Paul Gabriel - Fate

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2001
Time:50:27 
Size:116,6 MB 
Label:Smoke Ring Records 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Without You - 3:20
 2. Can't Get Over You - 4:03
 3. Tonight's the Night - 5:46
 4. What's the Chance - 4:16
 5. Fate - 5:35
 6. I'm Blinded - 3:31
 7. Nothin's Gonna Stop It Now - 4:25
 8. Who Are You - 4:04
 9. Thunderbird Sally - 3:49
10. Can't Wait To Get Back Home - 3:59
11. Middle Of The Night - 7:33

I’m not familiar with Paul, but juding by his playing and singing, I’d guess he’s been around awhile, gigging away and making audiences smile heartily. The music here is a really nice mix of good old-fashioned classic rock and roll, blues, and nice soulful ballads. The opener, “Without You,” is a perfect example. Killer slide, nice throaty vocals, and a sound that fits nicely into the classic rock mold but still sounds thoroughly modern. There’s some nice funky blues/rock (“Can’t Get Over You”) that’s as good as it gets. Paul has a slightly chorused sound on this one that matches nicely with the feel. And his licks are tough and imaginative. He knows his way around a rock song.
His ballad playing is excellent, too. “Tonight’s the Night” is a gorgeous song that features very soulful playing and singing. Same for the title cut, which at times sounds like Bad Company. For you folks who like your blues shuffles lazy (in a good way) and melodic while keeping that down-home feel, check out “I’m Blinded.” Nice melodic riffing gives way to some very cool bluesy playing. For sweet bluesy bends and a killer tone, “Can’t Wait to Get Back Home” is as good as it gets. And, for Dave Mason-esque pop rock, give a listen to “Who Are You.” Paul’s vocals and the ever-tasteful playing of all the musicians involved are a real treat.

Fate

Contino - Back Porch Dogma

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2012
Time:55:09 
Size:128,8 MB 
Label:Blind Pig Records 
Styles:Modern Electric Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Rotgut Run - 4:23
 2. Big Tent - 5:05
 3. V-8 Ford - 3:45
 4. Temptation - 4:39
 5. Zydeco Train - 4:30
 6. Dog Days - 4:50
 7. One Thing - 3:29
 8. Three Cool Cats - 3:25
 9. Tain’t - 4:05
10. Nothin’ You Can Do - 4:32
11. I Don’t Want To Know - 4:46
12. Monkey - 4:25
13. Dino’s - 3:09

Musicians:
Pete Contino - Accordion & Vocals
Al Ek - Guitars, Harmonicas, Mandolin & Vocals
Billy Truitt - Keyboards
Rob Edwards - Upright Bass
Jim Lovgren - Drums & Percussion
Maria Muldaur - Duet Vocals on 'Big Tent'
Omega Rae & Suzan Z - All Backing Vocals
Joel Jaffe - Percussion on 'Temptation'

Here's another CD, similar to the last I wrote about in that veteran musicians put their spin on classic styles, although this one is slightly less blues oriented. But it's still full of fresh ideas and fine rootsy music. The Las Vegas-based group is called Contino, after its leader, accordionist Pete Contino, son of legendary accordionist Dick Contino, and the album is "Back Porch Dogma" (Blind Pig Records).
The album is filled with enthusiastically eclectic music (I know, too often "eclectic" just means that nobody could figure out what they are doing - but not here.) Contino has made a snappy stew out of some blues and zydeco with some tasty seasonings added.
They open things open with a shuffling, rollicking, piano-laced, old-fashioned ode to the classic American tradition of running moonshine, "Rotgut Run." Follow that with hand-clapping and harp work on a gospel-flavored "Big Tent," with a gritty duet between Pete and guest Maria Muldaur, her smoky pipes still smoking. After that you can insert a down-and-dirty cover (one of the few here) of Willie Love's "V-8 Ford," a lyrical reading of Tom Wait's "Temptation," and then the original "Zydeco Train." One of the best things about this band's work is that they can re-create music that feels traditional but make it very contemporary. They make more zydeco on their own "Tain't," and even more blues on the tough little "I Don't Want to Know." Then there's a little country blues on "Dino's." It's all good.Likewise, I don't want to know if this is all rootsy or Americana. As far as I'm concerned it's just plain fine down-home music. The musicians are all well-seasoned themselves -- there's vocalist Contino, Bob Edwards on upright bass, Al Ek on guitars, harp and vocals, Jim Lovgren on drums and Billy Truitt on keyboards. They've grown fresh, vital music from the sturdy roots of American music. You should enjoy the fruit.

