CD Reviews of: Charlie Musselwhite, Otis Rush, Robin Rogers, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, Irma Thomas, Blues Harp Meltdown Vol. 3, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and a Big George Brock DVD. In our essential features - Box Set Blues Pt. III - another look at the flood of budget priced blues boxes. In our special features section a look at some new notable blues reissues.

CD Reviews of: Howard Tate, Lee Gates, Duke Robillard, Billy Flynn. In our essential features a look at a batch of notable reissues. In our special features section - country Blues Goldmine: Lost 78's found & more.

CD Reviews of: Harrison Kennedy, Billy Jones, Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label, Root Doctor, The Greatest Blues Show On Earth! and Penitentiary Blues. In our special features a look at our favorite blues radio features of 2005. In our essential features we look back at at the 1927 Mississippi flood and the many blues songs that were inspired by that tragic event.

CD Reviews of: Roosevelt Dean, Mac Arnold, John Long, Bishop Joe Simon, Marvin Sease, Floyd Taylor, the book 'Talkin' to Myself; Blues Lyrics, 1921-1942 by Michael Taft and the 2006 Classic Blues Artwork Calendar Vol. 3. In our special features a look at our favorite blues radio features of 2005. In our essential features spotlight on great blues singer Esther Phillips with audio feature.

CD Reviews of: Otis Rush, Taildragger, Eddie Hinton, Eddie Burns, Artie White, Betty LaVette and a trio of Hurricane Katrina benefit CD's. In our special features a look at the year in blues. In our essential features our picks for the best new blues records and reissues of 2005.

CD Reviews of: A Monterey Tribute To Ray Charles plus reviews of the books Encyclopedia of the Blues and Paul Oliver's Broadcasting the Blues. In our special features section an extensive look at Christmas blues through the years. In our essential features a roundup of new and notable reissues.

CD Reviews of: The Mannish Boys, Duke Robillard DVD, Tab Benoit, Rich DelGrosso, Jamie Wood, Billy Boy Arnold and a pair of Hubert Sumlin reissues. In our special features section A look at recently passed legend Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown with audio feature. In our essential features section a look at New Orleans master Snooks Eaglin.

CD Reviews of: Chick Willis, George Hughley, B.B. King, Lou Pride, Barrelhouse Chuck, Delbert McClinton and the Campbell Brothers. In our special features section we review a recent live show by John Hammond. In our essential blues section a look at the late Gatemouth Brown with audio feature.

CD Reviews of: A pair by Roy C, Magic Slim & The Teardrops, Candye Kane, Big George Brock, Charles (Big Daddy) Stallings, James Harman and Richard Ray Farrell. In our special features section we review a recent live show by Candye Kane. In our essential blues section a look at masterful blues vocalist and songwriter Percy Mayfield with audio feature.

CD Reviews of: Floyd Dixon, Otis Spann, Paul Oscher, Rosie Ledet, Johnny Nicholas and Maria Muldaur. In our special features section - Box Set Blues II- A look at some of the budget priced box sets that have been flooding the blues shelves. In our essential blues section we spotlight legendary blues singer Jimmy "T-99" Nelson with audio feature

CD Reviews of: Rod Piazza, Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges, Jimmy "T99" Nelson, Buckwheat Zydeco, Nick Moss & The Flip Tops, Blind Arvella Gray. In our special features section - Box Set Blues - A look at some of the budget priced box sets that have been flooding the blues shelves. In our essential blues section look at the career of blues harmonica master George "Harmonica" Smith with audio feature.

CD Reviews of: Little Freddie King, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, Eddie Turner, Helge Tallqvist, Carlos Del Junco, Big Red and Thomas Fields. In our special features section a look at some notable new reissues. In our essential blues section look at the career of blues harmonica master George "Harmonica" Smith with audio feature.

CD Reviews of: Ronnie Earl & Duke Robillard, Mitch Kashmar, The Hollywood Blues Flames, Otis Clay, Solomon Burke, Earl Gilliam, Rufus Thomas, Denise LaSalle, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama and Eric Nooden. In our special features section a look at our favorite radio features of 2004 including interview/music segments on Ernest Lane, Robert Lockwood, Tommy Brown, Bobby Rush, plus spotlights on Johnny Copeland, Son House and others. In our essential blues section look at the career of blues elder statesman Robert Lockwood Jr. with audio
feature.

