Bruce Conte - Bullet Proof

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2002
Time:55:25 
Size:127,5 MB 
Label:Severn Records 
Styles:Blues/Funk/Soul 
Art:Full 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Too Much Cool - 3:44
 2. Nowhere To Go - 5:19
 3. I Met A Girl - 4:08
 4. Chasin' The Blues - 7:23
 5. Mojo Mambo - 4:06
 6. Just Won't Act Right - 3:44
 7. Too Sad To Sing The Blues - 3:35
 8. It's Always Darkest Before The Dawn - 5:39
 9. Bullet Proof - 4:59
10. Feel So Bad - 5:08
11. There's Room At The Top - 3:57
12. Snatch It Back And Hold It - 3:36

Bullet Proof is the first solo release from former Tower of Power guitarist Bruce Conte. These 12 tracks combine smooth blues, jazz, and soul featuring other T.O.P. alumni Lenny Williams, Windy Barnes, and former member of Rufus Gavin Christopher. Former vocalist for T.O.P. Bobby Kimball provides vocals on "Chasin' the Blues." Fans of radio-friendly soul-blues will enjoy this 2002 release on the Severn label.

Bullet Proof
MF
Y

Smoky Greenwell - Blues For Democracy

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2023
Time:43:45 
Size:100,9 MB 
Label:Greenwell Records 
Styles:Blues/Electric Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Get out and Vote - 4:04
 2. Filibuster Blues - 3:33
 3. Liars, Cheaters, And Losers - 4:11
 4. Lets Work Together - 4:41
 5. Slow Moving Coup - 5:46
 6. Common Ground - 8:43
 7. 99% Blues - 4:08
 8. Between Iraq And A Hard Place - 3:46
 9. Homeless Christmas - 4:50

In its early days, the blues served as a medium for African Americans to express their hardships, the injustices they endured, their bad luck, their grief, their misfortunes, and their sorrow. Those songs reflected—sometimes subtly, other times in a raw and direct manner—the full extent of their life's miseries. Throughout his career, singer and harmonica player Smoky Greenwell has delved deeply into these facets of the blues. For over a decade, his music has focused on recapturing the spirit of the past. Now, however, he presents a much more contemporary album that addresses the problems plaguing the United States in the 21st century; in doing so, he calls out the flaws in American society while always offering a way forward and a path to hope. The album features nine songs—eight penned by Smoky himself, plus a cover of Wilbert Harrison’s "Let’s Work Together," a track famously popularized by Canned Heat in the early 1970s. As the title suggests, every song on the album focuses specifically on current political and social issues. Smoky Greenwell has surrounded himself with a talented roster of musicians who contribute their expertise throughout the record, infusing each track with the necessary feeling, intensity, and electric energy to make this CD a compelling and enjoyable listen.

Blues For Democracy
MF
Y

Brothers Of The Southland - Brothers Of The Southland

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2009
Time:59:48 
Size:138,0 MB 
Label:Zoho Music L.L.C. 
Styles:Southern Rock 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Rock And Roll Survivor - 3:52
 2. Can't You See - 7:30
 3. Brothers Of The Southland - 6:56
 4. Travelin' Light These Days - 3:45
 5. Dreams - 5:37
 6. Blue Sunrise - 3:41
 7. Love Don't Care - 2:54
 8. Dixie Highway - 4:28
 9. Pray For Me - 3:34
10. Back In The Day - 3:53
11. Change A Comin' - 3:39
12. Long Goodbye - 5:56
13. Can't You See (Radio Edit) - 3:57

So many musicians are involved in Brothers of the Southland that it seems more like a project than a band. Going by the back cover, at any rate, there seem to be eight core members, including musicians who've done time with the Outlaws, Wet Willie, and the Black Crowes, as well as -- and it's not a misprint -- Bo Bice, the 2005 American Idol runner-up. Over half of the tracks were written or co-written by bandmembers and/or associates, though there's a smattering of outside contributions, as well as a nod to their influences with a cover of the Allman Brothers' "Dreams." Given their pedigrees, it's no surprise that Brothers of the Southland play classic-style Southern rock, enough so that at times they sound like a Southern rock tribute band that happens to play mostly original material. In addition to the fusion of blues-rock and hard rock so typical of the form, there are touches of soul (and occasional horns), gospel, and heavy metal braggadocio. If that brings to mind strutting boogies with overlong solos, yeah, there are a few such things here. Those are balanced out, however, by a good number of more reflective, at times sadness-tinged slower tunes; very occasionally, it even sounds a bit, though just a bit, like early-'70s Van Morrison ~ Richie Unterberger.

