Contemporary Blues

Roadhouse Blues News – ALBUM RELEASES

It is officially fall and there are a whole lotta great roadhouse blues albums hitting the market in the coming days and months!

Out Now

Samantha Fish – Faster

She is arguably the most popular female contemporary blues rock artist on the planet…..the lady can rock it!!

Robert Jon & the Wreck – Shine On Me Brother

On tour now in Europe, the Euro fans are in for a fabulous treat from these Southern California based southern rock & blues rockers!

Altered Five Blues Band – Holler If You Hear Me

This album merits album of the year consideration. See my review from last week here on this blog.

Colin Linden – bLOW

Colin is a Canadian that has been based in Nashville for a long time. I listened to the promo copy I received this weekend and the album just enhances his reputation as both an artist and songwriter.

Tony Holiday – Porch Sessions Vol. 2

A literal who’s who of the blues join Tony on this badazz recording!

Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps – Rose-Colored Glasses

What a voice! Teresa is one of the great talents of contemporary blues!

DUE THIS WEEK

Avey Grouws Band – Tell Tale Heart

I received a promo copy of the album today…..can’t wait to give it a spin!

DUE IN OCTOBER

The Doobie Brothers – Liberte

Zac Harmon – Long As I Got My Guitar

Sue Foley – Dallas Man

DUE IN NOVEMBER

Colin James – Open Road

This is the first video released for the forthcoming album.

Joanne Shaw Taylor – The Blues Album

Produced by Joe Bonamassa, this promo single brings Joanne’s awesome R&B voice to the fore!

Dion – Stomping Ground

Dion is in his eighties and still just so damn cool!!

Gov’t Mule – Heavy Load Blues

The new album is supposed to be straight up blues….can’t wait to hear it all!

Eric Clapton – The Lady in the Balcony – Lockdown Sessions

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Raise the Roof

They pick up right where they left off with an excellent cover of the Lucinda Williams tune!

Tour Worth Noting

Allman Family Revival (November 27 to December 19)

Duane Allman will be joined by the Allman Betts Band, Samantha Fish, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Eric Gales, Jimmy Hall, Robert Randolph and several others to celebrate the songs and memory of his father Gregg. Tour starts in St. Louis and winds across the United States and then ends in San Francisco!

2021 Roadhouse Blues on BMFR 12-2 pm EDT

Got some contemporary 2021 blues for ya! Join us from 12-2 pm EDT today for the Ben Vee Roadhouse blues Nooner on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com.

Here is the intended playlist:

ARTISTTITLE
Andres RootsLink To Elmore
Tedeschi Trucks BandHigh and Mighty
Robert Jon & the WreckEveryday
Altered Five Blues BandFull Moon, Half Crazy
Tommy CastroSomewhere
Georgia RandallIsolation Blues
Curtis SalgadoSlow Down
New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom RockersShe’s About a Mover (feat. Alvin Youngblood Hart)
Seth JamesHe Don’t Love You (and He’ll Break Your Heart)
Ally VenablePlayed The Game
Bjorn BergeA Matter Of Time
CatfishSoulbreaker
Brad PalmerRisin’ Moon
Lone Crow RebellionRoll
Eric Starczan, Jennifer Jordan, Ian SiegalWhole Lotta Money
Grant HauaGot Something
The WildRootsMisty Morning in New Orleans
HolebonesCatfish
Teresa James and The Rhythm TrampsI Got A Love I Wanna Hold On To
Mike ZitoIn My Blood
Mindi Abair & The BoneshakersSeven Day Fool
The Immediate FamilyTurn It Up to Ten
The BluesBonesCruisin’ (Censored)
Mark SutherlandThe Good Fight
Atomic 44’sMy ’49
Joe Lewis BandCan I Get With You
JP Williams Blues Band featuring Ekat PereyraMighty Dangerous Boogie
Kiko And The Blues RefugeesAin’t Gone Yet
Joanna ConnorI Feel So Good

A Baker’s Dozen of Badass Blues – The New Altered Five Blues Band album HOLLER IF YOU HEAR ME

The new Altered Five Blues Band album HOLLER IF YOU HEAR ME is out today and it is a baker’s dozen of badass blues. One of the stellar groups of the contemporary blues, this five member band out of Milwaukee cranks out 13 infectious tunes with a rhythm that drags you to the dance floor. Led by the barrel chested voice of Jeff Taylor, this musical ensemble, with the help of Grammy award winning producer Tom Hambridge, have created a sure fire 2021 album of the year nominee.

The album comes out of the gate with the title cut, Holler If You Hear Me. Come join the party….let’s ramble and roll…whole lotta shakin’ gonna move your soul….Raise your hands…move your feet…everybody now ….feel the beat. Those lyrics should be on the door mantle of every roadhouse blues joint from Copenhagen to Chicago to Adelaide!

