Kelly Bell Band - I'm Just Sayin'

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2008
Time:50:19 
Size:116,6 MB 
Label:Phat Blues Records 
Styles:Blues/Funk/Soul 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. More Than a Moment - 4:33
 2. Hey Babe - 4:10
 3. Movin' On (feat. Wordslave) - 4:23
 4. Reincarnated - 3:58
 5. Can't Take That Back - 3:52
 6. Missin' You - 0:50
 7. Lock Me Up - 4:31
 8. Down in the Bottom - 4:48
 9. Homegrown - 5:14
10. Must've Bumped My Head - 1:49
11. Ain't Like It Used to Be (Go-go Version) - 5:06
12. Hush - 3:39
13. Spinnin' - 3:19

Biography: Singer/songwriter Kelly Bell is emerging as one of the hottest artists on the east coast contemporary blues & alternative music scenes. In fact, Kelly has fronted Baltimore/Washington's most successful blues band for nearly five years, garnering Music Monthly Readers' Poll Awards as Best Blues Band, Best New Artist, and Best Male Vocalist for the mid-Atlantic region. As well as Best Groove Band from the City Paper The Kelly Bell Band plays a combination of funk and blues that Kelly calls PHAT blues. Explains the singer: "PHAT blues combines a real nice pocket groove, funky bass lines, traditional guitar licks, fiery piano parts, and my own 'soulful scream.' It's Muddy Waters meets Parliament Funkadelic with shades of D.C. Go-Go." The Kelly Bell Band -- comprised of Kelly on lead vocals (and percussion), Ira Mayfield on guitar, Brett Sharbaugh on bass, Kirk Myers on keyboard, and Eric True on drums, electrifies each and every audience with Kelly's powerful and soulful vocal style, accompanied by critically-acclaimed, solid musicianship. They perform more than 200 shows per year, often opening for such prestigious acts as Bo Diddley, Bobby "Blue" Bland, James Cotton, Buckwheat Zydeco, Better Than Ezra, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, and longtime Kelly Bell colleague and friend G. Love. "My audience spans all generations and backgrounds," Kelly sums up. "Age, race, class...all that goes out the window at a Kelly Bell show. PHAT blues speaks directly to the soul."  ~ Geoffrey Himes, The Washington Post

I'm Just Sayin'

Tom Mcguinness - Tom Mcguinness

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2001
Time:42:20 
Size:97,6 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Long Gone - 0:38
 2. Momma Tried to Tell Me - 3:12
 3. I Got My Eye on You - 3:24
 4. Standing by My Window - 3:44
 5. The Line to Heaven - 2:57
 6. Till I Fall Down - 2:19
 7. The Wrong Woman - 3:52
 8. When Love Comes Calling - 3:18
 9. Make up Your Mind - 2:43
10. Odd Job Man - 3:39
11. Losing You Put the Blues in Me - 4:21
12. Laura Lee - 3:56
13. That's the Blues - 4:11

"So i finally sat down and gave tom mcguinness's self-titled album a proper listen. yeah, the name might not ring bells for everyone, but this dude's got history-man was in manfred mann back in the 60s, part of that british invasion wave. and honestly? it shows. this record dropped in 2001 (or 2002? whatever, close enough), and it's one of those low-key releases that doesn't scream for attention. no flashy production, no guest stars. just tom, his guitar, and a bunch of songs that feel like they've been sitting in a drawer waiting to be played. what i liked? the vibe. it's warm, lived-in. you can tell he's not trying to impress anyone-he's just doing his thing. tracks like  "the wrong woman" have this smooth, bluesy rock feel. nothing groundbreaking, but it's honest. his voice is kinda rough around the edges, which works. feels real, y'know? marcus cliffe did pretty much everything else-bass, keys, drums, even produced it. dude's a beast. the instrumentation's tight but not overdone. it leaves space for tom's guitar to breathe. and that harmonica on "momma tried to tell me"? chef's kiss. gives me blues-rock chills. but... not all of it hits. some tracks blend together after a while. "make up your mind" is solid, but it doesn't stick. and there's a reprise of "that's the blues" later that feels unnecessary. like, we get it, you like the blues. cool. move on. also, the pacing's a bit off. throws in a 38-second track called "long gone" ? what even is that? a joke? an accident? felt more like a placeholder than a song. still, i kept coming back to "losing you put the blues in me." man, that one aches in the best way. raw, slow burn, with lyrics that don't try too hard. same with "laura lee"-simple story, nice melody, sticks with you. overall? it's not a masterpiece. probably why it's rated 2.0 on discogs. but i kinda love that about it. it's the kind of album no one expected, made by someone who didn't need to prove anything. no pressure, no hype. and here's the weird part-i think that's exactly why it works. not because it's perfect, but because it's not. feels like something you'd find in a dusty record shop, play once, forget, then rediscover years later and go "wait, this is actually good." so yeah. give it a spin if you're into under-the-radar brit rock with soul. just don't expect fireworks. sometimes a quiet flame burns longer" ~ bandcamp.com.

