A Fresh Voice on the Organ Bench Ed Alstrom arrives as a compelling new voice in contemporary blues, and his organ work commands attention immediately. Though he entered the blues world recently, Alstrom wastes zero time establishing himself—releasing two albums within a single year demonstrates serious commitment to the craft. Following 2025’s Flee Though None

New Orleans Tradition Meets Contemporary Blues Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and his grandson Spyboy Jwan bring a distinctive New Orleans vibe to modern blues with their new album “Slip Don’t Fall” on Wild Heart Records. As members of the Golden Eagles, a Mardi Gras Indian tribe steeped in New Orleans cultural tradition, these musicians carry

“`html The Kronos Quartet’s new project Glorious Mahalia reminds us why Mahalia Jackson deserves recognition far beyond gospel circles. This ambitious work pairs fresh classical compositions with Jackson’s archival recordings, creating something genuinely unique—a bridge between the concert hall and the church, between art music and the soul-deep traditions that shaped American sound. For blues

A Musical Pedigree Shaped by Blues Giants Murali Coryell’s new album Soul of a Nation represents far more than another self-released project. As the son of fusion pioneer Larry Coryell, Murali inherited a musical lineage that bridges experimental guitar work with deep blues roots. However, his path distinctly honors the traditional soul that defines the

Duke Robillard Keeps the Blues Alive with Blast Off! Duke Robillard’s latest release, Blast Off!, arrives as a reminder that true blues mastery never fades. The legendary guitarist and bandleader continues his prolific career with this 12-track collection on Nola Blue Records, delivering 53 minutes of pure blues energy that demonstrates why he remains one

Tracing “Dig” From West Africa to the Blues The word “dig” carries profound meaning in blues culture, yet few of us realize its African linguistic roots. According to author and musician Debra Devi’s recent exploration of blues language, “dig” traveled directly from Wolof speech—a West African language—into the vernacular of blues musicians and fans. This

Beyond the Mythology: Muddy Waters’ Untold Stories Most blues fans know Muddy Waters transformed Chicago blues forever, yet his story contains layers many people overlook. American Blues Scene recently uncovered intriguing details about the “Hoochie Coochie Man” that deserve exploration beyond the standard biography. These hidden narratives reveal how Waters evolved from Delta roots into

Allen Toussaint’s ‘Songbook’ Captures New Orleans Soul Across Five Decades Allen Toussaint’s newly reissued live ‘Songbook’ album stands as a testament to one of New Orleans’ most brilliant musical architects. This comprehensive collection traces Toussaint’s evolution across five decades, showcasing the sophisticated blend of R&B, funk, and soul that made him an absolute cornerstone of

Terence Higgins understands a truth that casual blues listeners often miss: great drummers do far more than keep time. They shape the entire groove that holds a band together, and consequently, they deserve recognition as essential architects of the blues sound. Most people don’t realize what separates a competent timekeeper from a truly great drummer.

Teresa James Brings Texas Blues Energy to “Bad At Being Good” Teresa James and The Rhythm Tramps continue their prolific run with Bad At Being Good, their fourteenth album that showcases the Texas chanteuse’s commanding presence in contemporary blues-inflected rhythm and blues. Released on MoMoJo Records, this twelve-track collection proves that James remains a vital

Veteran Blues Musicians Unite for Compelling Live Performance The Fabulous Trutones bring together three experienced musicians whose diverse backgrounds create something genuinely special on their new live recording. Lead vocalist and guitarist Tim Wagoner anchors the group, bringing formal training and decades of musical development to every track. Meanwhile, his bandmates contribute their own specialized

Finding Your Voice When the Odds Stack Against You Left-handed blues guitarist Paul Kaye turned an early obstacle into a lifetime mission—proving that limitations fuel creativity. According to American Blues Scene, Kaye dedicated himself to mastering the “big sound,” a technique where one guitar simultaneously carries rhythm, bass, and melody. This approach echoes the resourcefulness

Two of Chicago’s most important blues recordings are getting the audiophile vinyl treatment as part of the Chess Records 75th anniversary reissue series. Acoustic Sounds has released The Best of Little Walter and The Real Folk Blues by Sonny Boy Williamson II on 180-gram vinyl, with each title remastered from original analog tapes. What Makes

Eric Clapton announced the return of his Crossroads Guitar Festival for September 26–27 at Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The seventh edition of the charity event already boasts a stacked lineup that reads like a who’s who of modern blues and rock guitar. The Lineup So Far Clapton will perform both nights, joined by a

