#738- > Tony Holiday - Keep Your Head Up (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 Tony Holiday

Keep Your Head Up
2025 – Forty Below Records
Release Date : Apr. 18, 2025
 
By Phillip Smith; Mar. 29, 2025
 
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

There is new music from Tony Holiday and it is outstanding.  Keep Your Head Up, the fifth album from the Memphis-based bluesman pulls me tightly in with its soulful grooves and expressive blues. This eight-track release, produced by Eric Corne, features Jad Tariq on guitar on each song and includes an amazing guest list consisting of Edde 9V, Kevin Burt, Laura Chavez, and Albert Castiglia.

From the beginning of the album, I’m onboard. In a splash of Seventies dramatic R&B, Holiday is joined by Eddie 9V on “She’s a Burglar”.  I love the fiery guitar licks Eddie lets loose on top of the horns and keys. “Twist My Fate” brings Kevin Burt, triple winner of the 2018 International Blues Challenge, to the microphone to join Holiday in a fabulously blues-soaked duet. I absolutely love the cover of Little Sonny’s 1971 single “Woman Named Trouble”. Previously recorded on Enterprise Records, a subsidiary of Stax Records, this version strongly emits that Stax rhythmic sound fueled by drummer Andrew McNeil, keyboardist Sasha Smith, and a horn section comprised of Mark Pender and David Ralicke. That Memphis soul-driven sound carries on as 2023 Blues Music Award winner for Best Guitarist Laura Chavez steps in on lead guitar for “Shoulda Known Better”. It’s great to hear Albert Castiglia join in for a riveting cover of the Snooks Eaglin 1971 cut “Drive It Home”. This one absolutely cooks.

Tony Holiday’s Keep Your Head Up sits among my favorite albums of the year. I highly recommend it.

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Photo Credit -  Mary Gunning

WEBSITE & SOCIALS

Tony Holiday

https://tonyholidaymusic.com/

 

Past articles on PhillyCheeze Rock & Blues Reviews featuring Tony Holiday

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=tony+holiday

 

#737- > Rashad The Blues Kid - Live in Clarksdale (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2025 – Little Lightning Production

Release Date : Jan. 24, 2025

By Phillip Smith; Mar. 22, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

It puts a smile on my face to see the younger generation carry the blues forward.  Thirty-seven year old Mississippi bluesman Larry McGill aka Rashad the Blues Kid is doing just that, and doing it quite well. His fourth and latest album, Live in Clarksdale, was recorded in the ‘Cradle of Blues-land’, at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi. This winter, he was awarded second place in the band division at the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. After listening to this release, I can certainly hear why. His smooth vocals and guitar prowess pair up for an outstanding listen.

This thirteen-track record begins with a splash of funky harmonica-accompanied on “Feel Alright”. Topped with hot guitar licks, and a tight backing of harmonized vocals, this track properly sets the stage. Rashad keeps me tightly tuned in as he sings about partying on “Juke Joint” with a high-energy performance reminiscent of Mr Sipp. Rashad pours a big dose of blazing guitar over a smoking side-dish of keys on “Bad Girl”. I love the slow, swaying R&B which Rashad delivers in “That’s What You Are”. With guitar solos which quickly reminds me of Prince, this one is quite nice. They bring the set to its grand finale, tearing the roof off the sucker with “Juke”. It’s indeed a ripping good time.

Blues fans are highly encouraged to give Rashad The Blues Kid’s Live in Clarksdale album a listen. It is soulfully delicious.

 

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WEBSITE & SOCIALS

 

Rashad The Blues Kid

https://www.rtbkblues.com/

  

#735- > Will Wilde - Blues is Still Alive (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2025 – Vizztone Records

By Phillip Smith; Mar. 8, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Will Wilde’s latest release Blues Is Still Alive is definitely among the most exciting records I have heard this year. This self-produced album of all-original songs represents the genre of blues-rock at its best. Wilde’s fearless vocals and searing harmonica takes the spotlight on this ten-track album of all original songs. Accompanying Wilde is Bobby Harrison on guitar, Steve Rushton on drums, Russell Carr on bass, Greg Coulson on keys, and backing vocalists Lindsey Bonnick, Chloe Josephine, and Dani Wilde.  

