On Monday, 19th August, blues fans were treated to the highly anticipated premiere of Chris Cain’s new video for his deeply personal track, “Blues For My Dad.” The song is a highlight from Cain’s latest acclaimed release, Good Intentions Gone Bad, an album that finds the veteran guitarist and vocalist operating at the peak of his creative powers. Under the guidance of producer, studio maestro, and multi-instrumentalist Christoffer “Kid” Andersen, Cain has reached new artistic heights, delivering a body of work that has resonated deeply with listeners.
Andersen, who also directed the moving video, was profoundly affected by the song’s raw emotion from the moment he first heard it. “I heard one verse of ‘Blues For My Dad’ and got lumps in my throat, with the hair standing up on my arms,” he shared. “Meanwhile, Chris, ever the humble master, tried to downplay it as just an experiment.”
The song has also struck a chord with Cain’s labelmate and fellow blues musician Tommy Castro. “I’m crying like a baby over here,” Castro said. “Everything about this is great. Everyone with a heartbeat will love this song. It’s as powerful as Bill Withers’ ‘Grandma’s Hands.'”
The track features Cain on lead guitar and vocals, with Andersen providing a rich, layered accompaniment on nylon-string guitar, upright bass, organ, and percussion. June Core’s rhythmic contributions on bongos add to the track’s intimate yet powerful sound.
With over three decades of touring experience and fifteen albums under his belt, Cain has transitioned from being known as “one of the greatest guitarists you’ve never heard” to a celebrated figure in the blues community. Both fans and fellow musicians now regard him as one of the most talented and exciting players in the genre. His original songs are filled with surprising hooks and razor-sharp lyrics that are both emotionally resonant and laced with wry humour. Cain’s powerful, soulful voice and inventive guitar work—drawing inspiration from legends like Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, B.B. King, and Albert King—establish him as a true virtuoso in the blues world. As Living Blues aptly notes, Cain is “turning out the best work of his career.”
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