Blues Underground Network's Year End Review 2010

Congratulations to all the Artists and Bands I have picked this year for the following categories... Your faith and dedication to your Art is not only an inspiration to your fellow peers, but also a immense source of joy for all your fans.

When it comes to building a solid foundation of Blues Music in Canada, there is a new cornerstone being laid and standing firmly on top of that stone is one of our truest Ambassador's of the Blues, Marshall Lawrence. For those that know Marshall, they know that he eats, breathes, lives, and loves the blues, and now with his newest release, "Blues Intervention", everyone else will be well aware of that too. Read More...

On any given day, being buried up to your neck in the Blues is what Son Jack Jr. is all about, and now with his new release "Walk The Talk", with co-artist Michael Wilde, we all have the opportunity to buried up to our necks in the Blues, as well.

"Walk The Talk" is the first collaboration between Son Jack Jr., and Michael Wilde, and I for one really, really hope that this team continues to work together, putting out more Albums in the future. The two of these guys make for one heck of a great writing team. Read More...

When it comes to Debut Releases, their are bad ones, good ones, great ones and then their is that rare Album that can only be classified as exceptional. Such is the case with the very exceptional Self-Titled Debut Release by the Bare Bones Boogie Band.

When I first listened to this Album, it was not long in before I came to the realization that this one was something really special. After I listened to it again I realized that I was not only listening to something very special but something very rare, especially in todays over cluttered blah blah music scene, in fact I can very honestly say that not only was this album the best I have heard so far in 2010, it is simply the best I have heard, in many years. Read More...

One of my favorite songs is a song by the group "Yes" called "Roundabout". "Roundabout" is also the name of a new album by one of my very favorite blues artists over the last 5 years, namely Andres Roots.

Andres Roots hails out of Estonia and may be best known for his superb collaboration with Alar Kriisa, as Bullfrog Brown, a two member band that often had great guest artists join them on their releases. The band, Bullfrog Brown, was chosen Best European Release for Bullfrog Brown "Mother River Delta" in my 2008 Year End Review, and number 1 Top 25 Albums 2009 Bullfrog Brown "Moon and Central", as well as, Best European Blues Album Bullfrog Brown "Moon and Central" and Best Original Cover Art Bullfrog Brown "Moon and Central", in my 2009 Year End Review. Now with his first release since that brilliant duo disbanded, Andres Roots give us a wonderful new Album that shows us all that even without his trusted vocalist Alar, he is still able create the best blues sound going. Read More...

Serving up Funky Blues, done right, is what Dukesy And The Hazzards are all about and now with the release of their extraodinarily good self titled EP, everyone has a chance to listen to these guys and see for themselves how good of a band they are.

Although only consisting of 3 members, Nick Brown (Guitar/Vocals), Dave Evans (Bass/Keys), and Adrian Violi (Drums), Dukesy And The Hazzards are more than able to give us a feel that their band is a lot bigger, something that all the great trio bands have managed to do. Read More...

My first thought after listening to Les Copeland's extraordinary Debut Release, "Don't Let The Devil In", was that I really wished I had more knowledge about the Blues Artists and Styles for which he drew his inspiration for this Album. Like a fine tea, Les Copeland has steeped himself in the Blues for many years, walking often in the footsteps of legendary giants that have preceded him and that are still with us. His ability to interpret the Blues, especially the good old Blues of the past, is a gift, that he has learned to give back to his audience and his fans via his masterful Guitar picking and his genuine and unique vocal delivery. Read More...

Offering up a generous helping of the Swinging Bouncing Boogie Blues is what Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce are all about and now with their ground breaking Debut release "Tales From Lenny's Diner", we all get to hear why this band gets such rave reviews at all their shows.

Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce is a little city band with a big city sound and I do mean BIG. These cats can stand up against any Swinging Boogie Blues band out there today and not only hold their own, but blow the competition away. Read More...

There are a lot of unique and interesting titles that Artists use to name their Albums and some have quite the story behind them. Mark Robinson decided to name his debut solo release "Quit Your Job - Play Guitar" and boy did that title name ever fit his life. You see as the name implies, "Quit Your Job - Play Guitar", that is exactly what Mark Robinson did, with his move to Nashville in 2004. Now 6 years later Robinson's dream and determination has paid off with his take on Rock, Blues, Southern Soul, Roots, and Americana Country.

Born in Bloomington, Indiana, Mark Robinson started picking away on his first guitar at the age of 13. A few years later, because of his undying devotion to perfecting his guitar playing, Mark managed to land his first professional gig with none other than Bobby Helms, who we all know from his 1957 hit "Jingle Bell Rock". Mark continued for many years as a sideman for quite a few acts and got a chance to play with some of the blues greats including, Lonnie Brooks, Koko Taylor, and Bo Diddley, to name a few. Read More...