As the sounds of Wilde’s smoldering harmonica rolls in, things are kicked off with title-track “Blues Is Still Alive”. The legendary Walter Trout steps in as guest on lead guitar for a riveting listen. This is absolutely wonderful. Things heat up for “Don’t Play With Fire” with a rhythm which barrels through like a locomotive and I love it. Wilde slows things down with the sweet-sounding blues of “Gypsy Woman”. His buttery vocals sing of searching for answers by means of palm readings and crystal balls. The blues most definitely heats up for break-up song “Trouble Of That Girl”. Listening to Wilde wail on the harp strikes me with awe. “Learn How to Love” is a fabulous song which is tight as hell. Everyone crushes it on this track as Wilde completely dazzles me on harp and vocals.  

Blues is Still Alive is one of those albums which I believe will land on many best-of-the-year lists. It certainly will be on mine.

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WEBSITE & SOCIALS

 

Will Wilde

https://www.willharmonicawilde.com/

 

 

#734- > Dean Zucchero - Song For the Sinners (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2025 – Pugnacious Records

By Phillip Smith; Mar. 1, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

I first became aware of Dean Zucchero through his work on Ghalia Volt’s Let the Demons Out and her One Woman Band albums. It was Zucchero’s Electric Church for the Spiritually Misguided which really brought him into the forefront of my awareness. His talents as a songwriter and bass player are strongly coupled with his talents for song arrangement and music production. Zucherro’s latest release Song For the Sinners serves up a luscious feast of a dozen blues-soaked tracks. The record features an amazing list of guests such as Jimmy Vivino, Johnny Burgin, Bobby Rush, Victor Wainwright, Albert Castiglia, Little Freddie King, Mike Zito, John Nemeth, John Boutté, Tiffany Pollack, Glen David Andrews, Sean Riley, Ron Hotstream, Jake Eckert, and Jerry Dugger.    

Zucchero leads the album off in a blast of heavy blues-rock with “Biting Through”.  With Vivino on the mic, lead and rhythm guitar, along with Burgin on second rhythm guitar, this searing track oozes with true grit, reminiscent of bands like Mountain and Blue Cheer. The funky blues of “South Side” draws me in with a welcoming New Orleans-flavored groove and keeps me tuned in with its depiction of the city’s warzones overrun by pushers and criminals. Topped with the brassy sounds of The Roadmasters’ Horn Section and the whisky-soaked vocals from Andrews, this track is indeed a favorite. Another standout selection is the folk-blues track called “Lullaby” with Dugger on vocals, Rush on harmonica, and Eckert on dobro/electric guitar. This ode to making through the night brings to mind the writings of Taj Mahal. Castiglia and Pollack are paired for the glorious duet “Shine”. Pollack’s voice is absolutely illuminating and Castiglia also joins on lead guitar culminating in a free-wheeling Grateful Dead-like jam. Unspeakable acts and an unescapable situation result in a girl’s dire fate in “Suicide For Jesus”.  Hotstream, on acoustic guitar and vocals, beautifully performs this melancholy song in troubadour fashion.

The depth that Zucchero goes to in developing his songs is a stand-out reason I admire his work. From the very first listen, Song For the Sinners had my full attention. I highly recommend this record.

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WEBSITE & SOCIALS

 

Dean Zucchero

https://www.deanzucchero.com/

 

 

Read other PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Dean Zucchero here >

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=dean+zucchero

 

 

 

#733- > The Big Ol' Nasty GetDown - RepurposE Purpose Vol 1 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2024 – Org Music

By Phillip Smith; Feb. 28, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Mardi Gras is coming up in a few days, and one of the best new records to celebrate with is with the new EP RepurposE Purpose Vol 1 by The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown, featuring members and former members of many of my favorite bands. Some of the musicians who appear on this spectacularly funky record are drummer Jack Irons (Red Hot Chili Peppers/Pearl Jam), guitarist Leon Nocentelli (The Meters), bassist Cody Wright (Chris Cain Band), guitarist Eric McFadden (P-Funk), Philip Lassiter (Prince) on horns, bassist Freekbass (Bump Assembly), bassist Norwood Fisher and vocalist Angelo Moore from Fishbone, bassist Ra Diaz (Korn/Suicidal Tendencies), keyboardist Peter Keys (Lynyrd Skynyrd), guitarist Larry LaLonde (Primus), guitarist/percussionist Bobby Easton (Delta Nove), keyboardist Matt Slocum (Railroad Earth), guitarist Jimi Hazel (24-7 Spyz), and keyboardist Jamar Woods (The Fritz).

