Years ago down in Birmingham, I got my start managing bands and helping to produce concerts. And at least once a month, I would wander into an aging hotel downtown that was long past its prime. Most of the guests were budget vacationers traveling in the South or just off the bus from the Greyhound terminal down the block. But it was a warm and friendly place with a great little smokey piano bar with smiling waitresses, great martinis, and some damn fine jazzy blues. It had a healthy mix of old timers and young people from the local area as well as the occasional hotel guest and was just a fun place to hang out and listen to the music.
Listening to Anthony Geraci on his new album Daydreams in Blue brought back memories of that place and time with his virtuoso piano playing of both upbeat roadhouse style tunes and jazzy blues numbers that let you drift off into memory land. Dennis Brennan does almost all of the singing on the album and his Randy Newman style voice is a perfect fit for Anthony’s music. Monster Mike Welch does most of the guitar playing with other guest appearances by Walter Trout (guitar), Peter Ward (guitar), Troy Gonyea (guitar). Michael Mudcat Ward handles the acoustic bass, Jeff Armstrong is on drums, and Scott Arruda along with Mark Early do some badass horn playing. Overall, it is a fantastic supporting cast for the album.
With regards to the roadhouse blues, I loved the blues shufflin’ Mister. Anthony pounds those ivories and Dennis wails on his harmonica…..badass tune. One note from the guitar on No One Hears My Prayers and you know Walter Trout is in the studio. The back and forth between Anthony’s keyboards and Walter’s guitar is simply awesome. And another little jewel is Tutti Frutti Booty with Anthony on vocals. It is some classic boogie woogie that will get ya boppin’ in your easy chair.
Among the more jazzy blues tunes on the album that highlight Anthony’s keyboard talent, I loved Daydreams of a Broken Fool, Hard to Say I Love You, and the sultry Jelly, Jelly. My favorite Dennis Brennan vocals on the album are on Living in the Shadow of the Blues… the song and lyrics are picture perfect for him.
Anthony Geraci with Dennis Brennan – Daydreams in Blues (2020 Shining Stone Records)
Ben Vee is an internet DJ and writer from New Orleans that now lives in Connecticut with his wife Annette. He started spinning records back in the 1970’s and has been writing about the roadhouse blues since 2011. He does two roadhouse blues shows each week on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com and he writes about the blues when the urge strikes on http://www.benveeblues.com.
Got some roadhouse blues for ya…..Sunday Wilde, Mike Goudreau, Tullie Brae, Crystal Shawanda, Fruteland Jackson….and many more. Just click on the link or type in http://www.bluesmusicfan.com, grab your favorite drink or smoke, and enjoy the tunes from 12-2 pm EST today, Tuesday, April 28th!
The year 2019 was a banner year for the roadhouse blues across the world. From Australia to Copenhagen and along all points in between, both debut artists and well established performers released a stunning number of new recordings. Every month my in box and my mail box were full of some fabulous blues recordings which makes picking the Ben Vee Roadhouse Blues 66 this year much more daunting.
This year’s list includes classic blues, roots oriented blues, R&B, soul, contemporary blues and blues rock artists with songs that span the genre from “almost the blues” tunes to the stellar classic blues sound of Mary Lane. Given that many of us have some extra time on our hands due to the ongoing global pandemic, I hope you enjoy downloading and listening to every one of these songs.
The position of the songs on the list is of little consequence…you might list them in a different order and get no argument from me. Whether it is song #23 by Samantha Fish or number 66 by the Coyote Kings, all of these tunes made my playlists for my roadhouse blues shows at http://www.bluesmusicfan.com, got mentioned on my Ben Vee Facebook page or Twitter account, and/or got written about on this website at http://www.benveeblues.com during 2019. All 66 are representative of the energy and vitality that permeates the modern contemporary blues….by and large they are upbeat…sometimes loud…and truly international.
The Top Ten (in no particular order other than #1)
#1 Mary Lane – Blues Give Me a Feeling (2019 Travelin’ Woman)
Mary Lane, from Chicago, recorded the Roadhouse Blues 66 number one tune of 2019 at the age of 83!! How cool is that! She is one of the last living legendary singers of the blues to have been part of the great migration from the American Deep South to Chicago in the 1940’s. Just a fabulous tune!
