DJ for The Blues Show
Aycliffe Village, County Durham, United States
I’ve loved music since I was a child and I’ve loved the blues even longer! Listening to the radio introduced me to so many great presenters (Alexis Korner, Mike Raven, John Peel) and many many blues artists.
I have played guitar in many bands, most of them blues or blues influenced, and I currently perform solo acoustic spots featuring blues, country rock and more. I have a blog where I write about The Blues Show (including playlists), guitars, coffee,... Read More
Latest Album Reviews
Review of No More Waiting
Album Info: No More Waiting
Jamie Dunphy and True North Album: No More Waiting Label: BEH Music Genre(s): Pop Rock Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Apr 20, 2019
Review
Boston-area guitarist Jamie Dunphy came to the attention of this music fan thanks to the 2010 album he recorded with the jazz-fusion band called Mill City Trio. Jamie’s 2019 album, called No More Waiting, was recorded and released by his new rock project called Jamie Dunphy And True North. In a completely new direction, on the 25 minute, six-track No More Waiting, Jamie proves his merit as a guitarist, songwriter and lead singer. Speaking about the shift from his jazz-rock instrumental band to the country rock sound of his 2019 album, Jamie explains, "I’ve always considered myself a guitarist who sings, but I really enjoy singing. In earlier bands, I wrote primarily with other members of the group, contributing riffs and chord changes while leaving the lyrics to someone else. But over time I got more comfortable presenting full songs, particularly when I started leading
Tapio Ylinen Album: Left Unsaid Label: Eclipse Music Genre(s): Alternative Rock Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Apr 20, 2019
Review
Eclipse Music founder, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, Tapio Ylinen proves his artistic worth as a solo artist in early 2019 with the North American CD release of his latest solo album called Left Unsaid (The Longstanding Problems Of Happiness). The six-track, 33 minute CD is filled with an array of memorable, contemporary mainstream pop and rock. Tapio Ylinen (pronounced: eÚ-Lennon) comes from the Northern European country of Finland, yet all the Left Unsaid tracks feature Tapio's English language vocals and guitars backed up by the tight rhythm section of Tatu Rönkkö(drums) and Miikkael Anttila (bass). A skillful champion of Finnish rock and fusion music, Tapio says, "Writing in your second language is never the same as your native language but, then again, I’ve studied English quite a bit and I find that it usually suits rock and blues–based
Zan Zone Album: It's Only Natural Label: Randomaxe Genre(s): Roots Rock Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Apr 18, 2019
Review
It’s Only Natural, the fourth album by Brooklyn-based rockers Zan Zone, features the music and vocals of band leader Zan Burnham. In the spirit of post-Americana bands like String Cheese Incident, band leader Zan gets excellent support from his Zan Zone band mates and his electric guitar work is first rate too. Blending, rock, jazz, blues and folk sounds, Zan Zone truly defies categories, and in doing so comes up with a highly entertaining combination of various musical styles. The lead off instrumental, “For The Rising Sun” is short but sweet and provides a solid intro to the eleven track CD. Hard to believe but Zan Zone has been going strong since the early 1990s and some astute listeners may remember the band’s 2013 double album called Shorts. Putting It's Only Natural into the special history of his band, Zan explains, “I’ve been focusing on
Cloutier Album: Thunder 'n' Lightning Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Blues Rock Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Apr 18, 2019
Review
Fans of 21st century blues-rock sounds must check out the albums of the well-regarded Upstate New York based guitarist Mark Cloutier. Back in 2011, Mark released Wings Of Fire, which was a CD compilation of assorted instrumental blues and rock tracks first brought to light on Mark’s various self-produced album releases. Time flies as they say and now in 2018 Mark returns to the music world with Thunder ‘N’ Lighting, an album of all new material written and recorded with Mark his brother, singer and lyricist Myke Cloutier. The resulting ten track album by their band Cloutier, the ten track Thunder 'N' Lightning rocks up quite a storm and will quickly find a home among fans of finest rockin' blues being recorded today. Commenting on this first ever album release from Cloutier, Mark explains, “This is our first release together and I owe it to brother
Review of Take Me As I Am: The Muscle Shoals Sessions
Album Info: Take Me As I Am: The Muscle Shoals Sessions
Meg Williams Album: Take Me As I Am: The Muscle Shoals Sessions Label: Nola Blue Genre(s): Blues Rock Posted By: Duane Verh
Apr 17, 2019
Review
There’s a lilt and a touch in Meg Williams’ vocals more expected in adult pop or jazz settings than on bluesier fare but the Nashville-based singer/songwriter/guitarist works it in a way that favorably distinguishes her within the currently densely-populated realm of female blues talent. Coupled with a set of consistently tasty originals and collaborations, this makes for some decidedly fresh listening. Standouts include “Come on Over to Me”, “Played by the Blues” and “Sometimes I Need You Too”.
Apr 15, 2019 -
The Apparat European tour continues. The German band with leader Sasha Ring came to Italy. On April 5th the musicians made a stop in Naples, the... Read Full Article
Feb 18, 2019 -
Kids In A New Groove (KING) provides private, in-home, music instruction to Central Texas youth in foster care, allowing them to gain the benefits of... Read Full Article
Sep 25, 2018 -
Fitzsimon and Brogan have leaked two tracks featuring Mick "Woody" Woodmansey on drums. He is the last living member of Ziggy... Read Full Article
