New Blues Review 9-22-25

By Jack Roy


Ana Popovic – Dance To The Rhythm (Electric Heel Records)

Bio – “The award-winning, hard-touring, guitar slinger blends smoking electric funk and slide guitar, jazzy instrumentals and a tight blues groove with soulful, feminine vocals. Add to the mix her incredible stage presence, all of which makes her an irresistible force in the world of contemporary blues music. Called ‘one helluva a guitar-player’ by Bruce Springsteen and nominated for seven Blues Music Awards, Ana was added as the only female guitar-player to the 2014 -’18 all star Experience Hendrix lineup; a nationwide tour celebrating the music and legacy of Jimi Hendrix with Buddy Guy, Eric Johnson, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and many more world renown artists. She appeared on the cover of Vintage Guitar and Guitar Player magazine. Her albums ‘Can You Stand The Heat’ (2013) and ‘Unconditional’ (2011) where Pick-Of-The-Week by USA Today and featured on NPR Music. Her album POWER (2023) made it to #1 on the Billboards Blues Charts – THE list of best selling albums nationwide. You’ll find Popovic in a select group of excellent modern blues guitar players. One reason could be the fact that she’s always willing to work a little harder and travel a little further to master her craft. Ana and her powerful band are tirelessly touring, playing major blues, jazz and rock festivals. She is endorsed by Fender, D’Angelico, Jim Dunlop and DR strings. She has shared headlining stages with B.B. King, Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr. and many others. When not on tour, she resides in Los Angeles, CA.”

Review – I have always like Ana’s approach to guitar playing and her voice. She has such a dynamic range on her guitar neck and can be put up against any Blues Guitar Player out there. I have seen her live about 4 times and even opened up for her in a Blues Festival about 10 years ago. Serbia born, Ana has created a place at the Blues table for her hard work, great guitar licks and her stage presence. But, I think she has lost her way on the tough Blues Road of our life. This new album is just way, way, way to over produced and she must be trying to get into the Pop Genre because there is not much Blues here. The few guitar solos, are actually pretty good with some having great guitar tones. Voices all seem to be put a processor and content in the songs are just writing it in. Very disappointed in this album as far a my Blues Geiger Counter shows. Go back and listen to her album “Hush” and you will hear the difference, I know it’s been 24 years, but still!! Maybe the only song that I might listen to again is “Dwell On The Feeling″, listen here. I will give this a 4 on Blues Content and a 7 on Music Content.


Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia – Help Yourself (Gulf Coast Records)

Bio – Mike Zito -“Mike Zito is one of the most lauded artists in the contemporary blues arena today and rightfully so, but for him, the thing that counts the most is maintaining his honesty, authenticity and integrity. Those are the qualities that have steered Zito’s career since the beginning and continue to define every effort he’s offered since. “I have nothing to hide; it seems my honesty is what people relate to most,” he once told Vintage Guitar magazine. “Anders (Osborne) told me early on, ‘If you don’t believe what you’re singing, you’ll never be a good singer.’ I try not to write fluff; I try to make every word count.” Naturally, patience and perseverance have been Zito’s stock and trade since the beginning. He began playing guitar at the age of five, and by the time he reached his late teens, he was already a fixture on the local St. Louis music scene. He initially released his music independently and then signed with Eclecto Groove Records in 2008. “Pearl River,” the title track of his 2009 album for the label, won Song of the Year at the Blues Music Awards and marked his first collaboration with Cyril Neville, with whom he’d later work in the Royal Southern Brotherhood. A steady succession of critically acclaimed albums followed, culminating in 2011’s Greyhound, which was nominated for Best Rock Blues Album at that year’s Blue Music Awards ceremony in Memphis. Two years later, he signed with Ruf Records and released Gone to Texas, the story of how he gained his sobriety, offered an emotional homage to the state that left an indelible imprint on his entire life. It also marked the debut of his band, The Wheel. From 2010 to 2014, Zito also played an integral role in the super group of sorts, Royal Southern Brotherhood. The group released two albums and a DVD, Songs from the Road – Live in Germany, winner of the year’s Blues Music Award for Best DVD. He also made his mark behind the boards by producing albums for Samantha Fish, Albert Castiglia, Ally Venable, Jeremiah Johnson, Jimmy Carpenter, and many others.”

