Mark Sanders - Luck of the Draw

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:32:29 
Size:75,0 MB 
Label:Dream Time Records 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Calling on the Hot Line - 4:10
 2. Can't Help Thinkin - 4:05
 3. Don't Let It Slip Away - 4:10
 4. Luck of the Draw - 3:53
 5. Not Too Late - 3:42
 6. The Truth Comes Out - 4:16
 7. Over You - 3:48
 8. I Had to Wonder - 4:21

Mark wears all the hats in the production of his album. He wrote all of the songs, and based on the lack of other credits, apparently produced and mixed the album as well as playing the guitar, keyboards, drums and lead vocals on all of the songs.  Gus Belanger backs him on bass with Suzanne Weiler adding backing vocals. This is the eighth album Mark has released on Dream Time Records. Other albums can be streamed for free on Mark’s website shown above.
During his early professional career, he played across many genres including folk (The Sunrisers), soul (The 7th Court), and blues (The Shakers) plus many others. His focus now is on the blues and soul.
He announces he is “Calling on the Hot Line” all night long. I’ve got your number so I can’t go wrong”. “Not calling to shoot the breeze…calling to please”, “Calling on the hotline, but can’t get through”. He “Can’t Help Thinking” something is going on.  It’s just a feeling but it’s coming on strong. I can’t help but to wonder what’s on your mind. I got a feeling we might be saying goodbye”. “It seems like every day we are just going through the motion’ as he pleads “Don’t Let It Slip Away” and asks “what happened to the dreams we once shared?”
He notes “You are chasing a dream you cannot leave behind. It’s the “Luck of the Draw”, a roll of the dice. You jump right in and never think twice. You know you cannot win if you never play.”  “You live your life like a Hollywood scene. Nothing is real when it’s only a dream”. He declares “It’s “Not Too Late” to change your mind.” You and I, we don’t look back. We live every day and that’s a fact.” On “The Truth Comes Out”, he says, ” I used to believe what you told me. The truth comes out sooner or later” Just when you’re thinking you’re fooling somebody, that’s when you found out that somebody knows.”
He tells her, “No one can ever take your place. I hope it works out that I don’t stay up all night “Over You”.  “It should be easy to walk away. I wish it were true. Just one thing in my mind, I can’t get over you.” “I Had to Wonder” concludes the album advising “I walk a long road, feeling lost most every day. I had to wonder if I would ever find my way.” “You showed me something that I never knew. Those days are over and they’ve all gone away.”
Mark’s vocals have a smooth easy sound that is soothing, but also perhaps despairing, as the song lyrics lean heavily into a lost love.  His guitar work is also pleasant, never flashy. But the drumbeat on every song sounds very repetitious and sometimes distracting. Overall, it is still a nice listen for a quiet background.

MF

Y

Luck of the Draw

Chris Wragg and Greg Copeland - Tonight We Cross The River

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:49:20 
Size:113,6 MB 
Label:King Hog Music 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Times Ain't Like Before - 3:37
 2. Born Under a Bad Sign - 3:50
 3. Lord Keep The Devil From My Home - 4:30
 4. Save Poor Me - 4:56
 5. Tonight We Cross The River - 6:32
 6. Land Of The Blues - 5:51
 7. Somebody's Watching You - 4:36
 8. Crawling King Snake - 5:05
 9. Carolina Heat - 5:40
10. Virginia Rain - 4:40

American singer-songwriter Greg Copeland (born July 1954 in Portsmouth, Virginia) has been living in Germany for quite some time. Since his youth, he has been musically influenced by artists such as James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Robert Johnson, and Howlin’ Wolf. His style sits somewhere between blues, soul, and funk. He has collaborated with artists including Gerry Williams (formerly of Eruption), blues guitarists Gregor Hilden, Guitar Crusher, and Kai Strauss, and blues singer Big Daddy Wilson. In addition, he leads his own band and forms the acoustic blues duo Deep Down South with Martin Messing. Sheffield-based English guitarist Chris Wragg is known for his work with the blues-rock trio The Mudcat Blues Trio. He has toured extensively across the UK and Europe with that band and has also performed alongside artists such as Buddy Guy, T-Model Ford, and Aynsley Lister.
Chris Wragg and Greg Copeland met in 2015 at a blues festival in Belgium. During that meeting, they discovered a shared love for Chicago blues. One thing led to another, and the two decided to collaborate and record an album together.
Fourth album – "Tonight We Cross The River" is a studio album by British blues-rock duo Chris Wragg and Greg Copeland, released on September 25, 2026, on the King Hog Music label.

MF
Y
Tonight We Cross The River

Allen-Forrester Band - Red Dirt Town

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:46:27 
Size:107,0 MB 
Label:Timezone
Styles:Southern Rock 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Skin Deep - 4:20
 2. Misery Likes Company - 3:37
 3. White Picket Fences - 4:34
 4. Sweet Marie - 4:14
 5. Fifty - 4:58
 6. Here's to the Good Times - 4:47
 7. Under Her Spell - 4:07
 8. Red Dirt Town - 5:54
 9. Little Breathin' Reason - 4:07
10. From the Ashes - 5:43

Founded by New York guitarists Josh Allen and Ben Forrester, reinventing the classic twin-guitar sound with a style that is both soulful and electrifying. Blending Southern rock, blues and Americana, the band creates a modern yet timeless sound rooted in the spirit of classic rock ’n’ roll. Drawing inspiration from legends such as the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Black Crowes, Gov’t Mule and Blackberry Smoke, their music combines blues-soaked melodies, rich harmonies and driving rhythms into a sound that is as authentic as it is powerful. At the heart of the band is the chemistry between Allen and Forrester’s guitars, creating the kind of musical interplay that has defined the greatest twin-guitar bands.
Their self-titled debut album, released in 2023, quickly gained attention for its soaring guitar work, tight grooves and unforgettable hooks. Tracks like Knock Me Down and Burning Daylight showcase their ability to deliver powerful, anthemic rock songs, while Hey Carolina and Phases of the Moon highlight a more intimate, storytelling side of the band. Alongside their studio work, the band has released two live EPs, Heading South and Eastbound, capturing the raw energy and spontaneity that define their performances. With Hendrik Herder on bass and Matthias Böhm on drums providing a thunderous rhythmic foundation, the band’s live shows are nothing short of a sonic explosion. Now, the Allen-Forrester Band returns with Red Dirt Town, their highly anticipated second album, set for release on October 2, 2026. Recorded during tour breaks in the summer of 2025 and January 2026, the ten-track album builds on the band’s signature Southern rock and blues foundation while embracing broader Americana and country-rock influences. Recorded to 2-inch analog tape, Red Dirt Town combines a warm, organic, vintage character with a modern approach, capturing the band’s raw energy and natural chemistry. The album is a deeply personal collection of songs shaped by friendship, personal convictions and real-life experiences. It also features standout contributions from musicians including Simon Oslender on keys and Gustavo Strauß on violin.
Look for the Allen-Forrester Band on tour throughout the fall of 2026 and into early 2027 in support of their new album Red Dirt Town.

MF

Y

Red Dirt Town

These Wicked Rivers - Fire and Folklore

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:42:07 
Size:97,1 MB 
Label:Fat Earth Records 
Styles:Rock/Southern Rock/Blues Rock 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Ain't No Smoke - 4:47
 2. Horse to Water - 5:11
 3. Rise - 5:36
 4. Better Man - 4:48
 5. Sing Another Song (feat. Kezia Gill) - 4:37
 6. Brother Oh Brother - 2:38
 7. Love to Love - 3:47
 8. The Healing - 4:15
 9. Woodland Queen - 3:10
10. Stories - 3:15

British blues-rock outfit These Wicked Rivers will release their highly anticipated third studio album, Fire And Folklore, on October 2, 2026 via Fat Earth Records. With Fire And Folklore, These Wicked Rivers continue to build on the signature blues-rock sound that has earned them a loyal following, while also exploring new musical territory. The album blends elements of southern rock and country with the groove, soul and powerful songwriting that have become trademarks of the band.
The record was recorded in the band’s hometown of Belper, Derbyshire, alongside acclaimed GRAMMY Award-winning producer Andy Sneap (Judas Priest, Saxon, Megadeth). Working together with producer Colin Richardson and engineer/mixer Pete Newdeck, the band created what they describe as their most complete and accomplished album so far.

MF

Y

Fire and Folklore

CG & The Hammer - Feels Like Home

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2002
Time:50:28 
Size:116,4 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Evil Talk - 4:00
 2. Airport blues - 4:47
 3. The new funky blues - 3:56
 4. All night man - 3:50
 5. Goin` out walking - 2:48
 6. Bad luck - 6:22
 7. Boogie with me - 4:58
 8. Highway blues - 4:22
 9. Sugar, Sugar - 2:35
10. Me & my cigar - 2:39
11. Feels like home - 4:52
12. Full moon - 5:14

Although born in the USA, these two veterans of the Israeli blues scene have joined forces to realize a long-held dream. Dov Hammer handles vocals and harmonica, while his partner CG Shorer also sings and plays guitar. For this project, the duo is backed by the Midnight Mojo Blues Band, a group of professionals who perform their role flawlessly. The band plays traditional blues, exploring various sub-genres ranging from funk-influenced blues to contemporary Chicago blues. It is a fresh, diverse album—perfect for getting through the sweltering heat of August while enjoying it in good company with an ice-cold beer.

MF

Y

Feels Like Home

BB & the Bullets - Wrong Side Of The River

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:39:33 
Size:91,7 MB 
Label:Overton Music 
Styles:Blues/Blues Rock 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Midnight Rider - 3:50
 2. Wild Honey - 2:38
 3. Freak Show - 4:46
 4. Wrong Side Of The River - 3:46
 5. Get A Little Real - 3:11
 6. Oh Well - 3:39
 7. Sometimes You Lose Yourself - 3:35
 8. Black Crow - 3:28
 9. The Buddha Song - 3:29
10. She Knows - 3:15
11. Crawl Right In - 3:51

BB & The Bullets consists of guitarist and vocalist Brian Baker, bassist Stu Duncan and drummer Brad McMillan. The New Zealand trio follows its 2025 debut album ‘High Tide’ with a new collection of ten original songs and one cover.  Baker wrote the original material for ‘Wrong Side Of The River’. The album continues the band’s blues-rock direction, built around guitar, bass, drums and the vocals of all three members. The songs address subjects including relationships, personal reflection, uncertainty and the search for connection.
The eleven-track album opens with Midnight Rider. Other original compositions include Wild Honey, Freak Show, Get A Little Real, Sometimes You Lose Yourself, Black Crow and The Buddha Song. The title track deals with two people separated by their different circumstances, while She Knows focuses on a relationship approaching its end. Crawl Right In closes the album.
Alongside the ten Baker compositions, BB & The Bullets have recorded Oh Well, the song written by Peter Green and originally released by Fleetwood Mac in 1969. It is the only non-original song on the album.

MF

Y

Wrong Side Of The River

Mick Clarke - Blues Train

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:47:02 
Size:109,0 MB 
Label:Rockfold 
Styles:Blues/Blues Rock 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Someday Baby Blues - 4:29
 2. I Believe to my Soul - 4:22
 3. Careless Love - 4:01
 4. Talk of the Town - 3:40
 5. Blues Train - 3:23
 6. Low Down Ways - 3:42
 7. Little by Little (2024 Remasters) - 5:24
 8. Homework - 3:34
 9. I'm Satisfied With You - 2:36
10. You Got Good Business - 2:52
11. The Things That I Used To Do - 5:22
12. Stagger Lee - 3:29

British Blues Guitarist Mick Clarke - regular new releases online on Rockfold Records and CD compilations on BGO Records UK.
Since the early 80s Mick and his band have toured regularly in Europe, Asia and the USA - praised for his fiery "straight from the wood" guitar sound, Mick is the winner of the Artist Aloud Awards "Best International Act". 
Mick Clarke first attracted attention in 1968, playing guitar in the South London-based Killing Floor with Bill Thorndycraft (vocals/harmonica). They made two well-received albums, Killing Floor in 1969 and Out of Uranus the following year. Killing Floor played in London and elsewhere in the U.K., backing American bluesman Freddie King, and also jammed with other visitors, including Howlin' Wolf. In mid-1972 Killing Floor folded, but Clarke played with Daddy Longlegs before forming his own band, Salt, in the mid-'70s, recording the rare EP All Wired Up in 1978. After a spell in the United States, Clarke returned to the U.K. at the start of the '80s to form the Mick Clarke Band. For the next two decades, the group worked extensively, touring the U.K. and Europe, receiving critical acclaim for their live shows and albums. Critics and audiences in the U.S. also reacted very favorably to the band. In 2005, the lineup included drummer Chris Sharley (drums, ex-Sassafras), Dave Rea (bass), and Dave Lennox (keyboards). Among other musicians who have worked with Clarke over the years are keyboard player Peter Terry; bass players Mick Phillips, Len Davies, Ian Ellis, Eddie Masters, and Russell Prett; blues harpists Stevie Smith, Dave Newman, and Mark Feltham; and drummers Ron Berg, Slash, Mike Hirsh, and Wilgar Campbell. An important part of the repertoire of Clarke's bands are his own compositions, which include "Murderers' Home," "Cheap," "Walking in the Dark," "The Killingest 
Place," "Second Hand Dream," and "New Star Over Texas." ~ TiVo Staff

