Pete Gage - Pete Gage & Innes Sibun (1999)

                                                                    Pete Gage
 Pete Gage worked as vocalist with the Jet Harris Band in the 60's, various blues/soul bands after that, then Dr Feelgood's vocalist from 1995 to 1999, then from 2000 til the present time, I have continued to work with my own band, The Pete Gage Band and the Pete Gage Blues Trio.

Credits:

Innes Sibun - Guitar  
Pete Gage - Voicals, Harmonica, Organ, Piano 
Andy Maggs - Bass  
Dave Raeburn - Drums

Tracklist:

01. Further On Up The Road 03:35
02. Blackjack 03:12
03. Rock It 02:58
04. Gin House Blues 04:03
05. Help Me 04:06
06. Things I Used To Do 03:36
07. Doctor Brown 02:46
08. Pretty Woman 03:25
09. Goin' Down Slow 04:22
10. My Girl Josephine 03:02

Big Joe Turner & Mike Bloomfield - The Night Time Is The Right Time (2017) reposted

                                                     Big Joe Turner & Mike Bloomfield

                                                                        zippyshare
 This is a rare treat, the great Big Joe Turner backed by blues-rock guitar legend, Mike Bloomfield and his band live!  
For a very long time blues legend, Big Joe Turner had being backed by Mike Bloomfield as one of the things on his ‘bucket list’.

The show took place on April 18, 1977 at The Old Waldorf in San Francisco and they sure took advantage of the opportunity as you can tell from the amount of songs recorded.

Bloomfield’s band included his musicians from his band The Electric Flag, keyboardist Barry Goldberg, drummer Buddy Miles, bassist Harvey Brooks and other friends. We have digitally re-mastered this wonderful piece of live blues history.

If you love the blues or great electric guitar, this is one you will want to own.


Tracklist:

01. Stormy Monday Blues 06:22
02. Jump For Joy 03:58
03. Shake, Rattle And Roll 03:20
04. When The Sun Goes Down 03:26
05. Morning, Noon And Night 03:21
06. Hide And Seeker 04:44
07. How Long Blues 06:48
08. Chains Of Love 07:27
09. Corinne Corinna 05:45
10. I Hear You Knocking 08:04
11. Give Me An Hour In Your Garden 11:24
12. The Night Time Is The Right Time 07:17
13. Shoo Shoo Boogie Boo 07:23
14. On My Way To Denver Blues 11:09
15. Everyday I Have The Blues 09:58
16. Early One Morning 06:21
17. I've Got A Pocketful Of Pencils 13:18
18. Write Me A Letter 05:46
19. Flip Flop And Fly 06:16
20. TV Mama 05:16
21. Roll Me Baby 08:07
22. Ain`t Gonna Be Your Low Down Dog 03:30

Cleanhead's Factory - I Smell Trouble (2020)

                                                             Cleanhead's Factory
 Blues rock band from Luxembourg / France.


Tracklist:

01. Better Days 03:02
02. That's Right 05:27
03. Sin City 04:27
04. Sleep Away 07:01
05. Travelling Man 05:21
06. I Smell Trouble 06:03
07. Blues for Garibaldi 08:33
08. Just to Survive 04:54
09. Rising Sun 04:56
10. Electric Lady 04:14

Franck L. Goldwasser - Going Back To Paris - The Paris Slim Mountain Top Sessions 1998-1999 (2021)

                                                             Franck L. Goldwasser
 Formerly known in international blues circles as “Paris Slim”, Franck Goldwasser was born in Paris in 1960 and studied fine arts before moving to Oakland, California in 1983. A self-taught guitarist and vocalist, Goldwasser began studying the recordings of Elmore James, B.B. King and T-Bone Walker at age 16. Having played in public for the first time with Paris-based harmonica player Sugar Blue, Franck sits in as often as possible with visiting American bluesmen such as George Smith, Jimmy Dawkins and Phillip Walker. Hired as second guitarist with California bluesman Sonny Rhodes at gigs in Paris and Reims in 1980, Goldwasser develops a friendship with the “Sultan of the blues” and plans to relocate to California. During a three-month stay in Oakland, California in 1981, Goldwasser meets and jams with Big Mama Thornton, Frankie Lee, Buddy Ace, Troyce Key, J.J. Malone, Cool Papa and Mark Hummel while documenting the Bay Area blues scene for the music magazine Soul Bag. Back in Paris, the budding bluesman begins to front his own band, the Blues Blasters. Returning to Oakland in June 1983, Franck Goldwasser wastes no time in immersing himself in the vibrant East Bay blues scene, quickly landing a job in singer-guitarist-club owner Troyce Key's band. While gigging every weekend at the famed Eli Mile High club, the Frenchman hones his skills alongside West Coast blues giants Percy Mayfield, Lowell Fulson and Jimmy McCracklin.  Recognizing in Goldwasser "The closest thing I've ever heard to the Thing" (a reference to his longtime guitarist, blues guitar  innovator Lafayette "Thing" Thomas),  McCracklin hires him to be his axeman and musical director.  While occupying that chair for the following three years, Goldwasser free-lances with some of the area's most illustrious blues luminaries including  Omar Shariff (formerly known as Dave Alexander), Johnny Heartsman, Ron Thompson and Elvin Bishop. 

