Nine Lives is another fun filled journey into the obscure mind of Billy Watson. This time, nine songs, nine musicians and nine lives featuring fellow “Niner’s” Nathan James and Junior Watson. This madcap harp fest covers some oldies with new freshness and as usual the twisted originals that have become Watson’s trademark. Check the titles for a clue as to what's in store. Our jukebox selection is a Watson original called, 1960’s Soundtrack Rhumba. – C.L.

If you like the recent releases of Trickbag or remember the recordings of Knockout Greg and Blue Weather, this set by The Kokomo Kings entitled Artificial Natural will appeal to you. This Swedish group showcases the guitar playing of Danish “pyro-technician” Ronni Busak Boysen. The CD also features the strong up-tempo harp and vocals of Sam Anderson. Well played and exciting originals written by bassist Magnus Lanshammar are featured throughout the set. Our jukebox selection is one of these originals entitled, Girls I’ve Never Kissed. – C.L.

The album Troubles by John and Sylvia Embry is a longtime Bluebeat Music favorite. It has finally been released on CD for the first time. Originally recorded for the tiny Razor label in the 1970's, this release includes the ten tracks that originally appeared on the LP along with four previously unissued sides. John's tough, Magic Slim style guitar playing stands in sharp contrast to Sylvia's gospel influenced soul vocals which makes for some gritty and exciting recordings. Her interpretation of the early soul-gospel classic, I Found a Love is almost perfect and is our jukebox selection. – C.L.  

The funky swamp rock sound that is the trademark of Tony Joe White’s sound in the early 1970’s is alive and well here on his new Yeproc Records release, Hoodoo. Haunting songs of life and love are delivered with his characteristic monotone vocals and understated instrumental backup. To my ears the feel of a Tony Joe White tune is almost as important as the lyrics themselves and these songs definitely take you on a soulful journey through the American psyche. A great example of what can be found along this journey is the tune Gypsy Epilogue.  – C.L.

Stackhouse is a swinging harp led band from the Netherlands. They deliver some good time rockin’ blues with excellent harmonica playing from singer Machiel Meilers. The band also features some tasty guitar from Willem Van Dullemen. On this their debut release, Big Fish Boogie the band delivers a couple of covers and a whole bunch of well written originals. This is a strong release from this brand new band. The tune Scandal Boogie is a tribute to Big Walter Horton and naturally features the harp work of Meilers who is up to the task. – C.L.

Laura Rain is a revelation. She along with her musical collaborator, guitarist George Friend, are featured in this month’s ezine. The Detroit based singer, along with Friend, leads an ensemble called Laura Rain and the Caesars. Their new album, Electrified is a super charged soul shot that generates enough energy to light a small town and ignite a fire under the ass of all of its inhabitants. This ten song collection of original tunes written by Rain and Friend has a late 60’s, early 70’s soul/funk vibe. A couple of ballads are sprinkled in the mix along with the album’s only straight ahead blues tune, the CD closer, No More. Rain’s singing sounds like Aretha Franklin on Red Bull and espresso. This can’t be an easy thing to pull off and make work. She wouldn’t stand a chance if she didn’t have a band that had the chops to keep up with her energy. She does, however, as evidenced by the material contained in this CD. One fine example is the blues infused title track, which is this month’s jukebox selection. – D.M.

The brand new release by Delmark Records entitled Magic Sam Recorded Live at the Avant Guard is a strong contender for old/new record of the year. Before Magic Sam scored with 1967's West Side Soul his recorded legacy included a handful of sides for Cobra in the late '50s, the Chief label in the early '60s and a few miscellaneous 45s in the mid 1960’s. Delmark reissued 1968's Black Magic and there have been several posthumous releases of live recordings, but to my ears this is the best. This album comes from a June 22, 1968, live concert in Milwaukee. The record has great sound and a stellar performance with Sam in a trio setting featuring Magic Sam on vocals and guitar. He is joined by Big Mojo Elem on bass and drummer Bob Richey. The tune It’s Your Own Fault Baby is like everything else on this exceptional recording, it smokes. – C.L.

It is always fun to hear an artist grow and find their stride. That is exactly what you hear on the new release Double Crossing Blues by Southern California based Adrianna Marie and Her Groove Cutters. Marie has found material that suits her instrument. The focus here is squarely in the post war uptown rhythm and blues idioms. It is here where Marie and the band really shine. She has also surrounded herself with a top flight band that includes her long time collaborator, guitarist L.A. Jones, bassist Dave Deforest, drummers Ron Felton and Dave Kida and pianist Larry “Big House” David Cohen. On several tracks the band is augmented by the brass of Lee Thornburg and the reeds of Ron Dziubla. The title track Double Crossing Blues is a Johnny Otis tune originally sung by Little Esther Phillips. It is our jukebox selection from this brand new album.  – D.M.

Tom Holland and the Shuffle Kings have released their second album and their first in eleven years. It isn’t that Holland has been on vacation. He has been the guitarist in James Cotton’s band for the past ten years. The in-demand sideman, singer, guitarist and songwriter leads his own band this time in a program of all original material. The Shuffle Kings are joined by special guest guitarist John Primer on two of the album’s ten tracks. Pianist Marty Sammon, on loan from the Buddy Guy Band, joins in the proceedings on four numbers. One of these tunes, Shuffle King Boogie features both Sammon and Primer. If you are a fan of straight ahead, contemporary Chicago blues in the mold of Eddie the Chief Clearwater or Magic Sam and the Teardrops this CD entitled No Fluff, Just The Stuff is for you.  – D.M.

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