Mark Pontin Group sparkle in a Kaleidoscope a Great Listen for some diverse and beautifully crafted songs. The best are the blues-based, guitar-led ones, but all of them have individual merit.
Dream Theater share A View From The Top Of The World Out today 22nd October - a wonderful progressive metal album that is one of their best and able to, as they do, transcend genres and so it should appeal to everyone who loves rock…whatever the variety.
Johnny Tucker 75 & Alive with Kid Ramos and the Allstars a great listen for classic blues delivered by true craftsmen who take the familiar and weave new life around the traditional frameworks.
Thorbjørn Risager and the Black Tornado deliver Best Of two decades of quality blues from an instinctive bluesman. If you’re already a fan, it could plug some gaps and if you don’t know this supremely talented band, this is a damn good place to start, before you start to seek out the albums that this compilation is based
Danny Bryant's latest album shows The Rage To Survive as he roars away with 5 doodle paws. Danny is touring the album across the UK very soon
Tony Holiday is back on the Porch for Volume Two a wonderful album of blues as it was, is and will be. In a format, few could achieve as a vast swathe of talented musicians contribute to an album of blues the way it was meant to be played.
Diane Durrett and Soul Suga Put a Lid On It a great listen, particularly for those who enjoy the more soulful side of the blues. Full of tender moments in the first half and partying and humour in the second, backed by a very skilful band.
Teresa James wears her Rose Colored Glasses a great listen as Teresa and her band covers a range of soul and blues so well.
Can We Get A Witness as Georgia Thunderbolts strike gold a Wonderful album of Southern Rock blending heavy rock and blues with great effect. Out October 15th.
Chris BadNews Barnes stays true on BadNews Rising a great listen where only on a couple of tracks is his risqué humour employed…and they will make you smile. Elsewhere, he is serious, almost confessional and passionate and, importantly, the melodies and music are very good indeed. Above all, this is an album of quality blues: give it a listen.
