by Steph Cosme Robben Ford has never had an issue defining his voice on the guitar. On Two Shades of Blue, Ford brings his blues-based vocabulary to his vocals and guitar playing. More to the point, this album presents Ford’s blues language through a touch-sensitive, pitch-fluid approach that shifts how phrasing, tone, and ensemble interaction … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick From the first soul-burnished growl of her guitar to the unapologetic lyrics of “Attention,” Orianthi shows she can be a sideman to rock gods, a prodigy called up by Michael Jackson and many others, and a fierce artist reclaiming her narrative, one lyric and solo at a time. Some Kind of Feeling is … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick Samantha Fish’s latest release, Paper Doll, is a well-built project of songcraft, production, and performance dynamics. With this album, Fish takes a clear musical evolution, offering a blend of blues, rock, punk, rock Americana, and soul. The nine tracks highlight her as a guitarist and creativity as a vocalist and composer. The album … Read more
Ric Harris and The Heat Merchants, Along The Avenue Review by Seamus Fitzpatrick Ric Harris and The Heat Merchants’ new album, Along The Avenue, carries the listener on a journey steeped in blues tradition but infused with personal expression, innovation, and rich influences from Harris’ musical background. With roots reaching deep into the Chicago blues scene, … Read more
Katie Henry, Get Goin’ Review Katie Henry’s musical journey showcases a dynamic blend of Americana, blues, and electric blues, culminating in the release of her latest album, Get Goin’, on February 23, 2024, under the Ruf label. Her career, beginning with performances in New York’s blues clubs and leading to significant recognition, demonstrates her evolution as … Read more
Robert Finley, Black Bayou Review Robert Finley’s album Sharecropper’s Son grabbed my attention back in 2021, and his latest work, Black Bayou (2023), provides a deeper understanding of his evolution as an artist. Finley’s journey from a self-taught musician who began crafting songs at a young age to a soulful, versatile artist under the production of Dan Auerbach is … Read more
Ashley Sherlock, Just A Name Review Ashley Sherlock’s debut album, Just A Name, was released by Ruf Records on June 16, 2023. Emerging from Manchester—a city renowned for its influential bands—Sherlock carries the weight of musical history on his shoulders. Far from being constrained by tradition, he propels blues-rock into the contemporary scene. Backed by a … Read more
Cookin’ On 3 Burners, I’m Comin’ Home To You Review Cookin’ On 3 Burners and Stella Angelico: Crafting Timeless Soul Australia’s musical heavyweights, Cookin’ On 3 Burners, are once again setting the scene alight with “I’m Comin’ Home To You.” With a rich amalgamation of vintage vibes and 21st-century soul, this track shows the band’s … Read more
Samantha Fish, Death Wish Blues Review Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton’s Death Wish Blues: A Modern-Day Blues Odyssey Death Wish Blues, Samantha Fish’s collaborative project with Jesse Dayton, is a bluesy tour de force, a cyclone sweeping through the genres of rock, country, and traditional blues. Think of it as a blues album with a … Read more
Henrik Freischlader, Recorded by Martin Meinschäfer II Review Henrik Freischlader returns with his latest blues rock album, Recorded by Martin Meinschäfer II. The album brings to light thirteen new songs and is a continuation of his last album, with Freischlader being a multi-instrumentalist; he performed almost all the instruments himself. In addition, Hammond organist and keyboardist Moritz … Read more