Big Daddy Wilson – Crazy World (2019 Deep In My Soul)
An expat from the United States who has lived in Germany for years, Big Daddy aces an sumptuous slow soul ballad.
Altered Five Blues Band – Mischief Man (2019 Ten Thousand Watts)
Led by the deep blues voice of Jeff Taylor, this group out of Wisconsin once again makes one of my top performer annual blues lists.
Keb’ Mo’ – Cold Outside (2019 Oklahoma)
I played this song over and over when it came out on the album this past summer. You can nevah get enough of Keb’ Mo’!
Christone Kingfish Ingram – Fresh Out (2019 Kingfish)
A 20 year old with a debut album that features a cut with Buddy Guy as well as another with Keb’ Mo’. Life is good for this very talented young man.
Jontavious Willis – Low Down Ways (2019 Spectacular Class)
Another young blues artist that attracted the attention of Taj Mahal as well as Keb’ Mo’, Jontavious has stardom written all over him. It will be interesting to see how he evolves as a blues artist as the years roll by.
Tiffany Pollack & Eric Johanson – Blues In My Blood (2019 Blues In My Blood)
This blues duo hails from my hometown of New Orleans. Tiffany has a haunting voice that is framed by a strong beat and memorable guitar licks by Eric on this song.
Beth Hart – Bad Woman Blues (2019 War In My Mind)
Beth just has a great time with this tune and shows off the chops that have made her a fan favorite amongst blues rockers.
Brandon Santini – Drive You Off My Mind (2019 The Longshot)
This long time resident of Memphis had a great year in 2019. He was my 2019 Roadhouse Bluesman of the Year for both this album and one he did with Tennessee Redemption. A great voice and world class harmonica player; what’s not to like!
Allman Betts Band – Shinin’ (2019 Down to the River)
The sons of the Allman Brothers pick up where their dads left off! Not much else to be said but get yer tickets when they get close by!!
As you look through the rest of the list and hopefully listen to many, if not all, of the tunes, I hope you get an appreciation for what I term as the roadhouse blues. From its roots in the deep American south, the blues has grown and expanded to become a worldwide phenomenon. (And if someone you know states “the blues is dead” just show them this list and ask them how so?!) I am proud to be one of the DJs and influencers helping get the word out about just how great this music is!!!
Artist
Song Title
Album
1
Mary Lane
Blues Give Me A Feeling
Travelin’ Woman
2
Big Daddy Wilson
Crazy World
Deep In My Soul
3
Altered Five Blues Band
Mischief Man
Ten Thousand Watts
4
Keb’ Mo’
Cold Outside
Oklahoma
5
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Fresh Out (ft Buddy Guy)
Kingfish
6
Jontavious Willis
Low Down Ways
Spectacular Class
7
Tiffany Pollack & Eric Johanson
Blues In My Blood
Blues In My Blood
8
Beth Hart
Bad Woman Blues
War in my Mind
9
Brandon Santini
Drive You Off My Mind
The Longshot
10
The Allman Betts Band
Shinin’
Down to the River
11
Amnesia Blues Band
Fast Johnny Cool
Hailstorm
12
HeavyDrunk
If I Love You Hard Enough
Holywater
13
Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers
Who’s Gonna Save My Soul
No Good Deed
14
Walter Trout
Me My Guitar and the Blues
Survivor Blues
15
Coco Montoya
Lights On But Nobody’s Home
Coming In Hot
16
Ghost Town Blues Band
Shine
Shine
17
Chris O’Leary
7 Minutes
7 Minutes
18
Tedeschi Trucks Band
They Don’t Shine
Signs
19
Van Morrison
Three Chords and the Truth
Three Chords and the Truth
20
Terry Hanck
Howlin’ For My Darlin’
I Still Get Excited
21
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Woman Like You
The Traveler
22
Zack Walther Band
Bad Girl
The Westerner
23
Samantha Fish
Dirty
Kill or Be Kind
24
Giles Robson
Don’t Give Up on the Blues
Don’t Give Up on the Blues
25
Lucky Peterson
Pack It Up
50: Just Warming Up!
