Time for the Tuesday Roadhouse Blues Nooner with Ben Vee on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com! It starts today (July 30th) at High Noon EST and will feature tunes that are related to each other by some measure.
Below is the intended playlist. See if you can pick out why I related the tunes!
The summer is blowin’ by and here are some of the albums that I am listening to (song links to Spotify or Youtube are in blue):
The Kokomo Kings – Fighting Fire with Gasoline(2019)
The Kokomo Kings new album Fighting Fire with Gasoline heralds the return of the era when rock & roll and the blues were essentially the same genre. Upbeat and fun, I really enjoyed EVERY tune on this recording done by a mix of band members from Sweden and Denmark. I don’t know if it is somethin’ in the water, but there are a number of great new bands coming out of Copenhagen and Stockholm and the Kokomo Kings are one of the best. The band features Martin Abrahamsson (vocals and guitar), Magnus Lanshammar (bass and guitar), Ronni Boysen (guitar), and Daniel Winerö (drums).
The album is packed with great rockin’ boogie blues tunes that will get your hips and feet movin’ including A Big Pile of Fish, Fighting Fire With Gasoline, Fooled by the City Lights, I Thought I was a Patient Man, If I was an Alien, Tornadohead, and The Fish Won’t Bite. Really lovedHeatwavewhich has a Fabulous Thunderbirds feel to it. And my personal favorite is Tied to the Tracks that has some nice guitar riffs and a Mississippi Hill Country sound.
The influence of Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry pervades the album and I know both are in blues heaven smilin’ down on this fantastic recording. Now…if only I can persuade them to send me a t-shirt with the album cover on it…my summer will be complete!!!
Jason Ricci & the Bad Kind – My Chops Are Rolling (Ellersoul Records 2019)
Since releasing his first recording in 1995, Jason Ricci has earned a reputation as one of the best harmonica players in the music business with two awards (2010 & 2018) from the prestigious Blues Music Foundation for his talent on the instrument. On his second release for Ellersoul Records, My Chops Are Rolling, Jason Ricci & the Bad Kind again lay down some badass roadhouse blues.
I was captivated by the tune The Way That I Hurt Myselfthat has echoes of Led Zeppelin in the performance. The song highlights Jason’s voice as well as some badass harpin’ and also shines the musical spotlight on the incredible guitar playing of John Lisi.
Additionally, Jason does a stellar instrumental cover of Led Zepp’s Going to California on the album. I also enjoyed Break In the Rain and a song he recorded with his wife, Kaitlin Dibble, entitled If You Should Lose Me. It is a great cover of a song originally performed by Barbara Lynn back in the late 1960’s.
Jason & I share a love for the New Orleans Saints and he put his admiration into words and music on Who Dat Nation! All you Saints fan should give it a listen! And Atlanta Falcon fans might want to avoid the explicit version he also includes 😛
Blue Moon Marquee – Bare Knuckles & Brawn(Factor Canada 2019)
Harkening back to the era of the blues cabaret, Blue Moon Marquee modernizes the sound on their new CD, Bare Knuckles & Brawn. A.W. Cardinal makes it work with gritty vocals and guitar playing and Jasmine Collette lays down some badass upright bass riffs as well as vocals. They are the core of a band that features guest appearances by Darcy Phillips (keyboards), Jerry Cook (Tenor & Bari Sax, Clarinet), Jimmy “Hollywood” Badger (Drums), Jack Garton (trumpet), and Paul Pigat (guitar).
Overall, this is well produced album with a laid back ambiance and a jazzy feel that still maintains an adherence to the blues. I really enjoyed 52nd Street Strut, As I Lay Dying, and the sultry feel of Big Black Mamba. Big Smoke is a great blues tune and Fever Flickering Flame conjures up scenes of a packed dance floor at a 1920 speakeasy. The haunting use of the trumpet and sparse piano licks perfectly frame Jasmine’s voice on Hard Times Hit Parade. And I loved the western swing guitar playing of Paul on The Red Devil Himself.
This is the perfect album to share with friends, a fine cigar, and a dirty martini. Let me know when ya do!!!