Guilty of a Good Time is another genre defining tune which echoes my sentiments about the roadhouse blues; it’s about hand rolled cigars and a big bar tab among like minded friends! It also features some awesome guitar licks by Jeff Schroedl. If You Go Away (She Might Come Back), All Suit No Soul, and In the Name of No Good are all “pull your Baby to the dance floor” tunes. There are also a couple of belly rubbing tunes in Holding On with One Hand and Leave Before I Let You Down.

If there is one song on the album that kind of brings it all together….the voice of Jeff Taylor….the roadhouse beat….the talent of a tight band with Jeff Schroedl on guitar, Alan Arber on drums, Mark Solveson on bass, and Raymond Tevich on Keyboards, it is Full Moon, Half Crazy! Give it a listen!

The album ends with a heartfelt upbeat tribute to the men and women of the blues that laid the groundwork for all of us that perform, spin, and write about the blues today: Big Shout Out. It includes a literal who’s who of the blues and is a great list of artists for those new to blues to use to become acquainted with in this incredible musical genre.

To say I enjoyed listening to this album while writing this review would be an understatement. It is everything that you could hope for in a roadhouse blues recording; vibrant, upbeat, great musicians, and insightful, witty and thoughtful lyrics. And mark my words…if this recording doesn’t get an album of the year nomination then it is time for me to stop reviewing albums……and that ain’t gonna happen!!!

Altered Five Blues Band – Holler If You Hear Me (2021 Blind Pig Records)

Ben Vee started out spinning songs on terrestrial radio and at nightclubs back in the 1970’s in his home state of Louisiana. After a career in the construction business, he returned to DJing in 2011. He now hosts two shows each week on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com and writes about the blues at http://www.benveeblues.com from his home in Connecticut. He also has a 24 hour stream devoted to the Roadhouse Blues… WRHB

Live Roadhouse Blues on BMFR 3-5 pm EDT

The Roadhouse blues is best experienced LIVE which has been a challenge for both performers and music lovers since the pandemic raised its ugly head. Today’s show is chocked full of live performances by some of the best artists of the contemporary blues as well as some classic recordings. Tune in from 3-5 pm EDT on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com!

Here is today’s intended playlist:

ARTISTTITLE
Tedeschi Trucks BandSatie Groove
Tedeschi Trucks BandDon’t Know What It Means
Gov’t MuleMillion Miles From Yesterday
Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page & Steve WinwoodTake Me To The River
Steven Tyler & Joe PerryI’m A King Bee
Luther AllisonSoul Fixin’ Man (Live) (Remastered)
Pat FulgoniThink Twice Before You Go
Bluesman Tom LarsenLean & Mean
Artur MenezesDevil’s Own
Dom Martins SavagesMorning Sun
Markus K.Rollin’ and Tumblin’
Don NixBlack Cat Moan
Mark KnopflerDon’t Forget Your Hat
Eric ClaptonTulsa time
J.J. CaleDon’t Cry Sister
Steve MarrinerTake Me To The City
Walter TroutGoin’ Down To The River (Feat. Robby Krieger)
Rory GallagherAdmit It
Blackberry SmokeGrits Ain’t Groceries
Trevor SewellCalling Me Home (Live)
Kenny Wayne Shepherd BandDown For Love
Tommy CastroLeaving Trunk (Live)
Teresa James & The Rhythm TrampsIn The Pink
Captain Morgan ExpressIn The Middle Of The Night (Live)
Albert CummingsMovin’ On (Live)

Steve Marriner – The Quintessential Roadhouse Bluesman releases HOPE DIES LAST

Steve Marriner is a man after my own heart as he drifts effortlessly from roots music to contemporary blues to blues rock on his new release, HOPE DIES LAST. He is the quintessential roadhouse bluesman from Canada who is balancing a solo career while also being part of the Manx Marriner Manline and a favorite band of mine, MonkeyJunk. Over the years he has performed extensively with Colin James, one of the superstars of the Canadian roadhouse blues, as well as Samantha Martin, Paul Reddick, Delta Sugar, and Lee Holmes.

For the new recording, Steve teamed with Jimmy Bowskill, a renown blues rocker, to produce the album. The result is some roadhouse magic! The first single/video released back in June was How High, a crankin’ blues rocker. A couple of days before the official release of the album on July 2, another video for Long Way Down came out. It is a haunting sad roots tune about addiction that is simply beautiful. The “radio ready” tune Take Me to the City is my personal favorite with a catchy beat, some great guitar licks, and some nasty harpin’. Honey Bee is some badass raw roadhouse blues and Coal MIne highlights Steve’s incredible voice. You Hear My Heart is another song on the album that ya just have to give a listen……the music….the voice….the guitars…and the harmonica…WOW! Another interesting tune on the recording is Petite Danse. It is a perfect “down the bayou” tune from my home state of Louisiana that Steve sings in French. From Montreal to New Orleans, it will have people dancing in the aisles!

