New Blues Review 7-8-25
By Jack Roy
Mikey Junior – Tribute To Sonny Boy Williamson (8th Train Records)
Bio – “Mikey Junior has become a fixture in the Philadelphia blues scene over the last decade. Earning a reputation for crafting some of the most soulful, authentic music in the Northeast. Known for his incredible skill on the harmonica and his rich, honeyed vocal delivery, he has spent years honing his craft. With his latest album Traveling North, he has undoubtedly raised the bar. This is the 12th album in his impressive collection, and it might just be his best work to date. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Mikey Junior’s journey into blues music began early. Growing up as the son of a professional musician, Mikey was immersed in music from a young age. By the time he was 18, he was already a seasoned veteran of the local music scene, making waves with his self-taught prowess on the harmonica and his deeply emotive singing style. Now in his 30s, Mikey has spent half his life releasing quality albums and captivating audiences with his ability to fuse classic blues influences with his own distinctive sound.”
Review – What’s not to like here, Mikey Junior’s amazing skills on harmonica and Rice Miller’s tunes being covered. Mikey does an amazing job, staying true to Sonny Boy’s music but adding his own flair from time to time. As for standouts, it comes down to which Sonny Boy’s songs you like not which ones Mikey does well because he does them all justice. With an amazing backing band with Matt Daniels, Greg Gumpel and David Gross on Guitar, Bill Heid on Keys, Matt Raymond on Upright Bass and Michael Bram on Drums. The tunes making my ears the most happy were “Like Wolf”, “Shuckin’ Mama” and “One Way Out” but I think my favorite is “Eyesight To The Blind″, there aren’t any of these songs on YouTube so here is a full concert with Mikey, listen here. I will give this a 10 on Blues Content and a 10++ on Music Content.
Forrest McDonald – Songs From My Soul (World Talent Records)
Bio – “Forrest McDonald, a seasoned singer-songwriter, unveils Songs from My Soul, a heartfelt collection of authentic storytelling rooted in the experiences of everyday life. With a shift from the “Forrest McDonald Band” to a solo focus, this album dives deep into themes of love, hope, hard times, and faith. Blending his blues and blues-rock foundations with influences from Americana and folk, Forrest crafts songs that resonate emotionally, forging a powerful connection with listeners. Songs from My Soul is more than music—it’s a shared journey through the human condition. Award-winning guitarist-vocalist Forrest McDonald has been performing and recording earth-shaking, soul-stirring music distilled in Blues, AMA, Roots, Rock, and Folk for six decades. His insightful songwriting skills embrace the journey of an adventurous explorer who plunges headfirst into every twist of fate life throws his way. In the vibrant world of music, Forrest McDonald emerges as a singer-songwriter whose artistry is deeply rooted in authentic storytelling. His brand centers on capturing the everyday experiences of ordinary people, weaving vivid narratives through themes of love, hope, hard times, and faith. With his transition from the “Forrest McDonald Band” to “Forrest McDonald Singer-Songwriter,” he shifts the spotlight to a more personal and introspective connection with his audience. Through this evolution, Forrest invites listeners into his heartfelt journey, offering songs that not only showcase his remarkable talent but also resonate with the lived experiences of those who hear them—creating a powerful sense of understanding and unity.”
Review – This is mainly a solo album and I really like it a lot better than other CDs of his that I have reviewed. Pretty decent voice (although his handling of ballads is not the best) and a very good song writer. But, But not really a Blues Album. Maybe singer song writer. “Misery and Blues” is done with a full band, but I think most bluesy and most creative is “On Your Life’s Road″, listen here. I will give this a 5 on Blues Content and a 7 on Music Content.
Cassie Taylor – The Blues Masters (Sound Recording)
Bio – “She started her career touring internationally as a bassist at 16, beginning with a national tour for her father, critically acclaimed blues musician and songwriter Otis Taylor. Taylor’s formative years as a touring artist led her to share the stage and record with blues and rock legends, including Joe Cocker, John Oates, Gary Moore, and Keb’ Mo.’ After an enduring 12-year touring career concluding with an aggressive international tour, Taylor faced a reckoning with the challenges of being a young female musician and a deep recognition of the struggles she was experiencing with her mental health, taking a step back from the stage for the next decade. “When I walked away from music at 28 following a suicide attempt, the industry standard for female musicians was to be thin, pretty, white, and most importantly, young. That, coupled with the invisible but prevailing expiration date where, at a certain age, their career was no longer marketable or a consumable product, I felt like my viability as an artist was coming to a close. I didn’t fit the industry’s beauty standards. I was in my late twenties, and I was living inauthentically, knowing that my creative and sexual identity no longer belonged to me,” says Taylor. “There is so much power in vulnerability and honesty, especially when it’s not pretty. Music is an omnipresent connector for shared experiences, and in this new era, my motivation is reclaiming my identity and empowering people to do the same with theirs.””
