The return of the legendary harmonica giant from the 1950s Chicago blues scene. "A triumphant comeback"—Billboard

 

Billy Boy Arnold is back. With his 1992 Alligator Records debut, Back Where I Belong, Arnold firmly reestablished himself as one of the foremost practitioners of classic Chicago blues. His wailing harmonica playing and soulful vocals are a perfect match for his streetwise songwriting. The combination of Delta-influenced blues with a more urban sophistication not only defines Arnold's sound, but was also a significant contribution in the early, formative days of rock and roll. 

 

I’m excited about featuring this wonderful record for you this week. With Billy Boy backed by a crack group of young West Coast hotshots, he sounds like he’s having the time of his life.

Plus new releases from Charlie Musselwhite, Buddy Guy, TajMo, Janiva Magness, Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Larry McCray, Chambers DesLauriers, Eric Gales, DK Harrell, Brandon Santini and Terry Hanck.

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“Cotton’s long, fabled career is unrivaled in terms of its historic import….a name that is mentioned alongside some of the very best performers ever to play the instrument. Cotton’s playing has cemented his place in the top tier of blues harmonica masters: that muscular tone, those brawny wails, the stinging high note bends. …sends a shiver down the spine. Fiery, inimitable, ferocious attack, dominance and power. The well of talent he draws from is as deep as the blues he plays.”

– Living Blues

 

With the great James Cottons birthday in July, I’ve pulled together a collection of some of the great mans finest tunes. And to put it all in context, I’m joined by another monster of the blues harmonica Kim Wilson, who was kind enough to share with us his memories of the man from Tunica Mississippi.

 

Plus tracks from the latest releases by Buddy Guy, Janiva Magness, Taj Mo, Charlie Musselwhite, Southern Avenue, DK Harrell and Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson.

 

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Albert Collins Classic Album Feature – Cold Snap

“This Grammy-nominated album features some of Albert's most popular tracks like I Ain't Drunk, Lights Are On But Nobody's Home and Too Many Dirty Dishes. The Master of the Telecaster's last Alligator release, and his favourite, finds him backed by a hand-picked all-star band featuring organist Jimmy McGriff and guitarist Mel Brown, plus the Uptown Horns.”

I’m excited to be featuring this Collins classic this week.

Plus new releases from Buddy Guy, Southern Avenue, Charlie Musselwhite, Janiva Magness, TajMo, Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Larry McCray, Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson, Brandon Santini, Jon Cleary, DK Harrell, Terry Hanck, Carolyn Wonderland and All Things Swamp.

 

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“Genius doesn't even begin to describe the greatness of The Genius Sings the Blues. Comprised of a dozen songs Ray Charles made between 1952 and 1960, the collection was released in 1961 by Atlantic Records to counter the singer's migration to rival ABC Paramount. What Atlantic originally underestimated is that the album contained many of Charles' greatest works, all unified by their bluesy emotions and stirring arrangements. A classic of the soul and R&B canon, The Genius Sings the Blues is a snapshot of the evolution of timeless American music captured by the pianist's indelible rhythmic pace, gospel roots, jazz backgrounds, and Southern-styled accents.”

Thrilled to feature for you this wonderful collection from Ray Charles this week.

Plus new releases from Buddy Guy, Jania Magness, Charlie Musselwhite, Larry McCray, Southern Avenue, Christone Kingfish Ingram, TajMo, Jon Cleary, Terry Hanck, Kid Ramos, John Primer, Harrell Davenport and Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

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Taj Mahal Classic Album Feature – Dancing The Blues

 

“Songs from Fats Domino to Louis Jordan. Etta James joins in on the classic “Mockingbird” along with a “slamming” band including Texacali Horns, Tony Braunagel, Chuck Domanico, Mick Weaver, Johnny Lee Schell, and Bill Payne & Ritchie Hayward from Little Feat. Dancing The Blues will get ya shakin’ your tail feathers!”

                                                                                                            Tajmahal.com

I’m excited to feature this wonderful record this week, a favourite of mine from the very early 90s, this is Taj Mahal sounding as good as it gets.

Plus new releases from Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd, TajMo, Charlie Musselwhite, Southern Avenue, DK Harrell, Hat Fitz & Cara, John Primer, Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport, Larry McCray, Terry Hanck and Dave Specter.