Having formed his own band, Goldwasser eventually takes over the houseband gig at Eli Mile Hi Club when Key decides to take a one-year hiatus from performing. Paris Slim (Key gave him the moniker) releases his first record on San Francisco’s Backtrack label in 1985, a 45rpm featuring a driving rendition of Lowell Fulson's "Guitar Shuffle" (upon the hearing of which Fulson simply commented: "I'll be damned!") and appears at the San Francisco Blues festival that same year.  Write-ups in the local music press follow, including feature stories in the East Bay Express and the San Francisco Chronicle.  At a show at San Francisco’s Victoria theater, Goldwasser’s band backs up singer Dottie Ivory and California blues architect Pee Wee Crayton on his very last San Francisco performance. During 1986-89 Goldwasser occupies the chair of guitarist and musical director in Jimmy McCracklin’s band, before releasing his first album on Belgium's Blue Sting label. Featuring a stellar cast of some of the Bay Area's top sidemen, including future Robert Cray band members Jim Pugh, Karl Sevareid and Tim Kaihatsu, Etta James keyboardist Dave Matthews, guitarist Bobby “Mr. Goodfingers” Murray, Little Charlie and the Nightcats’ Rick Estrin, Commander Cody’s drummer Lance Dickerson and alto sax legend Earl “Good Rockin’” Brown, "Blues For Esther" is nominated for a W.C. Handy award in the "Best Album of the Year" category in 1989. 

When Tim Kaihatsu leaves his regular gig hosting the Blue Monday Party at Berkeley’s favorite nightspot Larry Blake’s to join the Robert Cray Band, he calls on Goldwasser to take over the guitar chair alongside harmonica player Mark Hummel. As part of the Blake’s houseband, Goldwasser works with a who’s who of the Bay Area notables, including Linda Tillery, Luther Tucker, Tracy Nelson, Norton Buffalo and Charlie Musselwhite. 

Stints with Musselwhite as well as Bay Area favorites Gary Smith, Nick Gravenites, Johnny Nitro, Mitch Woods and Terry Hank follow. A sought-after sideman for visiting artists, Paris Slim provides guitar work for A.C. Reed, Jerry McCain, James Harman, Sunnyland Slim and Big Jack Johnson. In September 1989, Goldwasser is invited by original member and co-founder Nick Gravenites to fill-in for Michael Bloomfield in an historical reunion of the Electric Flag; featuring original members Barry Goldberg on organ, Harvey Brooks on bass, Jerry Garcia alumni Merle Saunders on piano and Blues Project drummer Roy Blumenfeld, the band appears at a 20th anniversary celebration of the Woodstock festival at Lancaster, California. 

A second solo album, "Bleedin' Heart", released in 1996 on the San Francisco-based Globe record label, is co-produced with Joe Louis Walker and features both Walker and Sonny Rhodes making cameo appearances. For the Mountain Top production company, Paris slim produces several albums by Fillmore Slim and appears in instructional DVDs by harmonica masters Mark Hummel and Gary Smith. A collaboration with Smith, "Be Careful What You Wish For", is also released by Mountain Top. After a stint with San Francisco favorites the Dynatones, Franck Goldwasser relocates to the Los Angeles area in 1998. In southern California he appears regularly with the likes of Kim Wilson, Roy Gaines, Mitch Kashmar and Arthur Adams. Joining forces with drummer-producer Chris Millar, Franck appears on numerous releases by the Fedora record label, including albums by Hosea Leavey (brother of the legendary Calvin Leavey of “Cummins Prison Farm” fame), Harmonica Slim, Fillmore Slim, Jessie Thomas, Iceman Robinson, Tommy Bankhead and Chicago blues luminaries Byther Smith and Jimmy Dawkins. Goldwasser tours Europe in the early 2000’s alongside Jimmy Dawkins, Clay Hammond, Homesick James, J.J. Malone and Big Jack Johnson. Back in California, the group Blisterstring is formed with Millar, and the album “The Highway Is Like A Woman” is released on Millar’s own label Under Siege. Through his connection with Millar, Goldwasser meets the Bluestein Family's Evo, joining the group Bad Boys Zydeco for shows across central California. 