Steve is a hard working talent balancing his time between a number of bands. I just hope he can make the time to tour on his own in the coming years and gets a chance to showcase his talents as a songwriter, singer, and musician. He is well on his way to becoming a roadhouse blues superstar and another of the musical treasures of the great nation of Canada.

Steve Marriner – Hope Dies Last (2021 Stony Plain Records)

Ben Vee started out spinning songs on terrestrial radio and at nightclubs back in the 1970’s in his home state of Louisiana. After a career in the construction business, he returned to DJing in 2011. He now hosts two shows each week on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com and writes about the blues at http://www.benveeblues.com from his home in Connecticut. He also has a 24 hour stream devoted to the Roadhouse Blues… WRHB

Roadhouse Blues Nooner from 12-2 pm EDT

Grab your favorite poison and join me for some great roadhouse blues on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com from 12-2 pm EDT. New music from Steve Marriner, Mick Pini, Mojo Dingo as well as well as a handful of the best contemporary upbeat blues on the planet!

ARTISTTITLE
Mick PiniSnowy Wood
Jimmy BarnesIn The Midnight Hour
Kilborn Alley Blues BandBetter Off Now
Beth HartMight As Well Smile
Malford Milligan & The Southern AcesI’m Glad To Do It
The Crazy RockersOne Dance With You
The Marble TonesWait On Time
Guy TortoraOne Way Ticket (Studio)
Luxuriant SedansMy Back Scratcher
Mojo DingoBorn Under A Bad Sign
Fast Eddy’s Blue BandSlow Down
Eric SteckelJuke Joint
Studebaker John & The HawksRolling & Tumbling Around
Vintage TroubleRun Like The River
Boz ScaggsRich Woman
Kail BaxleyBetter Feeln’ Better Days
The Harpoonist & the Axe MurdererCry a Little
Tedeschi Trucks BandThe Storm
Steve MarrinerHoney Bee
Mick PiniStanding in the Rain
Fleetwood MacLooking For Somebody
Rory GallagherLivin’ Like A Trucker
Walter TroutTomorrow Seems So Far Away
Jeff FettermanBottle Full of Blues
Bryce JaneyBetter Off With the Blues
Albert CummingsRumors
Buddy GuyWhiskey, Beer & Wine

Roadhouse Blues News – New Albums On the Way

Over the next several months a number of new roadhouse blues albums will be released. This is just a sampling that includes artists with well established reputations as well as several “up ‘n comers” that I think you will like.

Due in September

Avey Grouws Band – Tell Tale Heart

This band from Iowa was one of my favorites for 2020 and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us in 2021!

Colin Linden – bLOW

Tas Cru – Broke Down Busted Up

Robert Jon & The Wreck – Shine a Light on Me Brother

Another great band from California with a southern blues rockin’ style.

Teresa James & the Rhythm Kings – Rose-Colored Glasses Vol. 1

One of the great voices of the contemporary blues.

Tony Holiday – Porch Sessions Vol. 2

I loved the first Porch Sessions album. This one should be good too!

Altered Five Blues Band – Holler If You Hear Me

Featuring Jeff Taylor, who is an awesome singer, this band out of Wisconsin is a perennial roadhouse favorite.

Due in October

The Doobie Brothers – Liberte

They have had a long and storied career. I have listened to all 4 of the singles released so far and the southern blues rock vibe is great.

Sue Foley – Pinkey’s Blues

A Canadian artist with strong ties to Austin, Texas who is a great guitar player, singer, and songwriter.

Due in November

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Raise the Roof

It has been a long time coming but the new collaboration between these two superstars picks up right where they left off!

Due in Early 2022

Eric Gales – I Want My Crown

Produced by Joe Bonamassa. Should be an incredible blues rock recording.

Elles Bailey – Shining in the Half Light

This British talent is a roots blues and blues rocker with a great voice and style.

As they are released or if I am lucky enough to make the early distribution list, you will find songs from these albums in rotation on my 24 hour roadhouse blues stream at WRHB. They will also be featured during my future Ben Vee Roadhouse Blues shows on BluesMusicFanRadio from 12-2 pm EDT on Tuesdays and from 3-5 pm EDT on Thursdays.

Roadhouse Blues Rock Playlist for August 17, 2021 on BMFR with Ben Vee 12-2 pm EDT

How about we rock da blues? 12-2 pm EDT on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com.