With the release of their sizzling debut album, "Upside Your Head", Jason Elmore & Hoodoo Witch have quickly taken over the crown as the new kings of Blues Rock, by putting out, by far, the best Blues Rock Album to be released in years and the fact that this is a Debut release, makes that all the more amazing.

Jason Elmore & Hoodoo Witch are uncategorically, the best thing going out there right now, for their type of music, which I can only describe as Incendiary Off The Charts Guitar Driven Blues Rock. Read More...

Well my friends the verdict is in and it states that there is definitely a new kid in town, and he goes by the name of Ross Neilsen and along with his Posse, The Sufferin' Bastards, they are coming straight at you with some of the best Gritty Down Under The Dog House Blues Rock, you have heard in a long while.

Over the last 3 years, Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards, have been catching the attention of a lot of people, not only with their epic tourings, 240,000+Kms, but also because of their epic sound. Hailing from the East Coast of Canada, they already have 5 national tours and over 600 shows under their belts and they managed to do it 100% independently on their own, which is a testament to their creative business savvy. Read More...

Little Walter was born on May 1, 1930 and was regarded as the greatest Harmonica player of all time. 80 years later to the day, we have the release of, "Blue Midnight - A Tribute To Little Walter", perhaps the finest harmonica tribute album ever created.

"Blue Midnight - A Tribute To Little Walter" was recorded live at the famed Silver Dollar Room in Toronto Canada, January 5th, 2008 and was hosted by the critically acclaimed band Raoul And The Big Time.

Joining Raoul And The Big Time on this Album was a literal who's who of Canadian Blues Harp Artists, including BHARATH RAJAKUMAR, DR. NICK OUROUMOV, TORTOISE BLUE, and MIKE SHRIMP DADDY REID. Now one would think that would be enough talent needed for this Album, but you would be wrong as other participants in the making of "Blue Midnight - A Tribute To Little Walter", included Paul Reddick Bill "Mojo Willie" Rymer, Wayne Charles, Mr. Rick Zolkower, Aaron Kazmer, and countless other greats in the music industry. Read More...

Joe Louis Walker "Blues Conspiracy: Live on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise"

There is no doubt that many of us have "Being on a Blues Cruise" as part of our Bucket List, but until that happens, we can all be thankful to Joe Louis Walker for his new upcoming release, "Blues Conspiracy: Live on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise".

"Blues Conspiracy: Live on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise", officially hits the streets September 28th, and as the name implies, it is a live recording which took place in January of this year, 2010. Joe Louis Walker had this to say about that fact, "For all the fans of live music, what you hear on this CD is what the audience heard at the performances. There are no enhancements or overdubs. In other words, what you hear is what it was and what it is."

When it comes to the Blues, Joe Louis Walker is no stranger, having put out a series of coveted and acclaimed Albums, since 1987. In fact, his last one "Between a Rock and the Blues" was chosen "Album of the Year" at the Blues Music Awards, earlier this year. Also of note was Walker also getting picked the 2010 Living Blues Magazine Critics Poll, as Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar). Those are just 2 of the most recent accolades in Joe Louis Walker's long and highly respected career. Read More...

It is no longer a secret that some of the finest blues artists Canada has to offer live in British Columbia and one of them is certainly Sherman "Tank" Doucette.

Hailing from North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Sherman headed West to Vancouver with not much more than a Harmonica in his pocket, at the ripe old age of 15, and there is where he found his love for Chicago Style Blues. Now over 40 years later and after gracing the stage with many of the greats such as, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Sony Land Slim, Pinetop Perkins, Jim Byrnes and Long John Baldry, Sherman serves us up a great new Album titled, "Blowin' Through Town".

Sherman "Tank" Doucette is one hell of a good Harmonica player and you find that out very shortly after you start listening to "Blowin' Through Town". Read More...

Their are Blues Albums out their that are absolutely essential to have in one's collection, and Bob Corritore And Friends "Harmonica Blues" is certainly one of them.

Bob Corritore is a extremely well known Harmonica player who has played with many blues legends over the last 40 years. Bob Corritore's story, however, doesn't start and stop with that fact, far from it. Bob Corritore is also a tireless advocate for the blues, taking on many roles such as Band Leader, Club Owner, Record Producer, and Radio Show Host. He also finds a little time to keep us all informed about blues via his newsletter, the Bob Corritore Blues Newsletter, which I look forward to receiving each week.

As mentioned earlier, Corritore has been playing Harmonica for 40 years and to celebrate that milestone, Bob Corritore And Friends "Harmonica Blues" was created. Read More...