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 “The first of Freddie King’s three albums for Leon Russell’s Shelter label set the tone for his work for the company: superb electric blues with a prominent rock/soul influence. The massive Texan and the longhaired Oklahoman got it right the first time around with the aptly titled Getting Ready LP. Recorded at the legendary Chess studios in Chicago, it might well rank as Freddie King’s most creatively satisfying work.”

 

I’m super excited about featuring this classic from Freddie King from way back in 1971. Plus new releases from TajMo, Janiva Magness, Southern Avenue, DK Harrell, Tad Robinson, Jon Cleary, Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dave Specter, Charlie Musselwhite, Brandon Santini, Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson and Terry Hanck.

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“Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live - 1979 brings you the electrifying and unforgettable live performance of one of blues' most legendary artists, Muddy Waters. Capturing his raw energy and soulful presence, this live album is a testament to Muddy Waters’ profound influence on the blues genre. Featuring classic tracks like "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "Mannish Boy" this collection offers an intimate experience of his unforgettable stage presence.”

I’m excited to present this classic live set from Muddy Waters and his incredible band this week.

Plus new releases from DK Harrell, Charlie Musselwhite, Southern Avenue, TajMo, Jon Cleary, Janiva Magness, Poppa Chubby, Tad Robinson, Brandon Santini, Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd, GA20, Hat Fiz & Cara Robinson, Bernard Allison, Terry Hanck, Carolyn Wonderland and Dave Specter.

 

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“When they referred to consistently amazing guitarist Snooks Eaglin as a human jukebox in his New Orleans hometown, they weren't dissing him in the slightest. The blind Eaglin was a beloved figure in the Crescent City, not only for his gritty, Ray Charles-inspired vocal delivery and wholly imaginative approach to the guitar, but for the seemingly infinite storehouse of oldies that he was liable to pull out on-stage at any second -- often confounding his bemused band in the process!” All Music

Can’t wait to share this wonderful record with you this week. His final studio album saw Snooks joined in the studio by Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen and the results are just glorious.

Plus new releases from TajMo, Janiva Magness, Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tad Robinson, Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson, Jon Cleary, DK Harrell, Terry Hanck, Dave Specter and Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport.

 

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“The Blues Foundation has announced its 2025 Blues Music Awards winners. The winners were revealed on Thursday, May 8, in Memphis, Tennessee.

Big winners from the night included Ruthie Foster, Sue Foley, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Curtis Salgado, and John Primer, who all took home multiple awards. Ronnie Baker Brooks led the way with three wins.”

With the announcement of the Blues Music Awards winners a couple of weeks ago, I thought it was overdue for me to shine a light on the winners. Featuring songs from the latest release from each, it’s easy to hear why they walked away with an award.

Plus new releases from Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Janiva Magness, Brandon Santini and Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson.

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“Magnificent, staggering, almost beyond belief.  Utterly Blues approved.”
--“GUITAR PLAYER” MAGAZINE, U.S.A.  

“There’s no more explosive Blues guitar player in the world.”
--“ESQUIRE”, U.S.A.  

 

“DAVE HOLE is a musician whose time has finally come. In fact, considering the acclaim he's received in the past few months, it's hard to understand why he has remained unknown for so long. The reason is simple-Dave developed his amazingly intense slide guitar sound and strange playing style in almost total obscurity in one of the most isolated cities in the world: Perth, Australia.

After playing professionally for over twenty years, Dave has finally broken out as the "overnight" phenomenon he deserves to be. A rave review of Short Fuse Blues in Guitar Player (which almost never reviews records available only as imports) led to a feature story in the same magazine. Buoyed by both stories, Dave has suddenly emerged into the international spotlight. Not only has he toured the cities of eastern Australia, but he'll be making his European debut later in1992.”

I’m excited to feature this landmark album this week. Dave Holes break out release Short Fuse Blues. And to put it in perspective, I’ve enlisted the assistance of Alligator Records boss Bruce Iglauer, Guitar Player magazine editor Jas Obrecht and Dave Hole himself, to share their memories of this amazing moment in Blues history.

Plus new releases from Charlie Musselwhite, Janiva Magness, Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Hat Fitz & Cara.

 

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