New Blues Review 4-29-25
By Jack Roy
GA-20 – Volume 2 (Self-Produced)
Bio – “Since 2018, GA-20 has been at the forefront of a traditional Blues revival. The dynamic throwback trio have long been disciples of the place where traditional Blues, Country and Rock ‘n’ Roll intersect. “We make records that we would want to listen to,” says guitarist Matthew Stubbs. “It’s our take on the song-based traditional electric Blues we love.” Stubbs, along with guitarist & vocalist Cody Nilsen and drummer Josh Kiggans, strives to bring traditional Blues to the front lines of the modern roots music scene. “The focus for us has always been on the story, the melody, and on creating a mood,” Stubbs continues. “Playing live as much as we do, we’re finding more and more that people are discovering how cool it all is. Traditional Country and Soul have had these massive recent revivals. We want to be part of doing that for traditional Blues music.” GA-20 has drawn inspiration for their old-school sounds from the music they love from artists such as Otis Rush, J.B. Lenoir, Howlin’ Wolf, Junior Wells, Hound Dog Taylor, Earl Hooker, Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson and so many others. Performing with what feels like reckless abandon, GA-20 brings a timeless immediacy to every song they play with a sound that continues to grow and evolve. The band uses vintage instruments and amps to produce their authentic sound, and favours traditional recording techniques, like recording live off the floor, together in one room, to help recreate that energy and sonic connection. In their short history, GA-20 have been 3x #1 Billboard Blues chart toppers, 4x Boston Music Award winners for Best Blues Act, and have received multiple wins and nominations at the Blues Music Awards, Blues Blast Awards, New England Blues Awards, and have ascended streaming and radio charts at home and internationally. Medium.com has appropriately declared, “This is the kind of music that travels through time while taking from the era where it was born and turning it into something fresh. Dirty and raw…timeless and modern.”
Review – I really like GA-20’s sound and vibe, we have listened to a few of their albums over the past couple of years. Super authentic, very talented band. This is a 4 song EP, that gives you a taste of what this band can do. 4 cover songs that sound “correct” with their own vibe. I really love Cody Nilsen’s voice and his guitar playing. The rest of the band is just Matthew Stubbs on Guitar and Jos Kiggans on Drums and Organ. For a 3 piece band, they can really put out the sound. It kind of sucks that it is only 4 songs because by the time you really get into the music, it is over. Cool version of James Brown’s “I Don’t Mind” and cool version of Elmore James’ “Stranger Blues”. I think my favorite is “Cryin’ & Pleadin’″, a Billy Boy Arnold Tune, listen here. I will give this a 10+ on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
Davis Coen – Live at Proud Larry’s (Sound View)
Bio – “Coen’s recordings are strongly rooted in blues, country and religious-based music. He characterizes his style as ‘contemporary country-blues’…a modern culmination of the hodgepodge of musical influences absorbed from living in the Mid-Southern U.S. and continual touring. He has played festivals, clubs, and bars throughout the U.S. for over twenty years, and has been billed repeat- edly at world-renowned Mid-South regional events such as King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, AR and Juke Joint Festival in the Mississippi Delta. Davis has also enjoyed a dozen blues circuit tours of Europe, sharing bills with R.L. Burnside, Koko Taylor, Big Jack Johnson, David “Honeyboy” Edwards & Bo Diddley. He’s also headlined on more diversified festival bills with Wynton Marsalis, Leon Russell, Bonnie Raitt, Tito Puente, Toots & the Maytals, Richie Havens, Mountain & Eric Burdon. Coen’s music has been featured in several TV broadcasts, including: Martin Scorsese’s PBS special The Blues; reality cable show Lizard Lick Towing; and a documentary on the music of the late Hillcountry Mississippi blues matriarch Jessie Mae Hemphill, Dare You To Do It Again. Coen’s recent accomplishments have also included spotlights on NPR’s Morning Edition and World Café programs, Dan Aykroyd’s weekly House of Blues Radio Hour, and a ten-year run on XM/Sirius Satellite Radio’s ‘Bluesville.”