When Canadian blues icon Jim Byrnes called Vancouver based gospel singer Marcus Mosely on the phone a few years ago to ask if he could round up a few friends to record some back up vocals for a new album, no one could have guessed what would happen next.

From the moment Mosely and his pals, Will Sanders and Ron Small stepped up to the microphone and began singing, they realized that they had something very special going on. When Byrnes dubbed the trio The Sojourners the name stuck and – as they say – the rest is history.

Formative years spent singing in the churches of Mosely, Small and, Sanders’, hometowns – Ralls, Texas, Chicago, Illinois and Alexandria, Louisiana respectively – give The Sojourners’ sound an authentic edge that only comes with experience. This is real gospel - blessed with a soul that can’t be faked. Read More...

The Joe Lewis Band is a 3 piece band hailing out of Missouri that really do have some Good News Blues for everyone. You see, beyond the fact that this trio is a really good rockin' blues band, they are also a really good Rockin' Christian/Gospel Blues Band.

"Good News Blues" consists of 12 Tracks, all Originals and all written by Joe Lewis, whom is also the singer and guitarist for the band. Joe Lewis also produced all the songs on this exceptional Indie release, along with the other 2 band members, Ken Head (Bass) and Mike Rose (Drums). The songs, as one might expect, are very religious in nature, with the word Jesus being used quite a bit, but not in a overly preachy way, but in more of a celebratory fashion. I really found it quite amazing how they were able to meld great blues music and great religious lyrics together to make for an extremely enjoyable listen. In essence the songs are not in the vain of "Whoa Is Me", they are happy, vigorous, playful, and joyous in nature, without over taking the musical uniqueness of the blues. Read More...

Putting your name on a Album in which you step back and let others get in on the spotlight is humbly what Billy Lavender may be all about, and that is doing his part in letting those around him shine a little brighter, and shine they all do, in this dynamic new release by one of Memphis' Best Blues Guitarist, titled, "Memphis Livin".

Although the name Billy Lavender may not jump out as some one you may know, he is certainly a legend to those that do. With 40+ years experience with the Memphis blues scene, he is one of the most sought after blues guitarist going and it only takes a few moments of listening to "Memphis Livin", to understand why. Read More...

A hauntingly beautiful and eloquently lyrical Album, is the best way I can describe Kat Danser's masterful new release, "Passin'-A-Time".

Kat Danser has been described as "Edmonton’s Queen of the Swamp Blues", a moniker that she proudly wears, although she has far surpassed a simple location such as Edmonton and therefore can quite simply be referred to as "Canada's Queen of the Swamp Blues".

The liner notes for "Passin'-A-Time" basically describe this Album as a journey from the Heartland of the Canadian Prairies to the Heartland of the Mississippi Delta, and if anyone is more qualified to write music about those locations than Kat Danser, I simply do not know who that would be. Kat Danser was born and raised in Saskatchewan, and the fact that music became such an intrical and important part of her life was what we could all call, her destiny. From the time she was born Kat has had music around her as a gentle form of foreshadowing her future. Her mother was a player of the Autoharp, and her uncle gave her a Button Accordion when she was only 5. From a young musical past, Kat's love of music blossomed into what it is today, with her love of Roots and especially Blues and hence the creation of "Passin'-A-Time", the perfect meld of both genres. Read More...

With a voice mildly reminiscent of Sue Foley, Nicole Christian delivers a unique and hauntingly beautiful Debut Album, filled with a special style of homegrown roots and blues music, the likes of which we do not often have the good fortune of experiencing.

You could perhaps call Nicole Christian a struggling young singer/songwriter/musician, but those struggles have really started to pay off, especially when she is able to use little bits of her lifes stories to make such fresh and engaging music.

"Run, Rabbit Run" consists of 11 Tracks, 10 of which were written solely by Christian, and 1 (Barn Dance), that was co-written with Stephen King, yes that Stephen King. How exactly that came about is quite a story in itself and I urge you to check out the following article, titled, Stephen King takes shining to Toronto blues singer. Read More...

I don't get to see the vast number of live blues I used to, due to the fact that our local Blues Club sold it's soul for the love of money and more mainstream pop and rock music. That however is somewhat compensated for with the many fine CD's I receive for review which I can leisurely listen to over a nice meal, beer, glass of wine, or all the above. At least once or twice a year I am lucky enough to have a Blues DVD sent to me for review and the following is one I recently received.

It was all the summer, and all the fall,
Just trying to find my little all and all,
But now she's gone, I don't worry,
I'm sittin' on top of the world

Many of us have heard the song "Sitting On Top Of The World", but how many of us new it was originally a song written by The Mississippi Sheiks, in 1930? Read More...

