WRUV Reviews

Johnny Winter is good on his own, but this album of duets is a bluesy delight. Check out “Bright Lights, City City” with Susan Tedeschi and “T-Bone Shuffle” with Sonny Landreth.

Decent funky blues, though a little whiny in the vocals, with jazzy backbeat.

It’s a brand-new album from Thorogood, with high energy and the same sound you’ve grown to love, if you love Thorogood. It’s nice to hear him playing as well as he always has. Check out Buddy Guy on some serious guitar on Track #2, “Hi-Heel Sneakers.”

This album is hard to pin down. It’s been called country blues, rock blues, folk blues. Well, at least it’s the blues. There’s nothing objectionable here, but, sadly, nothing too memorable either.

Blues slide guitar man Roy Rogers teams with keyboardist and composer Ray Manzarek, one of the founding members of The Doors. You’ll find hints of The Doors in this album–once you listen for that “L.A. Woman” vibe, you can’t stop hearing it–and yet this album stands on its own as a wonderfully simple rock and blues treat.

Haynes—otherwise of The Allman Brothers Band and a founding member of Gov’t Mule—shows off his Southern blues chops on this rare solo album. Much of the music veers toward soul music, which makes this album a nice add to your blues mix.

Blessings and Curses, their 2nd album, keeps the Louisiana blues feel of their first record, Hang (2000) yet adds an eclectic element with the country sounding, “Califonialabama” and a jazz/spoken word number, “Our Curse.”

In her 70s, Staples still has a dynamite voice and impressive dynamic range. This collection pays homage to her past, but the tracks nonetheless feel fresh and current.

This New England band, which makes it to Burlington’s bars now and then, offers original picking that crosses plenty of boundaries: blues, bluegrass, roots and quirky country.

Great mix of originals and covers, starting with the classic “Stagger Lee,” sung with style. (While dwelling in the covers, check out “Hey Joe,” too.) Grana Louise isn’t as well known on the national scene, but her powerful voice merits attention.