Albert Castiglia – “Miami-raised Albert Castiglia served an apprenticeship while backing legendary blues musician Junior Wells. He later went on to work with singer Sandra Hall. Never content to allow himself to be confined to any particular category, he embarked on a solo career that’s yielded many critically-acclaimed albums and consist kudos for his exceptional instrumental prowess, his searing vocals, and live performances that have dazzled audiences from coast to coast. It’s little wonder that Miami’s New Times lauded him as South Florida’s “Best Blues Guitarist” or that USA Today was inspired to remark “It’s a revelation to discover the thrilling retro-electric blues from this astonishing young guitarist.” M Music & Musicians once noted, “His back-to-basics approach follows in the footsteps of those who fostered the blues in the Mississippi Delta and the smoky late-night haunts of Chicago.” After the highly successful and critically acclaimed release of Masterpiece on Gulf Coast Records, Castiglia was nominated for two Blues Music Awards in the categories of Blues Rock Album of the Year and Blues Rock Artist of the Year and won Blues Rock Album of the Year..”

Review – Here we go!! Love the Blood Brothers, Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia are monster guitar players and really feed off each other so well. I think this is their 3rd album of the Brother’s Theme, with the Live In Canada being my favorite. This album is a good one too!! The band is so tight and so energetic, laying down the canvas for the Gunslingers to paint their Blues. The band includes Scot Sutherland on Bass, Lewis Stephens on Keys, Matt Johnson Drums and Vocals and Ray Hengen on Percussion. All the songs have their own place on this CD, Blues based but a little country mixed in with incredible Guitar Tones! Some of the standouts for me were “Help Yourself”, the JJ Cale Tune “Low Down” and “‘Ol’ Victrola”. I think my favorite is “The Best I Can″, a slow true Blues tune, listen here. I will give this a 10 on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.


Christone Kingfish Ingram – Hard Road (Redzer)

Bio – “A native son of Clarksdale, Mississippi — a city steeped in blues history — Christone “Kingfish” Ingram stands at the crossroads of legacy and innovation, channeling the spirit of the Delta while fearlessly reshaping its future. His mastery of the guitar, steeped in the tones of B.B. King, Albert King, and Buddy Guy, first turned heads when he was still a teenager. But what sets Ingram apart is how he’s expanded the form, blending in funk, soul, hip-hop, pop, and jazz to create a modern blues fusion that resonates across generations and genres. 2019’s debut album, Kingfish, topped Billboard’s “Blues Albums” for an incredible 91 weeks and earned him his first GRAMMY® Award nomination, plus three Blues Music Awards, including “Album of the Year.” Kingfish followed up with 2021’s 662, titled after his Mississippi area code, which won both the GRAMMY® Award and Blues Music Award for “Best Contemporary Blues Album.” In 2023, the incendiary Live In London received yet another GRAMMY® Award nomination as well as his second Blues Music Award for “Album of the Year” and third consecutive triumph in the “Best Contemporary Blues Album.””

Review – What a talent Kingfish is, his amazing voice and guitar playing is at the top of the Blues Genre right now. This album really shows how developed as a musician he has become. His lead play is so much more sophisticated than when I first saw him at 16 years old and I have to admit he was superb even back then. Kingfish reunites the Grammy-winning team of Ingram and producer Tom Hambridge. Ingram, Hambridge, and Richard Fleming once again assumed the lion’s share of the writing duties. Joining Kingfish is Kenny Greeenburg on additional guitar, Tom Hambridge on drums, Davenport on harp, Marty Sammon on B3 organ, and Glen Worf and Tom MacDonald sharing bass duties. Backing vocals are provided by Sarah and Rachel Hambridge, along with papa Tom. Some of the standouts for me were “Truths”, “Voodoo Charm” and a great acoustic thing at the end called “Memphis”. I think my favorite is “Crosses″, he really gets a great Hendrix tone on his guitar, listen here. I will give this a 10+ on Blues Content and a 10++ on Music Content.


Warren Haynes – The Whisper Sessions (Concord)