Brothers Of The Southland
MF
Y

Billy Barnett Band - Dysfunctional Family

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2003
Time:58:20 
Size:134,9 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:St. Louis Blues 

Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Watcha Know - 5:13
 2. What Kinda Man - 3:44
 3. 2nd Kind of Man - 4:22
 4. Yambo Mi Curio - 3:17
 5. Right By My Side - 3:14
 6. Dysfunctrional Family - 4:42
 7. Beck Meets Wes - 4:31
 8. Same Ol'moon - 3:40
 9. Steirnfield - 7:26
10. Fight For Freedom - 3:16
11. Poltergeist - 0:34
12. The Castle - 4:36
13. Selfesh - 2:49
14. To Say - 3:15
15. Drinki'n Song - 3:35

The name Billy Barnett is synonymous with great St. Louis guitar. Having had opened for and shared the stage with names like Roy Orbison, The Neville Brothers, REO Speedwagon, and Jean Luc Ponty, the Billy Barnett Band is one of St. Louis most spirited Blues bands. Billy even spent a year playing with Country fiddler Shoji Tabuchi in Branson, Mo. Tours have taken them through Puerto Rico, Panama, Cuba, and as far north as Greenland. "Feel is what we specialize in", as Billy describes the band. With Mississippi Mud and now thier newest CD Brand New Boogie out, 

Dysfunctional Family

MF

Y

The Booze Brothers - The Booze Brothers Live...With the Wolf Island Horns!

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2004
Time:54:45 
Size:127,3 MB 
Label:Liphone Records 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. J: S Blues - 3:42
 2. It Ain`t Me - 4:10     
 3. Love That Woman - 4:14
 4. Rollin`Man - 3:51    
 5. Evil Harted Woman - 4:45
 6. I`m Tore Down - 4:57     
 7. Too Much Woman - 7:04
 8. Blues for Baby - 4:48
 9. Brand New Lover - 8:16
10. Talk to Your Daughter - 4:44
11. When It Comes to Love - 5:37
12. Down Town Tales - 3:44
13. Southbound - 4:15
14. Devil by the Tail - 3:31

The Booze Brothers formed sometime in 1985. Then, the line-up consisted of Jan-Erik Eriksson on lead vocals and guitar, Dr. Sumlin on bass guitar, Bosse Sandersson on drums and the now only remaining original member Kenneth Svensson on guitar. The musical compass, however, has, since Day One, more or less consistently pointed towards classic Electric Blues and good time Rock’N’ Roll. Heavily influenced by Blues Giants like Freddie King, B B King, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, Elmore James and Stevie Ray Vaughan, this band is still more than capable of producing a driving, sweaty rock beat in the vein of ZZ Top, Rolling Stones, Dr. Feelgood or Status Quo. Things started seriously coming together in 1995, when Jan-Erik Eriksson chose to quit and was replaced by Patric Karlsson.
The band’s first CD, ”Evil Morning Blues”, was released in October 1998. It contained thirteen tracks, out of which ten were original compositions. The follow-up, “On the Rocks”, with all original material, was released in September 2000. It was, in turn, followed in 2004 by their critically acclaimed live-album ”Live: With The Wolf Island Horns!”.

Live
MF
Y

Brickyard - Blues In Pajala

Bitrate:320K/s

Year:1996/2019

Time:54:28 

Size:124,7 MB 

Label:1405685 Records DK (2019) 

Styles:Blues/Electric Blues 

Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:

 1. Dance for Me Baby - 4:51

 2. Say Goodbye - 3:07

 3. Workin' So Hard - 3:12

 4. Mean Old Place - 3:49

 5. House Full of Blues - 5:29

 6. Boogie Woogie Boy - 3:14

 7. Payback Time - 4:26

 8. Pleading - 2:54

 9. Bound to Come Down - 5:05

10. Leave Your Blues Behind - 5:47

11. Waiting Business - 2:58

12. Twisted Sister - 2:57

13. Bad Bells - 3:19

14. Be Gone - 3:14

Hailing from Pajala, Sweden, a small town located 50 miles above the Arctic Circle and a full days drive north of the capitol Stockholm, Brickyard has played clubs and blues festivals throughout the northern end of Sweden, Finland and Norway for the last 11 years. 

