New Blues Review 8-15-25
By Jack Roy
Johnnie Johnson – I’m Just Johnnie (Missouri Morning)
Bio – “Johnnie Johnson passed away on April 13th, 2005, at the age of 80. Johnnie was considered by many to be one of the best blues and boogie-woogie piano players in the world. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Johnnie played and recorded with such musical greats as Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, The Grateful Dead, Bruce Hornsby, Robert Cray, The Kentucky Headhunters, Aerosmith, John Sebastian, Johnny Rivers, Styx, and many more. Together, Johnnie and Chuck Berry wrote and recorded all those great classics like “Maybelline,” “School Day,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Sweet Little 16,” “Rock & Roll Music,” and of course “Johnnie B. Goode.” Listen to all those songs and you’ll hear Johnnie’s unmistakable groove and pounding right-hand triplets. Johnnie and Chuck Berry helped invent Rock & Roll and shape the way it would be played for generations to come. But beyond the spotlight, Johnnie was a humble, joyful spirit who loved fishing, Cardinals baseball, and spending time with friends and family. His unmistakable boogie-woogie groove, warm smile, and deep St. Louis roots left an unforgettable mark on every stage he played. Whether behind a piano or casting a line at a quiet lake, Johnnie lived with heart. His music and legacy continue to inspire generations.”
Review – I always approach a piano CD with some caution. I like some piano, but 12 songs with just piano is not my cup of tea. Well this CD is far from that, it really puts piano as the driving force but not a complete take over of the music. This Album is incredible to listen to. Great songs, some amazing musicians takes this album over the top. With guest artists such as Bruce Hornsby, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Rivers, John Sebastian and Pat St. John just takes it to another level. There really isn’t a base backing band, there are so many different artists on this album and I think that is what makes it so diverse while listening. I think all the music on this CD is gold, some of the standouts are “I’m Just Johnny”, “Three Handed Woman” and “Heebie Jeebies” but I think my favorite is “Everyday I Have The Blues″, with Bruce Hornsby piano solos and trading singing and the incredible slide work from Bonnie Raitt, Just magic, listen here. I will give this a 10++ on Blues Content and a 10++ on Music Content.
Mud Morganfield – Deep Mud (Nola Blues Recordings)
Bio – “Mullti-award-winning artist Mud Morganfield is an established star in the world of Blues music. The eldest son of the legendary Muddy Waters, Mud was brought up surrounded by many of the finest musicians in the Blues. Mud’s singing is firmly in best of traditions of Chicago Blues, but he is also a writer of great new songs and he is backed by some of the best musicians playing today. He is acclaimed by both critics and artists such as Buddy Guy and Jools Holland for his own musical ability, Mud Morganfield’s Delmark album PORTRAIT is getting amazing reviews from all over the world. It reached #1 both or AirPlay Direct and Roots Music Report and currently is #4 in the Australian blues charts. Mud’s previous album, They Call Me Mud, was released on March 9, 2018, and is getting extensive airplay and great reviews. Mud’s award-winning album, Son of the Seventh Son, was launched on Severn Records in 2012 and earned great reviews. The album was nominated in the Best Album and the Traditional Blues Male Artist Album categories of the 2013 Blues Foundation Blues Music Awards. In 2014, Mud’s collaboration with Kim Wilson, the album For Pops, attracted more critical acclaim and awards. Mud capped a great 2012 with appearances on the iconic British music show Later… with Jools Holland on 20th and 23rd November 2012. ‘Son of the Seventh Son’ makes the Top 50 albums of 2012 for Classic Rock – the Blues magazine and best Blues albums of 2012 in addition to its two Blues Blast awards.”
