Vaneese Thomas – Blues for my Father – Segue Records 2014

One fine Cuban cigar and a sniffer of brandy –  She has the blues in her blood and the pedigree shows! Daughter of bluesman Rufus Thomas and sibling of R&B and Memphis blues artists Carla and Marvell, Vaneese is just smokin’ hot on a great album nominated and likely to win the 2015 Soul Blues album of the year award. I loved the tune Southern Central Blues!

Michael Bloomfield – From His Head To His Heart To His Hands – Sony Legacy 2014

A box of Cubans and a long weekend – He deserves a place on the same podium as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, and Joe Bonamassa. Bob Dylan once called him the greatest guitar player ever yet most people to this day have no idea who he is. He was a member of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and founded Electric Flag as well as being a session man for Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin to name just two. This 3 CD and one DVD box set will help you understand why blues aficionados love him! A great gift for the bluesman or woman in your life! I love his work on Janis Joplin’s One Good Man…..have a listen!