CD Reviews of: Louisiana Red, Tab Benoit, The Fieldstones, Memphis Blues Bands & Singers, Nathaniel Mayer, Shor'ty Billups, Willie Hightower, Willie Walker & The Butanes and Tom Dowd & The Language of Music DVD. In our special features section a look at our favorite radio features of 2004 including interview/music segments on Ernest Lane, Robert Lockwood, Tommy Brown, Bobby Rush, plus spotlights on Johnny Copeland, Son House and others. In our essential blues a look at the amazing career of influential guitarist Lonnie Johnson with lengthy audio feature.

CD Reviews of: Precious Bryant, Roomful of Blues, Nathan James, Freddie King Live In Europe DVD, Kirk Fletcher, Charlie Musselwhite, Michael Bloomfield, Willie King and In The Right Hands: Chicago Gospel Keyboard Pioneers. In our special features section a look at bluesman Joe Beard with video of the new Joe Beard documentary and live clips of Joe from the WITR studios. In our essential blues a look at the short but brilliant career of unparalleled guitarist Earl Hooker with audio feature

No new review this month. In our special features section a look back in the year in blues 2004. In our essential blues we list our picks for best new blues records and reissues of 2004.

CD Reviews of: Ike & Tina Turner Live '71 DVD/CD, Johnny Dyer, Harmonica Blues Meltdown Vol. 2, J.B. Hutto, Detroit Jr., Dave Spector & Steve Freund, Artie "Blues Boy" White, Henry Gray DVD/CD, The Mannish Boys, Alex Schultz plus a a fine batch of 80's recordings on the Storyville label by Snooks Eaglin, Boogie Bill Webb, Henry Gray and Robert Lockwood. In our special features section a history of Christmas blues songs through the years. In our essential blues section A look at blues giant Freddie King complete with audio feature.

CD Reviews of: American Folk Blues Vol. 3 DVD, Memphis Slim & Sonny Boy Williamson: Live In Europe DVD, Gunsmoke Blues DVD, Soul To Soul DVD, Percy Sledge, Big Joe Duskin, Pinetop Perkins, Nora Jean Bruso, Janiva Magness, EG Kight, Sue Foley, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Bad Dog Blues celebrated it's 15th year on air this last month featuring Joe Beard backed by Steve Grills & The Roadmasters live in the studio. For those who missed it here's a look back featuring photos and a link to the complete live Joe Beard segment. In our essential blues section A look at Texas bluesman Johnny Copeland complete with audio feature.

CD Reviews of: John Lee Hooker: Come See About Me (DVD), Gatemouth Brown, Dave Maxwell, Beverly "Guitar" Watkins, Barbara Lynn, Nick Curran, Chief Shabuttie Gillame, the Stax compilation "We'll Play The Blues For You" and "I Blueskvarter Vol. 3" (2-CD) featuring vintage recordings by Walter Horton, Snooks Eaglin, Champion Jack Dupree and more. In our special features section another installment of "Forgotten Blues Heroes" spotlighting guitarists Jimmy Nolen, Pete "Guitar" Lewis and the recently departed Cal Green. In our essential blues section a roundup of new and notable reissues.

CD Reviews of: Muddy Waters (Hard Again, I'm Ready, King Bee), Duke Robillard, Ronnie Earl, James Cotton, Bobby Rush, Byther Smith, Sam Myers, Ernest Lane, W.C. Clark, Sheba Potts-Wright, Dr. "Feelgood" Potts, Mel Waiters, Carey & Lurrie Bell, John Lee Hooker Jr. and Paul Geremia. We also review the book "Moanin' At Midnight: The Life And Times of Howlin' Wolf" by James Segrest & Mark Hoffman. In our special features section another installment of "Forgotten Blues Heroes" featuring the music of Jimmy McCracklin with a special spotlight on his ace guitarist Lafayette Thomas. In our essential blues section a roundup of new and notable reissues.

CD Reviews of: Jody Williams, Fillmore Slim, Jimmy Dawkins, Eric Clapton, Eddie Hinton, Marion James, Gatemouth Moore, Bukka White, Reverend Gary Davis, Hound Dog Taylor and the compilation Windy City Blues featuring unreleased Albert King sides. We also review the book "Escaping The Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues" by Elijah Wald. In our special features section we review a recent B.B. King concert. In our essential blues section another installment of "Forgotten Blues Heroes" spotlighting the music of Gatemouth Moore.