Back Porch Dogma

Altered Five - Bluesified

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2008
Time:39:24 
Size:90,8 MB 
Label:Cold Wind Records 
Styles:Blues/Electric Blues/Blues Rock 
Art:Full 

Tracks Listing:
 1. If You Love Somebody Set Them Free - 4:24
 2. Brass in Pocket - 3:44
 3. Been Caught Stealing - 3:47
 4. Fortunate Son - 3:57
 5. Kiss - 4:28
 6. Beast of Burden - 4:34
 7. Tush - 3:54
 8. What I Like - 3:32
 9. Amtrak - 4:17
10. Hot Legs - 2:43

From day one, Altered Five dared to be different. The quintet formed in 2002 and quickly gained a reputation for its inventive arrangements and distinctive sound. Isthmus magazine called the band “a rising blues unit” and OnMilwaukee.com declared, “The group delivers the element of surprise.”
Within a few years, Altered Five caught the ear of Cold Wind Records and, in 2008, signed a recording contract with the Minneapolis blues label. The debut album featured the band’s penchant for putting an earthy spin on numbers; the aptly titled Bluesified included roadhouse versions of ten popular songs. The group performed live on three television morning shows and honed its sound playing regular club, festival, and concert dates.

Bluesified

Paul Gabriel and his Blues Band - Shuffle the Deck

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2007
Time:40:43 
Size:118,0 MB 
Label:Smoke Ring Records 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Old Time Ball - 2:26
 2. Runnin' Blues - 4:27
 3. Same Ole Blues - 3:29
 4. Five Cars Later - 3:15
 5. Rusty Trombone - 3:49
 6. Cold Cold Feelin' - 4:44
 7. Live Wire - 3:30
 8. Highway Song - 2:44
 9. Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong - 4:57
10. Shuffle the Deck - 2:22
11. Time - 4:55

Paul Gabriel is a Blues Music Award nominated guitarist, singer and songwriter. He has shared the stage with B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Muddy Waters Band, Mick Taylor, James Cotton, Robert Cray, Jaimoe, Gatemouth Brown, Buckwheat Zydeco, Matt Murphy, Johnny Winter, Delbert McClinton, Duke Robillard, Ronnie Earl, Toy Caldwell, Roomful Of Blues, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Band, Lonnie Mack, Sugar Ray and The Bluetones, Mark Naftalin, Arthur Neilson, Shemikia Copeland, Bonnie Bramlett, Susan Tedeschi, Christine Ohlman, Sue Foley, Debbie Davies, Candye Kane, Tommy Castro, Joe Bonamassa, James Montgomery, Gov'T Mule, Orleans, Tower Of Power, Rick Derringer, Issac Hayes and many many more. He's appeared on three Harry Chapin albums, played slide guitar on Rory Block's Grammy nominated album, 'Mama's Blues', and toured with Michael Bolotin (Bolton). While almost always performing with a Blues band under his own name, he has been a member of quite a few groups that always made the difference, most notably, Blue In The Face, The Mojomatics, and HooDoo Band. 

