Amadou & Mariam Merge Tradition with Innovation
Malian blues duo Amadou & Mariam just dropped a greatest hits album while noting how they’re intrigued by the sounds of Billie Eilish.
blues
Bo Ramsey Revisits the Past in the ‘Sidetrack’ Lounge
In a world full of shredders, Bo Ramsey reveals the splendor of simplicity in his blues-laden Sidetrack EP. He lets this guitar do most of the talking.
How Underground FM Radio Saved Rock
This is what happened when college-age music enthusiasts raided empty FM radio studios and played whatever turned them on.
Colin James Finds the Blues While ‘Chasing the Sun’
Canadian blues artist Colin James rocks out on the guitar on a new album, Chasing the Sun, and reminds us of strings’ power to pull emotions out of one’s heart.
Jontavious Willis Has the ‘West Georgia Blues’
Blues artist Jontavious Willis is more of an entertainer than a purist. He aims to get his audiences moving, tells droll tales, and raises one’ spirits.
Katie Knipp Knows It’s All About Her on ‘Me’
Katie Knipp’s idiosyncrasies distinguish her from the mass of female blues singers with good voices and mediocre or tried and true material.
Rory Block Pays Tribute to Bob Dylan and New York Roots
Blues singer/guitarist Rory Block reaches back to her youth for inspiration in this tribute to Bob Dylan, choosing tunes that “touched her heart and soul”.
The Tedeschi Trucks Band Soar Over the Moon in Berkeley
Whether blues power can help save a world gone mad from dystopian decline remains to be seen, but the Tedeschi Trucks Band appear ready to do so or die trying.
Straight from No Man’s Land: A Conversation with Texas Bluesman Scott H. Biram
To encounter Scott H. Biram live-and-in-person, you’d figure Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister had kin in Caldwell County, a distant cousin steeped in Willie Dixon and Lightnin Hopkins.
Chris Smither Knows It’s ‘All About the Bones’
Folkie Chris Smither always knew that nothing would last forever, but the passage of time showed him the importance of appreciating the good things in life.
25 Years of Tom Waits’ ‘Mule Variations’
With Mule Variations, Tom Waits tamed his vaudevillian guises and showed that he was aging gracefully, while retaining his integrity towards his artistry.
Charlie Parr Looks Inward and Upward for ‘Little Sun’
Charlie Parr remains aware of his blues tradition, but he mostly moves into his own space, building on his roots background with creativity for Little Sun.