At the Ojai Bowlful of Blues festival in 2000, Franck “Paris Slim” Goldwasser backs-up the legendary Chicago singer-harmonica player Billy Boy Arnold and singer Finis Tasby. Los Angeles blues entrepreneur Rand Chortkoff, who is in attendance, takes notice and offers to record Goldwasser for his budding production company. The release of “Bluju” on the prestigious German label Crosscut follows in 2002; with cameo appearances by Phillip Walker, J.J. Malone and star Lebanese percussionist Souhail Kaspar (Sting, Kronos Quartet) the album earns praise from the press for simultaneously keeping a firm footing in the blues tradition while exploring uncharted territories. 

With long-time associates harp maestro R.J. Mischo and Chicago guitarist Steve Freund, the group Down Home Super Trio is formed, leading to an appearance on the Spring Blues Festival at Ecaussinnes, Belgium, promptly followed by a headliner spot at the Lucerne Blues festival in ‘04. The set, which features drummer Richard Innes as a replacement for Freund, as well as guitarists Billy Flynn and Alex Schultz is recorded and released by the Crosscut label as part of their “In The House” series. Back in California, Goldwasser joins forces with Santa Barbara guitar hero Alastair Greene for an independently-released CD, “Franck Goldwasser with the Alastair Greene Band” (a.k.a. “Balls-Deep Dad”). 

The association of Chortkoff and Goldwasser proves a productive one, as it leads to tours with Billy Boy Arnold and Chicago blues guitar legend Jody Williams and a performance at Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival, while ultimately providing the catalyst for the creation of the Delta Groove record label and the formation of The Mannish Boys. With the initial lineup of singer Finis Tasby and harmonica player-singer Johnnie Dyer, guitarists Kirk Fletcher and Franck Goldwasser, pianist Leon Blue, drummer Richard Innes and bass player Ronnie James (singers Bobby Jones and Sugar Ray Rayford, guitarist Kid Ramos, bassist Willie Jay Campbell and drummer Jimi Bott were eventually recruited), the Mannish Boys make an immediate impact on the international blues scene, appearing at festivals and concerts in the U.S., Europe, Lebanon, Mexico and Brazil. 

2005 saw Franck Goldwasser moving to Portland, Oregon. Embraced by the Rose City’s enthusiastic and supportive blues community, Franck is honored with a ten-page feature story in the Cascade Blues Association’s Blues Notes, written by president Greg Johnson. Stints with the Paul Delay Band, Bill Rhoades and the Party Kings, D.K. Stewart, Jim Wallace’s band (featuring fellow Mannish Boys Jimi Bott on drums) and Lloyd Jones follow. Appearing regularly at the Waterfront Blues festival, Goldwasser is invited for impromptu sessions with harmonica legend James Cotton and the Paladin’s Dave Gonzales.  A collaboration with Oregon favorites Big Monte Amundsen, Henry Cooper and drummer Boyd Small engenders The Sultans of Slide; the group appears at the Waterfront Blues festival after the release of the album “Lightnin’ Strikes” and a European tour follows in 2011. While in the Netherlands, Paris Slim cuts an album produced by Boyd Small for the Dutch Continental Records label , “Can’t Raise Me”, which features Amundsen and Cooper, as well as the Blasters’ Gene Taylor. 

Session work finds Goldwasser appearing on several Delta Groove releases including albums by vocalists Bobby Jones and Sugar Ray Rayford. While on the Legendary Blues Cruise with the Mannish Boys in 2010, Franck is invited by Joe Louis Walker to guest on his “Live On The Legendary Blues Cruise” album alongside Nick Moss and Jason Ricci. 

