Reviews of recently released recordings by active Blues artists
January 2018 BP Inside this January 2018 issue — • 16th Annual Blues & Buffett Chili Challenge • CIBS Winter Blues Fest. See ad • Phil Smith reviews: Albert Castiglia; ‘Up All Night’ • Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducts Sister Rosetta Tharpe • Southern Avenue at CSPS. Review & photos by Phil Smith Read more about Blues paper January 2018[…]
December 2017 Bluespaper Inside this December 2017 issue — • Rev Rants on and on and… • 16th Annual Blues & Buffett Chili Challenge • Bill Graham reviews: Tommy Castro’s Stompin’ Ground • Former LCBS President, Chris Weinbrenner, 1927-2017 • The Blue Band wishes Iowa a Last Goodbye • Crystal Bowersox at CSPS, review by Phil Read more about Blues paper December 2017[…]
November 2017 BP Inside this November 2017 issue — • Tony Brown plays last gig in area • Phil Smith reviews: Witchy Feelin’, Savoy Brown • Percy Fairweather & The Storm, Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro • Blues Venues keeping it LIVE! • Local music schedules
Inside this October 2017 issue — • Corey Dennison Band coming to Elks Lodge • 25th Bowful of Blues fest article/photos by Phil Smith • Bill Graham reviews: Groovin’ in Greaseland, Rick Estrin • Iowa Blues Challenge winners • Local LIVE music schedules • Taj Mahal & Keb Mo (TajMo) together in Des Moines
Inside this September 2017 issue — • Big THANK YOU to Czech Village Blues Fest sponsors! • Czech Village Blues photos by Phil Smith • Phil Smith reviews: Craig Erickson, All The Way • 25th Annual Bowful of Blues – Sept. 3 – See ad page 4 • Corey Dennison Band coming to Elks Lodge Read more about Blues paper September 2017[…]
Inside this August 2017 issue — • Czech Village Blues Festival, August 12 • Big Al & The Heavyweights at Checkers Tavern • Bill Graham reviews: The Cash Box Kings • 25th Annual Bowful of Blues – Sept. 24 • Joanna Connor bio • Local LIVE music schedules • Roots & Dore- Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro
Did you know that Bobby Rush calls our magazine: The roadmap to the blues? Why? Because The Guide is jam-packed (approx.100 pages) with feature stories, art and photography by Blues’ top aficionados. The first third of the magazine is festival section (in date order) with hundreds of festivals including line-ups so you can get your Read more about 15th Annual Blues Festival Guide 2017[…]
Levon Helm Ramble at the Ryman Released May 17, 2011 on Vanguard Records He’s over seventy years old now, and still nothing quite gets in the way of Levon Helm‘s tenacious desire to make music. Arguably one of the two most notable people to ever call such a little place like Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, home. Read more about Levon Helm – Ramble at the Ryman[…]
Warren Haynes Man in Motion Stax Records – Released May 10, 2011 Warren Haynes will tell us all about himself if we just listen close enough. Shoot, he’ll even print the lyrics. But all we have to do is listen to the title cut. The mighty Gov’t Mule hooks & Allman Brothers duels are replaced by Read more about Warren Haynes – “Man in Motion”[…]
Retro Deluxe Watermelon Tea Rinkled Rooster Retro Deluxe, one of the newer blues bands on the scene, is staking out its territory on the playground with the release of their second CD, Watermelon Tea. Boasting sixteen tracks, all originals, written by manager Bob Thompson, Watermelon Tea, like its namesake, is quite a refreshing treat. Founded Read more about Retro Deluxe – “Watermelon Tea”[…]