Tom Mcguinness

C C Bronson - MY Soul/My Blues

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2004
Time:35:46 
Size:82,3 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues/Soul/R&B 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. You Sho' Look Like Love To Me - 3:46
 2. Lay It On Me - 4:37
 3. Roll With It - 4:05
 4. Love Me Down Man - 2:54
 5. Must Be Somethin' Going On - 4:01
 6. I'm Gonna Run On - 4:24
 7. Just When You Think You Know - 4:08
 8. So Much Better - 4:42
 9. Ruby Lee (Mom's Song) - 3:04

C.C. Bronson hails from Florida, where she grew up on gospel music and learned the blues from her great-uncle Dave, with whom she spent many a childhood summer dancing in his living room at Bobby Blue Bland or B.B. King in Bradenton, Florida. While C.C. has many musical influences at the top of her list, her mother, Ruby Lee, is a lifelong church musician. Consequently, you will always hear gospel influence in her music. C.C.'s diverse career includes stints with world-renowned acts like Monroe Powell touring the US, Japan, and Canada; she was a featured artist with the Golden Gospel Singers of Harlem on tour in Germany; she studied and performed under the late Phil Osterman (Broadway director); and she opened for the talented Sue Foley. At the end of the day, C.C. feels that the blues is truly the root of American music; it's where her heart and soul are anchored. "I would like to thank all of you who took some time out of your busy day to listen to each other." C.C. Bronson/

MY Soul/My Blues

Cheryl Arena - Blues Got Me

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2003
Time:49:51 
Size:116,6 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues/Harmonica Blues/Jazzy Blues/Jazz 
Art:Front+Back 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Blow My Blues Away - 4:20
 2. Love Gone Wrong - 3:43
 3. Shave It - 2:54
 4. Listen To What I Say - 4:42
 5. Blues Got Me - 6:27
 6. It Aint Right - 4:53
 7. About To Break My Heart - 2:47
 8. Living In The Moment - 3:07
 9. Baby - 2:59
10. Any Day Now - 2:24
11. He Aint No Prince - 4:27
12. You Better Change - 3:04
13. Grazing In The Grass - 3:58 

It’s been about 23 years since Cheryl Arena released her debut CD Blues Got Me. After all of this time, the disc still serves as a fine document of her abilities and she can still use it as a calling card to get into all kinds of venues. Her songs range from inventive originals clever of arrangements of timeless classics, from basic, assertive guitar driven blues songs to more elaborate horn laden material for big bands. Produced by the legendary Duke Robillard, Arena’s talents on vocals and harmonica manage to standout among her impressive song craft and imaginative arrangements. Arena really gets her harmonica groove on during her cover of Little Walter’s “Baby.” She rides the classic harmonica line well, keeping it flinty, emotive, and tasteful while making those notes spiral off in a pleasant direction. It’s uncanny how her smooth, pretty vocal sounds so natural and empowered next to her horn section’s thrusting tuft of musical muscle.Arena gets into more witty writing with “He Ain’t No Prince,” turning the fairy tale metaphor around to make a point about disappointment and disillusionment. Her sultry approach makes one realize this lady just elevated her taste and will be on the prowl for a finer gentleman. Matt McCabe’s piano here is another highlight, a classy series of notes that makes one imagine Arena wearing a long black dress and white velvet gloves and pearls as the lights come up over her in the city’s finest establishment.Arena gets to showcase more of her harmonica zeal on Charles Grossley‘s “You Better Change.” This time around, Arena commits herself to a fierce line, one she blows out with melodic precision and emphatic boom. She has to. She’s blowing alongside ace guitarist Matt Woodburn and over bassist Ted Bukowski and her CD drummer Michael Dunford. This one is just a spinning top of excitement.Arena closes out her incredible album with an arrangement of Philemon Hou’s “Grazing In The Grass.” Her lilting harmonica line wafts beautifully over a rhythmic piano line and peppy percussion. It’s a fine farewell for now song and the harmonica player leaves us with a sweet desert to remember the main courses of her CD.Arena had much to be proud of with this Blues Got Me masterwork and to this day it helps her win over new fans as much as her live shows, live performances that run the gamut from classy chanteuse to high energy aggression. We can only hope that Ms. Arena is around the scene for a long, long time.

