#752- > Blues Inferno Tour - Alastair Greene, Chris Duarte, Kris Lager (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

Blues Inferno Tour 2025
The Double Z Bar & Grill
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
June 6, 2025
 
By Phillip Smith; June 7, 2025

 

Original source: phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Summer is almost here, and the music festival season officially started for me last night. The Blues Inferno Tour featuring Kris Lager Band, Chris Duarte, and Alastair Greene made a most-welcome stop here in Cedar Rapids to perform on an outdoor stage at The Double Z Bar and Grill. This show as guitar-centric blues-rock at its best. The acts have been rotating the lineup along their tour and last night the show opened with Alastair Greene who was followed by Chris Duarte, and then Kris Lager Band closed the show. For a grand finale Duarte joined Lager for several songs, and it was magnificent. There was no warming up for anybody. Everyone was as hot as the other, making for an absolutely fabulous show. I highly recommend making to this blues-rock if you can.   

 

* All Photos by Phillip Smith

Alastair Greene 

Chris Duarte 

Kris Lager Band

Lager & Duarte 

* All Photos by Phillip Smith

#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.

 

---

 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

 

#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.

 

 ---

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

 

#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.

 

---

WEBSITE & SOCIALS

 

Rashad The Blues Kid

https://www.rtbkblues.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.   

 ---

* 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.

 ---

\

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/