There is no doubt in the minds of Ronnie Earl's peers and his thousand of fans worldwide, that he is already a Legendary Blues Performer. In fact with an over 40+ year career and 20+ Albums to his credit, Earl really doesn't have to play another note, yet he does, and we can all thank our lucky stars for that.

Ronnie Earl's newest release, which hits the stores August 24th, 2010 is called "Spread The Love" and a more appropriate name, there could not be, for one of his Albums, for Earl' truly does "Spread The Love" as a immense show of respect and homage to all his mentors and heroes, as well as showing us how much he appreciates all the fans that have stuck with him through the good times and the bad.

"Spread The Love" consists of 14 Dynamic Tracks, all instrumentals, and all done with a purity and simplicity that has been a trademark of Earl's for all these years and in a style that can be compared to many others yet, uniquely, in the end, his own. Read More...

Proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that their Debut Release, “Baby It’s Hot!”, was anything but a fluke, Retro Deluxe continues to blow us away with their not stop take on Rockabilly Blues via their exciting new Release, "Watermelon Tea".

Last year I gave their Debut Album, “Baby It’s Hot!”, not only a Honorable Mention, in my Year End Review, but I also picked it as the Best Live Blues Album (USA) for 2009 as well. Now with "Watermelon Tea", they not only equalled their last release, but I going to have to say that they far surpassed it.

"Watermelon Tea" consists of 16 Tracks and clocks in at a healthy just over 60 minutes. All the Tracks, as with the Debut Release, are Originals and were all written by Retro Deluxe's super powerful and dynamic singer, Bobby Joe Owens (Aka Robert J. Thompson), except for "Hoochie Coochie Back Door Man", for which he shares credit with Zachary B. Sweeney. Read More...

When a reviewer has the words "one of the worst albums to review", as the title of his review, it can tend to peak your curiosity concerning the album in question. Such was how I got introduced to "Sleepless Street", the Sophomore release by an Irish singer-songwriter by the name of Peter Doran.

Peter Doran started his love of music at the young age of 11, encouraged in part from the fact that his family, immediate or otherwise, had already been bitten by the music bug. For a few years, shredding on the old guitar was his complete passion, but thankfully for us something changed where he became more interested in the essence of music then the speed it was delivered in. In 2006, critical acclaim came knocking on his door with the release of his Debut Album, "Wood", which was referred to as "a rich collection of startlingly mature songs". In fact one of the leading music publications even heralded it as "“an admirable debut that should open doors and minds”. Read More...

When a musician puts out an Album of only his songs, he is certain that one of two things are going to happen and that is he is either going to be receiving well deserved accolades or dissapointing criticism. Well I can tell you right now that I have no intention of giving Chris Watson anything other than well deserved accolades, for his newest release, "Just For Show...".

With "Just For Show...", Chris Watson shows us all just how immensely talented this still quite young, Blues Rock aficionado is, offering up 10 great tracks that leave you just wanting to play them all over again. From "No Sympathy" to "T Bone Swing", Chris Watson shows us that not only does he know how to play great music, but also that he understands the history that goes with the style of music, as well.

Chris Watson got his first guitar at 13, and wasted no time studying and playing music from greats such as, "BB King, Albert King, Albert Collins, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Garth Brooks, and many others." Read More...

I had not heard of Chris Antonik before receiving his CD in the mail, but from what I have gathered it is clear that he is an extraordinary musician with electric, acoustic, and dobro, being his forte'. He is also, by all accounts a very thrilling sideman in and around the Toronto area, in bands that play mainly the Blues and Blues Rock.

Chris Antonik's Debut release consists of 10 Tracks, 8 which were written or co-written by Chris and 2 exceptional Covers, "Double Trouble" an Otis Rush Classic and Jerry Ragovoy’s “She’s a Burglar”, made popular via Freddie King. The Album clocks in at just over 4o minutes, which is a fairly healthy length for a Debut and consists of a good mixture of Blues and Blues Rock done very well, both Acoustically and Electrically.

This is one of the more unique Debuts Albums I have gotten, because the main man, Chris Antonik, is not the main vocalist, in fact he only lays down his vocals on one track, "Double Trouble". I do hope in the future that he does attempt more vocal duties, because he did sound pretty good for his vocal debut. Read More...

For those that know Marshall Lawrence, it is absolutely no surprise as to why I chosen him for the Ambassador Of The Blues Award 2010. In fact you might say that this category was created as an honor to Marshall, whoms cornerstones of dedication, love, enthusiasm, and respect for the blues goes far beyond your typical Blues Artists. Future Blues Artists chosen for this Category will have been measured against the cornerstones that Marshall has set the standard for.