Laurence Jones If you’re looking to liven up your workout soundtrack, Bad Luck & The Blues will get that heart rate up. If you’ve past the days of working out, you might need a blood pressure cuff handy. Bad Luck & The Blues is the 8th release by British born Laurence Jones and it’s definitely more rock than blues. Jones produced the album and recorded it at The Marshall Studio. It was mixed by Chris Sheldon (Jeff Beck, Foo Fighters, King King). Christian Wright (Jack Bruce, Robin Trower, Ten Years After) mastered the 10 tracks at the iconic Abbey Road Studios. Jones has said “Two of my biggest heroes were Gary Moore and Jimi Hendrix, and that’s the direction I wanted to go in, along with some more contemporary influences such as Queens of The Stone Age, Jack White, and Royal Blood. My main point of reference on this album was Robin Trower. I had been a fan for years, but I used lockdown to sink myself into his playing style and the tone he used.” Upon reading this after hearing the album, all one can do is nod in acknowledgement. That is if you can nod after head banging your way through Bad Luck & The Blues!
Like many of his peers in this younger generation of torch-carrying blues rockers, Jones started young raiding his father’s vinyl collection. Split by The Groundhogs was his favorite spin even though its release in 1971 preceded his birth by more than two decades. He started learning classic guitar at the age of 7, began practicing religiously on a Gibson, and fronted his own band, Free Beer by his mid-teens. By 17, Jones had his own power trio playing the blues. Jones then chose his path to forgo college at the University of Birmingham and tour with Johnny Winter and Walter Trout. He signed his first recording contract in 2012 and released his debut album Thunder in the Sky. Touring to promote the album saw Jones share the stage with Royal Southern Brotherhood, Wishbone Ash and another boyhood hero, Tony McPhee of The Groundhogs.
A shadow crept into his bright future that year as he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. He has been battling with its effects ever since. His warrior spirit surfaces as he channels his inner Hendrix throughout the album with aggressive riffs and solos. He shares the struggle lyrically on “Lonely Road” and “Out in the Distance”. “Lonely Road” teased the album’s August 25 release as the first single and video. The album’s title track “Bad Luck & The Blues” serves as the anthemic opening track with ‘I want to be free for the rest my days – bad luck, nothing to lose’ as the first words we hear. “You’re Not Alone” offers encouragement for ‘sometimes I feel so low’ with more of that pervasive 70’s heavy guitar sound.
Not only did Jones not let Crohn’s slow him down, he pushed onward and began collecting accolades winning British Blues Awards Young Artist of the Year 2014–2016, European Blues Awards Best Guitarist in 2015, and Guitarist of the Year British Blues Awards 2016. During that time Jones released two more albums with Temptation in 2014 and What’s It Gonna Be in 2015. Three albums in and Jones already had a healthy list of contributors on his credits, including Mike Zito, Johnny Sansone, Aynsley Lister and Walter Trout. His 2017 release The Truth ranked 15 on Pop Magazine’s Best Albums of 2017.
Bad Luck & The Blues represents a retro effort by Jones as he returns to the power trio sound of his earlier works. As Jones states – New Year’s Eve of 2022. “I made it a resolution of mine; that’s why the line-up changed so quickly before the next tour,” he recalls. He retained bassist Jack Alexander Timmis (Virgil & The Accelerators) and added drummer Ash Sheehan (Glenn Hughes, Tony Iommi, The Twang) to bring this to life. “You only live once. I have Crohn’s disease, so I never take anything for granted. You should live every day like it’s your last.” He backs that up with some 80’s metal riffs in “Take Control”. The Trower influence is most prominent on the album’s 4th track, “Don’t You Leave Me This Way”. Darker more somber moods surface in the Sabbath-esque “I’m Gone”.
About Bad Luck & The Blues, Jones states “I started my career in a power-trio, and gradually moved away from that. Going back to those roots was an itch that I’d wanted to scratch for ages.” Consider it scratched to near perfection. Bad Luck & The Blues may be a 2023 release, but it has a 1973 heavy blues rock semi-psychedelic sound….in a very, very, good way!
320 kbps87 Megabytes
Tracklist
01. Bad Luck & The Blues 04:09 02. I'm Gone 04:29 03. Lonely Road 03:45 04. Don't You Leave Me This Way 05:11 05. Lost & Broken 03:16 06. Stuck In The Night 03:37 07. Take Control 02:33 08. Out In The Distance 04:14 09. Woman 03:29 10. You're Not Alone 03:28
The No Exit Band Southern blues band.
320 kbps56 Megabytes
Credits:
Tyler Roe - Lead Vocals, Lead & Rhythm GuitarRonnie Keel - Lead Vocals, Lead & Rhythm GuitarPete Penebre - Lead & Rhythm GuitarBryan Mayer - BassDanny Carillo - Drums
Tracklist:
01. Nowhere To Run 03:5102. The Poison 03:3903. Comin' Home 03:2304. Don't Want You No More 02:2705. Don't Keep Me Wondering 02:3606.Yes Indeed 04:5707. Wastin' Time 03:51
The Mike Crandall Band The Mike Crandall Band churns out a strong offering of high energy blues and swing music driven by Crandall’s rich, chromatic harp and authentic vocals and supported by a strong cast of the area’s best blues musicians. The band’s debut effort, “Black Rain”, received strong reviews for its great tone and vintage guitar work. A second trip to the studio recently produced the band’s sophomore effort, “Just Livin’ The Blues”. The disc is filled with hard driving blues numbers and rhythmic swing delivered in style.