Review – Mud!! What a great musician. I had the pleasure of playing guitar for him at a few festivals and a more gracious person doesn’t exist. He went out of his way to make us comfortable. During the gigs, there were times I got goose bumps as his voice is so close to his father’s. Some of my best moments as a guitarist. Well Mud keeps the tradition going on this newest album. His following is more in Europe than in the US, but he stays very busy in his touring schedule. On this new album he brings some amazing musicians onboard to lay the foundation for his incredible voice. Rick Kreher on Guitar, Pooky Styx Carlisle on Drums, Studebaker John on Harp, Mike Wheeler on Guitar, EG McDaniel On Bass, Sumito Ariyoshi and Roosevelt Purifoy on Keys and Phil Perkins on Trumpet to name a few. All songs were either done my Mud or by his father on this CD. Some great writing, Mud’s lyrics are very tradition and could almost be imagined written in the 50’s or 60’s. Some of the standouts were “Ernestine”, “Big Frame Woman” and “Country Boy”. I think my favorite is Muddy Water’s “Strange Woman″, here is a live version, listen here. I will give this a 10+ on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
Piper & The Hard Times – Good Company (Hard Times Records)
Bio – “Since winning the prestigious International Blues Challenge in January 2024 held in Memphis, Tennessee, the Nashville-based roots rock group, Piper & The Hard Times, has had an unforgettable run. The band assembled a grass-roots team and worked tirelessly to create a name for themselves internationally. On August 16th, 2024 the band released their debut album, “Revelation”, to critical acclaim. The week of August 26, 2024 “Revelation” placed #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart and finished the year on numerous “best of” lists. Their album has played on radio worldwide since being released. On January 10, 2025 the Blues Foundation recognized “Revelation” as the top independent album at the 2025 International Blues Challenge. On May 8, 2025 the 46th Blues Music Awards was held in Memphis, Tennessee’s Renasant Convention Center and brought the world’s greatest blues artists and musicians together for an evening of celebration and recognition. Piper & The Hard Times was honored as the Best Emerging Artist for their album, Revelation. The band says, “We’re honored and humbled to receive this award which was voted on by the international Blues Foundation community. We want to thank everyone who has supported us this past year — all the DJs who play our music, the promoters who took a chance on us and all the fans who came out to hear us play. We can’t thank everyone enough!” Awards aside, their intense and dynamic music translates into an unforgettable live show in which standing ovations are common. Piper & The Hard Times toured throughout a large part of the United States in 2024, including the WC Handy Fest, Big Blues Bender, Telluride Blues and Brews Fest, and numerous others high profile shows. And 2025 promises to be a continuation of this rapid exposure given the January 2025 signing with booking and management agency Peach Music Group and Blues Pros, LLC. The core of the band, Al “Piper” Green, Steve “The Conductor” Eagon, and Dave “Sexy Boy” Colella have been playing and writing together for over 20 years while establishing themselves as a premier live act on the roots rock music scene. Joined by Amy “The Professor” Frederick on keyboards and Parker “Funk Stick” Hawkins on bass, Piper & The Hard Times is the true embodiment of a “band.” They read each other’s minds and are able to improvise with flair and a sense of adventure. As one reviewer put it, “This band is unbelievably tight, and is not afraid to take chances which takes the audience on quite the journey!” As the band’s frontman, Al “Piper” Green’s lead vocals and showmanship combine the flamboyance and earthiness of blues with the power and authority of gospel which represent the two biggest influences in his life. He takes the band and audience on a wild journey every show and does his best to turn the room upside down come showtime. Growing up in a musically inclined family in Bolivar, Tennessee, he sang in a gospel choir while also hearing the best of soul, pop and rock on the radio. Green contributes to the band’s original songs with lyrics based on personal stories and experience which he sings with authority. Guitarist Steve Eagon grew up in Northern Ohio and has been playing guitar since his teen years. Unlike Green, Eagon did not grow up in a musical family but was drawn to the guitar because of its “cool factor.” A multitude of artists have served as influences from Muddy Waters’ blend of electrified Delta blues to B.B. King’s more urban stylings and the dynamic, powerful approaches of Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughan. As the band’s principal composer, his writing style meshes multiple elements into an engaging and captivating personal group sound. That collective firepower is also indicative of the closeness shared by Eagon, Piper, and drummer Dave Colella. Dave Colella shares arranging duties on the original songs and brings a percussive edge and energy to the group’s performances. A drummer since age seven, Colella’s prior associations include studies with the great jazz drummer Joe Morello, best known for his years with Dave Brubeck. Colella says that it taught him “how” to play as opposed to “what.” His playing also reflects a widespread knowledge and love of multiple idioms, as well as a thorough knowledge of vintage and contemporary blues. With Colella driving the band’s engine, a foundation is created for each band member to add their own flair. In addition to touring, the Piper & the Hard Times finished recording their second album in March 2025 and they have planned a release for early 2026 with a few singles to be released in the fall of 2025. The band has been delighting audiences across the South for many years. When you hear them, you’re getting a lot more than just inspired covers or retooled bar band material. Instead, you’re hearing poignant, inspired “from the soul” music from these talented guys who love playing, and they bring that energy and vitality to the bandstand each and every night.”