Blues In Pajala

MF

Y

Forrest McDonald & 3D Blues Band - What's It Gonna Take?

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2000
Time:55:46 
Size:129,6 MB 
Label:World Talent Records
Styles:Blues/Modern Electric Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Work Work - 2:56
 2. Early in the Morning - 3:12
 3. Times Getting Tougher - 3:22
 4. Slippin' Out - 2:45
 5. Southern Exposure - 3:50
 6. Call My Baby - 2:15
 7. Bad Day - 4:35
 8. Two Bones and a Pick - 2:56
 9. Mean Old World - 4:46
10. California Baby - 2:06
11. Roll on Katy - 4:02
12. Red Sunglasses - 3:53
13. Skid Row Blues - 4:06
14. Alligator - 5:43
15. Rolling Down the River - 5:11

Forrest McDonald stands as a musical storyteller, bridging hearts with songs that echo the soul. Known for his roots in blues and blues-rock, Forrest’s evolution into a singer-songwriter showcases a personal, introspective artistry that invites listeners into his world. Transitioning from the "Forrest McDonald Band" to a solo focus, he crafts songs that explore love, hope, hard times, and faith. Rooted in blues and blues-rock, with hints of Americana and folk, Forrest’s music connects heart to heart, reflecting the pulse of everyday life. With Songs from My Soul, he delivers a timeless sound that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable. The McDonald home was in close proximity to the location of the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals, where the musical talent on display consumed Forrest—he saw Ray Charles and Leadbelly perform and caught Bob Dylan’s controversial switch from acoustic guitar to electric. Backstage at Newport in 1969, Forrest played Jimmy Page’s Les Paul, trading licks with Page and Jeff Beck” it was incredible,” McDonald recalls.
Forrest McDonald’s remarkable six-decade journey in music began in Austin, Texas, where he was born in 1950. His career took root at age 15 in Rhode Island. He drew inspiration from blues icons like Josh White, Jimmy Witherspoon, and T-Bone Walker through his family’s record collection. Forrest played his first gig on New Year’s Eve 1964 with Seagram’s Seven. His early exposure to the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals shaped his musical direction. He saw performances by Ray Charles, Leadbelly, and Count Basie there. He also witnessed Bob Dylan’s shift to electric guitar. These experiences ignited a lifelong passion for music. Now based in Richmond, VA, Forrest has evolved into a masterful blues-folk-Americana singer-songwriter and storyteller. He is celebrated for his authentic narratives and soul-stirring performances. Forrest’s career gained momentum in New England with his first band, The Ox Bow Incidents. In 1969, he joined The Boston Rock Symphony. There, he met blues harmonica great James Montgomery, who also played in the ensemble. They blended rock and classical music for eager audiences. At 20, Forrest toured with Wadsworth Mansion. The band opened for acts like Alice Cooper and Edgar Winter, performing their hit “Sweet Mary, I’m Coming Home.” In 1973, he moved to Los Angeles and reformed the band as Slingshot. They played iconic venues like The Whisky and The Starwood. During this time, he performed with Bonnie Bramlett, Kathi McDonald, Doris Troy, Marie Franklin, Silver Platinum and Gold, and Jimmy Reed Jr. He served as band leader for the Kathi McDonald Band, touring the West Coast extensively. While in LA, he studied at the Guitar Institute of Technology. He also attended Dick Grove Music Workshops. These experiences sharpened his skills. Additionally, he joined a band called Bookends with keyboardist Raymond Victor and Drummer Rob Robertie. They toured all over Asia and had a ball.
A pivotal trip to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, changed his path. Forrest joined the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. He recorded the guitar solo for Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock & Roll.” It became Seger’s biggest hit. The song appeared on three platinum albums: Stranger in Town, Greatest Hits, and Ultimate Hits. These records sold over 15 million copies. He also backed Bobby Womack on “The Roads of Life.” He has traded licks with blues giants like Duane Allman, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. These collaborations solidified his reputation as a journeyman guitarist.
Later, he moved to Atlanta, GA. There, he founded World Talent Records, his own independent record label. His debut CD, I Need You (1995), featured Tony Carey (Rainbow) and Steve Perry (Journey). His discography now spans dozens of recordings. His 16th release, Songs from My Soul (2025, World Talent Records), marks a shift to a solo singer-songwriter focus. It explores personal, universal stories of love, hope, hard times, and faith.
Acclaim has followed Forrest globally. He has performed for over 200,000 fans as a headliner, he has entertained fans across 13 countries. Real Blues Magazine named his band “Best Southern Blues Band” from 1999 to 2001. They also dubbed him “Best Modern Southern Guitarist” in 2002. Just Plain Folks awarded him Best Blues Album for Spirit of the Blues in 2000. He won Best Blues Song for “Work, Work” in 2001. In 2006, “Going Back to Memphis” earned the same Best Blues Song honor. Forrest is an inductee of the Boston R&R Hall of Fame. His 15 CD’s have reached over 20 million listeners. It blends vintage Chicago and Texas blues with country soul, R&B, roots, and Americana. With Songs from My Soul, Forrest McDonald remains a timeless voice. He connects emotionally with fans through every heartfelt note.

