Jimmy Reiter Live Pogo Pop Review by Greg Johnson A nicely done live performance by German bluesman Jimmy Reiter with a sharp band that sizzles in its presentation. Velvety smooth delivery with fluid guitar playing leading the way through two sets of shows recorded in Osnabruck, Germany and Vienna, Austria. This is the fourth recording […]
March 2021 New Music Releases There is so much good music out there. To help sort through it, we recommend starting here. Blu ACID – Blu ACID featuring John Blake EP (Self Release) Cash McCall – Blues Coming Down (Nola Records) Damon Fowler – Alafia Moon (Landslide) Dave Thomas – One More Mile (Blonde on […]
Karen Lovely & Ben Rice Perform Together for March Live Stream From Artichoke For our monthly blues performance, the Cascade Blues Association along with Artichoke Music present two of the most beloved artists on Portland’s music scene, Karen Lovely and Ben Rice. Both rose to fame representing the Cascade Blues Association at the prestigious International […]
Ramblings On My Mind Greg Johnson, President Cascade Blues Association With the access to vaccinations for some of our community, and more coming down the road to the rest of us, we may be starting to see the recess of the strains of Covid. There is still a ways to go as of yet and […]
Harvey Brindell Pennies on the Dollar! Self Release Review by Greg Johnson Long before Harvey Brindell moved to the Northwest, he had made himself quite a reputation playing the blues in the Midwest. Rubbing elbows with world-renowned artists such as Magic Slim, Jimmy Thackery, Shawn Holt, Guitar Shorty, Mike Zito and numerous others, as well […]
Joyann Parker Out of the Dark Hopeless Romantic Records Review by Greg Johnson Minneaapolis-based Joyann Parker releases her first disc in three years with the outstanding Out of the Dark. She is backed by her talented band that includes Tim Wick on keys, Brad Schaefer on bass and Bill Golden on drums, plus her songwriting […]
Leadbelly Calls Tribute To Huddie Ledbetter Grand Cru Records Review by Greg Johnson German musicians Timo Gross and Adax Dorsam share a fond love for the legendary American folk and blues artist Lead Belly. Joining with a band, they have created quite the unique take on a dozen of the master’s songs, which often utilize […]
Veronica Lewis You Ain’t Unlucky Blue Heart Records Review by John Taylor Listen to a few bars of a Veronica Lewis song and you just might begin to believe in reincarnation. How else could a 17-year-old play 1950s-style boogie-woogie and blues so convincingly? Whatever else you want to think, take this as gospel: Her debut […]
Skylar Rogers Firebreather Self Release Review by John Taylor The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 left America’s second city in ruins. Now, 150 years later, Skylar Rogers — whose soul might’ve been forged in those flames – is setting the blues world ablaze with her first full-length album, “Firebreather.” Trust us, this native Chicagoan’s self-described […]
Ed Neumann & Friends Mr. Blue Roseleaf Records Anybody familiar with the blues in Portland will instantly be familiar with the name Ed Neumann. A stalwart on the music scene, he has played with perhaps everyone at one time or another, including a long-time stint in the legendary Jim Mesi’s band, as well as hosting […]