"Thorogood deals strongly in early '50s style rock and timeless blues and this album captures him at his slidin', pickin', wailin' best." Cashbox

With the announcement that George Thorogood & the Destroyers will return to Australia in April for a month of gigs, I’m digging deep into the bands incredible multi-million selling back catalogue to feature the bands debut album “George Thorogood & The  Delaware Destroyers”

Plus new releases from Charlie Musselwhite, Ruthie Foster, Tommy Castro, Southern Avenue, Ian Siegal & Johnny Mastro, Bob Corritore and Early James.

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“This captures Magic Sam and his band in more laid-back form, playing a small, booze-free venue rather than a rowdy bar or a festival audience in the thousands. Magic Sam may be in a more relaxed temper here, but his guitar work is absolutely on point; Sam's agile, incisive lead work, his dazzling string bends, and his fiery solos in which he fires off notes with the precision of a machine gun are all on display, confirming Sam's status as one of the most exciting and underrated players on the Chicago blues scene at the end of the '60s.”

I’m remembering the legendary Magic Sam this week, by featuring this obscure live recording from 1968  ‘Live at the Avant Garde’ that sounds quite incredible.

Plus new releases from Tommy Castro, Ian Siegal and Johnny Mastro, Ray Beadle and Early James.

 

#blueswithafeelingpodcast #shakeyshaun_ #bluespodcast #magicsam #delmarkrecords #tommycastro #earlyjames #raybeadle #iansiegal #johnnymastro

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“The Taj Mahal Sextet’s Swingin’ Live at the Church in Tulsa won the Best Traditional Blues Album Grammy Award. The award was announced on February 2, 2025.

Swingin’ Live at the Church in Tulsa captures a live performance at the historic Tulsa studio once home to Leon Russell. The album features ten tracks spanning multiple genres, performed by his long-time quartet, bassist Bill Rich, drummer Kester Smith, and guitarist/lap steel player Bobby Ingano, along with dobro player Rob Ickes and guitarist/vocalist Trey Hensley.

 

Ruthie Foster’s tenth studio album, Mileage, won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. 

Mileage, reflects on her journey from singing in rural Texas churches to earning Grammy nominations and collaborating with artists like Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.

Produced by Tyler Bryant, the album grew from conversations about her life, shaping a collection rooted in storytelling and personal experience. The title track was inspired by a casual remark about her years on the road, while the lead single, “Rainbow,” delivers a message of love and acceptance."                                                                                                                                              World Music Central

 

With Taj and Ruthie taking away Grammy awards this year, I’ve put together a show this week featuring tracks from both winning records.

Plus new releases from Charlie Musselwhite, Southern Avenue, Maria Muldaur & Benny Turner, Tommy Castro, Bob Corritore and Bobby Rush, Ian Siegal & Johnny Main, Ray Beadle and Early James    

 

 

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“After detours into jazz, pop and country, Etta James is back in the smoking eye of an R&B maelstrom, singing with controlled fury and vinegary bite.

 Surrounding this queen bee of the blues are two fresh princes: sons Donto and Sametto, who produced and engineered, and played drums and bass, respectively. The young bloods balance classic and contemporary approaches, leaving Mama free to breathe fire into an intriguing mix of tunes…

Matriarch of the Blues finds Etta James reclaiming her throne — and defying anyone to knock her off it.”                                                                                                           Rolling Stone

 

With Etta’s birthday last week, I’m celebrating by digging deep into her catalogue and featuring this Grammy nominated 2000 Private Music release “Matriarch Of The Blues”

Plus new releases from Tommy Castro, Frank Bey, Ian Siegal & Johnny Main and Early James

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“With a formula that began a serious legacy, ‘ZZ Top’s First Album’ introduced the Texan trio as one of the best blues-rock acts in history.

Released on 16 January 1971,  it established a blueprint that would serve the trio well for the next 50 years, and make them possibly the most enduring and successful blues-rock band of all time.”

With ZZ Top announcing plans for their 2025 Elevation tour of Australia and New Zealand, I’ll be taking a deep dive into the bands earliest released in the months leading up to their arrival in April. This week, their debut ZZ Tops First Album.

Plus new releases from Charlie Musselwhite, Ruthie Foster, Tommy Castro, Eric Bibb, Eli “Paper Boy” Reed, Frank Bey, Early James, Bob Corritore, Vanessa Collier, Ian Siegal & Johnny Mastro.