MF

Y

Blues Train

Adam Sweet - Mortuary Blues

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:47:54 
Size:110,1 MB 
Label:Mortuary Music
Styles:Blues/Blues Rock 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. The Mortuary Blues - 3:52
 2. Full Moon Fight - 3:51
 3. Did it for the Money - 4:43
 4. Backstop - 5:13
 5. Eatin's Cheatin' - 3:12
 6. Ashes and Ice - 7:29
 7. Fortune Ain't Free - 4:08
 8. White Lies (feat. Alex Hart) - 5:02
 9. Loyalty and Lies - 3:35
10. No Way of Knowing - 6:45

Mortuary Blues - the new album out on 2nd October 2026. 10-track studio album on CD, presented in a premium double-walled card gatefold package. Rooted in the blues but unwilling to be confined by it, Adam Sweet is an artist with one foot in the past and the other firmly in the present. His music brings together the grit of British blues-rock and the storytelling of Americana, underpinned by assured, expressive guitar playing that has become the defining feature of his sound.

MF

Y

Mortuary Blues

C.W. Ayon - Gone

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2008
Time:40:15 
Size:93,1 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues/Electric Blues/Delta Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. All Night Long - 2:32
 2. Baby Rae - 2:38
 3. Moan Song - 3:04
 4. Why You Wanna - 4:13
 5. In The Night - 2:58
 6. Low - 3:20
 7. Is It Real - 4:18
 8. Can't Be Alone - 3:05
 9. Bring Her Back - 3:24
10. BigShot - 3:22
11. Cold Day In Hell - 4:26
12. Women - 2:49

It's the distorted, crunching sound of overdriven amplifiers stacked in the back of sweaty dark cantinas reeking of booze and heartbreak. It's the howl of a grizzled old Delta bluesman being attacked by a pack of flinty-eyed, starving coyotes. It's the black-hearted moaning of a tired soul growling through steely electric strings and speaking in tongues of Tecate. If the Black Keys and the White Stripes were to have a desert-borne bastard son, he would sound precisely like C.W. Ayon, a musician with enough old-school mojo to power a roadhouse for a month. Combining gritty vocals with guitar notes previously only imagined by angels cast out of heaven, C.W. welds ironclad blues riffs with a bassline forged in the fires of Hell to pay tribute to the lost Gods of electric blues. Hendrix shakes hands with Stevie Ray. Junior Brown tosses a pick to RL Burnside. Jimmy Page raises a glass with Hank. It's the way C.W. grew up in small-town rural New Mexico, with a blend of influences sharing a common thread of music from the heart. No sweetness or frilly lace, just hard-hitting songs about love, life, and the blues that make it all stick to the wall. Sometimes, it's okay to just sit back, toss down a shot, and let the blues tear you up. Keep your hands and arms inside at all times, and please remain seated until the ride comes to a full stop. C.W. will be your personal tour guide. Oh yeah all instruments are played by one guy, all at the same time.