Blues Got Me
                           

The Soulsetters Rockin' Blues Band - Right Attitude

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2005
Time:50:13 
Size:116,2 MB 
Label:Indie Pool Records/Springbank Productions 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Right Attitude - 3:58
 2. Hold On I'm Comin' - 4:03
 3. Tell Me What I Did Wrong - 2:50
 4. Got My Mojo Workin' - 4:37
 5. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - 3:20
 6. Howlin' Blues - 4:51
 7. Too Hard To Handle - 3:07
 8. My Babe - 3:36
 9. Get Ready - 3:42
10. Train Kept A'Rollin' - 3:19
11. Something' You Got - 3:54
12. Sweet Little Angel - 4:58
13. T-Bone Boogie - 3:54

Canadian blues rock band:
Drums, Vocals – Norm Stenoff / Electric Bass – Mick Acerra / Harmonica – Andre Fredette / Lead Guitar, Vocals – Mike Rende.
The Soulsetters Rockin' Blues Band In the early '70's each member of The Soulsetters was very active playing with various top bands in the live music scene in and around Toronto and southern Ontario. Not long ago, after somewhat of a reunion, the guys got together to jam. They soon realized that their style of music is as fresh and exiting today as it was 30 years ago. They enjoyed the experience so much that they re-established themselves as The Soulsetters Rockin' Blues Band. They decided to accept only selective engagements where their focus would be 'having a good time'. The Band continues to provide a refreshing interpretation of Blues, 60's R&B and classic early '50's Rock. They call their music 'Rocking Blues'. What is 'Rockin' Blues'? Rockin' Blues is a general category for Blues, Swing, R&B, Boogie, Shuffle, Funk, New Orleans, Chicago, and Texas Blues, and good old Rock and Roll. In-other-words: It is music that makes you want to tap your feet, bop your head, and dance. The Soulsetters' repertoire is branded by a 'Toronto Sound' interpretation of the music of legendary blues artist like; Howlin' Wolf, Otis Rush, John Lee Hooker, Bobby Bland, B.B. King, Junior Wells, Big Joe Turner, Willie Dixon, Luther Allison, Wilson Picket, Sam & Dave, Buddy Guy, etc., and classic early '50's Rock Artist like Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Fats Domino, Carl Perkins, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, etc. The Soulsetters Rockin' Blues Band interprets the music in their own unique way that appeals to a wide variety of music lovers. They produce a dynamic sound with a dance beat that just keeps on grooving/

Right Attitude

The Robbie Ducey Band - Down Right Dirty Shame

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2004
Time:28:46 
Size:81,1 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Contemporary Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Down Right Dirty Shame - 5:37
 2. Could It Be That I've Wasted My Time - 4:01
 3. My Sweet Angel - 7:02
 4. Hound Dog - 3:05
 5. Tired - 2:55
 6. My Kinda' Lovin' - 2:39
 7. Cryin' Over You - 3:23

"Down Right Dirty Shame" is the title track and opening song from the 2004 blues album by The Robbie Ducey Band. The 7-track record showcases the group's signature blues and guitar-driven sound.
The Robbie Ducey Band have collectively performed around The Southlands since the late sixties. RDB released their first Cd "The Edge Of Reality" in 1995 with hearty acceptance. The Breeze Radio Network gave the group a lot of airplay on the east coast, often as Artist Pick Of The Month. RDB took a break in 1998 after losing their original drummer, but picked things up again in September 2002. In July 2003 the band recorded "Down Right Dirty Shame" and released it in March 2004. Robbie and the guys are extremely proud of the cd. It covers a lot of musical groundand separates itself from most other contemporary blues recordings by offering mostly original songs. The exception being a kicking shuffle version of "You Ain't Nothin' But A Hound-Dog". 