Review – I lover everything about Piper & The Hard Times, their music is so dynamic and Piper’s voice is as good as anyone out there in the Blues Genre. Great album with a Bluesy/Rock feel with all the songs written by Eagon and Piper. Band is as good as it gets with Steve Eagon on Guitar, Dave Colella on Drums, Amy Fredrick on Keys, Parker Hawkins on Bass and Eddie Meyer on Sax. The band floats between Rock/Blues and Funk through this album with some amazing tunes such as “Now I’m Loving You”, “Cowboy Gucci” and “My Place” but I think my favorite is “Runaround Man″, very cool guitar riff, listen here. I will give this a 10+ on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
Billy Branch & The Sons Of Blues – The Blues Is My Biography (Rosa’s Lounge Records)
Bio – “Billy Branch was discovered by Willie Dixon, the “father of modern Chicago Blues,” while Billy was still in college. Willie encouraged Billy to finish his college education, which he did, but instead of going to law school after receiving his political science degree, Billy began touring with the Willie Dixon Chicago All-Stars. This gave Billy the unique opportunity to travel and work as an understudy for the legendary Carey Bell who was planning to leave the All-Stars and form his own band. When Carey took his leave, the young Billy Branch took his place, touring with Willie Dixon for 6 years. Since those early days, Billy has played on over 300 different recordings including 15 albums under his own name. Billy has recorded with Willie Dixon, Johnny Winter, Keb’ Mo, Lou Rawls, Koko Taylor, Eric Bibb, Eddy Clearwater, Honeyboy Edwards, Syl Johnson, Lurrie Bell, Ronnie Baker Brooks, John Primer, and Taj Mahal, just to name a few. Billy has three Grammy Award nominations, having lost one nomination to BB King and Eric Clapton! He served two consecutive terms on the NARAS Grammy Board of Governors and founded the First Grammy Blues Committee. Because Billy’s Blues credentials include dozens of years spent working side-by-side with many of Chicago’s illustrious Blues musicians of years gone by, he is considered an ambassador of Chicago Blues. Two different mayors of Chicago made proclamations claiming Billy as the Chicago Blues Ambassador. In that role he has written the forwards to three books, given numerous U.S. State Department cultural exchanges in other countries, presented keynote speeches (one was for the Obama Foundation), and presented to the leaders of Turkey’s Parliament, teaching them to play harmonica! Billy also does commercial voice-overs and has acted in two major big screen movies. He is a principle actor and narrator in the recently released, epic radio drama, “Moja” a comprehensive historical fiction saga spanning five generations of the fictional Ellis family, chronicling African American music from Africa to present day USA. ”
Review – On of my favorite harp players is Billy Branch, he was the young gunslinger back in the day when Junior Wells and Little Walters owned the stages. He impressed so many great players with his energy and harp skills. Giles Corey on Guitar, Dionte “McMusik” Skinner on Drums, Sumito Ariyoshi on Keys, and Ari Seder on Bass. Billy’s voice is so powerful and authentic, song writing is incredible with some amazing lyrics. Harmonica tone is ridiculous, still drives every song. Some of my favorites are “Call Your Bluff”, “Hole In Your Soul” with Bobby Rush and “The Harmonica Man” but I think my favorite is “Begging For Change″, With the amazing Shemekia Copeland killing some vocals, listen here. I will give this a 10+ on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
Doc Bowlin And His blues Professors – Sing The American Songbag Volume 1 (Self Produced)
Bio – “Doc Bowling and his Blues Professors have been pleasing audiences in small and large venues across the UK, Ireland and Germany for more than 15 years. Inspired by the heroes of blues, jazz and country from the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Their original songs bring new life to some old country blues tunes with contemporary political commentary.”
Review – Any other Blues Review Week I would probably score this one pretty high, but after the last four CD in the review, this one falls a bit short. I really like the idea of taking these old songs, kind of re-inventing them and then present them as a learning tutorial of Blues from yester year. I wish the vocal were a bit better but I did enjoy listening to these nuggets. The Blues Professors are Ben Bowling on Vocals and Guitar/harmonica, Donnie Burke on Guitar, Simon Minney on Bass, roger Chapman on Drums, Johannes Bowling on Sax, Mile Chat Noir on Violin, Jens Skwirblies on Accordion, Kenny Brunno on Keys and Eamonn McKeever on Banjo. Overall, there are some great harmonies and some good instrumentation. Some of my standouts were “Going Down The road”, “I’ll Fly Away” and “Trouble In Mind”. I think my favorite is St. James Infirmary Blues″, listen here. I will give this a 9 on Blues Content and a 9 on Music Content.