Shuffle the Deck

Altered Five - Gotta Earn It

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2012
Time:41:00 
Size:94,4 MB 
Label:Conclave/ Cold Wind Records 
Styles:Blues/ Blues Rock/Modern Electric Blues 
Art:Full 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Ain't That Peculiar - 4:36
 2. Three Wishes - 4:05
 3. You've Got to Earn It - 4:29
 4. Keep the Best - 3:55
 5. Older, Wiser, Richer - 4:08
 6. Mona Lisa - 3:53
 7. Tight Spot - 4:13
 8. Dynamite - 3:23
 9. Watch Yourself - 4:22
10. Bounce Back - 3:52

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel called Altered Five “a staple of the Midwest’s band scene.” Their sophomore album, Gotta Earn It, showcases their bluesy, soulful feel, while offering a variety of different types of songs. The lyrics in this album have the affect of being both simple yet impactful. The first few tracks on Gotta Earn It introduce how talented each musician is both individually and as a group. However the first song that actually strikes you as more than just a typical blues song is “You’ve Got To Earn It,” which introduces a very fun and upbeat piano melody, but the vocals don’t quite match up to the music. “Keep the Best” and “Tight Spot” are two tracks that showcase lead singer Jeff Taylor’s voice very well, showing great range. However there are a few songs where the music outshines the vocals, where you can’t appreciate Taylor’s voice as much. Songs like “Dynamite” are so strong instrumentally, but don’t deliver to the same degree vocally. Gotta Earn It shines in its lyrics with simple rhymes like in “Bounce Back;” “I’m losing my grip but I won’t submit.” Lyrics like this are much more beautiful and powerful because of how simple they are.
Gotta Earn It succeeds in many ways, however has some vocal challenges. Overall, Altered Five’s sophomore album is an enjoyable album and fits well into the blues rock genre.

Gotta Earn It

Rickey Godfrey - Nasty Man

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2010
Time:54:26 
Size:125,6 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. I Want Me a Nasty Woman - 3:52
 2. Allergic to Mink - 4:25
 3. Don't Argue In the Kitchen - 5:00
 4. Heart on Fire - 4:38
 5. When You're Cool (the Sun Shines All the Time) - 4:43
 6. Don't Get Your Honey Where You Get Your Money - 4:19
 7. Fool's Way Out - 4:43
 8. It's a Good Night to Drink - 3:32
 9. Johnny Jones - 6:44
10. Let's Get Busy - 4:57
11. Help Yourself To Me - 4:13
12. It Can Happen To You - 3:15

Godfrey, who has been blind since birth, began studying classical piano and voice at an early age. He had his first guitar by the time he was 13. Performing throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, he has worked with artists such as Rufus Thomas, Sam Moore, Billy Preston and Junior Walker. He has been nominated by the Music City Blues Society for both Guitarist and Keyboard Player of the Year.  Rickey played the Montreal Jazz Festival with the Chocolate Thunder band. The versatile vocalist and musician is well known throughout the Nashville clubs as well as in the Carolinas.
The blues recording from Nashville artist Rickey Godfrey  is a powerhouse of a record – solidly blues-driven with jazz and funk influences that give it an edge and a sound unique to the uber-talented musician.
The 12-track recording showcases Godfrey’s skills on both Telecaster and keys. According to Godfrey, who also produced the album, he intentionally kept the instrumentation sparse.
“I didn’t want an over-produced, over-polished result,” he said. “This is a blues album, and I wanted a raw sound. I love the spontaneous stuff that happened in the studio, like Don Wise’s sax riff on “Let’s Get Busy.”
It’s obvious that the lyrics were just as important to this singer/songwriter. Godfrey wrote or co-wrote ten of the album tracks. “I Want Me a Nasty Woman,” the opening tune, is an unabashed appeal to women everywhere to embrace their inner nasty selves. With its cleverly written lyrics, guitar work and vocals that come from the gut, “Nasty Woman” sets the tone for Nasty Man. Co-written with Richard Fleming, it’s already proving to be one of the album’s most popular during live performances.
Other notable tunes include “Don’t Argue In the Kitchen,” a humorous tale that proves jealousy and kitchen utensils are a recipe for disaster and “Don’t Get Your Money Where You Get Your Honey,” sharply crafted advice sure to be ignored, despite the drone keyboard warning us to beware – and behave. Slowing down the pace and the mood is “Johnny Jones,” Godfrey’s tribute to his friend and Jimi Hendrix’ mentor who died in 2009.
The only songs not written or co-written by Godfrey are “Allergic To Mink” by Gary Erwin, aka Shrimp City Slim, and “When You’re Cool (the Sun Shines All the Time),” penned by Gary Nicholson, Hank DeVito and Kevin Welch.