Down Right Dirty Shame

New Pony - Make Your Move

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2015
Time:47:04 
Size:108,8 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Funk/Funky Blues/Funky Rock
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Move Your Feet - 4:23
 2. From the Sun - 3:32
 3. Wind Me Up - 4:19
 4. Make Your Move - 4:34
 5. Heart of Steel - 4:15
 6. What We're Living For - 4:00
 7. I Got It - 4:10
 8. Sweet Leaf - 4:03
 9. Like an Ocean - 4:20
10. Something's Going On Here - 4:48
11. Teo - 4:36

As the name suggests, New Pony Funk lives on the funky side of town, and their live shows bear witness to their long-standing residency in the neighborhood.  This is a tight, powerful band with some serious muscle.  As influences, they cite The Meters, Tower of Power, Dumpstaphunk, The Isley Brothers, Sly and the Family Stone, but when all is said and done NPF is a home-grown Philly Original.  The members of NPF all met at a monthly music showcase at the now defunct Tritone in 2005.  When they met, each was doing their own thing, but as it so often goes at these events, they ended up sitting in with each other for an impromtu set.  After the set, one thing led to another and the guys got to talking, and after a few beers and some "music nerd" conversation, it became pretty obvious that a new band was brewing.  They got together for a few rehearsals, worked up a set's worth of material, and played their first show at the same music showcase the next month.  And now, much to everyone's surprise, nearly 18 years and about 1000 shows later, New Pony Funk is still going strong.
To date NPF has released two CD's, 2015's "Make Your Move," and in July of 2022, their newest recording, "Let's Get Real," dropped.  "Let's Get Real" was recorded in March-April of 2022 and came together rather quickly.  Most of the songs had been written between 2016 and 2022 and were already frequent fliers in their live shows.  They reflect the concerns of the times.   The band takes an oblique turn to the political in "Are You Ready," while "Now Some Light" cautiously celebrates the return to normalcy and live performance post-COVID with the refrain "it's been a couple years/ Now I'm so glad to see you here."  
In their years together, NPF has opened for Bonerama, The George Porter Trio, Bernie Worrell, The Budos Band, and Papa Grows Funk, they've played at any number of local and regional festivals, and until COVID came along, they were one of the featured acts at BlocktoberFest for 7 years straight.  

Make Your Move

Brian Kahanek - Real Life

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2004
Time:41:46 
Size:96,3 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Classic Rock/Blues Rock 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Sign - 3:46
 2. Real Life - 3:38
 3. Little Things - 5:16
 4. Love Deluxe - 4:20
 5. Tomorrow - 4:24
 6. Till the End - 3:38
 7. Sold Your Soul - 4:31
 8. Last Mile - 4:20
 9. Take my Time - 3:36
10. Gemini - 4:12

If Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan had a musical prodigy, his name would be Brian Kahanek. Part Texas styled Blues Craftsman, part Southern Rocker and one hundred percent authentic …he lays his soul bare combining dynamic musicianship with boy-next-door charm.
He soaked in the fundamentals of his instrument at the University of North Texas, recognized as one of the largest and most prestigious colleges for music performance in the US. There, Brian was exposed to a wide range of musical influences that continue to inspire and shape his tone. While attending classes, he found he could not ignore the real world education playing the local club scene. Responding to this loud and early call of a professional career in music, he fast tracked graduation, and departed Texas for Los Angeles, where Brian spent over a decade playing the California club circuit.
Classic venues like The Viper Room, Molly Malone’s, BB King’s, The Mint…these were the esteemed halls where audiences first experienced Kahanek’s sonic signature. It was in LA where a track from his first album, “Real Life”, was picked up and featured in the 2006 version of Guitar Hero, the seminal video game that broke sales records and garnered Kahanek worldwide attention.
On the heels of the success of Guitar Hero, Brian released his sophomore record „Suicide King“. He followed up this record with regional live dates and session work on Grammy award winning records.
While honing his live show, Brian wrote, recorded and released his third record, „One True Thing“. This dynamic collection of original tracks conveys a potent sense of optimism, and further established his blend of Blues and no-holds barred Rock n’ Roll.
Along this journey, Brian has also recorded guitars and mixed for some of music’s top artists including: Tim McGraw, Multi-platinum Latin Group RBD (Rebels), Virgin recording artist – Betzi, Walt Disney Pictures, Warner Bros Pictures… In fact Brian’s guitar work is featured on the 2006 number one single and record in the Latin American market “Save Me” from RBD’s (Rebels) debut.
Transforming his vision from the studio to the stage, Brian’s live performances are often described as dynamic and very personal. His energy-packed sets pull people out of their seats and into the moment. It’s a place that transcends genre and connects everyone in the room to an elevated space. It’s not just a show…it’s an experience.

Real Life

Kevin Mark - Cuttin Loose

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2007
Time:45:36 
Size:106,1 MB 
Label:Blue Hog Productions 
Styles:Modern Electric Bues 
Art:Full 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Goin' to Vegas - 2:35
 2. Let's Party All Night - 2:33
 3. I'll Be Good to You - 3:04
 4. If Your Phone Don't Ring - 3:17
 5. Cuttin' Loose - 3:19
 6. Pretty Little Things - 3:20
 7. Seven Nights to Rock - 2:43
 8. You're Fat [Instrumental] - 3:23
 9. It's Saturday Nite - 2:17
10. You Bust Me - 3:39
11. One Bad Stud - 2:33
12. Stop Your Crying - 3:33
13. King Albert (Instrumental) - 2:10
14. St. James Infirmary - 7:04

Musicians:
Kevin Mark - vocals, guitar;
Costa Zafiropoulos - acoustic & Fender bass;
Rob "Big Daddy" Marcheterre - drums;
Little Frankie Thiffault / Red Gauthier / Mat Mousseau - tenor/soprano/baritone sax.
With guests
Michael Fonfara - piano & B3 organ;
Dale Boyle - banjo;
Rachel Therrien - trumpet // Etiene Lebel - trombon // Ben Caissie - washboard.

2007 year certainly was the period of confirmation of Kevin Mark status on blues area. His album "Cuttin' Loose" was another sucessfull product after "Rolling The Dice" from 2004 year. A guitarist, shouter and songwriter with his friends and collaborators has offered on album 14 tunes, where 11 belongs to authors work. Kevin's musical offering are consists of hard driven blues timelly located in different periods, and different performing backgrounds dominates through his authors legacy. He simply has standardized own style, which is combination of 50's blues, 80's rhythm and blues, swing, 70's rockabilly and many in-betweens. He also has offered a specific joy and positive vibrations, and practically all of present tunes posses mentioned mood. "Cuttin' Lose" is a simply masterpiece, recomandable also for non-blues followers.

Cuttin Loose

Pete Mayes - Lowdown Feeling

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:1992
Time:52:40 
Size:122,5 MB 
Label:Collectables 
Styles:Blues/Texas Blues 
Art:Full 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Crazy Woman - 3:17
 2. Moving Out - 2:01
 3. Christmas Holidays - 4:57
 4. Locked Out - 3:45
 5. West Coast Blues - 5:47
 6. When I'm Wrong I'm Wrong - 3:20
 7. Something On Your Mind - 4:42
 8. I'm Ready - 3:09
 9. Back In School - 4:05
10. Honeysucker - 3:33
11. The Word Is Out - 4:52
12. Texas Jump - 2:51
13. Low Down Feeling - 2:59
14. Crazy Woman (New Version) - 3:15