What's It Gonna Take?
MF
Y

Mississippi Slim - You Can't Lose The Blues

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2008
Time:71:10 
Size:164,3 MB 
Label:Self-Released 
Styles:Blues/Soul/R&B 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. You Can't Lose the Blues - 5:37
 2. Mississippi Boy - 3:15
 3. Take Your Finger Out of It - 4:29
 4. I've Got to Leave You Alone - 5:34
 5. They Call Me Mississippi Slim - 5:13
 6. Thank You Baby - 2:38
 7. I Was Checking Out - 5:00
 8. Groove Me Baby - 3:59
 9. Sitting Here - 5:06
10. Haven't I Been Good to You - 4:44
11. Cotton Candy - 5:00
12. Player Haters - 5:38
13. If It Don't Fit - 5:07
14. I Miss You - 5:20
15. Dirty Bird - 4:23

Mississippi Slim, 66, was born as Walter Horn Jr. in Shelby, Mississippi and grew up in the town of Greenville where he looked forward to pursuing a career as a tractor driver, a job he started in the early 1960s.  But a job like that can give a young man the blues. And when a young man gets the blues a young man sings the blues. And if you’re a skinny young man from Mississippi singing the blues, someone is bound to call you Mississippi Slim.
In 1968, Mississippi Slim moved to Chicago to pursue his singing career, where he became known for his multicolored hair and mismatched clothing. He toured with Junior Wells and other blues singers and in 1974 had a minor hit with the song “Crying In The Arms of Another Love”, released by Sunflower Records.He returned to live in Mississippi in 1994 to take care of his aging mother and got involved in the local music scene there, becoming a headliner in local clubs and at festivals, and becoming active in Mississippi’s “Blues In Schools” Project which brings the history of the American Blues to local school kids.
He recorded the album, Miracles, in 1999 featuring a rocking cut called “Mississippi Boy” and was finishing up another CD at the time of his death after suffering a massive heart attack.Right now you can get “You Can’t Lose The Blues” featuring “Cotton Candy” and “Take Your Finger Out Of It” – a great compilation of recent recordings on iTunes. Don’t mistake this slim with a HipHop artist by the same name. He might be good too, but that Slim is still breathing.  This Mississippi is Resting in Peace.

You Can't Lose The Blues

MF

Y

The Booze Brothers - Evil Morning Blues

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:1998
Time:40:18 
Size:93,3 MB 
Label:Liphone Records 
Styles:Electric Blues/Blues Rock/Rockin`Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. J: S Blues - 3:16
 2. It Ain`t Me - 3:50     
 3. Southbound - 3:05
 4. Evil Morning Blues - 3:36
 5. Blues for Baby - 3:27
 6. If You Got to Love Somebody - 3:34
 7. You Think You Fooled Me - 3:26
 8. Love That Woman - 3:56
 9. Bad Luck Blues - 4:09
10. Mrs Jones - 3:04
11. It Hurts Me Too - 4:10
12. You`re Humbuggin - 3:14     
13. Too Much Woman - 4:30

Musicians:
Patric Carlzohn - vocals, guitar;
Kenneth Svensson - lead guitar;
Dr Sumlin - vintage bass;
Kenneth Johansson - keyboards, piano;
Bo Sandersson - drums, backing vocals.

