PhillyCheeze's Rock & Blues Reviews

Sunday, June 1, 2025

#750- > Micke & Lefty feat. Chef - Live On Air (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2025 – Hokahey! Records
Release Date : May 2025

By Phillip Smith; May, 31, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

It always pleases me to hear new music from Finnish bluesman Micke Bjorklof. When he’s not fronting the electrified blues-rock band Blue Strip, this multi-instrumentalist performs as an acoustic power trio with guitarist Lefty Leppänen and bassist Chef. The trio’s latest album is a celebration of their twenty-fifth anniversary playing together. This new record is a twenty-five-track double-disc called Live On Air. Recorded raw from two separate recordings, with no overdubs, the album intimately places the listener front and center of two stellar performances: the first, an in-studio recording which took place in 2020 for DLF Radio’s On Stage program, the second is from a 2023 performance recorded at the Blues Baltica Festival in Eutin, Germany.

I love the harmonics on “Mississippi” which opens Volume One. With a steady beat and the wonderful steel twang of a resonator guitar, the record opens in most delicious and swampy way. The swampilicious sounds continue on to the up-tempo “Tell That Woman”. The song is fiery and infectious. It certainly has a clever way of digging in to my subconscious. Big Bill Broonzy’s “Big Bill Blues” is a plate of real-deal blues. The harmonizing voices sound great with the mandolin backing. It’s an outstanding cover. My eyes light up when they get to the Tony Joe White cover “Polk Salad Annie”. They definitely make it their own, and the interlude is downright amazing. “Gotta See My Church” an original blues spiritual from their studio album Let the Fire Lead is a beautiful and captivating listen. “Good Friend” from the Up the Wall album is indeed a favorite. That’s a great thing because this song is performed on both volumes.

On Volume Two, I soak up all I can from “Let the Fire Lead” and put the fire in my heart and soul. Bjorklof tears it up on the riveting “I’m a Guitar Man”. This is lightning in a bottle for sure. I totally dig their delivery of the Muddy Waters classic “Hoochie Coochie Man”. That heavy baseline from Chef absolutely fortifies the song. “Let Me Love You Baby” immediately follows with a stunning performance which leaves me dazzled. The record wraps up with a cool sort of benediction “Do the Right Thing”, leaving the listener with a positive message and feeling good.

Live on Air, from Micke & Lefty feat. Chef is an addictive listen. The more I hear it, the more I want to hear it, and I highly recommend this to all the blues fans out there.

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Photos by Bez Slów

Micke

Lefty

Chef

Micke & Lefty feat. Chef

For more information about Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip visit www.mickebjorklof.com

For more information about Micke & Lefty feat. Chef visit www.mickeandlefty.com

For past PhillyCheeze reviews of Micke Bjorklofs music (Including the newly released Outtakes) visit this link https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=micke+bjorklof

Monday, May 26, 2025

#749- > Brody Buster - Redemption (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2025 – self-release
Release Date : April 20, 2025

By Phillip Smith; May, 26, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Redemption, the first album in eight years from Kansas City-based blues artist Brody Buster has really caught my attention. Buster wears his life on his sleeve and in his music as he sings about overcoming hardships and personal battles. After one listen and you will find this is an artist who begs to be heard. Buster’s art of song-writing pairs quite nicely with his mastery of harmonica and guitar. His talent was duly recognized at the 2017 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee as he pulled down two awards: the Lee Oskar Harmonica Award along with securing Second Place in the Solo/Duo category. Alongside Buster on this nine-track album is Jackie Myers on organ, Ian Pond on drums, Terry Dry on bass, Howard Mahan on slide guitar, Jacque Garoutte on bass/rhythm guitar/backing vocals. Also making a special guest appearance on a couple of songs is Danielle Nicole.

I’m over-the-top impressed from the very beginning of this record with “Can You Hear Me”. Buster’s whisky-soaked voice and tight-as-hell band behind him hit me with full force. I noticed the little hairs on my arm standing tall, and I’m quickly reminded of the first time I heard the Black Crowes. The riveting harp, sonic waves of organ, and lyrics which reflect a hard-scrabble life, tie this up to total perfection. Buster sings of high hopes and bad luck in “Deadwood Shuffle” as he totally rips it up on harp. I dig that classic Nashville country twang he pours all over “Working For The Devil”. It sounds terrific. “The Color Blue” is such a beautiful song about escaping the dark. I absolutely love it. The harmonizing vocals of Buster and Danielle Nicole are magical. I can feel every word sung. The album comes to a close with “This Time I Got the Blues”. Written by the late Kansas-City-based bluesman Billy “Beale” Woods who sadly lost his life to cancer in 2019, this track is the definition of the Blues.