This seven-track record kicks off with a riveting bass and horn-centric jam called “All Together Now”. With Nocentelli laying down a searing bit on guitar and Frank Mapstone behind the Rhodes, this song absolutely cooks. “Body Magic” immediately follows with a groovy taste of Eighties R&B loaded with horns and an infectious beat. When “420 Ocean Drive” hits the ears, my mind seems to take a 180 degree turn in a magnificent way. A flurry of precise notes flows effortlessly from McFadden’s guitar as they dodge the pulsing sounds from Irons and Freekbase. This is an amazing listen. The song that sticks in my head the most though is “Spirit Stain’. With Moore on vocals, this song hits me like an old-school Funkadelic favorite. With a driving beat from Irons and a taste of prog-rock guitar from LaLonde, “Ten Hits” scrambles the brain and turns the tensions on high, leaving the listener in awe. The EP wraps up with instrumental versions of “Body Magic” and “Spirit Stain” which I appreciate greatly.

It is impossible to not totally dig The Big Ol’ Nasty GetDown’s RepurposE Purpose Vol 1. I love it!

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WEBSITE & SOCIALS

 The Big Ol’ Nasty GetDown

https://thebigolnastygetdown.squarespace.com/

#732- > Mark 'Muleman' Massey - Been a Long Long Time (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2024 – Muletone Records

By Phillip Smith; Feb. 21, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I first heard about Mark ‘Muleman’ Massey on episode six of Moonshine & Mojo Hands a ten-episode 2016 Mississippi Blues series from Roger Stolle and Jeff Konkel. Damn that was a great series too. I encourage everyone to watch every show. It took about eight years, but I finally had an opportunity to see Muleman this past summer in Clarksdale, Mississippi at the Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival. Massey, a Clarksdale native put on a fantastic electrified show. That being said, I was excited to hear his latest album Been A Long Long Time. Slathered in southern soulful blues, this eleven-track record was recorded at Wishbone Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Alongside the Muleman on guitar are guitarists Billy Lawson, Travis Wammack, and Kelvin Holly. The rest of the band is comprised of bass player Bob N Weaver, drummer Roger Starr, The Webster Street Horns, Robbert Fossen on harmonica, and background vocalists The Avalon Sisters.

The slow blues of “Baby’s Gone” drips with pure emotion as Muleman beautifully sings this with a heart-felt delivery. The temperature rises on “Can’t Tell Me Nothing About the Blues”. The Allman-esque slide guitar and juicy keys on this delightful track put me in the zone. I love his cover of Tom T. Hall’s “That’s How I Got to Memphis”. He surely makes this his own vocally. The Steve Cropper-inspired guitar licks win me over every time. “My Used To Be”, his ode to his ex, is a real-deal blues song with an infectious groove. “Going Back to Memphis” puts a smile on my face with every listen as he mentions all the things he loves about the Bluff City. The song is topped with a hot serving of harp, and makes for a hell of a checklist. The album ends with the funky, dance-friendly break-up song “Your Good Stuff”. It really is a fabulous tune.

Mark ‘Muleman’ Massey’s Been a Long Long Time stole my heart at first listen. It is a wonderful album with masterfully written songs served to perfection.   

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* Photos of Mark 'Muleman' Massey by Phillip Smith , 

Taken at Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival, Clarksdale, MS 2024

 

WEBSITE & SOCIALS

 

Mark ‘Muleman’ Massey

https://markmulemanmassey.com/

 

Moonshine & Mojo Hands

https://www.moonshineandmojohands.com/

 

#730- > HeavyDrunk w/ Watermelon Slim - Bluesland Theme Park (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2025 – HeavyDrunk Records

By Phillip Smith; Feb. 14, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Bluesland Theme Park, the new release from Rob Robinson (HeavyDrunk) and Bill Homans (Watermelon Slim) is one hell of a musical ride. This eleven-track recording alternates tracks between the two artists, creating a memorizing listen. The two met in Clarksdale, Mississippi after one of Watermelon Slim’s performances. Afterward, a chain of events took place which paired the two in a recording studio with HeavyDrunk’s band and sparked a tour of the UK and Europe.

