Fans of Laurence Jones’ previous album Take Me High beware. The Truth, Jones’ fifth studio outing, is something of a departure from that which you might expect. A step away from the more rugged sound which has seen the Liverpool born, Warwickshire raised bluesman soar ever skyward, The Truth is …

There’s a warmth and integrity to Dan Patlansky’s ninth studio offering Perfection Kills. A kind of confidence and assuredness that is positively infectious.  That the South African is a consummate guitar play is unquestionable but, here, it is also clear that his songwriting is keeping apace, with ten tracks of …

The dynamism and at times mind-boggling enthusiasm Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa display laying down the ten covers that comprise Black Coffee – in just five days, it should be noted – is quite mesmerising. Their first studio album in four years this might be, but man-oh-man has it been worth …

‘The First Lady of the Blues’ may be a somewhat overused tagline but in the case of Sari Schorr, and based on this performance at the superb St Helens Citadel Arts Centre, it is extremely difficult to think of a more fitting description. A powerhouse performance saw Schorr bravely air …

At first glance, it might seem a little odd that Black Stone Cherry have chosen a sextet of blues standards for their next outing. Fear not though, because what the Kentucky rockers have done with the classics from Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Freddie and Albert King is nothing short …

Walter Trout’s We’re All In This Together really should have one of those health warning stickers attached to its front because this is an album consisting of 14 tracks clearly engineered to blow your mind! Why? Well not only are all of the cuts exquisitely produced by Eric Corne and …

When thinking of Finnish rock stars people will bring to mind Hanoi Rocks. However with her tenth studio album Stolen Hearts receiving huge acclaim, and a European tour which sees her play seven U.K. dates during September, Helsinki based slide blues guitarist, vocalist and writer Erja Lyytinen is determined to …

When Jonny Lang’s first album for four years, Signs, dropped through the door the immediate thought was: “Blessed!” This proved a more than accurate reaction. Signs is an album of contrast, light and texture with a pulsating, nerve shredding opening five numbers finally cooling and growing mellower and more heartfelt …

Belgian rockers Triggerfinger have been making waves across Europe recently in support of Muse; a trait they hope to hammer home with the release of Colossus, the Lier originated band’s sixth – and arguably most diverse – album. If you’re expecting more of the same from this constantly evolving act …

Oh my, what a second album Shaman’s Harvest have delivered in Red Hands, Black Deeds. An absolute powerhouse collection comprising of twelve songs that demand cranking up as loud as the ears can stand. Even the “quieter”, more considered numbers such as the opening title track and  A Longer View …

There have been few rises more meteoric than that of blues star Jo Harman’s. Born and raised in Devon, Jo took time out to travel India following the sad passing of her father; partly to recover from the loss and partly to hone her music. Despite the sadness, it proved …

Following last year’s somewhat lacklustre Where You Are Going To, it’s good to report that Robin Trower is back and then some with his latest offering Time and Emotion. Jaw dropping guitar work, edged with the wah-wah’s in full cry during the opening The Land of Plenty and throughout, sees Trower …

Kenny Wayne Shepherd has just turned 40; a mere pup in the great scheme of things but pedigree belies age. His latest album, Lay It On Down (Mascot) is the eighth to be released under the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band moniker and marks a new chapter in what is already …

With Lay It On Down, the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band have delivered on his eighth solo album, and first since 2014s Goin’ Home, the most glorious mix of blues, blues-rock and rock-funk-blues album that manages to conjure images of the energy spent at momentous gigs and the relaxed chill of quiet …

The Summertime Festival held at Warrington Parr Hall this year surpassed superlatives; with the exemplary line up, Joanne Shaw Taylor headlining ahead of The Stevie Nimmo Trio, Bad Touch and Xander & The Peace Pirates,  delivering performances that demonstrate each are at the tops of their individual games and bringing a …

Stevie Nimmo, winner of the 2016 Blues Awards Album of the Year with Sky Won’t Fall, has man flu. Yet despite this, the Glaswegian is every bit as upbeat and amiable as ever. Fresh from playing at Bospop in Holland, along with the likes of Black Star Riders, Beth Hart …

It’s been a busy old year for Norfolk based rockers Bad Touch. A plethora of gigs alongside the likes of Broken Witt Rebels, King King and The Kentucky Headhunters, a number of festival appearances and the release of a new and hugely acclaimed album in Truth Be Told, has seen …

A smorgasbord of musical styles is what underpins Revolution Come, Revolution Go, Gov’t Mule’s latest outing, with the presentation of each course as sumptuous as the last. Stone Cold Rage gets things underway. Switching back and forth from solid blues to raw funk, along with the searing, shimmering vocals provided …

At a smidge longer than the length of a football match, acclaimed slide guitarist Sonny Landreth and his band of long-time cohorts have delivered on Recorded Live at Lafayette an El Classico of their own. This part acoustic / part electric offering of some of the finest live blues around …

Silky smooth and exquisitely produced by Fred Mollin, blues-soul singer/songwriter Jo Harman has delivered with just her second solo album People We Become, a tour de force that sets her creative bar  – and that of her peers –unbelievably high for future projects. From the scratchy radio-intoned introduction of No …