Review – I was really looking forward to this album as it was recorded live at Proud Larry’s, a cornerstone in Oxford, MS of great music. Coen also has Kinney Kimbrough on Drums, kin to the great Junior Kimbrough. With that combination you would think that this one should be a magic CD. It’s rather a mediocre musical journey. Davis’ Voice is just ok, song selection is not steep in the Blues and musically the whole album is kind of flat. Probably the worse rendition of “Stay All Night” (Originally done by Junior Kimbrough), just for that fact alone, this album should not be on the top of our list. Davis is joined by Kinney Kimbrough on drums, Justin Showah on Bass, then first 4 songs are Charles Gage on Drums, John Gage on Keys and Robb Roaten on Bass. Couple of songs stood out to me, “You Gonna Miss Me” a Muddy Waters tune and “Jack of Diamonds” originally by Blind Lemon Jefferson. I think my favorite is “Anna Ann″, nice tradition style slide guitar tune, listen here. I will give this an 8 on Blues Content and an 8 on Music Content.
John Primer – Grown In Mississippi (Blues House Production)
Bio – “John Primer has undisputedly helped build the sound and style of Chicago blues as we know it today. The echoes of tradition bellowing from the birthplaces he played such as Maxwell Street, Theresa’s, Checkerboard and Rosa’s Lounges, pulse from every chord in his fingers today. John Primer is a 3 time Grammy Nominated, Blues Hall of Fame, Chicago Blues, Living Legend. Growing up on Mississippi sharecropper land in 1945, inspired by his family’s hard work and field songs daily, deep devotion to spirituals on Sundays, and blues on Saturdays. John dreamed of one day playing with the legendary Muddy Waters! John paid his dues and in 1995 he began leading his own band, The Real Deal Blues Band. He has recorded more than 100 albums with 17 albums in his own name. He has written and produced more than 55 songs on more than 6 record labels including his own, Blues House Productions. John was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, has earned 3 Grammy Award nominations, was given 2 Lifetime Achievement Awards, awarded the “Muddy Award” for being a Traditional Blues Icon, winning several Blues Music Awards and Blues Blast Awards as well as many other awards. Coming from very humble beginnings, he has managed to work very hard to get where he is today. He takes pride in mentoring so many incredible musicians. He is keeping the blues alive and is a Legendary Blues Icon!”
Review – I feel like I had forgotten about this legend, I knew about him but I don’t think I have ever had any of his albums over the years. Well this one is a true gem!! John is about as a legit bluesman as there is alive at this point. Definitely one of the originals, or at least learned from the original bluesman of Mississippi. His voice and guitar playing is simple and authentic. This album he brings together some of the greats of the delta region including greats like Bobby Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, Watermelon Slim, Eden Brent, Lightnin’ Malcolm and Rosalind Wilcox just to name a few. Six songs were written by John and the rest are great, traditional blues that are done so perfectly. All the songs are my favorite, such a great album but these stood out to my ears, “Nothin” But A Chicken Wing” with Bobby Rush on Harmonica, “Lay My Burdens Down” with Aliya Primer on Vocals and the great Eden Brent on Keys and background vocals and lastly “When I Met The Blues” with Lightnin’ Malcolm on guitar. I think my favorite is “Let Me Be your Electrician″, a tradition style blues with Watermelon Slim on Dobro and Steve Bell Harrington on harmonica, listen here. I will give this a 10++ on Blues Content and a 10++ on Music Content.
