Joanne Shaw Taylor – The Trouble With Love
Joanne Shaw Taylor has never been short of attitude, and The Trouble With Love pushes the British blues-rock powerhouse into even more emotionally charged territory. Produced by Kevin Shirley, the album tackles love, heartbreak, resilience and self-discovery, but there is nothing soft-focus or sentimental about Taylor’s approach. Her blues remains tough, muscular and firmly guitar-led. […]
WOOD BURNT RED – HOLD ON TIGHT – album review
Independent Wood Burnt Red come out swinging on Hold On Tight, a debut that plants its boots firmly in Southern rock territory while letting country, Americana and blues notations seep into the cracks. This is music with muscle, attitude and, crucially, something to say. Across eleven tracks, the UK four-piece prove they can deliver a […]
JIMMY REGAL AND THE ROYALS – SNAP BACK – Album review
Independent Ever since I reviewed this band’s first album, I have to say that I have been a huge fan and advocate of these guys. They have a rawness about them, gritty, full of energy, attitude, attributes that help them stand out from the crowd. Snap Back has eleven tunes that contain all of the […]
KATIE KNIPP – LIVE AT THEATER 5150 – album review
Independent Katie Knipp has long built her reputation on electrifying live performances, and Live At Theater 5150finally captures that magic in full flight. Recorded before a packed California audience, this expansive 16-track set isn’t simply a greatest hits package performed on stage; it’s a vivid snapshot of an artist and band thriving on spontaneity, chemistry […]
THE BONESHAKERSPULL – UP THE ROOTS – album review
Gulf Coast Records The Boneshakers return to the fundamentals of great roots music: groove, chemistry, feel, and songs with room to breathe on this mini album of six tracks. Eschewing studio gloss, the band puts Jenny Langer’s powerhouse vocals and Randy Jacobs’ expressive guitar firmly at the heart of the sound. Opening with Your Luck […]
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 […]