MF

Y

Gone

Jay Owens - The Blues Soul Of Jay Owens

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:1994
Time:60:34 
Size:139,5 MB 
Label:Code Blue/EastWest 
Styles:Blues/Soul 
Art:Full 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Come On To My House - 4:57
 2. Stepping Stone - 3:24
 3. Bottom Line - 4:39
 4. Chasing My Dreams - 3:42
 5. Lake City, Fla - 3:20
 6. Wishing Well - 7:00
 7. Back Row - 4:30
 8. Why You Treat Me This Way - 5:20
 9. Can't Do The Same Thing Again - 5:15
10. Crosstown Love - 4:39
11. Missing You Blues - 5:41
12. My Kind Of Woman - 4:10
13. We're Human - 3:52

Jay Owens (September 6, 1947 – November 26, 2005) was a blind African-American electric blues and soul blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. Isaac Jerome Owens was born in Lake City, Florida, United States. His mother was a minister in a local church, where Owens first learned to sing. He learned to appreciate blues from an uncle of his. Having obtained his first guitar, Owens was playing music professionally by the time he left high school. Owens played alongside his friend, Johnny Kay, in the 1970s and 1980s, leading a succession of bands playing in the Tampa Bay and St. Petersberg area of Florida. In such a role he supported many other musicians such as O. V. Wright, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Aaron Neville and Little Milton. Mike Vernon produced Owens' debut solo album, The Blues Soul of Jay Owens, which was released on Atlantic Records in 1993, and featured Pete Wingfield playing keyboards t won Living Blues magazine's 'Best Blues Album' and 'Best Debut Album' awards. In 1995, EastWest issued Movin' On, which included contributions as before from Vernon and Wingfield, while Dave Bronze played bass guitar on the collection. He was also a prolific songwriter, and his songs have been recorded by Jim Leverton ("Only Human"),James Booker ("1-2-3" and "One Hell of a Nerve"), and K. T. Oslin ("Come On-A My House"). In 1997, Owens moved to Orlando, Florida after spending twenty years in New York City. Owens died at his home in Orlando, at the age of 58, from complications of diabetes in November 2005.

The Blues Soul Of Jay Owens
MF
Y

Brint Anderson - Notes From Clarksdale

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2000
Time:63:44 
Size:147,8 MB 
Label:Toulouse Records  
Styles:Blues/Delta Blues 
Art:Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. I Can't Cotton to That - 4:08
 2. Hopson - 4:33
 3. Death Letter - 5:13
 4. Blame it on Cain - 4:14
 5. Mean Someone Some Good - 4:46
 6. Mess and a Half - 3:39
 7. Everybody's Cryin' Mercy - 6:02
 8. I'm Curious - 4:08
 9. Canary Bird - 6:28
10. My Woman Done Tired of Me Lyin' - 3:36
11. Natchez Mississippi Blues - 4:02
12. She Wuz Skintillatin' - 3:53
13. A Four Year-old's Blues - 6:11
14. Last Fair Deal Gone Down - 2:44

"Anderson is a modern blues player who has his feet planted firmly in the rich blues of the Delta — its influence percolates under all his playing, from funk to rock to blues. He’s one of the finest slide guitar players performing today, and his originals are powerful."(Toulouse).
For over thirty years, Brint Anderson toured extensively across America and Europe. Yet, looking at where he started and where he lives now, he has never strayed far from the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. From his teenage performances in local "juke joints" in his hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to the music stages of Memphis, Austin, and the West Coast, he eventually returned to his native New Orleans. Here, he found his calling and his home—planning to stay for good—while learning from and backing the masters who helped lay the foundation of American music, all while concocting his own unique musical "gumbo." Over the course of his career, Brint Anderson has worked with Art Neville, Dr. John, George Porter’s Runnin' Pardners (serving as their guitarist for eight years), Cassandra Wilson, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Albert King, Earl King, Snooks Eaglin, Johnny Adams, Levon Helm, Henry Butler, Jorma Kaukonen, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins—to name but a few. He has shared the stage with such musical greats as Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Meters, The Neville Brothers, Johnny Winter, Little Feat, Gregg Allman, Leon Russell, Tower of Power, and the Northwest Allstars (featuring Steve Cropper, Mark Farner, Billy Preston, and Felix Cavaliere). After working as a guitarist in Dr. John's band, he decided to move to New Orleans, where he achieved great success performing at eight jazz and heritage festivals, accompanying many of the city's legends, and playing with his own band. His first major breakthrough came in August 1992, when he joined George Porter's band, Runnin' Pardners. In 1993, he won the Abita Beer Blues Competition at the Mid City Lanes "Rock 'n' Bowl," and in 1997, he and his bandmates in Runnin' Pardners received an *OffBeat* magazine award for "Best New Orleans R&B." He also excelled in the culinary realm: at the inaugural New Orleans musicians' barbecue contest, he faced off against the renowned musician and barbecue enthusiast Kermit Ruffins—and won. It was a fun, annual fundraising event benefiting the Children's Hospital.In 1999, Brint assembled and led a backing band for legendary drummer Levon Helm (of The Band) during Helm's performances at a short-lived club on Decatur Street in New Orleans. He continues to work with George Porter Jr. and Russell Batiste—The Meters' current drummer—and the three occasionally collaborate by performing in each other's bands. Brint released three albums: *Homage To Elmore* (1995)—a tribute to slide guitar master Elmore James; *I Knew This Would Happen* (1997)—the first release on his own label, Toulouse Records; and *Notes From Clarksdale*—his final album, released in April 2000. *Notes From Clarksdale* was recorded at the Hopson Preservation Company studio on Highway 49 in Clarksdale, Mississippi; it is a live acoustic Delta blues recording that is already gaining popularity. The performance was filmed(2003).