CD Reviews of: Robert Lockwood Jr., The Blasters Live DVD, Travis Haddix, Jerry McCain, Lee Gates, Big John Wrencher, Eddie Taylor, Tarbox Ramblers, a pair of companion CD's to recent blues books in "The Truman & Eisenhower Blues" & "Back To The Crossroads: The Roots of Robert Johnson" and the 2-CD set "Night Train to Nashville." We also review two new books: "Trumpet Records: Diamonds On Farish Street" by Marc Ryan & "Escaping The Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues" by Elijah Wald. In our special features section more on Son House with previously unissued photos, interview and music. In our essential blues section a roundup of new and notable reissues.

CD Reviews of: The John Mayall 70th Birthday Concert DVD, Honeyboy (Honeyboy Edwards DVD), Johnnie Taylor, Charles Caldwell, Jimmie Lee Robinson, Tad Robinson, Homesick James & Snooky Pryor (2-CD) and a pair of Albert King reissues. We also review the book "The Truman & Eisenhower Blues: African-American Blues and Gospel Songs, 1945-1960" by Guido Van Rijn. In our special features section we review a live show by The Fat Possum Juke Joint Caravan (T-Model Ford, Kenny Brown, Paul "Wine" Jones). In our essential blues section our first installment of "Forgotten Blues Heroes" spotlighting the music of Doctor Clayton.

CD Reviews of: The Howlin' Wolf Story (DVD), Corey Harris, The Holmes Brothers, Tommy Brown, Billy Price (DVD), Kenny Neal & Billy Branch, Jesse Mae Hemphill, Rev. Gary Davis and Straight Blues 4U (Black & Tan Records sampler). In our special features section we take a look at the resurgence of interest in Charley Patton. In our essential blues section a look at blues giant Son House with a spotlight on his connection to Rochester, NY.

CD Reviews of: Charles Brown CD/DVD, E.C. Scott, Detroit Junior, Piney Brown, Wallace Coleman, Finis Tasby. In our special features section a look at Christmas blues songs through the years. In our essential blues section our picks for the best new blues records and reissues for 2003. In our special features section a look at the year in blues 2003.

CD Reviews of: Snooky Pryor, Delbert McClinton ( 2-CD), Dixie Hummingbirds, Nora Jean Bruso, Genuine House Rockin' Christmas, Savoy's Christmas Blues, Rufus Thomas, the vintage soul collection "Looking For My Baby!" (2-CD) and a previously unreleased collection by Juke Boy Bonner. In our special features section a look at Christmas blues songs through the years. In our essential blues section we trace the origins of classic blues songs like "Sweet Home Chicago", "Everyday I Have The Blues" and others.

CD Reviews of: Dr. John (DVD & CD), Blues Story (DVD & 2-CD), Kirk Fletcher, James Harman, Gene Taylor, Carl Sonny Leyland, Savoy Blues 1944-1994 (3-CD), Savoy Blues 'N' Boogie, Future Blues - A Celebration of Paramount Records and Rounder's Box of the Blues (4-CD). In our special features section part III of our look at essential blues books. In our essential blues section a at a batch of new and notable reissues including Shout! Factory's "Heroes of the Blues" series and many more.

CD Reviews of: Jay McShann, Duke Robillard, Lavelle White, Muddy Waters 2-CD set, Jimmy Burns, Johnny B. Moore, Dave Clark's Blues Swingers, Teeny Tucker, Live At The W.C. Handy Awards Vol. 1 and a Sister Rosetta Tharpe collection reissuing her best sides. In our special features section a look at the Year of the Blues. A look at Year of the Blues related CD's.

CD Reviews of: American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966 Vol. 1 & 2 DVD's, Deacon John's Jump Blues DVD, Lil Joe Washington, Bobby Rush, Guy Davis, Floyd Lee, Barry Levenson & Johnny Dyer, Shout, Sister, Shout! - A Tribute To Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Rosie Ledet and Clifton Chenier. In our special features section A look at the Year of the Blues. In our essential features section a look at a batch of new and noteworthy reissues.

