See our good friend
Eddy B's Blueheart Archive - Blues News Archive

When you go to Eddy B's Blueheart Archive site be prepared to 'take-a-lunch' as Eddy, thorough musicologist that he is, packs more info and great historic photos onto his website than anyone else we know of. Eddy has committed his life to promoting Blues yet he refuses to exploit or profit from it. So major 'Brownie Points' (Bluie Points?) for Eddy B!

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

Blues Music... Sometimes sad, lonely and mournful, but in other cases fully energized and bursting with electric-guitar-fueled vigor, blues is one of the most powerful, influential and popular musical styles to have risen during the last few centuries.

The song structure is simple much of classic blues is based around a three-chord, 12-bar progression that leaves room for boundless improvisation and it serves as a foundation for much of today's popular music."

Kenny Wayne instills Love & Joy via his Boogie-woogie Blues and you won't find a better entertainer, as audiences everwhere Love this man and his Great Music.

" Boogie-Woogie piano man, singer and all-round ENTERTAINER...(Kenny is) an incredible presence on stage, a man with an ‘aura’ and he’s done well to transfer that deep, positive energy onto CDs with at least 3 magnificent discs to his credit."

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

"Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern musical traditions gain recognition and meet their day to day needs. Today, many such musicians are living in extreme poverty and need food, shelter, medical care, and other assistance. Music Maker's aid and service programs improve the quality of recipients' lives. Our work affirms to these artists that we value the gifts of music and inspiration they have delivered to the world."

Topcat Records

http://topcatrecords.com

http://www.pauloscher.com/

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

An altruistic mission if ever there was one, the shows at the Bow Theatre are known for their 'ain't-nothin'-but-a-Blues-party' atmosphere and they have a rabid, dedicated audience.

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

Crosscut Records http://crosscut.de

"Bringing the Best in contemporary American and European Blues to the world. Crosscut is a 'model' Indie label operation with a committment to the Music First."
Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

Over the last twenty years, some of the world's finest blues and roots musicians have recorded for CrossCut Records.
Our roster of artists is not limited to a certain blues style, or regions. Most importantly, we believe in honest, heartfelt, soulful, and handmade music.
Read about the artists and their whereabouts. Listen to the music samples, and if you like what you hear, check out the CrossCut Records store with many special offerings.

Bear Family Records http://bear-family.de/

The world's greatest record label for American vintage country music and rock'n'roll, German and International oldies, chansons, jazz and cabaret: in a class of its own.

http://www.electrofi.com/

Zyd E-Magic brings you the latest Zydeco/Cajun news & links on from Southern Louisiana on their online Zyde-Zine magazine. A must read for people who believe "Make Zydeco-not-war!"

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

http://snurl.com/cajunzydeco
or
http://users.erols.com/ghayman

http://www.honeybeeblues.com/

CLEVELAND FATS: THE WAY THINGS GO (HONEYBEE)

I expected this album to be very good, having heard Fats’ other albums, but I have to say that “The Way Things Go” is way beyond just ‘very good’.  It’s actually one of the best Blues albums of the year and several tracks could vie for song-of-the-year Award.  What’s interesting is that it took a guy from Cleveland to put together one of the Best Classic Chicago Blues albums we’ve heard in quite sometime.  And it also couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy or group of guys.  Everyone will dig this album immensely.  6 Bottles for Cleveland Fats’ career best. 

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

Mountain Top Productions
Big Tone!

http://www.westcoastblues.com/

Over the last 10 years, Mountain Top has delivered more than a dozen Magnificent West Coast Blues CD Masterpieces to the World's Blues Audience. They've also become the Classy Connoiseurs of Blues Harmonica releases, purveying state-of-the-art recordings that drip with True Blues Soul. Their Blues Harmonica Instruction videos/DVDs are regarded as the Best-In-The-Business and we Blues lovers should also shake their hand(s) for giving us a steady stream of CDs by unheralded Oakland/L.A. Blues Legends like Johnny Dyer, Fillmore Slim, Gary Smith, Frank Goldwasser, R.J. Mishcho and others.

