Parker Barrow – Hold The Mash – Review
Parker Barrow’s Hold The Mash arrives with confidence, energy and a strong sense of identity. Drawing inspiration from Southern rock, blues and Americana, the Nashville-based band deliver a release that feels equally at home on a festival stage or blasting from the speakers during a long drive down an open highway. Named after the infamous […]
Leeann Atherton – Good God – Review
Rainstorm Records Leeann Atherton’s Good God is an album filled with conviction, warmth and purpose. The Austin-based singer-songwriter has spent years exploring the spaces between blues, country, rock, soul and Americana, but on this release she turns her focus entirely to gospel music, producing a collection that feels both natural and deeply personal. From the […]
Jeff Saxon – Happy Travelling – Review
Relevant Records Award-winning New Jersey singer-songwriter Jeff Saxon returns with Happy Travelling, his sixth album and a collection of upbeat contemporary blues songs designed to lift the spirits. At a time when the world can feel increasingly complicated, Saxon offers what he describes as a dose of musical medicine, delivered through memorable melodies, thoughtful songwriting […]