Nasty Man

James Kinds - Love You from the Top

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2010
Time:61:23 
Size:141,3 MB 
Label:Delmark Records 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Love You From The Top - 3:07
 2. If You Need It - 4:28
 3. I Got A Woman - 3:34
 4. Mason Dixon Line Blues - 6:54
 5. Crack Headed Woman - 2:56
 6. Oo Wee Baby - 3:23
 7. Peggy Sue - 3:44
 8. Take A Look At Yourself - 3:55
 9. Katie - 4:01
10. Body Slam - 2:51
11. I Didn't Go Home - 4:58
12. Johnny Mae - 4:29
13. I Can't Take It - 5:02
14. My Mama Told Me - 4:46
15. High Heel Shoes - 3:09

James Kinds, the tried-and-true working bluesman, has recently released Love You From The Top, a righteously soulful album packed with West Side Chicago sound. While Kinds has recorded other albums in the past, this is his first widely available release, despite the fact that he’s been a working musician for nearly 40 years.James wrote all of the material himself, and brought in the expertise of Eddie Shaw, the Mississippi-turned-Chicago bluesman, who was part of Muddy Waters band and eventual bandleader for Howlin’ Wolf’s band. Shaw lends a stinging, vibrant tenor saxophone on several tracks. The rhythm section is handled by Claude Thomas on drums and Anthony Dotson on bass. Al Pool does great work with the second guitar.Most songs adhere to the twelve bar standard, and aren’t necessarily packed with originality. There’s certainly a feel that this band’s sound was forged in the clubs, which has both positive and negative qualities. At times the beats are loose, and on a couple of tracks, the band has some minor issues hang-ups staying together. One of the most positive aspects, however, is the band’s devotion to giving all of their energy to every track on the album, which makes the difference between “just another album” and one in which the music shines. Despite the aforementioned issues, one of the biggest draws to this album is James’ dynamic, soulful voice. He has a genuine gospel and R&B flare in his music, which is fitting considering Kinds grew up singing gospel. There’s a combination of sounds in Love You From The Top that tend to keep the tracks fresh, despite the heavy use of the twelve-bar. There’s a strong sound of Chicago’s south side, mixed with soul, R&B and classic blues.  “My Mama Told Me” has a B.B. King kind of slow and sashay style with single note solos, while the album’s title track, “Love You From The Top”, is a solid Chicago track. A notable detour into soul territory comes in the excellent original “Take A Look At Yourself”, a refreshingly soulful sound that could have just as easily come straight from Stax Records. Ultimately, the key to a good blues album is in the delivery, and Kinds and company deliver up their hearts and energy on a silver platter in Love You From The Top.The long-running blues record label Delmark Records has done much to chronicle the rich sounds of the Midwest’s blues, and James Kinds’ album is another admirable addition to their always-growing repertoire.