Travellin’ Blue Kings – Wired Up(Donor Productions 2019)
A European band that helps defines what I term as the roadhouse blues, the Travellin’ Blue Kings kick out some solid tunes on their new album Wired Up. This four piece band consists of Stephan Hermsen (vocals, harp, guitar), Jimmy Hontelé (guitar), Winne Penninckx (bass), and Marc Gijbels (drums).
This is another album where I loved EVERY cut. Particular favorites are Get It Done, Ninety Minutes, Into the Night, Straight Eight, and The Way It Used to Be. The instrumental title cut Wired Up is also a badass tune featuring some awesome guitar playing.
They are also the first band that I have seen that identify themselves as being from Benelux, an economic union of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The Travellin’ Blue Kings are doing their part to promote Benelux with one of the best roadhouse blues albums of 2019!
As always, feel free to like my website (MUCH APPRECIATED) and/or leave a comment/reply below!
Tune in at http://www.bluesmusicfan.com at 3 pm EST today for some more badass roadhouse blues. Got new tunes by Tullie Brae, Samantha Fox, Eliza Neals & Popa Chubby, Albert Castiglia and the Allman Betts Band!
Below is the intended playlist.
ARTIST
TITLE
Roy Buchanan
Short Fuse
Tullie Brae
Price Of The Blues
Albert Castiglia
Heavy
Anna Scionti
This World
The Gordon Meier Blues Experience
Just Keep Ridin’
Eliza Neals
Living With Yo Mama (Feat. Popa Chubby & Dave Keyes)
Been listening to the blues and writing in the man cave in the sweltering summer heat…..just so YOU get to know some great female artists!! Grab a cold one, maybe a cigar, and read on……….
(links to songs in Youtube or Spotify are in light blue)
Eliza Neals – Sweet or Mean (2019 E-H Records LLC)
What is there not to love about the pairing of a great artist with a fantastic blues man and producer. Detroit based Eliza Neals launches it into the blues stratosphere on her new EP Sweet or Mean which is produced by the renown Popa Chubby. The new EP has a rock & roll edge and a gritty blues rhythm and beat…you don’t have to give up one to love em both!
Loved Bitten By the Blues and the roadhouse version of Pawn Shop Blues. Also, enjoyed Living With Yo Moma featurng some badass roadhouse bluzin’ guitars by Popa Chubby and Dave Keyes. Blackish Grey is some great blues and Knock Knock Knockin’ is acoustic blues that highlights Eliza’s voice.
Ida Bang & the Blue Tears – Good to Me (2019 Ida Bang Musik)
Based out of Sweden, Ida Bang has one heck of a voice and she is backed by a band that can lay down the groove. Good To Me is a snappy little tune and I also enjoyed the rhythm and beat of Not the Same featuring some stellar guitar work by Leo Henriksson and John Bergstrom, great bass playing by Patrik Engstrom and badass drums by Leo Sund. Shelter Me, Don’t You Worry. and You Can’t Have It Both Ways are also pretty tasty!
Anna Scionti – Orphan Blues(2019)
This Australian artist plays the guitar and sings the blues with an intensity that just draws you in. A blues rocker to the core, Anna Scionti reminds me of George Thorogood and Buddy Holly, particularly on the cut Never Let Her Go. Bury My Hurt and Too Much Drinkin’ are some crankin’ roadhouse blues. Also enjoyed You’re My Keeper. Overall Orphan Blues is a fantastic listen!!
Tullie Brae – Revelation(2019)
Tullie Brae has the looks of a superstar and a voice steeped in the blues. On her new album Revelation, she melds brash powerful vocals with songwriting that reflects on love, life, anger, and perseverance. Most of the tunes have a driving roadhouse rhythm that I absolutely loved.
Particularly enjoyed Break These Chainsfeaturing Brandon Santini on harmonica. The tunes Watch Her Move, Devil in Deville, and Price of the Blues are also all badass roadhouse blues.
She appeared at the Beale Street Cigar Festival last year during Labor Day weekend in Memphis. Dang…if I had only known!!!!!!
Feel free to leave a comment below or email me at ben@benveeblues.com. AND likes and shares are ALWAYS appreciated!!