Notes From Clarksdale

MF

Y

Vaneese Thomas - Window To My Soul

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:32:36 
Size:75,2 MB 
Label:Overton Music 
Styles:Blues/Soul 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. I Still Got The Blues - 4:39
 2. Every Moment Is A Lifetime - 4:36
 3. I'm A Diamond - 3:59
 4. Ain't Gonna Be No None's Fool - 3:42
 5. Ain't No Reason (For A Man Like You) - 2:45
 6. That's A Woman - 4:21
 7. Save Me - 4:28
 8. Livin' With A Lie - 4:04

Review: Vaneese Thomas ‘Window to My Soul’
By Jim Hynes
Multiple BMA nominee and daughter of the legendary Rufus Thomas, sister of Carla Thomas, Vaneese Thomas remains one of the more elegant, yet soulful representatives of soul-blues. Vaneese has branched out from her Memphis roots to deliver contemporary blues, gospel, R&B, and a thriving career as a background vocalist for the biggest rock and pop stars. She’s been at her craft for over four decades, working also as a writer, producer, and arranger. Thomas has never lost her Memphis roots although most of her recent recordings have originated in the New York area. That sense of earned wisdom, an inherent feel for the blues, and the ability to naturally, even effortlessly ride the grooves, comes through on Window to My Soul (Select-O-Hits/Orchard), one of her more intimate offerings.
The opening “I Stil Got the Blues” gives immediate assurance, that despite success both in the blues and on the arena stages as a background singer, that Thomas still adheres to her roots, proclaiming that “money didn’t change things.” The mood abruptly changes to R&B balladry on “Every Moment Is a Lifetime,” encouraging us to embrace life’s best moments rather than dwelling on past disappointments. Buoyed by rich horn arrangements and an uplifting sense of gratitude, there are echoes of that great Stax gospel-inflected sound. The soundscape then moves into a more acoustic realm on the female empowering “I’m a Diamond,” suggesting that those who possess strength often thrive under pressure.
Three songs in, we hear the diversity of this tight ensemble. Beyond the four-piece horn section and the four background vocalists who appear on select tracks, the core band is Thomas (keyboards), Dave Keyes (organ, piano on “I Still Got the Blues”), Paul Adamy (bass), Al Orlo (guitar), and Ross Pederson (drums). Thomas wrote or co-wrote all but “I’m a Diamond.”
A sense of edgy angst begins to seep into “Ain’t Gonna Be No One’s Fool” as Thomas declares no tolerance for unfaithfulness, demanding self-respect in the punchy, horn slathered tune. That edginess in her vocal reaches a higher level in “Ain’t No Reason (For a Man Like You), a stomping blues shuffle, again driven by the horns, as well as Rob Paparazzi’s blues harp. These two tracks, along with the smoldering slow blues closer, “Livin’ with a Lie,” remind us that Thomas has lost none of legendary vocal power.
Thomas has embraced the overriding themes of self-respect, and female independence. Picking up where “I’m A Diamond” left off, “That’s A Woman,” also a declarative ballad, celebrates resilience, dignity and the small victories. Guitarist Orlo speaks volumes in just a handful of notes. In yet another ballad, she reveals vulnerability in the gospel tinged “Save Me,” as Keyes’ church-like organ and the background vocalists cast the tune as a hymn, brought to an explosive finale. .
Every song that Vaneese Thomas touches rings with authenticity. Often it feels as if she has lived them.

