Blues Reviews

Jimmy Vaughn: Do you get the blues?

Jimmy and Lou Ann Barton both shine

on this spectacular CD.

I knew Lou Ann from her early days at Antones Blues Club in Austin. She’s still one of the greatest roots music singers in the business. Jimmy Vaughn’s sparse, yet toneful and soulful approach to his instrument has been an inspiration to countless guitarists. Jimmy's Website , Lou Ann's Website

Ronnie Earl & Duke Robillard: The Duke Meets the Earl

Even in his 50’s Ronnie Earl can strap on a guitar and come at you with the sharpest razor in the blues business.

I’ve known Ronnie for over thirty years, and toured with him when I worked with Otis Rush and Sonny Rhodes.We would open one night, the Broadcasters the next. We always had a good time.

Any one who plays blues guitar should own all of Duke Robillard’s instructional videos, and CDs. I’ve got all of ‘em. And while you’re at it why not treat yourself to one of his hands-on guitar seminars. It’s worth the trip to Rhode Island. Duke's Website For booking contact: The Rosebud Agency

Mikey Jr.

I had an opportunity to hear, and play with Philadelphia bluesman Mike “Mikey Jr.” Hudak & his band, Stone Cold Blues at Baltimore’s Cat’s Eye Pub. The “Eye” is a noisy, no-frills Irish bar where the crowd is raucous, and American Roots Music is always the order of the day. Mikey and his group, featuring Matt Daniels on guitar, are frequent headliners at the Cat’s Eye, and have a reputation for serving up an all night menu of harmonica and guitar driven blues, swing and jump tunes in hot, steamy, generous portions. Check out our Projects page to get a look at Matt’s coveted mid 50’s Harmony Stratotone which was converted to a very unique two pickup instrument in our shop. Mikey Junior endorses Hering Harmonicas

Anything by Richard Duran…AKA Lynwood Slim.

This gentleman is gifted with one of the greatest voices on the West Coast blues and jazz scenes. He’s known for making simple, direct, in your face recordings with sparse production and artful arrangements. He is a magnet for the best Jazz, swing and blues sidemen on the west coast and is also is a stellar flautist. The grayer my hair gets, the crankier and more nit picky I am about my blues…Lynwood is always the answer to my prayers. More Lynwood info, For Booking: contact Festival Exclusive

Junior Watson…get it all, then go to straight to the wood shed.

As a teenager, I lived in San Jose, California, less than 10 miles from Lynwood’s frequent guitarist, Michael Watson. We had the same pals, practiced in the same garages, and both hung out at the Guitar Showcase on Bascom Avenue. Mike’s mom was a professional cabaret singer. Mike went into the military shortly after I did. Mike Watson is also known as “Junior Watson”, a moniker he picked up way before he joined Canned Heat. Since the 1970’s,Junior Watson has been on top of the international “A” list of blues, swing and west coast style blues guitarists. He has appeared on countless stages with top roots music luminaries, always elevating their performances to new levels. Anson Funderburgh called Watson one of the best and most inventive guitarists he had every heard or worked with. Junior's Website For Boooking: JW Entertainment, Atlanta, Ga.

Bettye Lavette

Anyone who has seriously studied the origins and history of American music is cognizant of the impact of ethnicity and culture on its evolution. Yet sadly, many of us are unaware of the sacrifice and struggle endured by untold numbers of gifted men and women whose talent has been repeatedly and painfully dodged by success and recognition. The music business is a brutal place at best, and for survivors only. One such survivor is Bettye Lavette. During the last decade, “The great lady of soul” has garnered the recognition and fame she deserves, touring extensively, and performing to sold out audiences at home and abroad. Ms Lavette’s last four CDs received criticical acclaim, including a Grammy nomination for “Scene Of The Crime”. Please visit Bettye’s website at www.bettyelavette.com for a complete biography and discography. If you like honest, no nonsense R&B performed by one of the greatest voices in the business, you will love Bettye Lavette. For booking contact: The Rosebud Agency attn: Mike Kappus

Anson Funderburgh

Anson and I have been close family friends for more than twenty five years. I have had the honor and pleasure of serving as his guitar tech and personal luthier for most of that time, and being able to travel and perform with his band, the Rockets. Anson’s incisive, tone drenched guitar technique is legendary and awe inspiring. Please check out Anson’s website: Anson and the Rockets.com. For booking : Piedmont Talent.com

I was also very close to Anson’s singer, harp player and front man, the late Sam Myers. Sammy and I shared the same birth day, and we usually rode together while on tour with the Rockets. We confided in one and other, and we shared many stories and memories of our lives in the blues world. I could always rely on Sam Myers for his wisdom and advice, and he is sorely missed.

Roadhouse Ramblings

Blues Gigs

Baltimore Bluesman Pete Kanaras

Pete Kanaras, guitarist extraordinaire and former member of the Nighthawks is playing the blues the first Thursday evening of every month at Baltimore’s foremost roots music venue, The Cat’s Eye Pub, located in the Fells Point, Inner Harbor area of the city, at 1730 Thames Street, Tel. 410-276-9866. We were excited to learn that Pete provided some serious six string backing during Kim Wilson’s recent project at Severn Records.