Influenced by T-Bone Walker at a young age, he played guitar since childhood. He will meet, indeed, Walker in 1954 for the first time and will accompany him regularly on stage the following years. In 1955, he met Joe Hughes another Texan guitarist who became a close friend. Two years later, Pete formed his own band. He becomes particularly a regular attraction of Double Bayou Dance Hall led by his uncle Manuel Rivers. In 1960, he moved to Houston and frequent local blues and jazz musicians. But his income as an artist are not enough and he takes different jobs to earn a decent living (including house painter). In the meantime, in the 60's and 70's, he recorded some singles as a leader especially for local label Ovide. Pete cut also four titles behind Junior Parker in 1969 for Blue Rock (a trademark of Mercury). In this CD proposed by Collectables are compiled first singles from Pete Mayes between 1967 and 1991. Therefore, the whole is quite heterogeneous but rather draws a compelling overview of the first part of this Texan guitarist's career. The sound quality is not always good. Despite this, several titles can be listened with pleasure : "Christmas holidays", "Locked out", "The world is out" and instrumental "West Coast blues" and "Texas jump".

Lowdown Feeling

The Wingnut Adams Blues Band - Vintage Nut

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2007
Time:40:11 
Size:92,4 MB 
Label:Funky Monkey Productions 
Styles:Blues/Funky Blues/Harmonica Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Take Me - 2:56
 2. Things Will Be Alright - 3:57
 3. Bring It On Home - 2:50
 4. Real Lovin' - 4:44
 5. I Been Criticized - 5:04
 6. Three Times - 3:15
 7. You Never Know - 4:05
 8. Wicked Ways - 4:01
 9. Hard Times - 4:40
10. So Satisfied - 4:33

Honored by The West Coast Blues Hall Of Fame as "Band Leader Of The Year". Wingnut pays homage to the roots of the Blues, while injecting his own life experiences into a funky musical stew that captures hearts and souls everywhere! Wingnut began his musical journey as a percussionist for well respected artists including Archie Lee Hooker and Ron Thompson.He went out on his own in 2002 to begin work on the first of five CD projects to date. From day one fans everywhere soon realized that Wingnut had a love for a strong danceable groove, as well as a desire to interact with the fans to a very high degree. Wingnut's goals were straight forward… #1- Keep it simple… with a groove. #2- Take it to the people. #3- Give 'em everything you’ve got. Wingnut Adams has spent decades living the music that he performs nightly. The formula worked… averaging over 200 dates annually year after year, Wingnut Adams delivers great roots music to the people. From small smoky dives to large festivals this blues man delivers the good. Wingnut sets the bar high… there is no middle ground. Sweat and soul, every time…all the time! As a direct result of his live shows Wingnut has sold over 30,000 CDs without industry support!

Vintage Nut

Gary U.S. Bonds - Back in 20

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2004
Time:46:21 
Size:107,3 MB 
Label:G.L.A. Records 
Styles:Blues/Blues Rock/R&B 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks - 4:24
 2. Murder In The First Degree - 3:13
 3. Take Me Back - 3:25
 4. She Just Wants To Dance - 3:09
 5. Fannie Mae - 3:39
 6. Bitch / Dumb Ass - 4:05
 7. I've Got Dreams To Remember - 4:36
 8. Nothing But Blue - 4:17
 9. She Chose To Be My Lady - 3:30
10. Too Much, Too Little, Too Late - 3:47
11. Every Time I Roll The Dice - 4:29
12. Don't Do It Here - 3:40

When the annals of ‘60s soul are finally written, the name of Gary ‘U.S.’ Bonds is sure to be included. Although not as famous as Otis or Aretha or even Solomon Burke, Bonds’ immense influence on rock ‘n’ roll was sealed with the 1961 hit single “Quarter To Three,” a rollicking musical party that inflamed the imaginations of numerous future rockers, including Bruce Springsteen. 
Twenty years after his commercial peak, Bonds was “rediscovered” in 1981 by Springsteen and Little Steven (Van Zandt), the trio creating a pair of excellent rock-n-soul recordings. After an overlooked 1984 album that suffered due to the lack of an Asbury Park connection, Bonds quietly hit the oldies circuit…
Gary U.S. Bonds’ Back In 20
Two decades later, Gary ‘U.S.’ Bonds has returned with a fine collection of red-hot R&B and scorching blues tunes titled, well, Back In 20. If the slashing opening guitarwork on “Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks” sounds familiar, it’s because guest Bruce Springsteen has used variations on the riff before, if not always as effectively. When Bonds comes in with his semi-biographical tale, the song explodes into a raucous blend of soulful vocals, madcap instrumentation and jump-n-jive spirit. Much of Back In 20 hits a similar groove, Bonds jumping between original rave-ups like “Murder In the First Degree” and classic soul covers like “Fannie Mae” or the Otis Redding ballad “I’ve Got Dreams To Remember.”
Guests on Back In 20 include Springsteen and Southside Johnny, Phoebe Snow and former Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts. The guests don’t overshadow Bonds’ fine soul band, however. Led by guitarist Mark Leimbach, who co-wrote several of the original songs, the band builds a solid foundation for Bonds’ powerful vocals. With a unique vocal inflection and a raw quality that has more in common with Chuck Berry than with the church-nurtured, silk crooning of Sam Cooke or Jackie Wilson, it’s easy to see why a handful of early-60s Bonds hits proved so influential with young rockers. Gary U.S. Bonds may not roll out any new tricks with Back In 20, but why should he when the old tricks still sound so good? (MC Records, released 2004)
Review originally published by Community Free Press (Springfield MO).