Title-track “Bluesland Theme Park” leads this record off in a carnival-inspired atmosphere with HeavyDrunk as the ringmaster. In a riveting performance topped with blues-soaked horns, hand-claps, and searing harmonica, he reminds us all that the land of blues is not as safe and carefree as folks like to believe. The swampy sounds of slide guitar pull me in to the southern gospel soul of “Church Bells (Little Zion)”. I love the New Orleans second-line pulse topped with sounds of swirling organ, trombone, and backing vocals. Hearing this track is truly a religious experience. “Road Food & Cheap Motels”, Watermelon Slim’s ode to traveling on a tight budget, hits close to home. Slim captivates me with his mastery of words, and unique style of playing guitar. Watermelon Slim’s account of Custer’s Last Stand cuts right to the bone as he sings “Little Bighorn” accompanied only by his acoustic guitar. The album closes with a funky intoxicating track called “Fresh” with HeavyDrunk behind the microphone. Loaded with an unescapable groove, this one keeps me locked in and smiling.

Bluesland Theme Park is one of those albums that begs to be heard. I absolutely love it.

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WEBSITE & SOCIALS

 

HeavyDrunk

OS: www.heavydrunk.com

FB: www.facebook.com/heavydrunkband

IG: www.instagram.com/heavydrunkband

YT: www.youtube.com/@HeavyDrunkBand

 

Watermelon Slim

OS: www.watermelonslim.com/

FB: https:www.facebook.com/watermelonslimofficial

IG: www.instagram.com/watermelonslim1/

#729 > Bob Corritore & Friends - Doin' the Shout! (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2025 – Vizztone Records

By Phillip Smith; Feb. 8, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

When I see the iconic artwork of Vince Ray gracing the cover of a new album, I get excited because there’s a great chance it means brand-new material from Bob Corritore. Ray’s stunning covers construct a visual connection to a time period in which the greatest blues music was being recorded. Bob Corritore and Friends then masterfully transport the listener back in time to that classic era of blues. Doin’ the Shout commemorates Corritore’s thirtieth album release and features a dozen timeless songs with the harmonica legend along with a downright amazing guestlist which includes Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, Bob Stroger, Nora Jean, John Primer, Francine Reed, Oscar Wilson, Tia Carroll, Jimi Primetime Smith, Carla Denise, Bob Margolin, Duke Robillard, Kid Ramos, Johnny Burgin, Johnny Rapp, Anthony Geraci, Ben Levin, Dave Keyes, and Mark Earley.    

Energy abundantly flows on title-track “Doin’ the Shout”. With Corritore ripping it up on harp and the fabulous Nora Jean giving a fearless performance on vocals, this one really gets me moving. The way Oscar Wilson lends his smooth-as-silk voice to B.B. King’s “Just a Dream” is exquisite. With Bob Margolin on guitar and Anthony Geraci on piano, this song is a blues-lover’s treat. I love the soul-drenched Bobby Rush track “I’ve Got Three Problems”. Dexter Allen keeps it fun and funky on guitar. It’s great to hear Thornetta Davis belt out her song “That Don’t Appease Me”.  Corritore heats this one up on harp with guitarist Johnny Burgin and pianist Dave Keyes on board. This one is definitely a cookin’ track. “Same Old Thing” brings Jimi ‘Primetime’ Smith and Carla Denise together for a gem of a duet made to be heard from the dancefloor. It’s a dazzling performance through and through. The record comes to a close with Bob Stroger singing “My First Love”. The smoldering sounds of slow-cooked blues from Corritore (harp), Smith (guitar), Margolin (bass), Geraci (piano) and Wes Starr (drums) are served with perfection.         

Bob Corritore and Friends deliver nothing but one-hundred percent authentic blues with Doin’ the Shout! It doesn’t get much better than this.

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For other PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Bob Corritore, follow this link: https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Bob+Corritore

For more information about Bob Corritore, visit his website https://bobcorritore.com/

For more information about Vince Ray, visit his website https://vinceray.com/

#728 > Frank Bey - Peace (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2025 – Nola Blue Records

By Phillip Smith; Feb. 1, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

It has been nearly five years since the passing of multi-award-winning Philadelphia-based blues artist Frank Bey (January 17, 1946 – June 7, 2020). To commemorate his life and shine a light on some of his lesser-known work, Nola Blue Records has released a fabulous, new compilation called Peace. There’s certainly not a better message than this to put out into the world.