Brandon Isaak walked away with three trophies at the first-ever Canadian Blues Music Awards ceremony on Sunday night, claiming Blues Song of the Year, Electric Blues Recording of the Year, and Blues Guitarist of the Year. The Victoria, B.C., guitarist dominated an evening that gave Canadian blues its most significant national platform in decades. Isaak

Canadian blues reached a milestone this week when Steve Marriner captured the Juno Award for Blues Album of the Year on Saturday — and tonight, the brand-new Canadian Blues Music Awards hand out their first-ever trophies in Toronto. Together, these two events mark the most significant week for Canadian blues in recent memory. The Inaugural

A Legendary Tribute Taking Shape The roots music community is buzzing about an ambitious new Tom Waits tribute album titled Where The Willow And The Dogwood Grow. According to Node Depression, this project credits both Tom Waits and his longtime collaborator Kathleen Brennan, bringing together an impressive roster of artists who understand the gritty soul

A Meeting of Blues Souls: Kirk Fletcher and Erika Baier Unite Kirk Fletcher and Erika Baier’s collaboration on the new single Cold Cold Feeling proves that sometimes the most powerful blues moments happen when you strip everything away. Released March 27, 2026 via VizzTone Label Group, this stripped-back duo setting places voice and guitar front

A Tribute to Irish Blues Excellence Joe Bonamassa honors Rory Gallagher with a stunning new live album and film called The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork. Bonamassa recorded this project during sold-out performances in Cork, Ireland—the hometown where Gallagher built his legendary legacy. The release arrives June 19, 2026, through Bonamassa’s own J&R Adventures

The Devil in Blues Mythology: Where African Roots Meet American Legend The devil in blues mythology runs deeper than simple good-versus-evil storytelling. According to author and rocker Debra Devi’s recent exploration in “Language of the Blues,” the devilish figures haunting our favorite blues songs actually trace back to African trickster deities—not just Christian damnation. This

Southern California Roots Rock Gets Introspective Robert Jon and The Wreck just dropped a stunning new single called “Run Back To Me,” and the Southern California roots rock band proves they’re not afraid to dig deeper into their emotional palette. According to Blues Matters Magazine, the self-produced track arrives March 27th and reveals a more

Raw Emotion Meets Contemporary Blues Storytelling The Builders and the Butchers spotlight ‘Mother Mary’ from their new album ‘No Tomorrow,’ and the track reveals a band committed to authentic emotional expression. Ryan Sollee, the driving force behind the project, crafts songs that honor blues tradition while pushing toward something distinctly modern. Furthermore, the band demonstrates

A Classically Trained Musician Discovers the Blues Guy Renardeau’s Four Shades of Blue represents something increasingly rare in modern music: a formally educated composer who genuinely respects blues traditions while pushing the genre forward. As BluesBlastMagazine noted in their recent review, Renardeau brings credentials from prestigious European institutions—including Germany’s Hochschule fur Musik Köln and Amsterdam’s

Vinyl Sales Surge: A Blues Fan’s Victory Vinyl sales have climbed for 19 consecutive years, recently breaking the $1 billion milestone in the United States alone. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, nearly half of global vinyl revenue flows through American collectors and music lovers. For blues enthusiasts, this resurgence represents far more

Motherhood Fuels Charlotte Cornfield’s Most Honest Album Yet Charlotte Cornfield’s new album Hurts Like Hell captures something essential about artistic vulnerability. Consequently, becoming a mother transformed how she approaches songwriting, stripping away pretense and forcing her to confront uncomfortable truths about joy, pain, and transformation. The album title itself speaks volumes—Cornfield doesn’t hide behind metaphor

Taj Mahal’s new album Time drops May 1, featuring a never-recorded Bill Withers song as its title track. Here’s what we know about this landmark release.

New documentary King of the Chitlin’ Circuit chronicles Bobby Rush’s 70-year blues career. Directed by Al Warren, premiering August 2026 on Mississippi PBS.

Jim Lauderdale’s Blueprint for Emotional Authenticity Jim Lauderdale continues to solidify his place as country music’s most reliable chronicler of heartbreak and resilience. His latest album, Country Super Hits, Volume 2, arrives two decades after the original release, reminding us why his warm baritone and honky-tonk sensibilities matter in today’s music landscape. According to Node