Love You from the Top

Essie The Blues Lady - Shape Up

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2007
Time:60:27 
Size:139,8 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Which Way Did My Friends Go - 4:31
 2. My Guitar - My Zone - 6:09
 3. You Make 'Em - You Shake 'Em - 4:53
 4. Bluer Than Blue - 3:51
 5. Shape Up Or Ship Out - 4:39
 6. Loser, Good-Bye - 4:53
 7. Give A Little, Get A Little - 4:22
 8. After Your Money - 5:07
 9. Memphis Fever - 3:49
10. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - 4:46
11. The Fat Will Hit The Fan - 3:47
12. Gold Diggin' Friends - 4:53
13. We Gotta Pray (Some More) - 4:42

If there is ever a competition for a female to be named the B. B. King musical counterpart, if Essie The Blues Lady doesn't win that honor, you can be assured that she will be a very strong contender. Born and reared in central Arkansas, Essie spent much of her early childhood slipping and sliding up and down the river banks, fishing and hunting with her family. There was much work and little income, so the family members turned to the wild to supplement their livelihood. While some people have to break away from their normal way of life and make a special effort to grasp what the blues is all about, Essie states "This is not so in my case. I was born into the blues; I was reared on the blues; and I'm a product of the blues. If you're talking about wearing hand-me-down clothes, cars breaking down, and pinching pennies to get by, you're talking about the life I've lived." Despite the shortcomings regarding "style and keeping up with the Joneses", there were no shortcomings when it came to happiness. When the chores were done and the sun set in the evening, it was "music time." Essie's father played several instruments and her mother sang. Essie and her sisters and brothers would listen for hours (and join in, of course). Essie, determined to learn to play, started picking her dad's guitar when he was at work. He acknowledged her interest and started teaching her tunes he knew by Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Howling Wolf, etc. One of her dad's friends would show her a few licks when he visited the family. He once told Essie the blues was a man's music. Obviously, Essie let that comment go in one ear and swiftly out the other. Her dad bought for her several B. B. King records and told her she could play anything she wanted to play - just practice hard. Essie listened to 'The King' every day and every night and strove to replicate what she heard. When her dad was convinced that she was going to stick with it, he made the decision to buy her an electric guitar, instead of buying the family a new washing machine that was desperately needed. Needless to say, that didn't go over too well with her mother at the time. However, Essie says her mom is the first one to say these days "I'm so happy your daddy got that guitar for you instead of the washing machine." Essie and her sisters formed an all-girl band in the '70s (Queen Bee and the Soul Seekers)and traveled throughout Arkansas and the surrounding states performing their music. One might wonder about Essie's outlook on life since she was deprived of the finer material things when growing up. Prior to a recent concert, she was asked the following questions: (1) Given a choice, what type of house would you live in? (2) What brand of clothing would you wear? and (3) What make of car would you drive? Essie chuckled and stated "A mansion or a teepee - they're about the same to me. As long as I'm warm in the winter and comfortable in the summer, brand names don't really matter either. But so far as a car, make no mistake, the car I prefer to drive for the rest of my life (whether old or new; sleek or battered) is the one that will take me where I want to go and bring me home again -without leaving me stranded alongside the road." As Essie, The Blues Lady turned to walk onstage, she glanced back and shouted "But don't mess with my guitar, 'Ruckus'!"

Shape Up

Nacho Salmerón - Lost Soul

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2011
Time:34:59 
Size:81,8 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues/Rock 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Lost Soul - 3:20
 2. I'm Alright - 3:36
 3. Don't Say That You Love Me - 4:28
 4. Be Positive - 5:59
 5. Hand in the Fire - 3:50
 6. Make Money - 2:42
 7. Empty Room - 4:42
 8. Again - 3:22
 9. Grandpa - 2:56

Guitarist and singer from the south of Spain, he self-released his first album in May 2011. Titled "Lost Soul", it is a mix of Blues, Rock and Pop condensed into 9 songs that come from personal experiences. Produced by his brother Juan, who has written two songs on the album, "Lost Soul" is available to listen to and download from http://nachosalmeron.bandcamp.com/