Gonna be playing a eclectic mix of contemporary and classic blues today on BMFR with tunes from Brandon Santini, Little Willie Farmer, Albert King, Seasick Steve, Spooky Tooth, the Atomic Road Kings, Big Daddy Wilson, and Jamie Lynn Vessels. Tune in today at 3 pm EST (Thursday July 18th) for Ben Vee’s Roadhouse Blues on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com.
Click the link for www.bluesmusicfan.com and join me for my Tuesday Roadhouse Blues nooner on BMFR! Got new tunes from Denmark, Australia, Canada, and all over the USA!
Below is the intended playlist.
ARTIST
TITLE
Texas Horns, The
Better Get Here Quick
Rockin’ Johnny & Quique Gomez
Are You Ever
The Allman Betts Band
Shinin’
Amnesia Blues Band
Never Loved You Anyway
The Cash Box Kings
Poison In My Whiskey
AJ Ghent
Long Lost Friend
Josh Smith
Let Me Take Care of You
Keb’ Mo’
Ridin’ On A Train
Texas Horns, The
Better Get Here Quick
David Gogo
Tomcat Prowl
Diana Rein
One Foot In
Ronnie Baker Brooks
Come On Up (Feat. Felix Cavaliere & Lee Roy Parnell)
It’s summertime in Connecticut. I am sittin’ out in my man cave enjoying the heat, smokin’ a cigar, and listening to some new albums.
Zac Harmon – Mississippi BarBQ (Catfood Records 2019)
A great mix of soul, Chicago blues, and a touch of blues rock, the new Zac Harmon album Mississippi BarBQ was produced by Jim Gaines (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana). It also features a stellar group of studio musicians known as the Rays: Bob Trenchard (bass), Richy Puga (drums), Johnny McGee (guitars), Dan Ferguson (keyboards), Mike Middleton (trumpet), Andy Roman (alto sax), Nick Flood (tenor and baritone sax), and Drake Dominigue (trombone & tuba).
Zac has been recording since 2003 and with this CD, he steps it up to a new level. The voice is fabulous, his guitar playing is first class, and the song writing conveys images that give witness to his Jackson, Mississippi roots. The songs are all originals except for a great rendition of Dylan’s Knocking on Heaven’s Door. I enjoyed Make a Dollar Out of Fifteen Cents, Gypsy Road, Honey Pleez, Smoke and Mirrors, and So Cold.
A gifted artist, a world renown producer, and some fantastic studio musicians meld together for a first rate recording that also features cuts by his current touring band. Make sure to give the title cut Mississippi BarBQ a listen….with some barbeque, cornbread, mustard greens, black eyed peas and, of course a cold beer at the ready!!
The Texas Horns – Get Here Quick (Severn Records 2019)
Three of the most bad ass horn blowers on the planet got together down in Texas, invited some gifted friends, and created a delightful RnB recording entitled Get Here Quick. Mark ‘Kaz’ Kazanoff (tenor sax), John Mills (baritone sax), and Al Gomez (trumpet) can truly be judged by the company they keep with the likes of Carolyn Wonderland, Curtis Salgado, Guy Forsyth, Gary Nicholson, John Nemeth, Ronnie Earl, and Anson Funderburgh steppin’ into the studio to assist; they got the rhythm and they damn sure got the blues! This is an awesome CD!
A long time favorite of mine, Carolyn belts it out on I’m Doin’ Alright At Least For Tonight. And Curtis lends his soulful voice to Sundown Talkin’. My favorite tune on the album is Guitar Town that is sung by Guy Forsyth with backing vocals by Carolyn and lead guitar work by Anson. Gary Nicholson contributes two of his songs, Soulshine & Fix Your Face, and both recordings are mighty fine. Anson does the lead guitar on Soulshine and another of my favorites, Ronnie Earl, does the honors on Fix Your Face.
There are also several tasty instrumentals on the album that showcase the talent of this horn blowin trio. My favorite is Truckload of Trouble written by John Mills and I also enjoyed the title cut contributed by Kaz Kazanoff.
I have to say when I opened the CD I was thinkin’ “now who are these guys?”. Man…was I pleasantly surprised after listening to the entire recording. Download and give this a listen…hope you are pleased too!
