#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/

 

#731 : Winter Blues Fest 2025 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

Downtown Marriott

Des Moines, Iowa

February 15, 2024

 

By Phillip Smith; Feb. 16, 2025

 

Original source: phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

I made the trek to Des Moines this weekend for my second visit to the Central Iowa Blues Society’s Winter Blues Fest, and had a spectacular time.  Although the festival runs for two days, I was only able to make it over to the Saturday shows again. Acts I was able to catch included Hudspeth & Taylor, Cedar County Cobras, Duke Robillard, Altered Five Blues Band, Orphan Jon & the Abandoned, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, John Nemeth & the Blue Dreamers, and Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets featuring Big Joe Maher.

 * All Photos by Phillip Smith

  

Hudspeth & Taylor

Duke Robillard

Cedar County Cobras

Altered Five Blues Band

Orphan Jon & the Abandoned

Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal

John Nemeth & the Blue Dreamers

 

Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets feat. Big Joe Maher

w/ Duke Robillard

* All photos by Phillip Smith

#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.