CD Reviews of: Deacon John, Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets, Raymond Myles, Last of the Mississippi Juke Joints, Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan plus reissues including the 2-CD "Meat & Gravy From Bea & Baby" (classic Chicago blues) and a pair of vintage piano reissues from Yazoo. In addition we provide more summer reading with reviews of the following books: "Bessie" and "Robert Johnson: Lost and Found." A look at Sam Phillips (1923-2003) and his blues legacy. In our special features section a look at a batch of new and noteworthy reissues.

CD Reviews of: Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Howard Tate, Toni Lynn Washington, Kim Wilson, Jamie Wood, Nathan James, Cootie Starks, Sisters of the South plus of reissue by Guitar Gabriel and Lou Pride. In addition we provide some good summer reading with reviews of the following books: "Down In Houston: Bayou City Blues", "All Music Guide To The Blues: The Definitive Guide To The Blues" and "The Devil's Son-In-Law: The Story Of Peetie Wheatstraw & His Songs." Part 2 of a look at a essential blues book focusing on blues history. In our special features section a look at a batch of new and noteworthy reissues.

CD Reviews of: Joe Louis Walker, Robert Belfour, Harmonica Shah, Nick Moss, Charles Walker, Tab Benoit, Horace Trahan, Clay Hammond, Ernie Johnson, Skinny Williams & Erwin Helfer plus reissues of Steve Guyger, Joe Callicott, Midnite Blues Party Vol. 2 (rare blues and R&B circa 40's & 50's) and Primitive Piano (rare boogie woogie piano from the 50's). In our Special Features section a look at Country blues guitar wizards of the 20's & 30's. In our Essential Blues section Part 1 of a look at a essential blues book focusing on classic blues biographies and memoirs.

CD Reviews of: Long John Hunter, Bobby "Blue" Bland , Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges, Mark Lemhouse, Kenny Brown, Darrell Nulisch plus reissues of Booker T., & The MG's, Albert King and a 2-CD Rod Piazza retrospective. In our Special Features section a look at a batch of recent blues reissues and historical sets from Smithsonian Folkways, Howlin' Wolf, R.L. Burnside, Johnny Shines, Skip James and Chuck Willis.
In our Essential Blues section we look at guitar master Albert King.

CD Reviews of: Roomful of Blues, Mighty Sam McClain, Little Hatch, Roy "C", Frank-O Johnson, Dr. "Feelgood" Potts, Larome Powers, Nick Curran plus a collection of Zydeco music from Rounder and a reissue of the very first Roomful of Blues album. In addition we also review biographies of Elmore James, Little Walter and "Juke Joint" a collection of delta juke joint photos. In our Special Features section we look at a recent live gig by Roomful of Blues. In our Essential Blues section we look at one of the great blues ladies of all time- Memphis Minnie.

CD Reviews of: Roy Gaines, Bob Stroger, Little Al Thomas, Travis Haddix, Mickey Champion, Junior Watson plus reissues of Mance Lipscomb, Mississippi Fred McDowell and Son House. Make sure to check out the RealAudio clips from each CD we review. In addition we also review the book "Seems Like Murder Here: Southern Violence And The Blues Tradition" by Adam Gussow. In our Special Features section our picks for the best new blues records and reissues for 2002. In our Essential Blues section we look back at the year in blues 2002.

CD Reviews of: Lester Davenport, Joe Louis Walker, Nick Moss & The Flip Tops, Earnest Davis, Larry Johnson plus reissues including Honkers & Bar Walkers Vol. 3, Memphis Slim, Mance Lipscomb, Lightnin' Hopkins, Little Milton, Rosco Gordon, a Sun Records blues collection plus a Luther Allison collection with previously unreleased recordings. In addition we also review "Shine On: Richard Trice and The Bull City Blues" a documentary on bluesman Richard Trice. In our Special Features section a look at Christmas blues throughout the years. In our Essential Blues section wA look at the best overlooked blues records of 2002.

CD Reviews of: Snooky Pryor, Boo Boo Davis, Bryan Lee, Big Boy Henry, West Side Horns plus reissues including Big Joe Turner, John Lee Hooker, Blues Around The Clock (w/ T-bone Walker, Muddy Water, Jimmy Witherspoon), Solomon Burke, The Land Where The Blues Began plus a previously unreleased recording by Sam Moore. In our Essential Blues section we take look at versatile singer Esther Phillips.