Lost Soul

Jimmy Nalls - The Jimmy Nalls Project

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2017
Time:33:22 
Size:76,6 MB 
Label:JRaw Records 
Styles:Rock/Blues Rock 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Wood and Wire (feat. Gary Nicholson, Charles _Chopper_ Anderson, Lynn Williams & Brad Whitford) - 4:30
 2. Natural Thing (feat. Robben Ford, Chuck Leavell, Larry Carlton, Wes Little & Brian Allen) - 5:00
 3. I Miss the Road (feat. J.D. Simo & Joe Bonamassa) - 4:15
 4. Steal My Heart Away (feat. Jack Pearson) - 3:53
 5. One More Chance (feat. Buddy Greene & Dave Pomeroy) - 4:10
 6. Just Let Go (feat. Jimmy Hall & Kenny Greenberg) - 5:00
 7. Hearts Desire (feat. Warren Haynes, Johnny Hiland, Brent Mason, Herb Shucher & Mandy Shucher) - 6:32

Nashville’s legendary music community is home to some of the world’s greatest musicians. They’re a varied group of uniquely creative, talented, and colorful people who not only make some of the world’s greatest music, but also support each other as business associates and friends – many of them forming life-long bonds and friendships beyond the scope of the world of music.
“Shortly after releasing Ain’t No Stranger, Jimmy Nalls began work on his second solo record. He tried valiantly to work through the challenges of Parkinson’s, and with the help of longtime collaborator and fellow songwriter and blues artist Dave Duncan, they wrote, recorded and left approximately 12 songs in various stages of completion. Jimmy himself was able to record several key rhythm and lead tracks, along with several keeper vocal tracks. But eventually, the tremors and other symptoms from Parkinson’s made singing and playing impossible for him, ironically wrecking his extraordinary and trademark vibrato. Needless to say the frustration over his inability to complete the project became overwhelming, and at times downright unbearable, so the tracks were eventually shelved, seemingly lost forever on a hard drive on a computer in Jimmy’s home studio.
Today, through a few ironic coincidences and the work of several close friends and former coworkers coming together “behind the scenes,” this compilation of new material has been given new life, and a new name – The Jimmy Nalls Project.
Though retrieved in various stages of completion, all of the tracks and accompanying files were sorted through and distributed to a very select group of Jimmy’s friends and colleagues, all ready and eager to help complete – finally – The Jimmy Nalls Project record/CD and release it to world.“ – The Jimmy Nalls Project Facebook Page
http://jimmynalls.net/

The Jimmy Nalls Project

Elliott Chavers - The Return Of A Legend

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:1999
Time:50:09 
Size:115,2 MB 
Label:Storyville Records 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Rock This Mother, Pt. 1 - 3:26
 2. Rock This Mother, Pt. 2 - 3:27
 3. I Don't Know - 5:53
 4. Sister Martha - 5:07
 5. Midnight Grinder - 3:53
 6. Rooty Boty Tooty - 4:01
 7. Mistreated & Abused - 3:54
 8. Sipping Dus At The Pub - 3:21
 9. Betty Jo - 3:44
10. After midnight Blues - 5:07
11. Fool Fool Fool - 3:50
12. Jazzy Blues - 4:21

Musicians:
Elliott Chavers - tenor & alto sax
James Rudy - piano
Harold Benntt - tenor sax
Edmund Lee - bass
Eddie Synagai - tenor sax
Wendel Williams - bass
George Harper - tenor sax
Jack Wargo - guitar
James Smith - trumpet
Mickey Conway - drums

Texas born and raised, Elliott Chavers was 20 years old and already playing tenor sax professionally for 6 years – by the time he hit the flowering LA rhythm and blues scene in 1950. Elliott’s singing talent was revealed by accident one night on the road with Sam Cooke, when the famous singer showed up late for a gig. Today, Chaver’s classic “tough Texas tenor” style – rhytm and blues tinged with jazz feeling and blended with LA urban blues – is as vibrant and virile as ever. This CD – with Chavers playing and singing his own compositions backed by a band of top California blues veterans – should be ample proof. If you’ve never heard Elliott Chavers before, you’ll soon discover why this session truly is "The Return of a Legend"/