Jon Cleary – The Bywater Sessions (Funk Headquarter Records)
Bio – “In the world of blues music, there are certain artists who don’t just perform and play tunes – they build masterpieces that stick around for generations. Among these artists is Jon Cleary and his band ‘The Absolute Monster Gentlemen’. Jon Cleary is no stranger to the music scene. Originally a guitarist, Cleary began playing at age five, and started his own band at fifteen. With a career now stretching back for decades, he’s carved out his place as a true master of New Orleans-style piano and a gifted songwriter. And the way he mixes up blues, funk, and soul? It’s refreshingly original. What’s even more impressive is that Cleary has collaborated with a diverse array of artists, ranging from blues legends like Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal to modern icons such as Eric Clapton. His versatility and infectious energy have garnered him widespread acclaim throughout the industry. Leading his own band, ‘The Absolute Monster Gentleman,’ they have crafted and released six impressive albums. Among them, their album ‘Go Go Juice’ won a Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album in the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.”
Review – This is my first time listening to Jon Cleary and have to say I am very impressed. A big band sound with lots of diversity in his music. Some of it sounds like Gospel roots and others sound like a big band music and others touch on the Jazz Side. Jon does it all, Vocals, Piano, Guitar and Percussion. His supporting band includes Cornell Williams on Bass, A.J. Hall on Drums, Nigel Hall on keys, Pedro Segundo on Percussion, Xavier Lynn on Guitar, Aaron Narcisse, Charlie Halloran and Jason Mingledorf on Horns and Harry Shearer on Vocals. The standouts to me are “Just Kissed My Baby”, funky blues tune, “Zulu Coconuts” and “Lottie Mo” but I think my favorite is “Uptown Downtown″, with Harry Shearer on vocals, listen here. I will give this a 10 on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
Southern Avenue – Family (Alligator)
Bio – “Blues Music Award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated, Southern Avenue is a Memphis-based family band blending original blues, modern soul, and gospel-infused roots music into an uplifting, timeless sound. Known worldwide for their inclusive, message-driven songs, they deliver hard-hitting grooves and electrifying guitar. Their latest album, Family, makes it clear that Southern Avenue creates musical storytelling magic. The band is unlike any other on the scene today, featuring powerhouse vocalist Tierinii Jackson alongside her sisters Tikyra “T.K.” Jackson (drums) and Ava Jackson (percussion/violin), and guitarist Ori Naftaly. “Through our music,” says Naftaly, “we expand our family to include our fans and whomever is moved by our songs.” The inspiring harmonies of the church-raised Jackson sisters are fueled by Naftaly, whose passion for blues and soul music led him to Memphis from his birthplace in Israel. Together, they blend the city’s musical traditions with their own thoroughly modern worldview. Their authentic and unfiltered original songs are a bold step in defining the future of Memphis music. They are among the most musically riveting and visually exciting live bands. As Jambase states, “Southern Avenue is jaw-dropping. They are not to be missed.”Their latest album, Family, produced by GRAMMY-winner John Burk and recorded at the legendary Royal Studios, cements Southern Avenue as one of today’s most dynamic live acts. From headlining festivals to touring with icons like Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Bob Dylan, they continue to captivate audiences worldwide. With deep Memphis roots and a sound that bridges generations and genres, Southern Avenue is more than a band—it’s a movement, bringing fans into their ever-growing musical family.”
Review – I was really looking forward to this one when I saw it was coming, I have been a fan of Ori Naftaly for a long time. I was wondering what type of music this collaboration between Ori and the sisters and it is amazing. Tierinii Jackson has one of the purest voices you would want to hear, then harmonies with her two sisters creates magic. I would probably classify this as Soul Blues, Tierinii wrote all the songs either herself or with one of her sisters or with Ori and the lyrics tells a story. Ori has such great feel on guitar and can play just about anything. The band includes the 3 sisters, Tierinii, Tikyra and Ava Jackson, Ori Naftaly on Guitar, Jeremy Powell on Keys, Blake Rhea on Bass and special guest Luther Dickinson on Bass for 4 of the tunes. All the tunes are similar in some ways, great lead voice, lovely harmonies with some call and response from the guitar to the voices, “Keep On Moving On”, “So Much Love”, “Flying” and “Long Is The Road” are the ones that stood up best for me but I think my favorite is “Rum Boogie″, a tribute to the Rum Boogie Café on Beale Street, listen here. I will give this a 10+ on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