The Booze Brothers were formed back in 1985 and are celebrating their 41st anniversary this year. Their debut CD, *Evil Morning Blues*, was released in 1998, and they have since released a total of three albums.
Much has happened over the years, but from the very beginning, their musical compass has pointed steadily toward a blend of classic electric blues and steaming rock 'n' roll. Influenced by blues giants such as Freddie King, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, Elmore James, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, they are also no strangers to a driving, sweaty rock beat worthy of ZZ Top, the Rolling Stones, Dr. Feelgood, or Status Quo.
In addition to performing in southern and central Sweden, The Booze Brothers have successfully toured Norway, Denmark, and Finland. They have also undertaken several tours in Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. The band has appeared at numerous prominent festivals throughout the 2000s. Notable examples include the Aalborg Jazz & Blues Festival in Denmark (2001), the Romerike Blues & Roots Festival in Norway (2002), the Notodden Blues Festival (2003), and the Dalane Blues Festival in Norway (2004, 2008, and 2011). Other highlights include the Bliuzo Naktys festival in Lithuania, performing before an audience of 50,000; the Bluesfest Eutin in Germany (May 2011, 3,500 attendees); the Blues Express festival in Poland (same year, 5,000 visitors); and performances at Blues at the Beach/Blues at the Farm in Närpes, Finland, in 2010, 2012 (alongside Sky High), 2014, and 2015.

Evil Morning Blues
MF
Y

Gary Rex Tanner & Mississippi Slim - Classy Women (feat.The Kansas City Ripper)

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2012
Time:53:19 
Size:123,6 MB 
Label:Little Frog Records 
Styles:Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Along Comes a Woman - 3:46
 2. Up All Night - 3:45
 3. Classy Women - 4:16
 4. Long Night - 3:30
 5. El Dorado - 4:37
 6. When the Rooster Crows - 3:43
 7. Throwin' a Party - 4:02
 8. Louisiana Blues - 2:53
 9. If You're Lookin' for a Saint - 3:58
10. Small Talk - 3:27
11. Hey Marguerita - 4:39
12. Call It Love - 5:21
13. Sidewalk Reunion - 5:16

Gary Rex Tanner has been swimming upstream against the conventional trends of the music business for many years. Indifferent to and unconcerned with the commercial aspects of the "business," he reaches back, without restrictions, to the original innovators of America's musical heritage for his inspiration and influence. From Fats Waller to Louis Jordan, from Dinah Washington to Ray Charles and from Johnny Mercer to Bob Dylan, he incorporates powerful musical influences to reach and captivate his audience without subscribing to the inflexibilities and restrictive limitations of the commercial music business's dictates and demands. This uncompromising attitude has allowed a unique and unspoiled expression of one man's creativity, good humor and sensitivity that can only be experienced by hearing his songs. Gary Rex is an impressive singer who exudes swing and artistry throughout this release. The songs—all of which he composed himself—are excellent choices, and Mississippi Slim’s guitar arrangements could not be more fitting to round out an outstanding record.Enjoy

Classy Women (feat.The Kansas City Ripper)
MF
Y

J.T. Red - Smokn' Cat Blues

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:1996
Time:43:38 
Size:100,9 MB 
Label:Gem Tam Music 
Styles:Pop/Soul Blues/Rock 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Too Broke to Pay Attention - 3:35
 2. You've Lost My Love - 3:36
 3. Cry'in Shame - 3:58
 4. Party Down Tonite - 4:55
 5. Prelude to River's Flow - 0:44
 6. River's Flow - 5:47
 7. I'll Always Love You - 5:56
 8. Let It Roll - 6:28
 9. I Want Your Lovin - 5:38
10. Like It Used to Be - 2:58

Pop soul/blues/rock from what appears to be a teenage band with good instincts is better than I would have been ready to admit. They're definitely green, but their naivete works in their favor most of the time, especially the faux soul of "Cryan' Shame," the earnest acoustic Delta-style introduction to "River's Flow" and their decidedly blue-collar lyrics ("Too Broke to Pay Attention"). (Gem Tam)

Smokn' Cat Blues

Y

MF

Billy Sheets - Wake Up and Live!

