#780 > Robbin Kapsalis - The Blues is in the House~ (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2025 – Robbin Kapsalis & Blues House Productions
Release Date : October 10, 2025
 
By Phillip Smith; November 15, 2025
 
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Robbin Kapsalis, who was the voice of DC-based soul-blues band Vintage#18 for over a decade, has a released a new solo album called The Blues is in the House, and it is downright fabulous. Produced by harp-man Giles Robson, who in addition plays harmonica on the album, the ten-track record features Franqois Nicolleau and Nicolas Deshayes on guitars, Arnaud Gobin on bass, Cyril Durand on drums.

Kapsalis opens with a wonderful splash of downhome blues on “The Blues is in the House”.  Robson masterfully ushers this song in on harmonica as special guest Joe Louis Walker joins on lead guitar. They perfectly set the stage for Kapsalis’ captivating vocals to shine. The infectious rhythm emanating from Little Walter’s “Up the Line” grabs ahold of me tight and doesn’t let go. Robson’s performance is red-hot. Her cover of Memphis Slim’s “The Comeback” is flawless and timeless. I love her renditions of the back-to-back blues classics “Sittin’ on Top of the World”  and “Rollin’ & Tumblin’”.  Both are outstanding. I dig the twangy guitar goodness and juke-joint vibe of “Love Hangover (Redux)”. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the record. Another strong harmonica-blues track which really cooks is “Shake Your Hips”, the 1966 Slim Harpo single which the Rolling Stones covered six years later on their Exile on Main St. album. Closing the record is “Gotta Hear the Blues” with guest Arnaud Fradin laying down a delta-soaked dobro performance. It’s a beautifully written and sung piece.

Robbin Kapsalis’ voice, delightfully soulful and expressive, demands to be heard. Her new album The Blues is in the House is a captivating listen from beginning to end. It is surely one of my favorites of the year.

 ---