Bio – “Warren Haynes (born April 6, 1960) is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his work as longtime guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band and as founding member of the jam band Gov’t Mule.  Early in his career he was a guitarist for David Allan Coe and The Dickey Betts Band.  Haynes is also known for his associations with the surviving members of the Grateful Dead, including touring with Phil Lesh and Friends and the Dead.  In addition, Haynes founded and manages Evil Teen Records. Haynes spent his formative years in Asheville, North Carolina, where he was born, and lived with his two older brothers and his father, Edward Haynes. He began playing guitar at age 11. His primary guitar is a Gibson Les Paul ’58 Reissue electric guitar. Haynes has referred to himself as a “Gibson man”, often playing Gibson Firebird and Gibson ES-335 models as well as the Les Paul models. This was acknowledged by the American guitar maker Gibson which has included a limited edition Warren Haynes signature Les Paul in its product line; built according to Haynes’ specifications and modeled on his ’58 Les Paul. Haynes is married to Stefani Scamardo, a DJ for Sirius Radio and the long-time manager of Gov’t Mule. In 2011, they had their son, Hudson. Around 1987, Haynes got a call to perform backup vocals on a studio album by Dickey Betts, along with Dennis Robbins. Betts, who had concentrated on his solo career following the breakup of The Allman Brothers Band, decided to add Haynes to his band as his guitarist after the session. With Matt Abts on drums and Johnny Neel on keyboards, the now formed Dickey Betts Band released the 1988 album Pattern Disruptive. In the same year, Haynes also co-wrote the title track for Gregg Allman’s solo album Just Before the Bullets Fly. In 1989, The Allman Brothers Band decided to reunite, and Betts recruited Haynes to join the band. Also joining were Neel on keyboards and Allen Woody on bass guitar. Haynes has since played on four well-received studio albums, including the gold certified Where It All Begins (1994). It was that same year when Haynes played to his largest audience ever with the Allman Brothers at Woodstock ’94. Haynes and Woody left the group in March 1997 to focus solely on their side project Gov’t Mule. Shortly after Woody’s untimely death on August 26, 2000, Haynes began appearing with The Allman Brothers Band again alongside young guitar prodigy Derek Trucks. He returned to the band as a full-time member shortly thereafter. On January 8, 2014, Haynes and Trucks jointly announced their respective plans to leave the ABB by the end of 2014, following the conclusion of the band’s celebration of its 45th anniversary, with the band subsequently announcing that they would disband at the same time. n 1994, Haynes formed Gov’t Mule with Abts and Woody. Haynes and Woody initially split time between Gov’t Mule and The Allman Brothers Band, but after The Allman Brothers’ last show of their 1997 run at New York’s Beacon Theatre on March 26, 1997, both left the band to focus on Gov’t Mule full-time. They released three albums and became known for their powerful live performances. Some of these performances have been released as official live albums (Live at Roseland Ballroom, Live… With a Little Help from Our Friends and Mulennium; the latter two capture consecutive New Year’s Eve shows).”

Review – Wow, what a gem this is. Warren’s voice has always been so amazing, but in this solo CD, it is that much more special, like listening to him in an intimate coffee shop. Then add Derek Trucks writing and his playing on the last three tracks just makes this super special for us Blues/Allman Brothers/Slide Guitar fans. Most of the songs are slow, powerful ballads that are giving me goose bumps as I write this. Some of my standouts, although the whole album is incredible, were “Til I Can Make It On My Own”, “This Life A We Know It”, and “Real, Real Love”. I know my favorite is “Melissa″, this is the studio/living room version with Trucks not playing his slide and Warren without a pick!! listen here. I will give this a 10 on Blues Content and a 10++ on Music Content.


Tedeschi Trucks Band – Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited (Concord)

Bio – “After touring together in 2007, as the Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi’s Soul Stew Revival, the couple merged their respective groups to form the Tedeschi Trucks Band in 2010. Their first concert was on April 1, 2010, at the Savannah Music Festival. The first Tedeschi Trucks Band album, Revelator, was released on June 7, 2011. The album peaked at No. 92 on the Canadian Albums Chart, No. 164 in the UK Albums Chart and won a Grammy Award for Best Blues Album. Their second album, Everybody’s Talkin’, was recorded live and released in May 2012. In 2013, the band was nominated for the Blues Music Awards and released their third album, Made Up Mind. The band gave a Joe Cocker Mad Dogs and Englishmen tribute concert at the 2015 Lockn’ Festival featuring alumni musicians from that album including Leon Russell, Claudia Lennear and Dave Mason. The band’s first three albums were published by Sony Masterworks, but their 2016 album, Let Me Get By, was released on Fantasy Records.  Produced by Trucks, the album debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 album sales chart.  In 2017, Tedeschi Trucks Band released a full-length concert film and album recorded in Oakland, CA, Live from the Fox Oakland. The fourth studio album, Signs, was released on February 15, 2019, on Fantasy Records and Concord. On January 9, 2019, the band announced tour dates through August 2019.  Signs was chosen as a ‘Favorite Blues Album’ by AllMusic. Layla Revisited (Live at LOCKN’) was announced on May 7, 2021. The album is a one-time live recording of the Derek and the Dominos album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs performed in full with Trey Anastasio. Recorded on August 24, 2019, at the LOCKN’ Festival in Arrington, VA, the album was released on July 16, 2021. On April 20, 2022, Tedeschi Trucks Band announced I Am the Moon, a quadruple album featuring 24 original songs which was released in four parts throughout the year, beginning with I. Crescent on June 3, II. Ascension on July 1, III. The Fall on July 29 and IV. Farewell on August 26. The album was also released as a box containing all four parts on September 9. The band is currently preparing a new studio album for release in 2026.”

