“When Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ met in the studio to record this album, the synergy was akin to a supernova, pairing two of the biggest stars in the blues world, and this release, which combines the efforts of two of the music universe’s brightest lights, is certain to be essential listening for perpetuity.”
                                                                                          Bluesblast magazine 2017

 

With Taj Mahal announced last week as set to appear at Bluesfest 2024 and Keb Mo celebrating a birthday last week, Shaun’s featuring this celebrated album, the 2018 Best Contemporary Blues album Grammy award winner TajMo.

Plus new releases from Bobby Rush, Jason Ricci & the Bad Kind, Jackie Venson, Tom Hambridge and Christone Kingfish Ingram.

 

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“Mike was an extraordinary talent, as at home with bluegrass and old-time fiddle music as he was with the blues. He was a superb blues harp player too.” Mark Knopfler

 

With the sad passing of the great Mike Henderson just over a week ago, Shaun’s joined by master singer/songwriter Kevin Welch to remember this remarkable talent. With tracks from four incredible albums. Edge Of Night, First Blood, Thicker Than Water and If You Think It’s Hot Here.

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“Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram has already made his mark as one of the best, and undoubtedly most exciting, blues guitarists in the world.” –Guitar World

 

Over the course of blues history, there are a small number of live albums that have stood the test of time to become classics of the genre—Muddy Waters’ At Newport 1960, B.B. King’s Live In Cook County Jail and Albert King’s Live Wire/Blues Power are among these deeply rooted, highly emotional and truly iconic recordings. And now comes Live In London, the jaw-dropping third album from GRAMMY Award-winning, 24-year-old Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Recorded on June 6, 2023, in front of a sweaty, sold-out, standing-room-only crowd at the famous UK club, The Garage, Live In London is the guitar-driven live album Kingfish’s fans around the world have been clamoring for since they first watched him perform as a teenager on YouTube.

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“James Edward "Snooky" Pryor was an American Chicago blues harmonica player. He claimed to have pioneered the now-common method of playing amplified harmonica by cupping a small microphone in his hands along with the harmonica.”

 

There’s a lot more to Snooky Pryors career than just that snippet of history but it says a lot about his role in the development of post WW 2 electric Chicago Blues.

With Snooky celebrating a birthday on the 15th, Shaun’s pulled a classic album feature from deep in the back catalogue of Antones Records With classic backing from a first call list of sidemen, rarely seen before or since. Snooky Pryors 1994 release In This Mess Up To My Chest.

 

Plus new releases from Christone Kingfish Ingram, Candice Ivory, Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind and Monster Mike Welch.

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“He didn’t just play the guitar—he attacked it.

His authoritative presence and vigorous showmanship earned him the nickname the “Texas Cannonball.”

His heavy-handed licks can still be heard today in the playing of Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor, all King acolytes.

Blues innovator Freddie King sang like a lion and struck his guitar’s strings with rattlesnake intensity.

Those talents, along with his compositional brilliance, took King to the pinnacle of success in the blues world of the sixties and seventies.”

                                                                                          Ted Drozowski

With Freddie King celebrating a birthday early in September, Shaun’s dug deep into the Blues With A Feeling library for an absolute classic, 1972s Shelter Records release Texas Cannonball.

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It was the great singer, songwriter and piano player Memphis Slims birthday this week and Shaun’s celebrating by featuring his classic collaboration with Buddy Guy “Southside Reunion”. Rollicking piano led Chicago blues recorded in France while Buddy was on tour with The Roling Stones.

Plus new releases from Ray Beadle, DK Harrell, The Wicked Lowdown,  Nick Moss Band feat Denis Gruenling, Bobby Rush, Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind and Monster Mike Welch.

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“In a career that has spanned more than four decades, Robert Cray has played with virtually all the guitar giants: Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Chuck Berry, and Keith Richards. And in the process, the Strat-wielding bluesman himself became a giant”

The blues guitarist celebrates 40 years in the biz with a jam-packed box set that blends new and old live recordings and video interviews.

                                                                                                                        Premier Guitar Aug 2015

Continuing Shaun’s Robert Cray Birthday celebrations this week by featuring this wonderful live recording of the Robert Cray Band at the peak of their powers – 4 Nights of 40 Years Live.

Plus tracks from the latest releases by Nic Clark, Robert Finley and the Nick Moss Band feat.Denis Gruenling

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“This was the album thought to have put Cray on the map, prior to his explosion into the mainstream with Strong Persuader in 1986. It was his second release and his first on High Tone Records… The most well-known and memorable song off the album was probably the funky minor-key blues song, "Phone Booth," later covered by his idol Albert King.”

Its 40 yrs this month since the release of Robert Crays Bad Influence album and Shauns celebrating this week by featuring this quite wonderful record on the show this week.

Plus new releases from Nick Clark, Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind, DK Harrell and Ray Beadle.

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"It is not by chance that Ray has become a favourite amongst Australian music fans. An exhilarating guitarist, an enthralling singer-songwriter, and an extremely talented performer, Ray Beadle is the genuine article, his music comes deep from the heart and soul, stirring emotions in people with his guitar genius. Ray’s music is rich with a deep history of the Blues; Rich from 20 years of experiences garnered from performing nationally and internationally; and rich from a deep understanding of his instrument and how to make it stir something within the listener. He knows that’s what the Blues is about.”

Ray Beadles new record "Bound To Get The Blues" is in stores now and with he and the band in Brisbane this week to launch the new album, Shaun's joined by Ray on the show for a chat. Plus tracks from three of Rays previous releases. 

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“Newly re-mastered from the original tapes, this classic live blues album features Buddy Guy at the height of his powers, tearing through a blistering and virtuosic set.”

With Buddy Guy celebrating his 87th birthday on July 30, Shaun’s pulled a live classic from 1968 “This is Buddy Guy”. Its classic Buddy aged in his early 30’s, finally stepping out and recording as an artist in his own right. As the impact of his incredible musicianship was felt throughout the world with the British Blues Boom of the late 60’s.

Plus new releases from Ray Beadle, Alabama Mike, Robert Connely Farr, Lloyd Spiegel, Willie J, Nick Moss Band feat. Denis Gruenling, Monster Mike Welch and Selwyn Birchwood.

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