As guitarist in the Curtis Salgado band, Goldwasser tours extensively the U.S. and Canada during 2011-2012. In 2012, the Mannish Boys are awarded “Band of the Year” by the Blues Music Foundation in Memphis. Featured as lead guitarist on the track “Strung Out”, Goldwasser is rewarded a second time the same year as Salgado wins the “Album of the Year” award for his 2012 Alligator Records release “Soul Shot”. 

2012 saw Goldwasser returning to southern California. Having taken a one-year hiatus from music during 2013-14, Franck returns to Portland and forms the T-Bone Walker tribute band The Bonepickers, which appears at the Waterfront Blues Festival and releases one CD, “Bone Pickin’” in 2015. 

Back in California, Franck plays locally and on the road with Ventura-based Hot Roux and long-time associate R.J. Mischo. Goldwasser tours France, Belgium, Germany and Denmark in 2013; a double bill with the Red Devils' Big Pete finds him at the Moulin Blues Festival (Netherlands) in 2016.  Back in the studio in Ventura, Franck L. Goldwasser completes the recording of a new CD due out in September 2018, “Bigger Than A Millionaire”.

After a six-month hiatus from performing, Franck L. Goldwasser is back in the recording studio in June 2019, joinining forces with rising star producer Christoffer "Kid" Andersen for the recording of a new album, "Sweet Little Black Spider", due out in December.  A double-disc set, the album consists of new, original compositions exclusively, including the politically-oriented "Tyranny Is Rising", as well as several autobiographically-based  spoken word works. 

Franck Goldwasser's discography is small but mighty. His release from last year, SWEET LITTLE BLACK SPIDER was one of the toughest releases of the year. These recordings from 1998-1999 are some of the best of his career. With guests GARY SMITH- JIM PUGH & RUSTY ZINN, these sessions burn through originals & well chosen covers with an intensity most contemporary releases lack. Band support is superb and the loose, but tight approach shows that Paris Slim has mastery of the sound. C.L. Bluebeat Music.


Tracklist:

01. Gonna Move To Texas 04:14
02. Rollin' Stone 04:21
03. Love Is Just A Gamble 05:44
04. Harp De Triomphe 02:20
05. Lowdown Dog Blues 03:42
06. It's A Sin 02:43
07. Can't Raise Me 03:54
08. House Full Of Blues 07:19
09. That's What You Do To Me 02:59
10. Death Letter Blues 03:23
11. Tell Me, Baby 03:35
12. Slim's Business 04:37
13. Going Back To Paris 05:23
14. Four Walls 03:33
15. 3629 Grove 03:21
16. Sixth Avenue Meltdown 09:23

Paul Reddick - Alive In Italia (2020)

                                                                  Paul Reddick
 In 2001 on his award-winning album Rattlebag, Toronto bluesman Paul Reddick sang, “…there’s no good place to have the blues,” and now almost 20 years later, he is testing that theory with his recent Stony Plain release Alive in Italia.  Paul joined with the twin guitar leads from Juno-award winning blues rocker outfit MonkeyJunk, Tony Diteodoro (a.k.a. Tony D) and Steve Marriner, and the Gamblers, a rhythm section consisting of Gab D and Andrea Costanzo, to produce a superb record in a unique setting in the north of Italy.

Recorded on Nov. 10, 2019 in the Museo Tornielli near Piemonte, this collaboration brings together friends in an intimate celebration. The album features 11 tracks taken from Paul’s work over the last 20 years, relying heavily on the aforementioned Rattlebag, but including tracks from his previous four releases. Paul’s trademark gravelly vocals and classic Chicago-style harp playing bring life to the thoughtful, poetic lyrics of these songs, while Steve and Tony craft fine solos where tone and timing are the preeminent concerns. This is an atmospheric album that transitions perfectly from the rub shuffle of “Sleepy John Estes,” into the funky “Pinegum,” to the stark, urgent, but restrained piece, “Mourning Dove.”

Paul has spent his career working to capture the essence of the blues, and in this set, he has done just that. “Villanelle,” the title track to his 2004 album, ebbs and flows, with its bittersweet lyric, steamy and delicate guitar licks, and the gentle washing harmonica – a song in the vein of the John Hiatt masterpiece “Feels Like Rain.” The sound is thick and soulful, dripping in your ears and saturating your brain.