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“B.B. King: Live In Africa captures the legendary blues guitarist's 1974 performance in Kinshasa, Zaire. This concert was part of a three-day celebration of black sports and music that also featured the "Rumble in the Jungle" heavyweight championship fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali…his performances of "The Thrill Is Gone," "Sweet Sixteen," "I Like to Live the Love," and "Why I Sing the Blues" rank among his best.” Heather Pares

 

I’ve pulled together a cracking show for the last new program of the year.

BB and the band are absolutely on fire on this set and I’ve also included new releases from Shemekia Copeland, Chris Cain, Eddie 9v, Ruthie Foster, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Sonny Gullage, Duke Robillard, Jimmy Carpenter and Eric Bibb.

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"Up-to-date, raw-edged blues…unassailable musicianship, passion and conviction."
—Chicago Reader

"Jumping, rocking blues…Peterson is a triple-threat player, excelling on guitar, piano and especially Hammond organ." 
—Washington Post

Another classic blues release from 1994 this week, featuring Lucky Petersons 2nd Verve records release “Beyond Cool”

Plus new releases from  Shemekia Copeland, Eric Bibb, Ruthie Foster, Eli “Paper Boy” Reed, Jimmy Carpenterand Tab Benoit.

#blueswithafeelingpodcast #shakeyshaun_ #bluespodcast #luckypeterson #ververecords #shemekiacopeland #ericbibb #ruthiefostermusic #elipaperboyreed #jimmycarpenter #tabbenoit

 

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“Hellbent for blues, the red-hot Red Devils have cranked out the year's most electrifying live album, a stunning debut. Even a band this sharp and spirited will be hard-pressed to top it. The raw and rootsy King King,  produced by sonic sharpshooter Rick Rubin, was recorded at L.A.'s King King club, where the Devils served as house band for six years. Whether blasting their own Goin' to the Church or breathing new fire into Sonny Boy Williamson's loping Cross Your Heart, the band outshines any contemporaries with its lean, high-powered and nasty approach to Chicago blues.”

I’ve got a Blues With A Feeling Classic album feature this week that will knock your socks off, The Red Devils incredible debut album “King King.
Plus new releases from Erib Bibb, Tommy Castro, Ruthie Foster, Eddie 9V and Shemekia Copeland.

#blueswithafeelingpodcast #bluespodcast #shakeyshaun_ #thereddevils #defamerican #rickrubin #kingking #ericbibb #tommycastro #ruthiefoster #eddie9v #shemekiacopeland

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“As the milestone tenth studio album from blues luminary Ruthie Foster, Mileage finds the singer-songwriter reflecting on a life full of professional triumphs, personal loss, and a musical journey that took a self-described “little Black girl with a guitar” from singing at churches in rural Texas to chalking up multiple Grammy nominations and collaborating with fellow greats such as Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.” 

I’m joined on the show by Ruthie Foster this week as we chat about her latest album Mileage, about working with producer Tyler Brant and the creative process that led to this wonderful record, we talk about love and loss and our favourite Texan guitar players.

Featuring songs from “Mileage” and “Live at Antones”

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“After many years this is the debut of one of the living legends of Texas blues, drummer/singer and songwriter Bramhall. Since his early days back in 1964, Doyle has been a constant figure on the scene in Dallas with the Chessmen and (Texas) Storm, working together with the young Vaughan brothers. He moved to New Orleans to play with Mason Ruffner, joined Rocky Hill and backed Marcia Ball out of Austin. In 1973 he wrote 'Dirty Pool' together with S.R.V., they joined forces again during the late eighties.  Featuring: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, his son Doyle Bramhall II, Smokin Joe Kubek, Tommy Shannon, Robin Syler, David Murray and more.”

I’m featuring this 1994 Antones Records classic this week.

Plus new releases from Ruthie Foster, Shemekia Copeland, Sonny Gullage, Jovin Webb, Vanessa Collier, Tab Benoit, Eddie DV, Jimmy Carpenter and Eric Bibb.

#blueswithafeelingpodcast #bluespodcast #shakeyshaun_ #blues #doylebramhall #shemekiacopeland #ruthiefoster #sonnygullage #jovinwebb #vanessacollier #tabbenoit #eddie9v #jimmycarpenter #ericbibb

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