26
Heather Newman
I’m Coming For You
Rise from the Flames
27
Left Lane Cruiser
Smooth Commander
Shake and Bake
28
Delbert McClinton
A Fool Like Me
Tall, Dark, and Handsome
29
Miss Bix and the Blues Fix
Follow Me Down
We Don’t Own the Blues
30
Ash Grunwald
Ain’t My Problem (ft The Teskey Brothers)
Mojo
31
The Texas Horns
I’m Doin’ Alright (ft. Carolyn Wonderland)
Get Here Quick
32
The Mike Duke Project
I’m Not Sad Tonight
….Took a Whlle
33
Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters
Baby How Long
Beyond the Blue Door
34
Travelin’ Blue Kings
Ninety Minutes
Wired Up
35
Al Basile
So Called Story Teller
B’s Hothouse
36
Ida Bang & the Blue Tears
Shelter Me
Good to Me
37
Arsen Shomakhov
Women and Whiskey
Rainy City Blues
38
Elles Bailey
Help Somebody
Road I Call Home
39
The Teskey Brothers
So Caught Up
Run Home Slow
40
Kerry Pastine and the Crime Scene
Down Down
City of Love
41
Tad Robinson
Real Street
Real Street
42
Sugaray Rayford
The Revelator
Somebody Save Me
43
Southern Avenue
Whiskey Love
Keep On
44
Honey Hounds
Shine On
The Flame
45
Zac Harmon
Gypsy Road
Mississippi BarBQ
46
Annika Chambers
I Feel the Same (ft Paul DesLauriers)
Kiss My Sass
47
Tennessee Redemption
Back To Tennessee
Tennessee Redemption
48
Ivy Ford
Start a Fight
Harvesting My Roots
49
Wentus Blues Band w/ Duke Robillard
2:19
Too Much Mustard
50
Rockin’ Johnny & QuiQue Gomez
Everybody Loves My Baby
Dos Hombres Wanted
51
Albert Castiglia
Heavy
Masterpiece
52
Seth Rosenbloom
Broke And Lonely
Keep On Turning
53
Arlen Roth
I Can Fix It (ft Jack Pearson)
Tele Masters
54
Eliza Neals
Pawn Shop Blues (Roadhouse)
Sweet Or Mean
55
The Kokomo Kings
Heatwave
Fighting Fire with Gasoline
56
Robin Trower
Coming Closer to the Day
Coming Closer to the Day
57
Blue Moon Marquee
As I Lay Dying
Bare Knuckes & Brawn
58
Peter Ward
Train to Key Biscayne
Train to Key Biscayne
59
Duke Robillard
Don’t Bother Trying To Steal Her Love
Ear Worms
60
Harpdog Brown
Thinkin’ and Drinkin’
For Love & Money
61
Brother Yusef
I’m a Bluesman
Jook Joint Jam
62
Manx Mariner Manline
Rattlesnake
Hell Bound for Heaven
63
Josh Newcom
Girl Got the Mojo
The Blues Gonna Getcha
64
Savoy Brown
Conjure Rhythm
City Night
65
Big Wolf Band
Be Free
Be Free
66
Coyote Kings
Drive Me
Rocket
Ben Vee is an internet DJ and writer from New Orleans that now lives in Connecticut with his wife Annette. He started spinning records back in the 1970’s and has been writing about the roadhouse blues since 2011. He does two roadhouse blues shows each week on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com and he writes about the blues when the urge strikes on http://www.benveeblues.com.
Well it is SUMMER TIME! Gonna roll out some roadhouse blues featuring a number of Canadian artists AND spin some “outlaw country blues” tunes by performers including Ray Wylie Hubbard, Lincoln Durham, and Colter Wall as well as THE Band. You can catch it all here… http://www.bluesmusicfan.com …..beginning at 3 pm EST today!