The Duke Robillard Band – Ear Worms(2019 Stony Plain Records)
The new album, Ear Worms, has a fifties and sixties feel to it and is a pleasant listen. Duke Robillard has been playing and recording for over fifty years and is a superlative guitar player. I particularly loved the instrumental You Belong to Me that I first heard sung by Patsy Cline many years ago. It was one of my mother’s favorites and Duke shows it the love and tenderness it deserves.
I also enjoyed Don’t Bother Trying to Steal Her Love with Dave Howard on vocals and the song Yellow Moon which is sung by drummer Mark Teixeira. The rest of the band is Bruce Bears (keyboards & vocals) and Brad Hallen on bass and they are a very tight knit group of artists. The album features a number of guest vocalists including Sunny Crownover, Chris Cote, Mark Cutler, and Klem Klimek. This is definitely a recording to relax with on warm summer evening.
Send along a comment if you would like! Love to hear what your thoughts are on these albums and blues music in general!!
I have got a passel of roadhouse blues from Australia, Europe, and across the USA today at http://www.bluesmusicfan.com (BMFR) from 3 to 5 pm EST. Tune in…I promise ya these are some BADASS tunes!
Below is the intended playlist.
ARTIST
TITLE
Ronnie Baker Brooks
Pick Power
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
It Ain’t Right
Jimmie Vaughan
It’s Love Baby (24 Hours A Day)
The Cash Box Kings
Back Off
Peter Frampton Band
I Just Want To Make Love To You (Feat. Kim Wilson)
Been on vacation with the daughters and grandkids. Had a fabulous time with family and friends. Here are some of my favorite singles from albums I listened to while hangin’ out. (Most of the song links lead you to Spotify, Soundcloud, or Youtube.)
Aussie Blues
Simon Kinny-Lewis – Crossroads – Great version of one of my favorite roadhouse blues tunes. (A Day in San Jose 2019 SKL Music Label)
Grizzlee Train – Oh Honey – Blues rockin’ from down under! (Burn Him Again EP 2016 Self Release)
British Blues
Big Wolf Band – Be Free – Some crankin blues rock with great harmonies. Bit reminiscent of Ten Years After. (Be Free 2019 Self Release)
Savoy Brown – Conjure Rhythm – The group that helped coin the term “blues rock” just keeps crankin’ it after all these years. (City Night 2019 Quatro Valley Records)
Danish Blues
Mojo Hands – Cry to Me – A great cover of the classic Solomon Burke tune…mhmm. (High Blood Pressure 2019 CDBaby)
Harpin’ Wolf & the Black Sheep – Workin’ Man – Some badass harpin’ blues! (Workin’ Man 2018 Self Release)
USA Blues
HeavyDrunk and the Hurricane – If I Loved You Hard Enough – AWESOME Tune…the beat grabs ya and the lyrics hold ya! No stream link for this one yet….soooo…you just have to request it during my roadhouse blues sets on BMFR! (HeavyDrunk and the Hurricane 2019 4142 Music)
The Rudy Boy Experiment – Helping Me With My Blues – Strong George Thorogood influence on this upbeat New Mexico blues rockin tune. (Shade Tree Mechanic 2019 DSN Music)
Josh Newcom – Girl Got the Mojo – Just a great upbeat tune from a multi talented southern boy! ! (The Blues Gonna Getcha 2019 Warpaint Entertainment)
Ivy Ford – Start a Fight – Out of Northern Illinois, this lady can sing and play a guitar. Reminds me a bit of Danielle Nicole and that ain’t a bad thing! (Harvesting My Roots 2019 Ivy Ford Music)
Jersey Swamp Cats – Jump, Jive, And Wail – Some great blues swing! (Go Cats Go 2019 Jersey Swamp Cats Music)
Michael Lee – This Is – This Texas boy has a gift for RnB and soul! On some other songs on the new album, he can rock the blues also. (Michael Lee 2019 Ruff Records)
The Weary Times – Peace of Mind – A back to the 1960’s feel to this tune…love it!! (Peace of Mind 2019 Ryan Curtis Music)
I’ll be working tunes from all these albums into my upcoming sets on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com at 12 pm EST on Tuesdays and 3 pm EST on Thursdays
Ben Vee Blues 