Common Ground Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy is their somewhat self explanatory release on Yep Roc Records. It has been nearly thirty years since Dave Alvin quit the Blasters and these two brothers made a studio album together. It is also the first time that they take on a project of material written exclusively by someone else. Their affection for this material is so evident that they don’t make the slightest attempt to copy it. Why bother? They give each number their own spin informed with both their own individual and collective musical sensibilities. They chose material from various parts of Broonzy’s long and successful career and demonstrate that this music is truly a timeless treasure. Common Ground has made me an even bigger fan of Big Bill Broonzy and of the Alvin’s music. I really didn’t think either one of those things was possible.

Big Jon Atkinson’s debut solo album, Boogie With You Baby is a May release on Bluebeat Music. Since moving to Southern California less than a year ago, twenty four year old Jon Atkinson has made a big splash on our Nation’s western shore. Atkinson is a man of immense talent, drive and determination. He can play virtually any instrument. Big Jon also possesses that increasingly elusive commodity, the ability to sing the blues. Boogie With You Baby was recorded with another extremely gifted musician, Nathan James. James’ Sacred Cat studio in the Northern San Diego County enclave of Oceanside is where Big Jon surrounded himself with big talent such as pianist Fred Kaplan and James’ Rhythm Scratchers bassist Troy Sandow and drummer Marty Dodson. Two and half days after walking into the studio, Atkinson and company had a fourteen song gem. Atkinson even wrote three of the selections here.

These originals fit nicely with some of the most obscure diamonds in the rough I have ever heard. Songs by Lightnin’ Slim, Jon Brim, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells, J.B. Hutto and others are re-imagined and given a confident, relaxed feel that stay true to the original sound.

Big Al Blake steps back into the spotlight with his first solo album in over a decade with Blues According to Blake...A Road Less Traveled. This record of mostly Blake originals features the timeless imagery, relaxed down home feel and stellar musicianship which is the hallmark of blues music at its very best. In presenting his music his way without regard to trends, fashions or flavors of the month this recording, like the previous work in his catalogue, has that quality that is sure to pass the often elusive test of time.

Like Jon Atkinson, Blake is accompanied by long time musical colleague, pianist Fred Kaplan on three of the album’s ten tracks. There are two tunes where the drumming of Richard Innes can be heard and one of these also has bassist Larry Taylor joining in. Two of the tracks include the multi-generational pairing of Blake and young guitarist extraordinaire, Nathan James. It is, however, the deeply informed voice, guitar and harmonica of Al Blake that is imbued with a deep southern influence which resides at the core of this album.

The Blues According to Blake is certain to remind listeners why they fell in love with blues in the first place. This presentation of blues music does not have any artificial sweeteners or additives. It is not pre-processed fast food for the masses. It isn’t watered down, diet blues for the blues-light crowd either. It is an adult portion of the real thing.

Bob Corritore’s most recent offering on Delta Groove Music, Taboo seems to be appropriately titled as the thought of a harmonica player making an all instrumental album seems well...taboo. Corritore, however makes it work by sharing the spotlight with a whole host of blues mega talent including guitarist Junior Watson as well as pianist Fred Kaplan. The rhythm section of bassist Kedar Roy and drummer Richard Innes is just about as good as it gets. There are two tracks which feature Jimmie Vaughan on guitar. These numbers also feature the patriarch of the B3, Papa John DeFrancesco and baritone sax man Doug James. What also makes this record not only bearable, but actually enjoyable, is that Corritore chose to utilize the talent he has to work with in ways that complement their playing as opposed to servicing his own musical sensibilities.

Mark Hummel’s The Hustle Is Really On is the harmonica player and vocalist’s new Electro-Fi Records release. The album features three outstanding guitarists, Anson Funderburgh, “Little” Charlie Baty and Chris “Kid” Andersen. Eight of the album’s fourteen tacks are billed as the Golden State-Lone Star Revue; these songs were recorded in Chicago and feature Charlie and Anson along with native Californian Doug James on sax. Anson’s long time drummer and long time Texan, Wes Starr, who is one of the blues’ great shuffle drummers, is also on board for these tracks. The remaining six songs were laid down at yet another outstanding session which was recorded at Andersen’s Greaseland Studios. These songs feature Sid Morris on piano and bay area first call drummer June Core, and as you might suspect, Kid Andersen on guitar. It is the bass of R.W. Grigsby that can be heard on all fourteen of the album’s tracks. This is a solid outing that features a variety of interesting covers.

The Mannish Boys’ Wrapped Up and Ready is the seventh Mannish Boys album to be released in the past ten years. It is by far the best and most fully realized Mannish Boys album to date. The core band has remained pretty much intact since 2010’s Shake For Me. It includes drummer Jimi Bott and bassist Willie J. Campbell. Guitarists Franck “Paris Slim” Goldwasser and Kirk “Eli” Fletcher, who date back to the group’s 2004 inaugural release, are again on board for Wrapped Up and Ready. Randy Chortkoff generously steps aside for the most part and only plays his Jimmy Reed inspired harp on two tracks and sings on one of these. The emerging star of this group of blues veterans is relative newcomer, vocalist Sugaray Rayford. Rayford, who comes to the blues via the world of gospel music, appears to be a quick study. There are no less than twenty guest musicians who play on various tracks. Mannish Boys releases always come with high expectations, as there may be no other ensemble that can claim so much talent. For the first time this band has released an album that lives up to that talent and lofty expectations. It is the most original sounding record in their catalogue. Wrapped Up and Ready is the Mannish Boys album which is finally the equal to the sum of its parts.

March 25^th marked the much anticipated release date of singer and harmonica player John Nemeth’s eighth album, Memphis Grease. It is his first studio album in four years and his debut on Blue Corn Music. The CD was recorded in Scott Bomar’s Electraphonic Studios in Memphis. John was backed by Bomar and his band the Bo-Keys which are the perfect fit for Nemeth’s soul-blues sensibilities. The brand new CD, like everything else in Nemeth’s catalogue, is first rate. If there are two things that seem to be in short supply when it comes to contemporary blues albums, it is good original songwriting and great vocalists. Nemeth has always had both these bases covered and Memphis Grease is no exception. Ten of the thirteen songs in this program are, in fact, Nemeth originals.

Bernie Pearl’s Take Your Time is a January, 2014, release by veteran blues man Bernie Pearl. Last fall Pearl went into Pacifica Studios in his hometown of Los Angeles and recorded something very special. He brought with him a lifetime of experience, some old tunes and some old friends. Joining Pearl on these sessions was his long time bassist and the album’s co-producer Mike Barry. Pearl’s rich, mellow and unaffected vocals are augmented on three numbers by special guest, and fellow Los Angeles blues landmark, vocalist Barbara Morrison. Percussionist Albert Trepangier Jr. and tenor sax man Bobby “Hurricane” Spencer are also along for this journey and are featured on a few tracks.

Bernie Pearl’s excursion through the blues finds the consummate bluesman grabbing timeless classics by the knape of the neck and carrying them forward into the year 2014. He reworks tunes by Lightnin’ Hopkins, Big Boy Crudup, John Brim, Mance Lipscomb, Big Joe Williams and others to suit his muse. Pearl also sprinkles in a few originals to go along with these very creative re-inventions.

Chicago’s own Dave Specter has his first offering out since 2010’s Spectified. This 2014 Delmark Records release is entitled Message in Blue. It is a big healthy adult dose of modern Chicago blues. The album has mostly Specter originals mixed in nicely with a few select covers. The real treat here is that the guitarist is joined on three tracks by vocalist Otis Clay. Three more tracks feature the vocals of the band’s versatile keyboard player Brother John Kattke. Bob Corritore blows harp on two tracks. As per usual, Specter has a hefty smattering of some real tasty original instrumentals thrown into the mix. These include New West Side Stroll, Funkified, The Stinger, Jefferson Stomp, Spectifyin’ Samba and Opus De Swamp. All of these tracks are a lot of fun.

Kai Strauss has released his first solo album, Electric Blues, and it would surprise me if this great CD got supplanted by year’s end out of the top ten. The long time guitarist with Memo Gonzales abdicates some of the singing duties to the best in the business and Electric Blues is richer for that decision. Sugar Ray Norcia and Darrell Nulisch sing on three tracks each on this fourteen song outing. The muscular tenor of Sax Gordon Beadle is heard on two tracks where he blows up a storm. There are some wonderful covers of Willie Dixon, Jimmy Rogers, Muddy Waters, B.B. King and others which are mixed in with some Strauss originals. This album of straight ahead natural blues features some great guitar playing and a solid rhythmic foundation. It is the surprise treasure of the year.