The Return Of A Legend

Robert Charels Blues Band - Deception In Your Eyes

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2008
Time:56:24 
Size:161,4 MB 
Label:Fountainbleu Entertainment inc. 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. I Wish You Could See Me Now - 3:33
 2. Every Mother's Son - 7:35
 3. All You Ever Give Me Is the Blues - 5:04
 4. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water - 3:45
 5. Faith Healer - 3:43
 6. Deep Red Days - 3:37
 7. Babe & a Half - 4:18
 8. Death Letter - 6:53
 9. It Might Be Over - 2:55
10. Ain't Gonna Wait Around Anymore - 5:15
11. Kattskill Home (Long Drive) - 5:28
12. Until I'm Dead and Cold - 4:14

Robert Charels (born Robert Charels Smith, October 26, 1958 in Catskill, New York, United States) is an American blues singer in the vein of B.B. King, Duke Robillard, and other artists of the genre. He has recorded three albums under his name: Deception In Your Eyes (1997),Metropolitan Blue (2000, produced by Robillard), and Three Leg Dogs & Old Skool Cats (2007, produced by Michael Hill). In 2001, Charels performed at the Chicago Blues Festival.
In 2005, Charels took part in a jam at the B.B. King's Blues Club in Nashville, Tennessee, as he performed onstage with King, Coco Montoya, Garry Tallent of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, and other top musicians.

Deception In Your Eyes

Andy J Forest - NOtown Story: The Triumph of Turmoil

Bitrate:320K/s

Year:2010
Time:40:00 
Size:92,5 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues/Harmonica Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. True To You - 3:49
 2. Who Are You Tryn'a Fool? - 3:09
 3. Pretend We're Not Pretending - 4:36
 4. You Gotta Pay - 3:09
 5. The Blues Blues Too - 3:00
 6. Dogs Chase Cats - 4:20
 7. The Moon of June - 2:50
 8. Poor You - 2:57
 9. Morning Glory Vine - 2:57
10. My Excuse For Now - 2:54
11. The Blues Blues - 2:59
12. Harpbinger - 3:15

Musicians:
Andy J. Forest – Vocals, Harmonica
Jack Cole – Guitars
Allyn Robinson – Drums
David Hyde – Bass
Sean C. – Back-up Vocals
Mike Hood – Piano
Bart Ramsey – Accordion
Washboard Chaz – Washboard

Andy J. Forest (Born May 10th, 1955 in Pullman, Washington, USA) is an American harmonica player, guitarist, singer. He grew up near Pasadena, California, USA. Also studied violin, bass, and saxophone. Moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, USA in 1974. Andy has been playing harmonica, guitar and singing professionally since 1977. Moved to Europe in 1977 and lived there for 14 years, returning home to New Orleans in 1991 where he plays in clubs and frequently goes on tour in Europe and Canada.Early influences were Sonny Terry, Little Walter Jacobs, Sonny Boy Williamson, James Cotton, Paul Butterfield, Taj Mahal, and Charlie Musselwhite. He has played on stage with B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, Johnny Shines, Champion Jack DuPree, James Booker, and many others. He has written scores of songs, one novel which was published in 3 languages (Letter From Hell) and paints “outside” art, mostly of blues and jazz singers. Andy’s CD “Real Stories Of Love, Labor, And Other Man-made Catastrophes” for Slang Records won “Best Blues Album” of 2007 in the Best of The Beat Awards of New Orleans.Between 1985 and 1990 Andy acted in a dozen films for mostly Italian productions doing supporting and lead roles. As of October 2010 he began making videos and short films professionally.
Bluesman Andy J Forest said at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in May, 2011 that he had his guitar made out of boards from his house, which in turn had been made using wood from an old barge. Both live and on his latest album, “NOtown Story: The Triumph of Turmoil,” Forest’s voice sounds almost as weathered as that guitar.