Juno-winning blues man Paul Reddick releases a ‘love letter to Italy’ on his live album

Paul has given us an inspired performance; inspired by the beauty and ambiance of the venue and of the character of the Italian countryside setting, infusing the music with these intangibles.  So, turn the lights down low and the music up a little bit louder, and decide for yourself if there might actually be a good place to have the blues.


Tracklist:

01. Elizabethville 08:08
02. Sleepy John Estes 07:13
03. Pinegum 04:26
04. Mourning Dove 06:04
05. Gotta Find A 03:25
06. Pearl River 05:26
07. Villanelle 07:33
08. The Other Man 06:23
09. Blue Wings 08:20
10. Smokehouse 07:52
11. I'm A Criminal 07:37

Kern Pratt - Broken Chains (2015)

                                                                      Kern Pratt
 The music draws on the kernels of Katt Pratt as it crosses the Mississippi and crosses the Delta and as it affects other lands and lives. way to give voice to your soul. His music mixes all the things that the Delta and even Kern Pratt have in their own style, he has not left behind this vast cultural legacy that would make him one of the most authentic artists and the most employed in the United States. "Broken Chains" is a production that talks about life in the Delta, about the daily going and coming, seasoned with the rudiments learned from the experiences with the people that will influence the Pratt and leave a personal and musical brand.


Credits:

Kern Pratt III - Guitar, Vocals 
Denise Owen - Lead & Background Vocals, Percursion 
David Hyde - Bass
Nelson Blanchard - Drums, Keyboards, Background Vocals 
Sam Brady - B-3 Organ 
Elaine Foster - Background Vocals  
Lacy Blackledge - Trumpet 
Bob Henderson - Tenor, Alt Sax 
Pete Verbois - Baritone Sax 
Chris Belleau - Trombone, Washboard

Tracklist:

01. Delta Mourn' 00:35
02. Greenville Mississippi Blues 03:06
03. Lights Are On, But Nobody's Home 07:01
04. Somewhere South of Memphis 04:00
05. Black Hannah 04:26
06. Cotton Pickin' 02:53
07. Don't Leave Me Baby 05:09
08. Paddlewheel 00:36
09. It Hurts Me Too 02:41
10. Handcuffed to the Blues 04:31
11. Smokin' Gun 04:06
12. Soulshake 04:29
13. Broken Chains 01:05

Magic Slim - Live On The Road (1990)

                                                                     Magic Slim
 Blues guitarist and vocalist Magic Slim became interested in music during childhood. He moved first to nearby Grenada, Mississippi, and then to Chicago in 1955, where he worked as bass player for Magic Sam, who gave Holt his name. He obtained a false identity card so that he was able to play bass with Sam in the bars and clubs. After completing that stay, he switched back to guitar and performed with a Chicago band called Mr. Pitiful And The Teardrops. When that band broke up, he moved back to Mississippi before returning to Chicago once again in 1965, where he re-formed the Teardrops with his two brothers (Nick, the bass player, became a permanent member). The band recorded its first single for the local Wes label in 1966, and another for the equally small Mean Mistreater label in 1970. It was not until 1978 that Magic Slim And The Teardrops began recording in earnest, contributing four tracks to an Alligator Records anthology. That was followed by a live album for the small Candy Apple label as well as recordings made in France, which were released in the USA on Alligator as Raw Magic in 1982. That same year he recorded the highly praised Grand Slam for Rooster Blues Records. A live album recorded in Austria, Chicago Blues Session, followed in 1987. Gravel Road, released on the small Blind Pig label in the USA, was issued in 1990. 

The group Magic Slim and the Teardrops featured Chicago-style electric blues and was a regular on the music festival circuit. They were often described as "Chicago's last real blues band."

Magic Slim died on February 21, 2013 at the age of 75 in a Philadelphia hospital. He had several accumulated health problems - lung, heart and kidney disease.