Review – I’ve really always loved Cassie’s voice since I had seen her playing and singing with her Dad. Such a powerful voice and this album really showcases that voice. This Cd had Blues, Gospel and a little R&B. Cassie sings, plays Bass and Plays Banjo on this one. The rest of the band is incredible including Kassidy Kent on Bass and Backgrounds, Christian Teele on Drums, Eric Moon on Keys, Tim Tucker on Guitar and Stella Ann on Background Vocals. Now here is where it gets good, Kylee Ribble, Larea Edwards, Chrissy Grant on incredible background vocals that really transforms this album. With the band is Sally Van Meter on Lap Steel and Doug Lynn on Harmonica. Notables to me were “Downward Road”, “Respect Yourself” and “Chain Of Fools”. I think my favorite is “Sit Down Servant″, takes you right to Church, listen here. I will give this a 10 on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
Various Artists – Soundtrack To Movie Sinners (Masterworks)
Bio – “The full soundtrack for Sinners is especially impressive, leaning into the blues roots of the time period to great effect. Set in 1932 Mississippi, Sinners follows Michael B. Jordan’s twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, as they try to open a juke joint — only to be attacked by a murderous figure who transforms his victims into monsters like him. At the very core of the film is music, with Sammie’s singing and guitar skills piercing the layers between the living and the dead. Even beyond that, the intoxicating power of music and the legacy of blues musicians appear throughout the plot. As such, Sinners boasts a very impressive soundtrack that matches the critical heights of the Ryan Coogler vampire film. The soundtrack is largely dominated by blues songs. However, the expanded cultural touch of the movie does incorporate some other songs into the run-time, while a few more modern tracks appear in the film’s credits. The full soundtrack to Sinners is a long one, speaking to the full scope of music and the role it plays in the film. Here is every song in Sinners, where they play in the film, and where fans can find the soundtrack to listen to for themselves.”
Review – Ok my favorite movie of 2025 was the Bob Dylan film until I saw Sinners! It checked every box that I liked about movies. Kind of like “Cadillac Records” but then add your favorite horror film to it. What really stands out is the acting and the music. This soundtrack is off the chain, but you really don’t get the full effect during the movie. The soundtrack plays the whole songs and includes some amazing musicians like Cedric Burnside, Tierinii Jackson, Sharde Thomas-Mallory, Buddy Guy, Bobby Rush, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson just to name a few. Outstanding. All the songs are amazing but I think my favorite is “Pick Poor Robin Clean″, sung by Jack O’Connell, Lola Kirke and Peter Dreimanis, but originally sung and played by Luke Jordan in the 1920’s from Lynchburg, listen here. I will give this a 10+ on Blues Content and a 10++ on Music Content.
L’il Georgie And The Shufflin’ Hungarians – Compendium of Unruly Caterwauling (Queen Bee)
Bio – “The faithful congregate for the regular Saturday night at Styleen’s Rhythm Palace Rock and Soul Show Ritual, packing the room shoulder to shoulder. The scent of hundreds of lit Novena Candles, burning frankincense, and chemical fog machines commingle and permeate the air in the Palace Ballroom creating an intoxicating and disorienting brew of fumes so thick that a chainsaw would have difficulty cutting through it. Ten musicians, armed with their instrumental weapons of choice, emerge from the subterranean dressing cave: following in the wake of security from the back of the room as they push their way through the crowd and up onto the cramped stage festooned with freak show banners, they strap in and assume their battle stations for the evening. Over the sound of Hindu holy men jibber jabbering and speaking in tongues, a mysterious Middle Eastern modal melody rumbles ominously through the sound system. The stage lights start to pulse like lightning through the dense clouds of fog. The congregation’s collective backs brace themselves for the oncoming onslaught. On cue a disembodied voice of a drunken street corner, mush-mouthed prophet announces “You simply must try….the sweet potato pie…. Well I recommend you to drink orange soda, and you gotsta drink orange soda along with the sweet potato pie….LITTLE GEORGIE AND THE HUNGARIANS” The band kicks in with its patented deep groove and out of nowhere appears the 11th and final member and Fearless Leader; The Zomboy himself. The Ring Leader of the Circus of Lost Souls, The Southern Fried Caterwauling Conman / Philosopher/ Preacher / Shaman materializes out of the ether, solidly strikes his upright stance, plants his feet at the piano, grabs the microphone, and for the next three straight hours leads that army of crack musicians into a picaresque battle of epic proportions. The Mighty Jericho Wall Blasting Hungarian Horn Section; The Sweet Soulful and Pure Uncut Spiritual Mother Earth Estrogen Power of The George-O-Lettes; The Undeniable Swing And Groove of The Fellow Founding Fathers of Hungaria AKA The Rhythm Dicks; The Man From Trinidad On Congas; The Veteran Gunslinger Guitarist; and Little Georgie himself all summon their collective expertise and voluminous musical knowledge to bear down on the faithful with total commitment while guiding the congregants on a hair raising musical roller coaster ride of the history of piano rock n’ roll, rhythm n‘ blues, rhumba boogie, gospel, trad jazz, soul, and funk.”
Review – This is a very mysterious, cerebral group of musicians. Hard to find any information about the band members. I do know that George Rossi is the Piano player, Singer and Head of the Shufflin’ Hungarians. This line up has been part of the band over the years, Rossi teamed with Gary Frenay for a show of “Songs and Stories” at the Auburn Public Theater, also featuring guitarist Loren Barrigar, Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman, the Dean Brothers, mandolin player Ted Williams, drummer Cathy LaManna, keyboardist Dave Solazzo, trumpeter Nick Frenay and the Hungarian Horns: Jeff Stockham, Frank Grosso and Don Williams. The songs are all over the place, but kind of works. It has some Blues, some New Orleans, Classical, Country and a little Psychedelic Gospel. Some of the ones that really stood out were “Coming To Jesus”, “Funky Indian” and Gutbucket”. I think my favorite is “Down In New Orleans″, listen here. I will give this a 9 on Blues Content and a 10 on Music Content.