Back in 20

Matt Hill - On The Floor

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2010
Time:52:44 
Size:122,8 MB 
Label:VizzTone - Deep Fryed
Styles:Blues/Harmonica Blues/Rock/Honky-Tonk/Rock & Roll 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Time Is Up - 3:43
 2. Hellz Bellz - 3:12
 3. Poor Circle - 3:53
 4. Griddle Bread Boogie - 2:27
 5. I Tried To Love a Crazy Woman - 6:40
 6. Red Boots - 2:51
 7. 30 Years Old - 2:39
 8. I'm Gonna Hit That Highway - 3:07
 9. When I Get Drunk - 4:07
10. Stolen Bride Blues - 4:31
11. Gasoline - 4:24
12. Children (That Ain't Mine) - 4:27
13. Why The Fuck (Do You Think I Cuss) - 2:49
14. Poor Circle (Acoustic) - 3:46

Matt Hill - gtr/bass/lapsteel/voc; Dave Gross - gtr;Bob Margolin - gtr; Tad Walters - hca; Dennis Gruenling - hca;Chuck Cotton - drums, etc.
Matt Hill's debut is a powerful collection of blues-rock named in honor of his legendary stage antics. Hill plays guitar on his back, stage dives into the crowd, rips off his clothes, and jumps onto the tables closest to the stage. With Hill acting like the bastard child of Jerry Lee Lewis and Nappy Brown, his uncontained shows have made him a legend around his hometown of Greensboro, NC. This album will introduce the rest of the country to this blazing, over the top artist. He's obviously listened to a lot of early rock, R&B, and Chicago blues, and while the music of his heroes may still be evident in his music, he's got an outrageous style all his own. The album's 14 cuts include 11 Hill originals, given in-yer-face performances marked by Hill's guitar prowess, soulful gritty vocals that belie his youth, and a dark sense of humor that makes them crackle. "I Tried to Love a Crazy Woman" brings Muddy Waters to mind with its snarling vocal, ominous Delta-meets-Chicago groove, and a searing guitar solo of tortured bent notes. Hill shows off his slide work on "Children (That Ain't Mine)," another country-style tune that hints at madness and murder. Rockers include the album opener, "Time Is Up," which features Hill's stinging solos and a nasty harp solo from Tad Walters; "Griddle Bread Boogie," a swinging instrumental that gives Hill a chance to show of his lap steel guitar prowess; and "30 Years Old," an exuberant ode to self-destruction that insouciantly declaims "I won't see 30 years old/I can't slow down now/I got a reputation to uphold." He's just as good at delivering the covers he put on the album. AC/DC's "Hellz Bellz" gets remade as a Chuck Berry rocker while Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "I'm Gonna Hit That Highway" retains its traditional feel with Dave Gross supplying ripping piano arpeggios and Hill's brief solo carving out its own unique space. Still, in years to come, people will probably remember this album for introducing Hill and Bob Margolin's "Why the F*ck (Do You Think I Cuss)," which could well become Hill's signature tune. The song is perfect for his bad-boy persona, another Berry-esque bit of country-flavored '50s rock that's peppered with so much profanity it becomes comical. Hill's screaming vocals and a thick twang-heavy bass solo make it the album's standout track.