Credits:

Michael Scott - Drums   
John Primer - Guitar, Vocals    
Morris Holt - Guitar, Vocals   
Nick Holt - Vocals, Bass  

Tracklist:

01. Love Somebody 06:21  
02. Gold Tailed Bird 09:02
03. Honest I Do 05:55
04. Down the Road I Go 07:01
05. Sweet Home Chicago 06:02  
06. Look over Yonders Wall 07:35
07. Please Don't Waste My Time 09:51
08. Pretty Girls Everywhere 05:00  
09. Long Distance Call 07:46
10. Let Me Love You Baby 07:12  

Annee 2CU Blues Band - A Wildfire Out of Control (Live Version) (2018)

                                                                    Annee 2CU
 Annee 2CU BLUES BAND is influenced by the music of especially Gary Moore, Johnny Copeland and Robert Cray, as well as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Etta James.
Just be aware though, that whenever we do covers, we do make them our own, they are never identical to other artists.
Our act is not your run of the mill covers band - All the musicians are highly professional - the sound and vocals performed are "A CUT ABOVE THE REST".
We perform the spectrum of the blues including Midnight Special (old style Traditional Blues); Mojo Boogie (Louisiana Blues); Sweet Home Chicago (Delta Blues); I Just Want to Make Love to You (Chicago Blues); Cold Shot (Texas Blues); Heart Full of Soul (Blues Rock); Midnight Blues(Electric Blues); Back to Black (Fringe Blues)
Annee 2CU BLUES BAND line-up features the talents of vocalist Annee, as well as the brilliant musicianship of 2CU Blues Band - Dean on Drums, Tim & Lex on shared lead/rhythm guitar, and Patrick (musical director) on bass.
Formed in 2007 originally as a cover band but then in 2010 we became a powerful blues band with a big sound. 


Tracklist:

01. Let Me Roll It 04:13
02. Still the Same 03:15
03. Dark Cloud 04:10
04. Oh! Darling 04:02
05. Against the Wind 04:38
06. Bluest Blue 05:55

Steve Keenan - In My Hands (2021)

                                                                   Steve Keenan
 The Steve Keenan Band is a blues rock band from Lethbridge Alberta featuring Steve Keenan: Guitar and Vocals, David Popovitch: bass, Darwin Romanchuk: Drums and Gary Drayton: Keyboards and Backing Vocals. Together they cover a wide variety of Blues music.


Tracklist:

01. Country Buzz 03:24 
02. Lucky One 03:39 
03. Drowning Sorrows 04:05 
04. Gamblers Hand 04:48 
05. Doin Fine 03:57  
06. In My Hands 04:20 
07. Dream Train 03:11 
08. Something New 03:53 
09. I Don’t Need a Million 03:23 
10. Whiskey Drinking Blues 03:23 

Parker's Alibi - Exposed! (2000)

                                                                   Parker's Alibi
 Powerful young bluesband from Stourbridge. Formed in '97 as Monty Turnbull band. Lineup listed below from March 2001. Band split up late in 2001 with Ian and Morg going in one direction and the rhythm section in another.

Top British blues band Parkers Alibi decided to call it a day back in 2002.  After a number of successful albums and hundreds of kick ass live shows, they said farewell to their loyal fans via a ‘Farewell Concert’ at The Robin R’n’B Club, England on February 8th, 2002.


Credits:

Chris Lomas - Bass, Vocals
Ian Parke - Vocals, Guitar
Morg Morgan - Keyboards, Vocals
Tony Baylis - Drums

Tracklist:

01. Cheatin' on You 03:15
02. Five Long Years 06:18
03. Brick 05:00
04. Funny How 05:35
05. It's a Man's, Man's World 14:36
06. Misfits and Fools 03:45
07. Later Somehow 04:32
08. Almost Cut My Hair 09:46

More Blues From The South Side (2000)

                                                      More Blues From The South Side
 For those readers who might mistakenly believe that More Blues From The South Side features music from the "baddest part of town," i.e., the south side of Chicago; please note that this CD features music and three musicians from South Central Los Angeles. While guitarist Smokey Wilson is probably the best known of the three West Coast performers, South Side Slim (a.k.a., Henry Harris) and Curtis Tillman help to lay down a strong foundation for what they refer to as the "South Central Sound." Southside Slim is a creative young performer who provides excellent guitar and vocals on More Blues From The South Side, while also taking credit as Producer for the recording. Curtis Tillman is an excellent vocalist and songwriter who has performed with the likes of T-Bone Walker, Bobby Bland and Big Mama Thornton, just to name a few.
On More Blues From The South Side, each of the main performers contributes several songs to the collaboration. Smokey Wilson provides the first four songs, followed by three from South Side Slim and two from Curtis Tillman. The only non-original song is a dirty blues (in fact, REALLY dirty) called "Confucius" with vocals by Curtis Tillman. All of the songs are well put together with great electric guitar by Smokey Wilson and guitar virtuosity by South Side Slim on lead, rhythm and acoustic guitar throughout the CD. The band's sound is completed by a strong supporting cast that includes "Oklahoma" Ollie (bass), Jan Garfinkle (organ), "Taka" Fukuda (drums), Bill Clark (sax), Eddie Harris (sax) and Tetsuya Nakamura (harmonica).