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2000
Time:42:36 
Size:99,2 MB 
Label:Big Clock Records 
Styles:Blues/Jazzy Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Come Out Swingin' - 2:48
 2. Ships Passing in the Night - 2:50
 3. Only You for Me - 3:35
 4. Dancing on a Cliff - 4:28
 5. Wake Up and Live - 3:09
 6. Safecracker - 4:33
 7. Welcome to the Club - 3:44
 8. Kick Down, Baby - 3:47
 9. Move Out - 3:45
10. Why Does It All Break Down - 3:28
11. Morning Breeze - 3:15
12. Pleasing You - 3:10

If you enjoy the swing and jive styles of the 1940s—and if you’re a fan of Louis Prima or Louis Jordan—you’re sure to be thrilled by the album we’re reviewing here. Aside from Billy Sheets himself, who is outstanding with his baritone vocals, special mention must go to Steve Catalano; his alto and—especially—tenor sax solos are simply unbeatable. The entire combo (The Fabulous Blue Diamonds) delivers high-energy, top-notch swing that keeps you snapping your fingers from start to finish. Returning to the frontman, his "shouter" vocal style is at times reminiscent of the incomparable R&B singer Roy Brown. Finally, the album was produced by Lynwood Slim; for detailed information, contact Todd Glazer.

Wake Up and Live!
MF
Y

Rhiannon Giddens - Hope Is the Thing with Feathers

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2026
Time:38:03 
Size:88,5 MB 
Label:Nonesuch Records Inc. 
Styles:Folk/Americana/Roots/Blues 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Angel Fire Rise - 4:18
 2. Hope Is the Thing with Feathers - 2:55
 3. Step Away Blues - 4:00
 4. Wish in Vain - 4:04
 5. Carolina Rain - 4:16
 6. High on a Mountain - 3:38
 7. Freight Train - 4:04
 8. Walk with Me - 2:58
 9. Cluck Old Hen - 3:50
10. Going Home - 3:56

Pulitzer and Grammy-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens’ new album Hope is the Thing with Feathers was inspired by the beauty of people coming together and drawing strength from each other. It was intentionally recorded live with no frills and few overdubs, just pure and essential music that captures the feeling of community, clarity, as well as the joy and power of creating together. From exploring the lineages that make American music to the community-oriented spirit in which it was conceived and recorded, in many ways the album tells the story of the last 20 years of Giddens’ life.
Hope is the Thing with Feathers features Giddens’ key collaborators from throughout her career. Giddens (lead vocals, minstrel banjo, fiddle) is joined by longtime bassist Jason Sypher, Italian multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi, Congolese artist Niwel Tsumbu (guitars), and Louisiana native Dirk Powell on multiple instruments, as well as her very first bandmate and fellow North Carolinian Justin Robinson, her nephew Justin Harrington, Dirk’s daughter Amelia Powell, Charly Lowry, and Giddens’ sister Lalenja Harrington. Says Giddens: “Louisiana, the Congo, Italy, the Carolinas - all of these influences and people coming together to make something: that is American music. It’s how American music came to be, and that was the original thought of creating a band with the musicians that I’ve been playing with for years, and featured on this album.”
Giddens’ seventh studio album was made in sessions nestled within North American tours in 2024 and 2025, at The Cypress House in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. It was co-produced by Giddens and longtime collaborator and bandmate Dirk Powell, who also engineered and mixed the album. Recording live was crucial, to bring the listener into the centre of the room. Giddens says that she cannot play without stomping, which can be felt on the opening track. Background noise and the sound of the musicians talking to each other before takes were also intentionally left in.
Hope is the Thing with Feathers features four original songs written by Giddens and Powell (including lead single ‘Carolina Rain’) alongside interpretations of pieces by North Carolinians Ola Belle Reed and Elizabeth Cotton, and Indigenous activist, singer-songwriter and storyteller Pura Fé, as well as traditional, including ‘Cluck Old Hen’ and ‘Walk with Me’ (a duet with Giddens’ sister). The title track was inspired by the poem by Emily Dickinson. Says Giddens: “This is most certainly a time where hope is needed more than ever; I was sitting in a hotel room pondering this poem when the tune was downloaded into my brain; I sang it for Niwel and he finished it with his beautiful harmonic movement. Art reaches across generations and continents to be completed, sometimes, by folks who will never meet.” The album cover is a six-by-six-foot patchwork quilt made by textile artist Uzoma Samuel Anyanwu, based on a photograph of Giddens by Ebru Yildiz.