Below is the intended playlist:
ARTIST
TITLE
King Curtis
The Weight (ft. Duane Allman)
The Reverend Shawn Amos
Will You Be Mine
Chris Robinson Brotherhood
Leave My Guitar Alone
Ben Harper
I’m In I’m Out And I’m Gone
Billy Boy Arnold
Catfish
The Record Company
I’m Getting Better (And I’m Feeling It Right Now))
The 1950’s were a magical time for the blues. The electric guitar was taking the world by storm and blues artists were its vanguard. It was also a time when the blues and rock & roll were virtually indistinguishable. Today’s set celebrates the songs and sounds of the fifties as I play both brand new and classic upbeat roadhouse blues from that era on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com. Tune in at 3 pm EST!!
Below is the intended playlist.
ARTIST
TITLE
Elmore James
Blacksnake Blues
Arlen Roth
White Lightning (ft Steve Cropper)
Peter Ward
A Westerly Sunday Night (ft Sugar Ray Norcia)
Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors
King Bee
Peter Ward
Train to Key Biscayne (ft Johnny Nicholas)
Howlin’ Wolf
Back Door Man
Joe Bonamassa
I Can’t Be Satisfied (Live)
Mary Lane
Leave That Wine Alone
Harpdog Brown
Thinkin’ and Drinkin’
Brandon Santini
Drive You Off My Mind
Ronnie Earl And The Broadcasters
It Takes Time
Elmore James
Fine Line Mama
Crystal Shawanda
Hound Dog
Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors
Hello Josephine
Buddy Guy
Nine Below Zero
Brian Holden
Smokin’ Hot
Peter Ward
Coffee Song (ft Michelle Willson)
Big Joe Turner
Shake, Rattle & Roll
Hound Dog Taylor
Give Me Back My Wig
Chuck Berry
House Of Blue Lights
Elvis Presley
Ain’t That Loving You Baby
Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan
Baby What You Want Me To Do/Bright Lights Big City
It’s time to board the Train to Key Biscayne with Peter Ward! Maybe you are wearin’ a fedora, perhaps a fine Stetson, and you have brought along your best cigars, a stash of your favorite liquor, and your lovely lady dressed in her best finery. Some folks have brought their kids and others have grandchildren in tow. All are excited to hear Peter’s new album and there is a cheerful camaraderie as the journey begins.
On the train to help entertain you are some of Peter’s friends. Luther Johnson, longtime sideman for Muddy Waters, is there. A host of New England’s blues luminaries are there too: Ronnie Earl, Sugar Ray Norcia, Mudcat Ward (Peter’s brother), Anthony Geraci, Neil Gouvin, and Michelle Willson. Some fellow musicians catch a ride also; Jiri Nedoma, Bob Berry, George Dellomo, Hank Walther, Aaron Gratzmiller, and Keith Asack. Even a friend, Johnny Nicholas, who relocated to Texas, has come back to town to catch the train rollin’ out of Boston. And there is the original art work that Peter did for the album cover hanging in a place of honor in the dining car.
As the train makes its leisurely way south, Peter and his friends entertain you with a wonderful mix of New England based blues, western swing, and an enticing slice of R&B. Leading off is Luther Johnson singing The Luther Johnson Thing; a song Peter wrote to commemorate Luther’s life and contribution to the electric blues and who better to sing it than the man himself.
Next up is Sugar Ray Norcia to sing and swing the blues with A Westerly Sunday night. He follows it up with a fantastic R&B tune that harkens back to golden Saturday nights in the fifties and sixites….When You Are Mine. (All the songs on the album were written by Peter and the mental images he creates with the lyrics and music are magical.) Sugar Ray finishes up with a nostalgic swing tune, As Long As I Have a Chance.
Michelle “Evil Mama” Willson then takes the stage as the train rocks to and fro headed ever south. It’s gettin’ warmer…folks are sheddin those New England weather clothes and breakin out the jeans, t-shirts, and tank tops…baseball caps and sunglasses proliferate among the guests. Michelle rocks the blues with the Coffee Song and then sings an inspiring rock ballad, I Saw Your House, that has a great Bruce Springsteen feel to it.
Everyone is excited to see one of the all time great blues guitarist, Ronnie Earl, take to the stage to play with Peter and they launch into a rousing Chicago blues tune, Blues Elixir (Ronnie’s Here). Peter follows up with a beautiful instrumental entitled Supposedly that features some awesome harmonica and piano playing by Hank Walther.