Window To My Soul

Y

Big Harp George - No Shortcuts

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:67:58 
Size:157,0 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues/Harmonica Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Come Out Swinging - 4:09
 2. Supplement Life - 3:47
 3. Yes Dear! - 3:41
 4. Sun Drifting - 4:08
 5. Ain’t My Circus - 4:53
 6. I Will Find You - 4:02
 7. Bury My Head - 4:01
 8. Struck Out Again - 7:21
 9. Be Adorable - 3:25
10. Do You Remember? - 4:26
11. Last Trip to Itaipu - 3:46
12. What’s Wrong with Dying? - 4:04
13. Mista Boins! - 3:31
14. Rusty Spoon - 5:21
15. Death Rattle of the Republic - 4:09
16. One Day - 3:07

On the surface, Big Harp George is easily described as a San Francisco Bay Area blues singer and songwriter who plays the chromatic harmonica. Just beneath that veneer, you’ll find George Bisharat, a former law professor and Mideast analyst whose creative songwriting ranges from biting humor to passionate social commentary, all driven by his mastery of the distinctive chromatic.
There’s no shortage of that sharp lyricism and harp wizardry on the 16 original tracks that make up Bisharat’s eighth album, the artfully crafted No Shortcuts.
He skillfully blends hard-hitting observations with complex musical creativity featuring 20 artists using a variety of ancient and modern instruments.
Bisharat comes out swinging hard on the first of four instrumentals, aptly titled Come Out Swinging, urging his chromatic into sax-like runs. Supplement Life follows, a whimsical, blues-tinged guide to store-bought health: “Mushroom powder gonna do wonders for you.” Yes Dear! Is a musical romp offering marital advice with a bite: “Here’s another pearl I swear is true / You hate that nagging but it’s best for you.” Sun Drifting is an elegant slow-blues instrumental that speaks through its chromatic soul.
Ain’t My Circus juggles sideshow music with political metaphor sparked with a stinging guitar solo: “Carnival barker strutting in his booth / Spouting lies through a megaphone,red, white and blue.” I Will Find You shifts the tone with a dirge-like Mideastern intro to its soaring promise: “They came from lands of cross and crown / Where prayers were hushed and books burned down / My kin pled for mercy across the sea / And I swore to send a hand to free.” Bury My Head hides the frustration of frantic daily life behind its jaunty melody: “Can you back off for God’s sake / I need to take a break / I’m gonna bury my head in the sand.”
Struck Out Again is frustration on a more personal level behind Kid Andersen’s late-night blues guitar and a mournful harp solo: “Well I drain me one last double / Slide off my barstool to face the rain …. Knowing that I struck out again.” Be Adorable sparkles with Dixieland jazz and advice on love featuring featuring Mike Olmos on trumpet and Lisa Leuschner Andersen’s sweet background vocals: “If you want to be adored be adorable / Just ain’t no shortcuts to love.” Do You Remember? Is a gorgeous, wistful duet with Andersen: “Living today means having to pay / With everything you once held dear.”
Last Trip to Itaipu is a lovely Latin-flavored instrumental dedicated to Bisharat’s late friend Roberto Kant de Lima, who “introduced me to Brazil and its incredibly inspiring music traditions.” Then an upbeat, jazzy tune answers the philosophic question, What’s Wrong with Dying?: “Don’t have to be stupid, don’t throw life away / But what’s the use of staying if you can’t play?” Mista Boins! is a bouncy instrumental featuring the chromatic dueling with roiling organ by Chris Burns.
Bisharat wraps up this impressive album with three songs that serve as its emotional heart – their elegant lyricism defining vital human issues. And it’s all done with engaging musicality.
Rusty Spoon, dedicated to political prisoners worldwide, especially Palestinians, is gripping epic poetry set to music that evokes country gospel, featuring rousing violin by his brother and Grammy winner Charlie Bisharat: “You can chain the body, cage the mind / Breath of freedom the soul will find / Every wall’s just misery spoken / Ain’t no lock can’t be broken.”
Death Rattle of the Republic is an anthemic, bluesy shuffle, a contemporary counterpoint to its inspiration, the Battle Hymn of the Republic, serving up its own political metaphor: “Ain’t no glory here, no truth marching on / Just a death rattle dressed up as a song.” The finale, One Day, pits its gorgeous, gentle melody against its not-so-gentle observations: “Pray to your gods while bombing babies / Never once touched by a sense of shame / One day, you will be judged.”
George Bisharat has a lot to say on his powerful No Shortcuts, and he says it eloquently, with considerable Big Harp courage and style. His majestic chromatic flavors every song; his provocative lyrical content stimulates the imagination. Come for the music, stay for its message!