320kbps167 Megabytes
Cedits:
Mike Crandall - Harp, VocalsRick Harrington - GuitarRay Roberts - GuitarEd Parnigoni - BassDaniel Banks - DrumsDan Bungy - DrumsSteve Peck - Drums
Tracklist:
01. 20 Miles 04:1102. Trying To Make You Mine 03:3003. High Plains Drifter 06:4704. Donna Rose 04:1505. Slide Show 05:3006. Change Your Ways 04:0007. Pawn Shop 06:1708. Just Livin' the Blues 05:4509. Ray's Shuffle 03:2710. On My Way 05:4911. Sure Seems Strange 03:5812. Keep Loving Me Baby 05:0313. Drowning In A Sea of Problems 05:1114. Cold Shot 04:0115. Blues Soldier 04:45
Timo Haikarainen Finnish blues rock guitarist.
320 kbps123 Megabytes
Tracklist:
01. Big Spending Mama 03:03 02. Down And Out 03:43 03. Love Prisoner At Sea 04:50 04. Keep Dreams Alive 04:28 05. Good Rockin Daddy 03:32 06. Blues For Lonely 06:23 07. Good Fats 02:49 08. Lying Woman 02:51 09. Burnout Blues 04:49 10. Jump In G 02:49)11. Aint Going Home 03:57 12. Blue & Lonesome 03:35 13. Good Rockin Daddy Got Fooloed Again 04:11 14. Looking For My Baby 02:46
JR Clark Let’s say there’s a blues festival coming up in a good-sized city. There are a lot of people, especially those who crave live shows, but there’s one big problem. The household-name band scheduled to be the headliner has cancelled at the last minute. Readers, if you were the organizers of such an event, whom would you hire in order to fill the hole in the schedule? Even better, whom would you have hired in the first place?
Consider JR Clark and the Allstar Blues Mob, originating in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Their lead guitarist/vocalist, JR Clark, and organ/piano/keyboard player Willie Styles have joined up with legendary bassist Johnny B. Gayden, from Albert Collins and the Ice Breakers, on their latest album, When It All Comes Down. Finishing out the quartet is drummer and percussionist Jerry “Bam Bam” Porter, who toured with Buddy Guy for 14 years. He also toured with Magic Slim and the Teardrops, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and is currently fresh off tour with the James Cotton Band.
Together, these four have performed at several festivals like South Bend Blues and Ribs Festival at Coveleski Stadium, the Kalamazoo Blues Festival, and several other regional venues in Indiana and Michigan. Here they launch into twelve songs showcasing their high energy level and addictive instrumental prowess. Nine are covers, but these three display their blossoming songwriting skills:
Track 02: “Inner City” – This funky number, with its take-no-prisoners baseline, presents a possibly-perennial scene: “Body laying on the ground; there’s a crowd gathered round. Blood running from his head from a flying, hot piece of lead. Sirens start to howl; it’s a deafening sound. It’s just another day in the inner city. Will it ever change, or will it stay the same?” Clark’s guitar refrain falls into a slight rut, but that underscores the song’s point.
Track 06: “A Little Bit Older” – Who says that one must age gracefully? Not our narrator in this Chicago blues ballad: “I might be getting older, but I’m no less bolder,” he assures everyone – especially the ladies. “I can still make the women a little weak in the knees. I’ve got a whole lot of experience, and I aim to please.” So does Willie Styles on his rollicking piano solo.
Track 08: “Clean Getaway” – Many say that dogs are man’s best friend, but Clark knows the ones in this rocker are his mortal enemies: “I’ve got to make a clean getaway. Hell hound’s on my trail, trying to take me away…He’ll never slow down ‘til he has his prey.” Repentance isn’t easy, however, unlike JR’s hot electric guitar groove.
One other critique of Clark and the Mob’s style is that their vocals run to the talk-singing side, but that’s a minor flaw. “When It All Comes Down,” they know how to play boisterous blues!
320 kbps153 Megabytes
Tracklist:
01. When It All Comes Down (I'll Still Be Around) 04:3902. Inner City 05:4303. Can You Feel It? 06:2504. Cross Cut Saw 04:1905. The Ghetto 07:4506. A Little Bit Older 05:2707. Hold On 04:0208. Clean Getaway 06:1009. Peace Of Mind 05:4310. I Want To Ta-Ta You Baby 06:2911. Crawfishin' 05:3512. Can I Change My Mind? 04:24
Robert Thomas Robert Thomas plays Texas style blues guitar that's electric like a lightning bolt! His clear bright tone is one of the characteristics of his guitar playing. Robert's voice captures pure emotion and his Cd "Natural Born Thing" is a feast of blues!