NOtown Story: The Triumph of Turmoil

The Joe Mack Band - When I Think About Love

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:1999
Time:55:13 
Size:127,1 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. They Say - 5:02
 2. When I Think About Love - 3:58
 3. I Used To Have A Brain (But Then I Got Married) - 3:32
 4. Peace Of Mind - 6:47
 5. Song For Jeanne By - 5:42
 6. Joe's Boogie - 4:54
 7. Turnup Joe Zamp - 3:12
 8. You Ain't What You Wear (But You Are What You Do) - 4:31
 9. Hen House Blues - 4:46
10. Desperate - 4:53
11. Mean Old Woman Blues - 4:43
12. Peppermint Stick - 3:08

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Well  on his CD Joe Mack flatters the hell out of some of the best to  ever pick up a guitar. All originals here, but the influences are clear.  Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Joe Satriani, and too many  more to name, come shining through on this brilliant CD from the local  bluesmaster.       
The flavor may come from the influences, but the cooking  is all Joe Mack. And cook he does. From tracks 1 to 12 and everywhere in  between, Joe Mack plays the blues with an unbridled enthusiasm and  ability seldom found north of the Mason-Dixon line.               
The opening guitar lick of "They Say" is like a fish hook  embedding itself into the base of your skull as it slowly reels you in.  The title track "When I Think About Love" with Joe's raspy vocals  accentuated by the backing vocals of Teisha Sawyer and Bethany Wright.  The lighthearted "I Used To Have A Brain (Then I Got Married)" with its  classic line "since I became Mr. Right, everything I do is wrong." The  depressing "Peace of Mind" conjuring up images of a smoke-filled,  darkened blues hall, an aging man at the end of the bar sipping his  bourbon, contemplating life's mistakes. The exotic "Song For Jeanne,"  reminiscent of Stevie Rays' "Riviera Paradise." Beautifully written and  performer.  The all out jam of "Joes' Boogie". The foot stomping  "Turnup Joe Zamp" (get it?) and the funky drive of "You Ain't What You  Wear." "Hen House Blues" is a throwback to the way the blues used to be,  while "Desperate" (I love this song) incorporates the best of  everything the blues has become. "Mean Old Woman Blues" truly is as mean  as a junkyard dog and the acoustic instrumental "Peppermint Stick"  closes the CD with dramatic flair.

When I Think About Love

Blue Shoe Sole Revue - I Want a German Woman

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:1999
Time:59:20 
Size:136,6 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. I Want A German Woman - 5:23
 2. I Need A Gun And A Drink - 3:34
 3. Black Diamond - 3:00
 4. Cold, Cold Feeling - 7:22
 5. Blues'd Up - 6:19
 6. Have Your Fun - 4:09
 7. Fool No More - 6:40
 8. Too Tired - 4:08
 9. Set Me Off - 4:19
10. Home Of The Blues - 3:36
11. She Walk Right In - 5:05
12. Too Late - 5:40

Steve ""Blue Shoe"" Shoemaker has been playing professionally in the US and Europe since the 1970's. Whether he's blowing harp abd singing his own compositions with the Blue Shoe Sole Revue in the US , playing trombone with King Alex and the Untouchables across Europe, or leading the horn section at various recording sessions, ""Blue Shoe"" has got the blues goin' on.Shoemaker has performed side by side with many blues legends such as Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Luther Allison, Albert Collins, Bo Diddley, and Charlie Musselwhite. As a leader or sideman, he has appeared on more than thirty recordings (the earliest of which were 45's).On his CD ""I Want a German Woman"", recorded in Kansas City, Shoemaker pulls out all the stops on the title track as well as on his other originals: ""Blues'd Up"", ""Set Me Off"", and ""Have Your Fun"". ""Washboard"" Chaz Leary, recording veteran of more than fifty CD's, contributes strong vocals on four songs including his own ""I Need a Gun and a Drink"". ""Blue Shoe"" combines tongue-in-cheek lyrics and full arrangements using nineteen musicians. You can also check out ""Blue Shoe"" and friends on King Alex's CD ""Hot as a Coffee Pot"" on the Dutch label, Black Magic Records.

I Want a German Woman