Among the numerous highlights on More Blues From The South Side is the funk heavy opener, "My Woman Is Gone, " featuring Smokey Wilson on top of his game. This is followed by the slow blues, "Talk To Me," revealing Wilson's strong roots in the Mississippi blues and his past work with Big Jack Johnson, Frank Frost and Roosevelt "Booba" Barnes. South Side Slim give his best performance on the delta blues sounding "Country Road," featuring Slim on acoustic guitar and backing from harpman Tetsuya Nakamura. On "Seven Days," Slim plays a fiery guitar that is reminiscent of another "young gun" of the blues guitar, Bernard Allison. Vocalist Curtis Tillman begins to strut his stuff on "Confucius," featuring more hot guitar licksbehind Tillman's deep, resonating vocals. Curtis really lays it on the line with his original, "Angola Blues," a song about a no good woman and a lonely man trying to deal with his personal blues.


Tracklist:

01. My Woman Is Gone 03:28  
02. Talk to Me 05:06  
03. I Know What You've Been Thinking 03:50  
04. One Day You're Going To Know Me 03:49
05. Seven Days 06:30  
06. BB Is the King 04:48
07. Country Road 02:54  
08. Confucius 05:50
09. Angola Blues 04:01
10. Going Home Tomorrow 04:40

Kern Pratt & The Accused - Somewhere South Of Memphis (2009)

                                                                       Kern Pratt
 Kern Pratt grew up with the blues. Living it. Breathing it. Experiencing it. Becoming it. Playing it. You can feel the emotion in every note he sings; every strum of the guitar. Kern Pratt has the blues and he shows it off in every song on Greenville, MS – What About You.

He was born with them just by the sheer fact that he had the good fortune to enter this world in the epicenter of America’s music – Greenville, Mississippi. Renowned writers, poets, artists and musicians all call this town situated on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River home. It has even been suggested the brown tinted drinking water is to blame. Could be. Could be some of the magical creative genius was coursing through Pratt’s veins the day he drew his first breath.

His daddy ran the local Western Auto store in downtown Greenville. It was there that young Pratt heard local bluesmen such as Willie Foster, Caleb Emphrey, Eddie Shaw and Little Milton share their own version of the blues. But it was the 1980 Mississippi Blues and Heritage Festival that pushed the young musician into the blues world. He saw the poster for the event in his daddy’s store. Something clicked. He knew HIS blues needed to come out, to be heard. The next year he got to see Johnny Winter, Muddy Waters and Sam Chapman perform at the annual event.

Now, drawing on life experiences and events, Pratt is writing about and singing the blues. He shares feelings and emotions that are truthful, raw and transparent. When he plays, the blues come alive, are felt.

So where did Kern Pratt get the blues? Who really knows, but he’s got them. And can share them in a way that few others can. Was he born with them? We like to think so. Was it through osmosis hanging out with legendary Delta bluesmen? It certainly didn’t hurt. Either way, Pratt’s blues are relatable. Understandable. Undeniable. Pratt’s got him some blues.

He & his band Kern Pratt & The Accused have played many festivals including The Mississippi Picnic which takes place in Central Park in New York City, the Mississippi Delta Blues Festival, Annual BB King Homecoming & the Sam Chatman Festival just to name a few.

Pratt while never overlooking the cultural legacy passed on by his blues hero’s, has developed a unique style of his own. Because of his high level of music integrity, he has gained a reputation as one of the most authentic & hardworking musicians in the South.


Credits:

Ricky Taliaferro - Bass, Lead Vocals  
Kern Pratt - Guitar, Vocals 
Larry "The Clock" Wright - Drums, Vocals  

Tracklist:

01. What Time Is It? 02:15
02. Somewhere South Of Memphis 03:28
03. Torn Between Love And Hate 05:17
04. Crosscut Saw 03:30
05. Something's Going Wrong 05:21
06. Lovin' That Feeling 03:14
07. Everyday I Have The Blues 03:59
08. If Ya Love Me Like Ya Say 02:59
09. I've Got A Problem 04:26