The record opens up with a cover of Little Milton’s “That’s What Love Will Make You Do”, featuring The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra. From the opening licks of Paule’s B.B. King-inspired guitar licks to the vibrant punch of horns, this track absolutely shines. A funky keyboard riff from Doug Travis drives “Midnight & Day” as Bey’s soulful vocals throw down some real-deal blues. I love the simmering original “If You Want Me”. Kevin Frieson’s buttery bassline and Brian Wolfe’s delicate beat join forces amid swirling keys make a perfect backdrop for Bey’s suave vocals. Jeff Monjack steps into the spotlight as he unleashes a guitar performance which is totally off the chain. As soon as I hear Bey’s voice sing the opening words of Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come”, a wave of emotion washes over me. This is a such a beautiful and meaningful song, and this version is gorgeous. This album ends with a cover of John Lennon’s 1971 classic “Imagine”. Fully immersed in the blues, this track features an amazing lineup of Kid Andersen on guitar, Jim Pugh on organ, Nancy Wright on saxophone and Derrick “D’mar” Martin on drums. It really doesn’t get much better than this.

Frank Bey’s Peace is a timeless collection of his work, and an album that everyone should give a listen to.  

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  Available on BandCamp

#727 > The Kearns Family - Together and Alone (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2025 – The Kearns Family

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 26, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

The Kearns Family a singer/songwriting duo hailing from Joshua Tree, California, has a gem of a record in their debut release Together and Alone. With Pat Kearns on guitar and vocals, and Susan Kearns on upright bass, this nine-track album was recorded at their solar-powered recording studio Goat Mountain in the Mojave Desert. Their songs are poignant and masterfully written with a deep sensibility.

“The Dust” a haunting, western-flavored ballad sets the tone. I love the little hints of Nick Drake which walk into the song with gentle guitar licks. “Bandito” immediately follows with a harmonica-accompanied intro which instantly reminds me of Neil Young. A Tarantino-esque vibe to this song about a manhunt across Mexico keeps the tone of the album flowing. Delivered much like the songs of John Prine and Tim Hardin, “The Old Days” beautifully reflects the sadness of loss and yearning for the old days. Delivered with a gravelly voice, “The Funny Thing About Keeping Moving” brilliantly sums up the life of an outlaw drifter. I can’t help but feel very moved with every listen to “Charlie”. The song is a touching tribute to an old friend who may have had some troubles, but was obviously loved.

Together and Alone steals my heart and takes my breath away with every listen.   

 

For more information about The Kearns Family and to purchase this album, visit their Bandcamp page

 

#726 > Nutmeg Party - Nutmeg (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2024 – Nutmeg Party

Release Date: December 12, 2024

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 18, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Self-defined on their Bandcamp page as “a homegrown genre-fluid group of spry saplings that have quite the fascination for all things related to musical endeavors”, Nutmeg Party surely fits that description and more. Their music definitely transcends the cookie-cutter genres most bands try to align with. I find their debut six-track EP Nutmeg to be clever and charismatic. This Pittsburgh-based band was formed in 2023 by Andy Lewis (lead vocals/keys/ukulele), Dylan Takach (guitar), Evan Spurlock (bass/vocals), and Hayden Hanna (drums/percussion/vocals).

Behind the piano in Ben Folds-fashion, Lewis’ vocals seem to float in mid-air on the opening track “Pictures”.  This cosmic psych-pop song is wonderfully brilliant.  I love the infectious melody of “Gin & Tonic”. The song invokes a mental time-travel of sorts, as it progresses from an early era roots-music beginning to a fuzz-fueled Seventies rock ending. With a flowing groove and vocals reminiscent of Paul McCartney, “Neptune” instantly transports me to one of my favorite places in the world, the middle of a lawn-section full of hippies jamming out to favorite bands such as Phish and Disco Biscuits. It’s a gorgeous song which digs deep into the soul.

I absolutely love Nutmeg Party’s Nutmeg.  It really is a captivating listen.

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Evan Spurlock, Andy Lewis, Dylan Takach, Hayden Hanna

For more information about Nutmeg Party, visit their Bandcamp page.