This is the intended playlist:

ARTISTTITLEALBUM
Bernie MarsdenRunawayKings
Blues TravelerRoadhouse BluesTraveler’s Blues
Dom Martins SavagesMorning SunLive At The Harlington
CactusHeaded For A FallTightrope
Mike ZitoDon’t Bring Me DownResurrection
Dirty Dave OstiRetro-Sonic Blues TrainRetro-Sonic Blues Train
Guitar PeteIt Rained For DazeHellhound Boogie
Billy F GibbonsStackin’ Bones (Feat. Larkin Poe)Hardware
The BrothersDon’t Keep Me WonderinMarch 10, 2020, Madison Square Garden (Live)
Tedeschi Trucks BandI Looked Away(feat. Trey Anastasio)Layla Revisited (Live at LOCKN’)
The Allman Betts BandKing CrawlerBless Your Heart
Bishop GunnBlack TrainGypsy Cadillac
Andy LindquistThe River QueenStand.abide.endure
Maria DainesDown to the HeartHappy Hour
Joe BonamassaNotchesNotches
Box of KingsSmoke on the HorizonSingle
The Cold StaresProsecution BluesHeavy Shoes
The Shedmen Blues BandMy BabyShedmen Blues
White PoloStealing Your LoveA Million Miles
Black River DeltaBlack GoldShakin’
Solomon King And The ChosenUnder The SunJack Me Up
Andy LoganEmpty RoomPsychedelic Delta Moonshine
The Electric MudSilent HoundBull Gator
The Mason Rack BandIn A CanLimits Of Grip
Ellis Mano BandThe Horrible TruthAmbedo
Rob Strong and Peter BranderGoing DownStronger Together

Roadhouse Blues Tunes From Around the World

The roadhouse house blues are not constrained to the confines of the United States. Around the world in 2021, some fabulous tunes are being released by artists that I would love YOU to become familiar with. Take a listen to these songs and let me know what you think!

8 Ball Aitken (Australia) – Boomerang

I am constantly amazed that a continent nation of 30 million people continues to turn out so many great artists!

Wily Bo Walker & E D Brayshaw (UK) – Lucky Charm

Wily has a distinctive style and voice. He reminds me a good bit of Dr. John.

Kiko & the Blues Refugees (Portugal) – Ain’t Gone Yet

Love the slide guitar licks on this blues rockin’ tune.

Goksenin (Turkey) – The Blues Is My Business

I admire her talent and her resolve to spread the blues in a society where significant elements oppose any role for women outside the home.

Hendrikse (Netherlands) – A Good Day for the Blues

The Netherlands are another contemporary hotbed for the blues and Hendrikse is just so damn cool.

Ida Mae (UK) – Deep River (ft Marcus King)

An interesting husband and wife duo are joined by the talented Marcus King.

Kat Danser (Canada) – Lonely and the Dragon

A Canadian talent that you just gotta hear!

White Polo (Spain) – A Million Miles

I don’t know much about them but they can crank out some great blues rock!

Ivy Gold (UK) – Without You

A blues rockin female artist out of the UK with an awesome future!

Louis Mezzasoma (France) – Valley of Shadows

Some nice blues roots music from this French artist.

You will find all these tunes in rotation on my 24 hour roadhouse blues stream at WRHB. They will also be featured during my upcoming Ben Vee Roadhouse Blues shows on BluesMusicFanRadio from 12-2 pm EDT on Tuesdays and from 3-5 pm EDT on Thursdays.

Roadhouse Blues News – New Singles You Need to Hear!

Hope you enjoy the video links to these new single releases by 4 contemporary roadhouse blues artists that I absolutely love!

Tommy Castro – Somewhere

A California bluesman with a southern soul, Tommy Castro premiered his new single on August 9th. The album will be released September 17th and is entitled Tommy Castro Presents A Bluesman Came To Town.

Joe Bonamassa – Notches

Joe’s new single for his yet untitled new album bears the strong influence of Australia. Featuring the use of the didgeridoo and Australian musicians Lachy Doley, Mahalia Barnes, Bunna Lawrie, the song is somehow still vintage Joe B!

Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps – Takes One to Know One

Teresa is truly one of the great voices of the contemporary roadhouse blues and has been for a long time. This single is from the new album Rose-Colored Glasses Vol. 1 due out on September 17th.

Colin James – Down On the Bottom

Featuring stellar guitar licks, Colin covers a Dylan tune with a blues rockin’ delivery that has made him one of Canada’s favorite performers over a career that spans 30 years.

Ben Vee started out spinning songs on terrestrial radio and at nightclubs back in the 1970’s in his home state of Louisiana. After a career in the construction business, he returned to DJing in 2011. He now hosts two shows each week on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com and writes about the blues at http://www.benveeblues.com from his home in Connecticut. He also has a 24 hour stream devoted to the Roadhouse Blues… WRHB