320 kbps109 Megabytes
Tracklist:
01. I Love Money 03:4802. You're Mine 03:3803. Treat Me So Lowdown 02:5204. No Mercy 04:4105. Rainin' Inside 04:2906. In Between 03:2907. Peanut Butter & Jelly 03:5008. You Don't Have To Love Me 04:0209. Hot For You 02:4110. One Good Woman 05:0711. Jumpin' At Shadows 03:09
Galea Galea is a blues and rock singer who currently resides in New York with her husband and frequent collaborator, Popa Chubby. Her first solo album, Diary of a Bad Housewife, was released in 2005. Her newest venture is a side project with her husband, Vicious Country.
320 kbps148 Megabytes
Credits:
Galea - Bass, Vocals Steve Holley - Drums, Percussion Popa Chubby - Guitar, Vocals, Percussion Dave Keyes - Piano, Organ Mike Lattrell - Piano, Organ
Tracklist:
01. You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover 03:4202. Come On In My Kitchen 04:2003. My Real Daddy 04:4104. Queen Shot 04:4605. Brand New Key (Combine Harvester) 03:4306. Can't Let Go 04:0407. One Or Two Things 05:5208. Just Your Friends 04:4609. She's Mean And Evil 05:4310. Tipitina 04:2311. Truck Drivin' Man 04:3612. Dirty Mother For You 05:0813. (She Said That) Evil Was Her Name 05:0714. Let's Run Togethe 04:40
Dois Padres Formed in 2017, Dois Padres are a two piece blues tinged rock outfit consisting of Danny Young (Guitar & Vocals) and George Cowan (Drums).
With 4 albums under their belt, and after performing with celebrated acts such as Daddy Long Legs, Dr Feelgood, The Hooten Hallers, Spear Of Destiny and The Velveteers, they have built a reputation as one of the most exciting and consistent acts on the scene.
We have been waiting for this album to be released since March and it is finally here! The Bedfordshire based duo, Dois Padres are making music that is fun, groovy and puts a huge smile on your face. “Comin’ In Hot” is an eclectic mix of avantgarde rock, garage rock, country, folk, indie, country and western, rockabilly and God knows what else. And they are mixing it all so naturally, so skilfully that this is our independent record of the year. We ain’t kidding ya. If you consider yourself a fan of new, unsigned music, this album is an obligatory listen. And we haven’t met anybody yet who would dislike it!
“Comin’ In Hot” is a perfect release for a heatwave. Despite being mastered and recorded in the UK, it hardly sounds like a British album – It feels like a record made in Texas, somewhere on a ranch. Or on Californian desert, with coyotes, armadillos and saguaro cacti for company. I’m not sure how Danny Young (guitar/bass & vocals) and George Cowan (drums) achieved it, but they managed to create a truly Southern record, hot as the devil winds of Santa Ana or as jalapeno barbecue sauce from Austin. We need to warn ya, after listening to the 10-song record a couple of times, you will be line dancing instead walking down the street, wearing a Stetson and greeting your friends with a hearty shout of “Howdy!”. True story!
The album starts with our favourite song, “How You Gonna” which was also released as a single. It is surprisingly serious in nature despite having a beat for indie discos. It is one of those songs that live in your head rent free for months and you hum the lyrics under your breath, only to suddenly realize it is about being stuck in a catch-22 situation where lack of one resource prevents you from acquiring another, both being no luxuries but basic life necessities such as spare cash, medicines or food.
Two other singles published before the album was released, “Tin Can Phone” and “Mojo Devil” also made it to the record and I’m very glad they were included as both will be fan favourites. I’m pleasantly surprised by “Burnin’ Rubber” – an absolutely crazy tune reminding me of a soundtrack to the classic racer for Playstation “Colin McRae’s Rally”. Psychedelically inspired “Someday” is a cross between America and Creedence Clearwater Revival and “Movin’ On Out” is the offspring of the Rolling Stones from Jumping Jack Flash era and Primal Scream from their “Screamadelica” days. “Good Godamn” deserve a special mention for its rockabilly roots and the lyrical “Songbird” could have been penned by the Southern Culture on the Skids after ingesting pearl jam infused cookies at the party thrown by Neil Young somewhere in downtown Seattle.
“Comin’ In Hot” is a real musical gem. It has everything a good record should have – great songs, great production and the cover art by Jon West is fantastic too. I truly hope the British music listeners will be open minded and accept Dois Padres for that they are. There is not a single ounce of Ladbandisms here and that’s a breath of fresh air.
320 kbps79 Megabytes
Tracklist:
01. How You Gonna 03:40 02. Burnin' Rubber 02:53 03. Tin Can Phone 02:57 04. Mojo Devil 02:32 05. Someday 02:08 06. Less Like Me 03:17 07. Songbird 04:23 08. Movin' on out 02:39 09. Good Goddamn 03:25 10. It Don't Gotta 06:26
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