Then Peter and the core band of Mudcat Ward (bass), Neil Gouvin (drums), and the great keyboard player Anthony Geraci lay down some upbeat blues with Something Always Slows Me Down.
Finally as the heat rises and the palmettos come into view through the windows, Johnny Nicholas goes front and center with more rocking blues as he belts out Change (Ain’t Never For the Good). Johnny started out in Rhode Island, played in California, then Chicago, and did a stint with Asleep at the Wheel before settling in Texas. But he has always maintained his ties to his musician friends in New England. To close out the journey he also sings the title cut, an incredible fusion of the blues and western swing.
Photo by Tim Hazeltine
On his second solo musical foray, Peter Ward has simply outdone himself! The album is well produced and performed; it is entertainment at its finest. They say you can tell a person by the company they keep. And I would be thrilled to be part of this company of musicians and friends on a Train Ride to Key Biscayne anytime!
Peter Ward – Train Ride to Key Biscayne (Gandy Dancer Records 2019)
Well…it’s the last day of summer for 2018….where the heck has the year gone?? Here are some more albums and tunes that made their way onto my DJ sets playlists regularly over the last several months……………….
Great young talent from Texas, Casey plays a fine guitar and sounds a bit like Kenny Wayne Shepherd. This album has a number of roadhouse tunes on it including a duet with Delbert McClinton entitled Bullet Proof. Also enjoyed All I Need, I Got to Go, Killin’ Myself, and Makin’ Up.
A California pedal steel guitar player crankin out some blues…..you gotta listen to this! The album is largely instrumental with guest vocalists on a number of cuts. Particularly liked Beautician Blues and The Wobble featuring Glenn Walters on vocals. I got a great response to these by my listeners! The CD also includes a number of country tunes including an instrumental Warm Rain that is pretty sweet! Joe also is a partner in five San Francisco area pizzerias called “Escape from New York Pizza“. Pizza and some pedal steel blues….not a bad combination at all!!!!
A son of the great Muddy Waters, Mud is a fantastic blues man in his own right. On his fourth album, he serves up a blues buffet that spans the Chicago blues, funk, r&b, and a bit of jazz. Loved Oh Yeah, the title track They Call Me Mud, Walkin’ Cane, and a duet with his daughter Lashunda entitled Who Loves You. A number of great artists also helped out on the album including Billy Branch, Studebaker John,Mike Wheeler, and Billy Flynn. Muddy would have loved a snifter of cognac and a fine cigar while listenin’ to his son carry on the blues tradition….I know I did!
Peter Ward – Blues on My Shoulders (Gandy Dancer Records 2017)
Several times over this past summer I have started my sets with the instrumental On the Ropes from Peter’s debut album. It is a great upbeat tune; perfect to get a roadhouse blues set goin’! Peter has a real pedigree in the blues having played with Jimmy Rogers, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Junior Wells, and toured with the members of the Muddy Water’s inspired Legendary Blues Band and Roomful of Blues. He wrote all but one of the thirteen tunes on the album and gets some stellar musical help from Ronnie Earl, Anthony Geraci, and Sugar Ray Norcia on a number of the cuts. She Took It All and What Can I Do To You? are two more of my favorites on the recording.
This past May, Ronnie won his 4th blues award from the prestigious Blues Foundation as Guitar Instrumentalist of the year further cementing his position as one of the great blues men of his generation. I have followed his career for a number of years and he just continues to grow and excel at playin’ the blues. And he is indeed a lucky man to have such a gifted band with Paul Kochanski (bass), David Limina (piano & organ), Diane Blue (vocals), and Forrest Padgett (drums) to back him up. I absolutely loved Ain’t That Lovin’ You and really enjoyed You Don’t Know What Love Is, and Heartbreak (It’s Hurtin’ Me). There are also several tasty instrumentals including Southside Stomp, Blues for Magic Sam, and the simply badass roadhouse tune Howlin’ Blues.
Hey…..and don’t forget to tune in every Thursday from 3 to 5 pm EST as I play these and other great contemporary roadhouse blues at Blues Music Fan Radio . You can also listen to the roadhouse blues 24 hours a day on my stream at Ben Vee Roadhouse Blues .
Ben Vee Blues 