#725 > The Hitman Blues Band - Calling Long Distance (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2024 – Nerus Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 17, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

I dig the carefree vibe which emits from The Hitman Blues Band’s tenth album Calling Long Distance. This ten-piece ensemble has been a staple of the New York blues scene since forming in 1986. Fronted by Russell “Hitman” Alexander on lead guitar and vocals, the rest of the band is comprised of Mike Katzman on keys, Mike Porter on bass, Guy LaFountaine on drums, John Kelly on alto sax, Tom Mineo on tenor sax, Eric Altarac on trumpet, Al Alpert on trombone. Also included are backup vocalists Joanna Alexander and Nancy Hampton  and Bob Stander who performs bass on two tracks.

Making contact with those who have crossed over to the other side oftentimes requires serious hoodoo. Hitman leaves no mojo or spirit-communicating device untried in the spirited, horn-infused blues of title-track “Calling Long Distance”. I absolutely love the amphetamine-fueled instrumental “Blood Alley”. Smoking guitar riffs, a singing organ, and wailing saxophone surf a caffeinated beat for smashing good time. The Hitman does a cool job of retooling Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues’ into a real-deal Chicago blues track. The smooth guitar sounds of “Foolish Pride” is riddled with funky licks and a delicious groove. It’s a great song to soak in.

Calling Long Distance is a fun and adventurous listen. I really enjoyed it.

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For more information about the Hitman Blues Band, visit their website https://www.hitmanbluesband.com/

#724 > Tommy Castro and The Painkillers - Closer to the Bone (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2025 – Alligator Records

Release Date : Feb. 7, 2025

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 11, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

There’s a deep sense of authentic blues with the latest album from Tommy Castro and The Painkillers’ Closer to the Bone, and I absolutely love it.  As Castro stated, "I have always wanted to do what I would call a real blues record, and I felt like the right time was now. There is nothing contemporary about this album. It’s a blues record the way they might have made blues records back in the day.” With Castro on guitars and vocals, he is joined by his band The Painkillers : Mike Emerson on keys, Randy McDonald on bass, and Bowen Brown on drums. His star-studded guestlist includes Christoffer “Kid” Andersen, Deanna Bogart, Billy Branch, Chris Cain, June Core, Rick Estrin, Scott Jensen, Jim Pugh, Mike Rinta, Jack Sanford, Sons of Soul Revivers, Endre Tarczy, and Lisa Leuschner Andersen.

Castro lures me quickly in with his masterful guitar-play on Jimmy Nolen’s “The Way You Do”. His twangy surf guitar is brilliantly paired with Rick Estrin on harmonica, and Kid Anderson’s infectious bassline. Johnny Nitro’s “One More Night” is fabulous to the core and filled with scorching guitar licks riding on top of an unescapable Texas blues groove. The tribute is so good, I was forced to acquaint myself with Nitro’s work. With guests Branch on harp, and Core on drums, Castro serves up a lively cocktail of Latin-infused blues with “Ain’t Worth the Heartache” for a fun, freewheeling original about moving on. Everything about “Freight Train (Let Me Ride)” is red hot. This cover originally from Ron Thompson and the Resisters features Pugh on piano and sounds amazing. Estrin appears again on a smokin’ recording of Eddie Taylor’s “Stroll Out West”. Castro sings this with a voice seemingly baptized in the Mississippi. This is what the blues is all about.

I think a lot of listeners will declare Closer to the Bone a favorite of 2025.  I sure have.

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For more information about Tommy Castro, visit the website @  

https://www.tommycastro.com/

For other PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Tommy Castro, follow this link: https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Tommy+Castro 

#723 > Eddie 9 Volt - Saratoga (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2024 – Ruf Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 4, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Eddie 9V, aka Brooks Mason first wowed me with his Little Black Flies record in 2021. He continued to draw me in on his 2023 release Capricorn. With his third and latest album, Saratoga, Eddie 9V delivers a gorgeous hat-trick, with this first three albums out the gate all hitting the bullseye. Cowritten with his brother Lane Kelly, Saratoga was recorded by the two multi-instrumentalists in their own studio Echo Deco Studio in Atlanta with guest musicians appearing on horns, lap steel, and fiddle.