No Shortcuts

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Wailin' Walker - Bluesman

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:37:38 
Size:87,1 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues/Electric Blues/Blues Rock 
Art:Front 

Traccks Listing:
 1. Go Getter - 4:00
 2. Cadillac Car - 3:33
 3. It Takes Time - 4:00
 4. Drink Muddy Water - 3:48
 5. Blues Companion - 2:47
 6. Too Many Bills - 5:09
 7. Blues Hour - 3:50
 8. Girl of Mine - 3:31
 9. Directly From My Heart - 3:59
10. Never Growing Old - 2:57

Al “Wailin” Walker is a Canadian blues master and the lead guitarist, singer, songwriter and band leader of the Wailin' Walker Band. Walker’s stunning electric guitar solos and commanding vocals have forged a formidable brand of Rockin’Rhythm and Blues that have kept dance floors packed and albums on top of the blues charts for over five decades.  The first recording of Wailin' Walker was with his band The Houserockers in 1978. Since then,  six outstanding self-produced blues recordings have been released: The Devil Made Me Play It, Buzzsaw Boogie, Crazy at Night, No Regrets and All Fired Up. The Devil Made Me Play It, released under Double Trouble Records (Amsterdam), climbed to the top of the blues charts in the Netherlands, Spain and Australia. No Regrets and All Fired Up have topped the blues charts in the USA and Canada. The album Blues Lightnin’ was released in September 2025 and was instantly the #1 blues album in Canada. The newest album Bluesman was released in September 2026 and also reached #1. Walker has played with and been personally mentored by Buddy Guy, Pee Wee Crayton and Otis Rush and has shared the stage with Johnny Winter, George Thorogood and Stevie Ray Vaughan to name a few.

Bluesman
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Code Blue - Code Blue (feat.Bobbie Lancaster)

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2003
Time:67:54 
Size:156,5 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Pile of Socks - 2:30
 2. Don't Lie to Me - 3:01
 3. Hound Dog - 4:04
 4. Brewin - 4:53
 5. Keeping the Blues Company - 4:23
 6. One Eyed Man - 4:54
 7. I Can Tell - 4:21
 8. Night Time is the Right Time - 4:13
 9. Another Lover - 4:38
10. Monon Train - 5:20
11. Spoonful - 4:06
12. Monday Morning Blues - 5:22
13. What I Need to Know - 5:19
14. Cry Baby - 3:17
15. Midnight Special - 4:17
16. Bright Lights, Big City - 3:10

House-rockin', soulful vocal Blues and R&B. Bobbie Lancaster is an outstanding new vocalist backed by a tight rhythm section with exciting harmonica, keyboard and guitar solo work. Great original songwriting. Code Blue is a six person blues band based in Bloomington, Indiana. Founded in spring of 2001, Code Blue features some of the most seasoned blues musicians in southern Indiana. Code Blue regularly plays in a variety of settings including blues jams, regularly featured sets at blues venues, jazz dinner clubs, and private parties. The popularity of the band is underscored by our busy schedule in prime locations in the very competitive Bloomington music scene. Lead vocalist, Bobbie Lancaster was voted by the readership of the Indiana Daily Student as the number one female vocalist in Bloomington for 2003. While Code Blue features original tunes, the band was voted one of Bloomington's top three cover bands in the Indiana Daily Student 2003 poll, and was also voted one of the top three bands in the B-town Music News 2002 poll. Code Blue was also featured in Bloomington's first summer Blues Fest in July of 2003. Code Blue's Monon Train was featured on the 2003 Live from Bloomington CD, a compilation of the area's best original songs from local bands. The Code Blue repertoire concentrates mainly on Blues and Rhythm and Blues, with a sprinkling of jazz.

Code Blue (feat.Bobbie Lancaster)
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