Review – Wow, Wow, Wow. How many of you were at Lockin’ for this one! I was not (sad face). But what an incredible album, I think it would be so hard redoing a highly famous album, do it justice and still be able to put your own spin on it, but TTB did just that including Leon Russell, Claudia Lennear, Dave Mason, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Robinson and Anders Osbourne. There is nothing bad to say about this one, every track brings back memories of Joe Cocker and 70’s. Tedeschi’s voice is just outstanding. Some of the standouts for me were “The Letter”, “Let’s Go Get Stoned”, “She Came In Through The Bathroom Window”. I believe my favorite is “With A Little Help From My Friends″, Amazing,  listen here. I will give this a 10++ on Blues Content and a 10+++ on Music Content.


Roomful Of Blues – Steppin’ Out! (Alligator)

Bio – “Even though Roomful of Blues’ lineup has changed over the years, the band has always been one of the tightest, most joyful blues ensembles in the world. Currently an eight-piece unit led by guitarist Chris Vachon, the band has never sounded fresher or stronger. Singer DD Bastos brings her sweet and soulful vocals and adds another bright new dimension to the jazzy, jump-blues musical roots. Their winning combination of jump, swing, blues, R&B and soul remains their calling card, as does their ability to fill the dance floor. Along with bassist John Turner, trumpeter Chris Pratt, drummer Mike Coffey, keyboardist  Jeff Ceasrine, baritone and tenor saxophonist Craig Thomas, and tenor and alto saxophonist Rich Lataille, Roomful keeps on rockin’ into 2024!  With a non-stop performance schedule for over 50 years, Roomful of Blues has earned critical, popular and radio success and a legion of fans across the globe.  According to DownBeat magazine, Roomful of Blues “are in a class by themselves.” With their masterful combination of jumping, horn-heavy, hard-edged blues and R&B, it’s no wonder why the great Count Basie called them “the hottest blues band I ever heard.” Since 1967, the group’s deeply rooted blend of swing, rock ‘n’ roll, jump, blues and soul has earned it 5 Grammy Award nominations and a slew of other accolades, including 7 Blues Music Awards and the prestigious DownBeat International Critics Poll for “Best Blues Band”.”

Review – As far as Big Band Blues, it is hard to beat Room Full Of Blues. DD Bastos voice is perfect for this Swing/Jump/Early Rock blues that this band does so well over the years. Chris Vachon’s guitar solos are simple, clear and such on point for this music. The rest of the band includes Jeff Geasrine on Keys, John Turner on Upright Bass, Mike Coffey on Drums and rich Lataille, Craig Thomas and Christopher Pratt on Horns. It’s hard to find a clinker in this album as all the tunes are great. Some of my standouts were “Satisfied”, “You Don’t Move Me Anymore” and “Dirty People” but I think my favorite is “Slippin’ and Slidin’″, a big hit for Little Richard and Room Full Of Blues puts their own twist, listen here. I will give this a 10+ on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.


Bob Corritore & Friends – Early Blues Sessions (Swmae)