Hope Is the Thing with Feathers

Y

MF

Katie Knipp - Take Her Down

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2005
Time:46:36 
Size:107,4 MB 
Label:Katie Knipp Productions 
Styles:Rock/Blues Rock/Americana/Roots Rock 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. Take Her Down - 4:03
 2. I Just Do - 4:02
 3. Snake - 5:09
 4. My Love - 4:08
 5. Unsaid - 4:24
 6. Stranger - 2:55
 7. Bad Habits - 4:13
 8. Bluebird St. - 6:07
 9. Mama - 4:40
10. Don't Have Much To Say - 3:43
11. Bound To End - 3:08

Katie Knipp is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and blues Americana artist. Knipp was born in Alameda, California. She completed her bachelor of arts degree in music from California State University, East Bay, Hayward, California.
Knipp released her first solo album, Violent in Here, in 2003, followed by Take Her Down in 2005, Midnight Mind in 2009, and Nice to Meet You in 2012.
She released the Take It With You album in 2018, which reached number 10 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart. On 12 March 2021, she released her sixth album, The Well, which was digitally distributed by Heart Songs Corporation. The track "Chamomile and Cocaine" from the album was released digitally in 2020, and other songs were released with the album in 2021. The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard Blues Album chart.Both albums ranked on the Roots Music Report for Top Contemporary Blues albums. On 10 June 2022, she released her seventh album, Katie Knipp Live at The Green Room Social Club, that rose to number 6 on the iTunes Blues Albums chart upon its debut as well as number 9 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart. Her eighth album, Me, was released on 7 June 2024 and debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Blues Album chart. On 24 October 2025, Knipp released her ninth album, Dance Me, an electronica album featuring producer and bassist Pancho Tomaselli.
Knipp is a two-time winner of Sacramento Music awards for best blues artist in 2019 and 2020.She was also nominated as Artist of the Year 2019 by the Sacramento News and Review. She was honored as the Artist of the Year 2020 by the Country Folk Americana Blues Music Realm.
Knipp has opened for several music artists, including Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughan, Joan Osborne, The Hidalgos, The Doobie Brothers, The James Hunter Six, Jon Cleary, Ruthie Foster, and others.
She performs both as a solo artist and with her band. As a multi-instrumentalist, she plays piano, slide guitar, and harmonica, besides her vocals.

Take Her Down

MF

Y

Big John Hamilton - I Just Want To Thank You

Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2022
Time:31:05 
Size:71,9 MB 
Label:Minaret 
Styles:Soul/R&B 
Art:Front 

Tracks Listing:
 1. I Just Want To Thank You - 2:29
 2. Big Bad John - 2:34
 3. Before The Next Teardrop Falls - 2:15
 4. Angel - 3:18
 5. I'll Just Keep On Loving You - 2:47
 6. Take This Hurt Off Me - 2:17
 7. I'm Getting It From Her - 2:36
 8. Temporary Love - 2:34
 9. How Much Can A Man Take - 2:45
10. I Have No One - 2:34
11. Big Fanny - 2:08
12. Go Ahead On - 2:48

Big John Hamilton was an American vocalist. He is known as a singer of Southern Soul music. Hamilton lived in Florida. He made eight solo records (45s) as well as duets with Doris Allen.
A brilliant Southern soul singer, Florida's Big John Hamilton had a voice to match his name and practically defines the concept of obscurity. Hamilton cut eight solo 45s as well as a couple of duets with Doris Allen (including an interesting version of Buddy Miles' "Them Changes") for Florida's Minaret Records label between 1967 and 1970, few of which had any impact outside of the region. Sundazed Records finally collected all of these on a single CD in 2006 as How Much Can a Man Take. The powerful title tune, from 1968, occasionally shows up on soul collections and is a true gem. ~ Steve Leggett

I Just Want To Thank You
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