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

SOUL BAG

http://www.soulbag.presse.fr/

THE FRENCH MAGAZINE

OF BLUES AND SOUL

SINCE 1968

DIALTONE RECORDS

http://www.dialtonerecords.com/

"Eddie Stout’s Dialtone Records is basically single-handedly attempting to record any/all of the remaining Black Texas Blues veterans of the 1950s/60s and do it without using big-name White musicians or gimmicks.  Stout’s got a crew of veteran Blues/R&B players whose no-frills, but deep-feeling playing, gives each of the Dialtone artists a rock solid and totally compatible foundation. Eddie Stout and Dialtone Records should be acknowledged for ‘doing-the-right-thing’ when so few do...Be sure and check out all of the GREAT TEXAS BLUES on Dialtone and support a label ‘doing-the-right-thing’."

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

http://www.pacificblues.com/

"If it's an exceptionally unique Independent Blues release chances are Pacific Blues will be distributing it. Operating as a label and a distributor Jerry Hall seeks to bring the best in Blues to the masses".

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

"Quickly becoming the Premier Blues label of North America, Delta Groove has set the standard for Modern Blues recordings. If there's one label that can bring Blues to a wider audience it's Delta Groove."

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

THE OOZIE BLUES

http://www.theoozieblues.com/

The Oozie Blues - Norm & Josie Pingray

"Two of our most important mandate goals are: to inspire/encourage Blues fans everywhere to get proactive in their local community and seek out any/all Blues musicians (both active and retired) and record their history and get them work, if they’re still playing...So, now we get to Josie and Norman Pingrey and their ‘Labor-of-Love’- The Oozie Blues. Norman & Josie are the epitome of the altruistic Blues crusaders that we so desperately need all over North America...Norm, a long-time Blues bassist, (John Lee Hooker, Smokey Wilson, Deacon Jones, Mickey Champion a/o) had all the club circuit savvy and connections, plus he also had a foot-in-the-door at all the ‘underground’ Black Blues hangouts that still existed.  Josie, on the other hand, was well-versed in booking, publicity, promoting, organizing and ‘babysittin’ musicians so it was probably a natural ‘given’ to take on the task of preserving and promoting the L.A. Blues.  Check out the Oozie Blues website to find out what’s happening with many L.A. Blues legends."

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

Yes, we are big fans of Mr. Pickett and with each and every new CD from the Canadian Blues harp legend, we become even more rabid supporters as Pickett continues to amaze everyone with even more unexpected talents and creative dimensions...The man needs to be recognized as a world-class tunesmith and while he still blows fine harmonica (major understatement) he has now decided to become a solo guitar and harp playing Blues Troubador and he pulls off this new persona majestically...As we say, Blues is truth, and Pickett obviously feels strongly about his role as a purveyor of truth (particularly on the number "The Hood") and his knack for emotional eloquence is proven thanks to his heartfelt homage to his life partner "Louise' (yes, it's the perfect Blues name) Pickett is one of those rare Canadian performers who can claim to be an authentic and legitimate Blues star...What we really have here folks is an exceptionally sensitive and committed artist who has talents that are genuine but oh-so-rare.

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

2000+ Bobby's show continues to rock the new century. He performs frequently in the Washington DC area and on tours around the world. His new tunes, soon to be released are dynamite!

"He's one of the few remaining guitarists on this planet who can pierce your heart and soothe your soul. He inspired me to play guitar."

--Carlos Santana

Frank Ace is the Patriarch of the Phoenix, AZ Blues scene. His roots go back to the late 1950's Arizona Blues scene (and also Los Angeles, as he lived at J.R. Fulbright's house in the early 1960's). Frank is still making GREAT Blues. Check out his excellent CDs!