Riding a propulsive rhythm with a locomotive beat, Saratoga opens with its title-track. The song bursts open with big waves of energy and poetic verse relating the trapped feelings of small-town living. Eddie’s soulful voice sounds absolutely remarkable. I soak up the goodness of the slow-pace, horn-infused track “Delta”. I can’t help but wrap myself up in its playful swampy groove. I love the fiddle-fueled genre-bending hillbilly hip-hop banger “Wasp Weather”. “Truckee” seemingly draws inspiration from classic rock bands like The Doobie Brothers and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young for its carefree, lazy Sunday feel. It’s a beautiful song. The cover of Mac DeMarco’s “Chamber of Reflection” is a brilliant make-over which takes the song to greater heights. “The Road to Nowhere” brings the record to its close with a western ballad served in a sea of twang-filled guitar topped with vocals reminiscent of music legend Roy Orbinson.  

Eddie 9V is definitely on a hot-streak. I absolutely adore Saratoga from beginning to end.

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For more information about Eddie 9V,  visit the website @  https://www.eddie9volt.com/

Catch up on previous PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Eddie 9V through this link :  https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Eddie+9V

#722 > PhillyCheeze's Favorite 25 of 2024 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

  

By Phillip Smith; Dec.24, 2024

 

PhillyCheeze's Favorite 25 of 2024

(in alphabetical order)

 

Alastair Greene - Standing Out Loud

Alastair Greene is one of those artists I am always excited to hear new music from. He really does elevate blues-rock to a whole new level. In the past, Greene has worked with other favorites of mine such as Alan Parsons, and Sugaray Rayford. For his latest and eleventh solo record Standing Out Loud, Greene has enlisted the extraordinary J.D. Simo to co-produce and engineer this off-the-chain listening experience,

#721 > FreeWorld - More Love (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2024 – SWIRLDISC

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 28, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

FreeWorld is definitely one of the must-see bands in Memphis Tennessee. For over thirty-seven years, this ever-changing ensemble has been captivating audiences and earning the utmost respect from their contemporaries. They sure have my full attention. In 2012 they were honored to receive a brass note on the Beale Street Walk of Fame. Fronted by Richard Cushing (producer/ band director/ lead vocals/ bass guitars/ shaker/ ratchet), FreeWorld is also comprised of Peter Climie (saxophones/ NuRAD EWI/ tambourine), Cedric Taylor (Hammond B3/ grand piano/ Wurlitzer/ Nord), Alex Schuetrumpf (trumpet/ piccolo trumpet/ flugelhorn), Courtney Reid (lead & backing vocals), Frank Paladino (baritone saxophone), Freedman Steorts (trombone), Walter Hughes (guitars), Matt Sweatt (drums). More Love, their eighth album is a melting pot of fourteen fresh original tracks baptized in the vibrant sounds of funk, jazz, soul, rock, and blues.

I’m instantly charged by the high-vibrational sounds of “Outta Sight”. The track ferociously tears the roof off and opens things up. The rhythm is slathered in funk, the horns are so hot they melt, and the guitar solo is phenomenal. Soaked in that Southern spiritual goodness, title-track “More Love, sung by special guest Jerome Chism with the Tennessee Mass Choir is a beautiful anthem. I dig the addition of slide guitar by special guest Aubrey McCrady into the intoxicating sounds of their reggae song “Heart on the Table”. That’s really unique. In numerology 11:11 refers to a reset or transition. FreeWorld brings it to song form with “11:11 on Beale”, a relaxed horn-fueled jazz instrumental which serves as a backdrop for a free-flowing spoken-word homage to Beale Street by Benjamin Theolonius “IQ” Sanders. It’s a very cool track indeed. “Who Knew” draws me in with its buttery rhythm before it really wows me with the sax-guitar dual, steering the song into a smoking instrumental. I snuggle right in to the feel-good and carefree blanket of “Nothin’ Wrong”. The song reminds me of the playfulness of one of my favorite bands Phish. Closing out the album is “D-Up (Here’s to Diversity)” the second of two bonus tracks. With lyrics written by FreeWorld’s drummer David Skypeck, the song made its first recorded appearance twenty-five years ago on their 1999 album called Diversity. The song was re-recorded in 2020 and featured over three dozen Memphis artists to make a ‘We Are the World”-inspired video with stars like Earl “the Pearl” Banks, Joyce Cobb, Luther Dickinson, Al Kapone and Blind Mississippi Morris. The version on this album is from the 2020 video and I absolutely love it.

FreeWorld’s More Love has everything I like to hear in an album. It has surely landed among my favorites for the year,

 

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D-Up (Here’s to Diversity)

For more information about FreeWorld, visit the website @ https://freeworldmemphis.com