Brody Buster’s Redemption is the head-turner of the year so far. This record is sure to land on many best-of lists for 2025.

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For more information about Brody Buster, visit his website https://brodybustermusic.com/

Sunday, May 25, 2025

#748- > Gina Sicilia - Bring It On Home : A Tribute to Sam Cooke (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2025 – BLUE ÉLAN RECORDS
Release Date : June 6, 2025

By Phillip Smith; May, 25, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I’ve been a big fan of Gina Sicilia’s music since I first heard her album Sunset Avenue nine years ago. Her voice is among the best I have heard. For Sicilia’s eleventh studio album, she has recorded a tribute to the legendary King of Soul Sam Cooke, and it is absolutely fabulous. The record consists of Sicilia covering ten songs Cooke had either written or iconically covered. Produced by Fred Mollin and recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, this ten-track album features Sicilia on lead vocals backed by Pat Coil on keyboards, Kerry Marx on electric/acoustic guitars, Larry Paxton on bass, Tommy Harden on drums/percussion, Fred Mollin on electric guitar/synth/percussion/backing vocals, Pat Bergeson on harmonica, Jim Hoke on horns, and backing vocalists Maureen Murphy, Amanda Broadway, and Troy Johnson.

Sicilia opens the record in a big way with “Shake”. The pounding drums and inescapable groove pull me right in for a damn good time. Guest artist Wil Merrell steps in for a duet with Sicilia on “Bring It On Home to Me”. Their voices complement each other immensely. It really is a wonderful track. My heart lights up when I hear “Another Saturday Night”. I remember the Cat Stevens version most from having his Greatest Hits album on 8-Track tape. Written by Cooke on tour in England and inspired by his stay at a hotel where female guests were not allowed to stay, the song was originally released in 1963 reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The final two tracks on this album are covers of Bob Dylan’s “Blowing in the Wind’ and Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”. The two songs have an interesting connection to each other. After hearing Dylan’s song, Cooke was so inspired to write his own anthem to the civil rights movement. Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” was released on his 1964 album Ain’t That Good News, and his cover of Dylan’s “Blowin’ In the Wind” landed on the 1964 album Sam Cooke at the Copa. Sicilia beautifully takes on both of these wonderful songs.

Gina Sicilia has captivated me once again with Bring It On Home : A Tribute to Sam Cooke. It is truly a powerful and exquisite listen.

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Available on Bandcamp

For more information about Gina Sicilia visit her website https://www.ginasicilia.com/

For other PhillyCheeze reviews of Gina Sicilia, visit this link https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=gina+sicilia

Saturday, May 24, 2025

#747- > Carolyn Wonderland - Truth Is (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2025 – Alligator Records
Release Date : May, 16, 2025

By Phillip Smith; May, 24, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Carolyn Wonderland never ceases to amaze me with her fiery guitar-slinging skills and charming Southern voice. Slathered in Texas blues and the authenticity one would find in a backroad juke-joint or honky-tonk, her latest album Truth Is is nothing short of a masterpiece. Wonderland is backed on this album by Naj Conklin on electric and upright bass and Giovanni “Nooch” Carnuccio on drums and percussion. She is also joined by Shelly King on vocals and acoustic guitar, Dave Alvin on electric guitar, Red Young on B3 organ/piano, Bukka Allen on piano/organ, Kevin Lance on percussion, Ruthie Foster on vocals, Marcia Ball on vocals/piano, Cindy Cashdollar on lap steel guitar, Henri Herbert on piano, and Stuart Sullivan on percussion.

Wonderland rolls out the red carpet with a riveting taste of swampy slide guitar as she sings of the hard facts of life on “Sooner or Later”. I’m quickly drawn to the swinging title-track “Truth Is”. With a hard-driving beat from Nooch, Carolyn’s fearless vocals add a lovely touch. I love the blues-soaked “Whistlin’ Past the Graveyard” featuring Cashdollar on lap steel and find myself singing along to this one with every listen. I just wish I had the whistling skills to righteously continue on. The cover of “Orange Juice Blues (Blues for Breakfast)”, originally on the Basement Tapes album from The Band, consists of an intoxicating jamboree featuring King, Alvin, Young, Ball, and Cashdollar with Wonderland, King, and Ball all on vocals. I enjoy the hell out of this one. Enveloped in a Caribbean-inspired melody and Jimmy Buffett-esque vibe, “Deepest Ocean Blue” hits me in very contrasting ways as I decipher its deeper meaning. The album comes to an end with “Blues for Gene”, a touching and beautifully-performed tribute to renowned pianist/keyboardist Gene Taylor (The Blasters, T-Bone Walker, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Canned Heat) who sadly lost his life to hypothermia February 20, 2021 during the Texas Power Crisis. Written by Wonderland and Alvin (who was a lifelong friend to Taylor), the song features Alvin on guitar and includes an extraordinary performance by Herbert on piano.

Carolyn Wonderland’s Truth Is is an absolutely brilliant album. It’s one I can really sink my teeth into.

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Photo by Mary Bruton

Available on Bandcamp

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For more information about Carolyn Wonderland, visit website https://carolynwonderland.com/

For other PhillyCheeze reviews of Carolyn Wonderland, visit this link https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=carolyn+wonderland

Saturday, May 17, 2025

#746- > Charlie Musselwhite - Look Out Highway (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2025 – Forty Below Records
Release Date : May, 16, 2025

By Phillip Smith; May, 17, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

With nearly sixty years of recording experience behind him, Charlie Musselwhite continues to push forward and produce critically acclaimed blues to stand the test of time. His latest album Look Out Highway is an instant favorite. Recorded at Kid Andersen’s Greaseland Studio in San Jose, California with Matt Stubbs (GA-20) on guitar, June Core (Robert Lockwood Jr.) on drums, Randy Bermudes (James Cotton) on bass, and Kid Andersen sitting in on guitar, piano, and keys, this eleven-track album is plumb fantastic.

With an unescapable groove, the record kicks off with title-track “Look Out Highway”. It’s downright hypnotizing, and I love every bit of it. “Hip Shakin’ Mama” is an immediate hit for me. Sometimes one just can’t escape the blues, as Musselwhite sings with one foot in Tennessee and one in Mississippi on “Baby Won’t You Please Help Me”. Flavored with Memphis-style soul featuring Andersen on organ, this one surely cooks. Being a drifter on the road, sets the stage for the slow blues of “Highway 61”. Having traveled that highway back and forth from Arkansas to Iowa countless times over the past thirty-three years, I can surely identify with Charlie when he states ‘Sixty-One Highway is the longest road I know’. Topping out at number one on the US Country charts in 1978 for Crystal Gayle, “Ready For Times To Get Better” lands as the only cover on the album. Featuring Edna Luckett joining in on a duet with Musselwhite, this absolutely fabulous version of the song cuts right to the bone. It surely seems to be even more relevant today than when it was released. The attention-grabbing surprise on the record is the “Ghosts in Memphis”. This intoxicating track about Memphis-borne spirits and haints features Musselwhite’s haunting harp licks blended in an innovative way with rap vocals from Memphis-based artist Al Kapone. It is an extraordinary track.

Look Out Highway is destined to be a hit record. This cocktail of Delta Blues, Chicago Blues, Memphis Soul and Country makes for a memorable listen each and every time I hear it.

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Photo © Michael Weintrob

For more information about Charlie Musselwhite, visit his website https://www.charliemusselwhite.com/

For other PhillyCheeze reviews of Charlie Musselwhite, visit this link https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=charlie+musselwhite

Monday, May 12, 2025

#745 : Pinetop Boogie & Crawfish Boil 2025 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

Ground Zero Blues Club
Clarksdale, Mississippi
May 10, 2025

By Phillip Smith; May 12, 2025

Original source: phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

It was indeed a pleasure to attend the 2025 Pinetop Boogie & Crawfish Boil at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi. This event benefits the Pinetop Perkins Foundation whose primary mission is “ to provide encouragement and support for youth and young people at the beginning of their musical career; and help provide care and safety for elderly musicians at the twilight of their career”. Before the festivities began, I made my usual stop down the street to my favorite store Cat Head to listen a bit to Terry “Harmonica” Bean and purchase a few CDs. Afterward, I pushed off to Hambone Gallery to hear a great set of music from Guitar Frenchie before returning to Ground Zero for the brunt of the day.

Acts at Ground Zero included Bob Stroger, Bob Corritore, Billy Flynn, John Primer, Tas Cru, Johnny Burgin, Kevin Burt, Tony Braunagel, Jim Pugh, Billy Price, Anthony Geraci, Thornetta Davis, Oscar Wilson, Billy Gibson, Wyly Bigger, David Julia, Heather Crosse, Lee Williams, Lala Craig, Anthony Sherrod, Deak Harp, Six String Andrew, Liz Lottmann & Delta Divas, Steve Kolbus & the Clarksdale Blues Revue, The Pinetoppers. Christone Kingfish even made an unexpected appearance. It was an extraordinary show!