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

http://www.frankace.com

HOMESPUN

http://www.homespuntapes.com

"Homespun...has been around for 38 years, since 1967, the proverbial "summer of love".  Happy...has been performing and teaching since his college days. He started writing instructional books in the mid-sixties and upon his publishing "Fingerpicking Styles for Guitar" in 1966, he began to get feedback from students as to how they had trouble getting the "right sound" by reading notes from the written page. The solution presented itself in the form of recorded lessons, based on Happy's tried and true method of teaching...Now, Homespun has more than 500 CD and DVD titles in their catalogue"

Bruce J. Miller

DVD lessons with great players such as Hubert Sumlin, Johnnie Johnson, Corey Harris, Roy Book Binder, Etta Baker, John Jackson, Rory Block and many others are available through Homespun.

"This guy's going to be big for ALL the right reasons!"

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

Ron Thompson & His Resistors

http://www.rtblues.com/audiovideo.html

"If you haven't experienced Ron T. 'live' I can't even begin to convey the absolute go-for-broke Blues rave-ups and sweat-soaked pandemonium Thompson and his Resistors dispense on a nightly basis."

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine


Full Review in Issue #29 now available at USA/ Chapters in Canada

The Johnny Max Band

www.johnnymaxband.com http://www.johnnymaxband.com

"I know that it’s still early 2005, but I’ve just listened to what could be the Best Canadian Blues CD of the year and all other homegrown talent will have a real task to match this disc let alone attempt to surpass it. The Johnny Max Band is truly West End Toronto’s (Etobicoke/Mississauga) Blue Collar Blues Crew, an outfit that plays for the patrons and delivers what most of us really want from a Blues Band: the ability to make you forget your boss, your money troubles, wife/husband turmoil and all stresses one needs to jettison, at least on a Friday or Saturday night. Hound Dog Taylor, I believe, said, “Have some fun, ‘cause when you’re dead, you’re done” and that could be this band’s motto as well."

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

TRAVIS HADDIX

http://www.travishaddix.net

"...what Travis is known for; killer songwriting with powerhouse music matched up with outrageous lyrics. Nobody sounds like Travis Haddix and Travis sounds like nobody but Travis...he's the absolute Best Bluesman in Contemporary Urban Blues."

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

BLUES WITH RUSSELL

http://www.blueswithrussell.com/

BLUEBEAT MUSIC

http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/

Bluebeat Music has one of the largest selections of blues cds on the internet. Choose from over 10,000 different blues titles from the latest releases to hard to find gems. We also carry a large selection of Dvd's, books and magazines as well as a comprehensive selection of used blues cds at great prices.

http://www.henrystonemusic.com

Henry Stone and the Golden Era Florida R&B/Soul Scene

The man was a 1970s hit-making Monster!  Henry Stone was in his prime as a talent scout/producer/record label owner and I doubt anyone else came close to his record of TOP 40 Hits between 1970-80. From what I know about Stone (I vow to present his whole story in Real Blues sometime soon…) he was like so many other Indie Recording Entrepreneurs in the 1950s (his career actually started in the late 1940s!) in that he Loved Black Music and he wanted to capture it and promote it so others might also share his Joy.  What’s amazing is that Henry Stone, in his late eighties, is still turning us on to amazing music.   Maybe Henry Stone will never get the credit he deserves but he certainly is making this world a little better with his gifts of Soulful Joy.

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

"One of the very best by ‘New Era’ Blues artists in the last 5 years...Chainsaw Dupont boasts a ‘can’t miss’ combination of big talent, diverse repertoire and song-writing skills...music-with-a-message...In a nutshell, he’s achieved the impossible; this is GREAT MUSIC!

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

VP & The HammerHeads

http://www.fattonerecords.com
http://www.fat-tone.com.au

"All lovers of Great Blues Harmonica, West Coast Blues, nasty, but stellar guitar and Dance Floor Boogie should put this CD at the top of their list as it has all the right ingredients in heaping helpings and it’s done so right!"

  Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

THE MYSTIC KNIGHTS OF THE MAU MAU

About the Mystic Knights of Mau Mau
Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau,
Keep Rock and Roll Alive in New Orleans

"For those who are trying to figure out JUST what we’re talking about here, the Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau is not a band. It is a secret organization solely dedicated to the preservation and promotion of rock n’ roll sainthood in New Orleans. Some would say Martyrdom would be a more descriptive term. The point is, there are so many greats from the early days, real rock n’ rollers in our midst and next to nothing is being done to shine the spotlight on them. In many cases they are the ones who deserve it the most. And in many cases, as has been proven in other places, they’re still capable of tearin’ the roof off the joint. The Knights of the Mau Mau are simply dedicated to providing the that roof and an atmosphere conducive to tearing that roof off." --- Excerpt from issue #2 of the Knights’ hand scrawled fanzine

http://www.knights-maumau.com/

CARTER CHAPLIN

http://www.carterchaplin.ca

BILLY JONES

http://hometown.aol.com/billyjonesbluez/page4.html

"With Billy Jones showing so many talents and covering every single genre close to Blues, the Man is a ‘can’t miss’ star-in-the-making…No wait, he’s not in-the-making…He’s made!  If a major U.S. label doesn’t scoop up this high-level Blues genius within the next 3-4 months then we’re all in trouble!  But, whatever happens, No One is going to keep a lid on Billy Jones.  He’s off on-a-rocket folks and we certainly need a Big Blues talent like his in 2005/06.  6 Big Bottles for one of the very Best Authentic Modern Blues albums in recent memory."

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

http://www.jezebelrecordsinc.com/
http://www.loritomgt.com

Frank Carillo & The Bandoleros

ALEX GOMEZ

http://www.alexgomez.biz/

Alex Gomez: Always Never

" What's really interesting is that the disc was recorded at the legendary Sugarhill Studios in Houston (Lightnin' Hopkins and Janis Joplin) and I don't know if that heritage contributed some of the excess of Boogie testosterone, but whatever the contributing factors were - this CD is killer-diller, mad dog, Boogie Blues at its rabid finest..Picture Hound Dog Taylor with Black Flag circa 1982...Alex delivers a modern day Link Wray 'Rumble'? attitude and I dig it. Boogie (and rock) ain't supposed to be pretty, boring or polite. Hey! It's a gol' darn riot of good time Boogie and Gomez's distorted, nasty slide playing gets extra bonus points for the use of a socket wrench (no kiddin') slide. North American music needs to be kicked in the ass and beaten over the head and Alex Gomez is the man for the job...Gomez is the hottest thing to happen to Boogie Blues...in 30 years and once he hits the airwaves (along with Robin Sylar and Tony Vega) we should have a much needed Boogie Blues-filled music revolution. Every tune is a smokin' hot killer-diller."

Andy Grigg, Real Blues Magazine

THE TWISTERS

http://www.twisters.ca/

LESISMORE

http://www.lesismoremusic.com/

The blues / jazz group, lesismore, offers a refreshing mix of jazz standards spiced with jump, swing, pop, R&B and a healthy helping of the blues.

Add to that a delightfully eclectic mix of tunes from various genres, and you'll be transported on a tasteful retro-romp through the 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's.

Check our their website for Venue, CD information
and song & video clips!

Earl Klatzel, Artist

Skip James
"Influenced by his music and mesmerized by the dedication within his gaze, I felt this image and setting would reflect all that is the Blues. The power in his song combined with the distant views of cotton fields lets you absorb the feeling of style, sound and loneliness of a bluesman."

"Playing The Music That Radio Forgot"
with Johnny Max & Chuck Jackson
Every Sunday night at 10pm On AM1430
http://www.fairchildradio.com/

“Sunday night Soul”?gPlaying The Music That Radio Forgot?h with Johnny Max & Chuck Jackson Every Sunday night at 10pm on AM1430 www.fairchildradio.com is about the feeling that we (Baby Boomers, Flower Children, Children of Flower Children) had, growing up listening to “Wolfman” Jack, David Marsden or “The Coop”. When Toronto had a “scene”. We, who grew up with “Trudeaumania, the Kennedy’s, Peaceniks, Beatlemania and The ’72 Canada-Russia series, have been overlooked by radio. With over 40 Blues and Roots Festivals in Ontario, we think that there is a need for our type of music, the music we had our first “anything”. "

" I doubt if there's a better female blues or rock vocalist in Canada…"
Andy Grigg, " Real Blues Magazine.