On The Floor

Lewis Stubbs Junior - West Nashville Sky

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:25:19 
Size:58,6 MB 
Label:Tulip Tree Records 
Styles:Blues/Rock/Americana 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. When I Hear - 2:58
 2. West Nashville Sky - 1:38
 3. Back Home to You - 3:10
 4. Blues Done Got Me in a Hole Right Now - 2:29
 5. Never Too Late to Get Down - 4:32
 6. Best I Can Tell - 2:57
 7. W.C. Blues - 3:16
 8. Heads Up - 4:16

Stubbs wrestles with themes that are hard-edged such as addiction, recovery, alienation & survival. Decades ago, when artists started their careers, they aspired to the style & fame of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly & later The Beatles & Rolling Stones. But today, it seems more glitz & fashion for the mainstream purveyors of pulp music. In the case of Lewis Stubbs Junior & others like him, it’s more about self-expression & through it, their trials & tribulations. Write, sing & play your own music from a deeper well, your well. Lewis draws from the well of the past & puts his own spin on it, or should I say his own hubcaps. The 8 songs on West Nashville Sky (Drops April 3/Independent/25:19) are succinct & come from a personal place, as a lived-in portrait & to be blunt “getting your shit together,” as Lewis said in so many words. While Lewis doesn’t have the deep baritone of Robert Gordon, his appeal is borderline rockabilly — not overheated, but vivid. It’s like a Florentine steak – a minute or two on each side, then dig in. “When I Hear” has old-fashioned spice in its rock with a pinch of Duane Eddy/Lonnie Mack finesse on guitar. Quite cool. The instrumental “West Nashville Sky” features CJ Colandrea’s pedal steel guitar & it’s sweet. “Back Home To You” has a marvelously picked guitar & Lewis’ vocal is sharp as a saber. The pedal steel cruises while Lewis’ vocals capture the essence of another era, but never retro. He owns this reinforced application of R&R both in ballad form & when it percolates. Lewis unleashes his Jerry Lee Lewis persona on “Blues Done Got Me In a Hole Right Now,” which features Chad Abel (keyboards) among the gutsy lead guitar & shuffling drums. Good work on this arrangement, weighty without being weighed down. Filled with cruising speed & the song goes full-tilt with genuine dance floor appeal as the sparks fly off toes & heels.
“Never Too Late To Get Down” has late-career J. Geils Band soul/R&B punch to it. Honking saxes & snappy snare beats. Old-fashioned R&R but with reliable strength. With “Heads Up,” it’s not quite as energetic & white-knuckle tight as Ragnar Zavaran (“It’s All Different Now”), but Lewis has lots of moxie, muscle & coherence here. Strap yourself in, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.
Musicians – Brad Clark (bass), Chris Long (drums), Randy Boen (keys), Chris West (horns) & Lucy Stubbs (bgv).

West Nashville Sky

Andy Carrieri - All Things Bright

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:35:20 
Size:81,4 MB 
Label:Bloos Records 
Styles:Blues/Delta Blues/Country Blues/Chicago Blues 
Art:Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. I Still Don't Know - 3:14
 2. If I Was - 3:49
 3. Wine Drinking Woman - 4:04
 4. Blue Bird Blues - 4:00
 5. All Things Bright - 4:03
 6. Mind Chains - 3:28
 7. Down In Nola - 3:58
 8. Guitar Shuffle - 2:50
 9. Back To New Orleans - 3:24
10. All Things Bright (Reprise) - 2:26

With ALL THINGS BRIGHT, Carrieri goes even deeper in search of the blues. Bringing out his virtuosic skills on his own, with the effortlessness of a veritable oneman-band bluesman at the crossroads, Carrieri is now ready to take his listeners on a
Delta journey of his own making. (To be sure, Alessio Gavioli ably remains on the drums with the steadiness of a stern wheel.) The result is a deeply honest and farranging celebration of blues landmarks, from its slide-dominated Mississippi Delta country roots up to the rag-timey and boogie beats, Hopkins’ talking blues, alongside Piedmont picking, to the Chicago styles of Carrieri’s exemplars, Big Bill Broonzy, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters.

All Things Bright