Bio – “Bob Corritore is one of the most active and highly regarded blues harmonica players on the scene today. His style passionately carries forward the old school of playing that Corritore learned as a young man directly from many of original pioneers of Chicago Blues. His sympathetic, yet fiery harmonica playing is featured on over 100 releases to date, on labels such as VizzTone, Delta Groove, Delmark, HighTone, HMG, Blue Witch, Blind Pig, Earwig, Ruf, Putumayo and many others. Many of Bob’s acclaimed releases have been nominated or winners for various Handy, Grammy, Living Blues, Blues Music Awards and Blues Blast Music Awards. Bob is also widely recognized for his many roles in the blues, as band leader, club owner, record producer, radio show host, arts foundation founder, and occasional writer. His amazing website http://www.bobcorritore.com and his weekly e-newsletter reflect a life thoroughly invested in the blues. Born on September 27, 1956 in Chicago, Bob first heard Muddy Waters on the radio at age 12, an event which changed his life forever. Within a year, he was playing harmonica and collecting blues albums. He would see blues shows in his early teens, including attending a Muddy Waters performance at his high school gymnasium. He would cut his teeth sitting in on Maxwell Street with John Henry Davis and others until old enough to attend blues clubs. He hung around great harp players such as Big Walter Horton, Little Mack Simmons, Louis Myers, Junior Wells, Big John Wrencher, and Carey Bell, and received harmonica tips and encouragement from many of them. He would regularly see the Aces, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Billy Boy Arnold, John Brim, Sunnyland Slim, Smokey Smothers, Eddie Taylor, and in many cases became personal friends with these blues veterans. Corritore worked with Tail Dragger, Big Moose Walker, Willie Buck, Louis and Dave Myers, and Eddie Taylor in the late 70s and early 80s. He also produced his first recordings during that time, taking unheralded harmonica greats such as Little Willie Anderson and Big Leon Brooks into the studio to produce their now classic debut albums. In 1981, Bob ventured southwest to live in Phoenix, Arizona. Within months, Bob was joined by Chicagoland friend Louisiana Red and the two played together around Phoenix for about a year until Red relocated to Germany. For the remainder of the 1980s, Bob worked in Phoenix and throughout the Southwest with Big Pete Pearson, Buddy Reed, Tommy Dukes, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, and an emerging Janiva Magness in one of her earliest bands. In 1984, Bob supplemented his performances with a blues radio show called Those Lowdown Blues on KJZZ, which is still going strong. In 1986, former Howlin’ Wolf drummer Chico Chism moved to Phoenix at Bob’s invitation to start a 20 year partnership that lasted until Chico’s passing in 2007. In 1991, Bob opened the now famous Blues and Roots Concert Club, The Rhythm Room. Having a club created yet another catalyst for Bob’s musical projects. He would often invite great artists to come to Phoenix, and Bob’s band, the Rhythm Room All-Stars would back these visiting artists on shows and in recording sessions. Bob’s archives of these sessions are now famous, and include sessions with Bo Diddley, Little Milton, John Brim, Jimmy Rogers, Henry Gray, Pinetop Perkins, Ike Turner, Jimmie Vaughan, Henry Townsend, Honeyboy Edwards, Big Jack Johnson, Ike Turner, Smokey Wilson. Lil’ Ed, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Nappy Brown, R.L. Burnside, Louisiana Red, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Sam Lay, Barbara Lynn, John Primer, Eddy Clearwater, and numerous others. In 1999, Bob released his first CD as a national recording artist, combining some of the highlights of his vaults. The CD was called All-Star Blues Sessions, and was released on the HighTone record label to great fanfare. This momentum created a long series of CDs on HighTone with Bob in the harmonica player/producer role. Bob started breaking into the national circuit in festival appearances with Henry Gray and Louisiana Red. Bob co-produced harmonica ace Kim Wilson’s 2001 release of Smokin’ Joint which got a Grammy nomination the following year. In 2005, Bob brought the Rhythm Room All-Stars featuring Big Pete Pearson to The Marco Fiume Blues Passions Festival in Italy, which opened a whole new world of European interest in Bob’s harmonica artistry. This led to return visits to Europe for various festivals and performances, as well as an ever-growing world-wide fan base. In 2007, the Mayor of Phoenix officially proclaimed September 29, 2007 to be “Bob Corritore Day” in honor of Bob’s musical contributions to his community. Also that year, Bob received a “Keeping The Blues Alive” award from the Blues Foundation. Bob’s 2007 collaboration with Dave Riley, Travelin’ The Dirt Road, was nominated for a Blues Music Award. Bob also contributed harmonica work on the 2008 Grammy®-nominated CD/DVD by Pinetop Perkins, On The 88s. Bob‘s prolific activity with the Blue Witch record label as label producer/harmonica player garnered him additional notoriety.”

Review – Bob Corritore has to be the coolest Blues guy out there. I have really loved these & Friends CDs that he has put out of recordings from many deceased legends and this CD is no exception. With legends like Little Milton, Lowel Fulson, Robert Lockwood Jr., Jimmy Rogers, Pinetop Perkins just to name a few. These recordings were done at 14 different recording sessions between 1984 and 2007 with many never being released to the public until now. It’s Gold Jerry, Gold (Seinfeld Reference). All of the music is like a museum of great Blues. The standouts for me were “So Glad I’m Living” with Sam Lay on Vocals, “Ramblin’ On My Mind” with Robert Lockwood Jr. on Guitar and Vocals, and “West Texas Blues” with Lowell Fulson on guitar and Vocals. I think my favorite is “Hip Shakin’″, with Lil’ Ed playing Slide and Singing. I couldn’t find it online but here is Lil’ Ed with Bob live in Las Vegas, listen here. I will give this a 10++ on Blues Content and a 10++ on Music Content.


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