This collection of original blues-based songs features some of the finest Bay Area players today.  Steve Earman, Paul Revelli, Jim Pugh and Austin Deleon have worked with Mike Schermer for years. They have backed up such heavyweights as Howard Tate, Angela Strehli, Bonnie Raitt and Elvin Bishop.  Mike is a talented guitarist who has really matured as a songwriter. This set showcases some wonderful song ideas.  Not only does he cover the endless dramas of love, but such songs as Baby Down the Well, show a skill at social commentary with a dark sense of humor.  Recorded at Greaseland Studios, guests include Rick Estrin, Kid Andersen and Aki Kumar. - C.L. 

A founding member of the long running blues collective known as the Cash Box Kings, drummer Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith was born into blues royalty in the early 70’s. The son of long time Muddy Waters drummer Willie “Big Eyes” Smith has released the first solo album of his career. Drop The Hammer is a decidedly contemporary album with an urban sound. The album is comprised of original songs coming from Smith’s own world view as seen through the prism of modern life in Chicago. Veterans bassist Felton Cruz, who has played with everybody from Miles Davis to Otis Rush, and guitarist Billy Flynn, also a member of the Cash Box Kings and a long-time member of Kim Wilson’s Blues All- Stars, anchor a band which has been given carte blanche to explore new ideas and sounds. – D.M. 

This eight song EP features some of the rawest contemporary blues I have heard in the past decade.  Covers of Eddie Taylor, Robert Nighthawk and Little Johnnie Jones are strong interpretations of the classic 50's ensemble sound with Big Jon bringing a new meaning to "cover version".  Raw and direct, this song set is stunning.  Support from Kim Wilson, Barrelhouse Chuck and Billy Flynn as well as Bay Area treasure Robert Welsh makes this as solid as it gets. – C.L. 

The latest offering by O’Leary is a hard charging contemporary barn burner by this Hudson Valley resident and former front man, vocalist and harp player for Levon Helm’s Barnburners. This, his fifth solo album, has the soulful vocalist imbuing twelve originals with passion. Much, if not all of the music by O’Leary, comes from his world view which is deeply informed by a life interrupted by his association with the United States Marine Corps. As for his harp playing, he is a talent who uses the instrument judiciously and, therefore, very effectively. The album was produced by O’Leary and Ben Elliot. The latter, of American Showplace Records, also engineered, mixed and mastered the entire project, which may just be the best of Chris O’Leary’s fine career. 

Bassist Tyler Pedersen has played and recorded with William Clarke, Rick Holmstrom, The Big Rhythm Combo and many of the California based blues bands. This release showcases his talent on four string guitar and bass as well as featuring the multi-talented Nathan James both playing and producing.  The sound is reminiscent of the bluesy swing of George Barnes or Barney Kessel, but with totally original compositions.  This all instrumental set has some hard-swinging guitar romps along with interesting and unusual performances by the entire band. – C.L. 

Eddie Stout is at it again. His Austin, Texas, based Dialtone Records has just released a brand-new album by the Japanese rhythm & blues band with the weird name. As the title suggests these instrumental juggernauts are accompanied by five female vocalists from the Lone Star State. This band traveled to the Texas Capital and Live Music Capital of the World and is joined here by guests Nick Connolly, Johnny Moeller and Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff. (For a complete album review check out our Monthly Album Spotlight in this edition of BLUES JUNCTION)

Guitarist Peter Poirier debuts his first recording with a set of traditional electric band blues in the mold of early 50's B.B. King.  The Duke Robillard band backs him on this great sounding recording that keeps its focus on the swinging shuffles and hard blues that were a part of post war ensemble blues.  Recorded by Jack Gauthier (Knickerbocker All Stars) the set features covers of B.B. and Freddie King, as well as Jimmy Liggins and Ike Turner.  Played with taste and conviction, this recording is a wonderful surprise. – C.L.

Since his debut release in 1990, Good Rockin’ Daddy, it was clear that Joe Maher, the singing drummer or drumming singer, was a major talent and would be a force in the blues revival which was already in full swing in those days. Almost 30 years later, as that revival has become a distant memory, Big Joe is still making compelling music on this, his fourth release on the Severn Records label. Maher shares vocal duties with veteran bassist Mookie Brill making his recorded singing debut. He is up to the task and even does a nice job taking on songs by heavyweights like Little Milton and O.V. Wright. This is Maher’s first release under his own name since 2011’s, You Can’t Keep a Big Man Down. He sang, played drums and wrote the lion's share of the songs in the super group, The 4 Jacks on their 2013 release. It is good to have Big Joe back as this latest offering from the Washington D.C. native is a wonderful showcase for his talents, which he uses as a platform for blues played right. 

Kim Wilson, Kid Ramos, Rusty Zinn, RJ Mischo, Billy Flynn and Dean Shot are joined by the Bigtone crew of Troy Sandow, Danny Michel, Malachi Johnson, Kedar Roy and Marty Dodson on this wild instrumental ride through modern traditional blues.  Keeping the music true to its legacy has become a major focus of Jon Atkinson's efforts at Bigtone with players who don't try to "keep the blues alive," but work from a respect for what has come before. They add their own touch which demonstrates a deep understanding that less is in fact more. – C.L.

For these and thousands more blues titles, click here: