“Clarke's timing and music are right on the money, with the great Alex Schultz on lead guitar. There is no doubt that Clarke is one of the few modern bluesmen who are exploring and extending the amplified blues harp tradition without violating any of its principles. No one plays chromatic blues harp with this kind of passion and sheer conviction.”                                              All Music

A classic album from the early 90s, William Clarkes debut for Alligator records stands as a modern blues classic and I’m thrilled to to feature it for you this week, in the new extended 2hr version of Blues With A Feeling.

Plus new releases from Southern Avenue, TajMo, Kenny Neal, Jon Cleary, Tommy Castro, Kid Ramos, Bernard Allison, Bob Corritore, GA 20, Early James, Canyon Lights and Polyrhythmics.

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“The band were at the peak of their powers as a live unit at this point, so it made sense that their next release should reflect that; the self-explanatory Live was recorded at a rapturously received gig held at Cincinnati Gardens on 23 May 1986. Including firm favourites such as ‘Who Do You Love?’, ‘I Drink Alone’ and ‘Madison Blues’, the LP was a terrific snapshot of The Destroyers in viciously good nick and – after climbing to No.33 on the US Billboard 200 – the LP eventually earned itself a platinum certification.”                                                                               Udiscovermusic

With George Thorogood & The Destroyers arrival in Australia now just weeks away, I’ve reached back to 1985 to feature this gem, the bands chart topping, platinum selling album “Live”. It was huge here in Australia and across the world, spending an amazing 42 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart.

Plus  another crackin couple of sets of new releases from TajMo, Southern Avenue, Kid Ramos, Jon Cleary, Carolyn Wonderland, Bernard Allison, GA20 and Canyon Lights.

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"Recorded in both Memphis and Texas and prominently featuring the amazing Bill Willis on Hammond B-3 (who doubles on bass pedals -- leaving this as one of the few blues albums without an official bassist), Jimmie's more subtle approach leaves lots of spaces to nail a groove that gets deeper as the album progresses. Guests like James Cotton on harp and longtime associate singer Lou Ann Barton (who just about steals the show on the songs where she duets with Vaughan) inject extra spice, but the singer/guitarist has crafted a compelling slice of contemporary blues that blends traditional elements in a distinctive way....Rootsy yet polished tracks like the R&B swamp of "Without You" and the Texas soul of Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "In the Middle of the Night" (featuring Stevie Ray's Double Trouble rhythm section) crackle with taut energy and low-down soul. By forging an individual musical style, Jimmie Vaughan not only avoids all Stevie Ray comparisons, but has produced a remarkable album that truly sounds like no one else." ~ Hal Horowitz, AllMusic.com

With Jimmie Vaughan celebrating a birthday on the 20th, I couldn’t resist the temptation to pull out this modern classic for a BWAF feature.

Plus new releases from Kenny Neal & Micah Willis, Jon Cleary, Bernard Allison, Southern Avenue, Tommy Castro, Carolyn Wonderland and Bernard Allison.

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“He was one of the most gifted blues guitar players of all time. A mere thirty two years old at the time of his passing, Fats had already made a big splash in this small pond. His playing however continues to make waves and has had an impact on blues guitar players worldwide.” David Mac Blues Junction Productions

With the legendary Hollywood Fats birthday this week, I thought I was long overdue to feature The Hollywood Fats Bands debut album “Rock This House” on the show.

Plus new releases from TajMo, Charlie Musselwhite, Keny Neal and Micah Willis, Jon Cleary, Tommy Castro, Ian Siegal meets Johnny Mastro, Early James and Polyrhythmics.

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“That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” has been at it for well over a half century, delivering rock, blues and boogie on the road and in the studio to millions of devoted fans.  With classic songs such as “Sharp Dressed Man”, “Legs” and “Gimme Me All Your Lovin” and iconography as distinctive as their sound, ZZ TOP is virtually synonymous with beards, hot-rod cars, spinning guitars and that magic keychain, all of which transcend geography and language.

With ZZ Top heading to Australia in April, I’m continuing my exploration into the bands back catalogue this week, by featuring their 1972 release “Rio Grande Mud”.

Plus new releases from TajMo, Jon Cleary, Tommy Castro, Southern Avenue, Kenny Neal & Micah Willis, Ray Beadle, Bob Corritore, Canyon Lights, Polyrhythmics and Early James.

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“A soul-blues revivalist who isn't strictly a traditionalist, Eli "Paperboy" Reed synthesized several strands of 1960s soul, marrying gritty Southern funk with gutsy Chicago blues.”

With Eli “Paper Boy” Reed set to tour in Australia in May, I sat down for a chat with him about 20 years in the biz, about those amazing times chasing his muse following school, and our favourite Sam Cooke album. Plus songs from four of his incredible albums, released since 2005.

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"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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