CD Reviews of: Delbert McClinton, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Jimmy Thackery, T-Model Ford, Jorma Kaukonen, CeDell Davis, The Five Blind Boys Of Alabama, Little Milton plus reissues including "When The Sun Goes Down" a 4 volume set from the vaults of Bluebird Records, a collection of vintage R&B titled "Midnite Blues Party", Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson & Cannonball Adderley plus a "best of" by Junior Kimbrough. In addition we review the book "Blind Lemon Jefferson: His Life, His Death, And His Legacy." In our Special Features section we take another look at some great blues destinations on the web. In our Essential Blues section we take a look at a batch of classic new blues reissues.

CD Reviews of: Magic Slim, Duke Robillard, a pair of Joe Louis Walker CD's, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Willie King, Sue Foley, Solomon Burke, Jimmy "T99" Nelson, Travis Haddix plus classic 50's & 60's sides by B.B. King (4-CD box set). In addition we review the new Muddy Waters biography "I Can't Be Satisfied" and "Voice of the Blues" a collection of classic interviews from the pages of Living Blues magazine. In our Special Features section we review the Music Maker Foundation's first ever street festival on the famous 9th street in the heart of Durham N.C. In our Essential Blues section we take a look at a batch of classic new blues reissues.

CD Reviews of: Louisiana Red, James Cotton, Shirley Johnson, Jon Cleary, Isaac Freeman plus previously unreleased sets by R.L. Burnside, Archie Edwards and a great reissue of rare material by pianist Robert McCoy. In our Special Features section we take a look at recent live shows by John Mooney and John Hammond. In our Essential Blues section we take a look at blues pianist Amos Milburn.

CD Reviews of: W.C. Clark, John Mooney, Corey Harris, Little Pink Anderson, a Georgia blues compilation, Erwin Helfer, 8 Hands On 88 Keys (featuring Barrelhouse Chuck, Detroit Junior, Pinetop Perkins) plus great reissues including James & Bobby Purify, Heavy Timbre (featuring Sunnyland Slim, Jimmy Walker, Blind John Davis, Willie Mabon) and Times Ain't What They Used To Be Vol. 5 & 6. In our Special Features section writer Mark Cole takes a look at blues belter Shemekia Copeland.
In our Essential Blues department we take a look at some new and noteworthy blues reissues.

CD Reviews of: Jody Williams, Jimmy Dawkins, Tommy Bankhead, Little Charlie & the Nightcats, Corey Harris, Tab Benoit, Johnny Rawls plus great reissues including the Hollywood Fats Band and a previously unreleased Library of Congress concert by Josh White and The Golden Gate Quartet. In addition we also review the book "Children of the Blues" by Art Tipaldi. In our Special Features section we take a look at some great blues destinations on the web. In our Essential Blues department we look at Chicago mandolin/guitar bluesman Johnny Young.

CD Reviews of: Charlie Musselwhite, Precious Bryant, Sean Ardoin & Zydekool, Big Jack Johnson, Ricky Allen, a pair of live Delta blues and gospel collections plus great reissues including Mississippi Fred McDowell, 20 To Life: Prison Blues, Ernie K-Doe and a classic soul collection. In addition we also review "Goin' Back To Sweet Memphis" a collection of classic blues interviews edited by Fred J. Hay. In our Special Feature we review a recent live show by Corey Harris. In our Essential Blues department we look at some recent country blues collections.

CD Reviews of: The Crudup Brothers, Artie "Bluesboy" White, Texas Johnny Brown, The Motor City Rhythm & Blues Pioneers , Son Seals, Koko Taylor, Myra Taylor, Jerry Portnoy, Fred Vine, John Cole plus great reissues including John Littlejohn, Charlie Spand and a collection of classic St. Louis piano blues. In addition we review the book Yonder Come The Blues. In our Special Feature we review a recent live show by Ike Turner. In our Essential Blues department we spotlight blues legend Peetie Wheatstraw.

CD Reviews of: Lazy Lester, Curley Bridges, Johnny Jones, Dr. John, John Weston, Dave Riley plus great reissues including the new 7-CD Charley Patton box set, Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey and Muddy Waters. In our Special Features section we provide a detailed look back at the year in blues. In our Essential Blues department we pick our top new blues records and reissues for the year 2001.