Rory Block Blues Walkin' Like A Man A Tribute To Son House (2008)

Jackie Leven was a larger than life modern troubadour who led a full on varied life with personal trials and tribulations of addiction to drink, heroin and his attempted murder along the way. He sadly died from cancer just over 10 years ago and this album features 22 artists recording covers of his memorable songs. You do not need to know the story of his life to appreciate the beauty of these songs. They are a unique brand of moody magnificent celtic soul, sometimes celebrating the joys of the countryside, other times tender love songs, but also his unique take on life. Often complex and sometimes melancholy, deep and reflective.

Howlin' Wolf may be gone, but his spirit lives on, as this 13-track tribute album featuring members of the Wolf's own band attests. Sam Lay, Eddie Shaw, Hubert Sumlin, and the rest are as tight and smooth as they ever were playing behind Howlin' Wolf, and they've got an array of guest stars to do the Wolf proud. Taj Mahal (sounding a good bit like Wolf himself) is here, as are guitar-slinger Debbie Davies and multi-instrumentalist Kenny Neal. Lucinda Williams does a bluesy turn, and there are contributions from Lucky Peterson, James Cotton, and more. The CD features plenty of Wolf favorites, including "Saddle My Pony," "Howlin' for My Darling," "The Red Rooster," "Howlin' Wolf Boogie," and "Smokestack Lightnin'," among others. All in all, it's a fitting tribute to a man whose contribution to the blues is immeasurable.

Way-kool 8th studio disc by Blindstone, a mega-awesome heavy guitar rock power trio from Denmark who dig in deep and pay serious musical homage on their outstanding "Tribute To The Blues" disc entitled "Blues-O-Delic Celebration". Includes 13 tracks (58 Mins) of excellent, powerful, bad-ass, Blindstone-ized, riffage, mojo & grooves that rock the house down and shine a bright light on their blues/rock musical roots. The "Blues-O-Delic Celebration" disc features a blistering set of way-kool "cover songs" by the following musical blues artists: The Three Kings: BB + Freddie + Albert, ZZ Top, Leslie West, Rocky Hill, Guitar Shorty, The Gales Brothers, Shuggie Otis, Peter Green and Jimi Hendrix. Many of the tracks are obscure and unknown, all landing rock solid killer and make for a truly excellent musical power trio "Blues-O-Delic Celebration".

Not only is Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne one of our foremost contemporary blues and boogie pianists, he's also extraordinarily well-versed on his chosen genre's proud history. Blues from Chicago to Paris pays rousing tribute to two of Chicago's postwar blues legends, piano-pounding Memphis Slim and bass-slapping powerhouse Willie Dixon. Focused in particular on the period when the two giants of the genre teamed up to tour the globe during the late 1950s and early '60s, the album presents a well-rounded collection of favorite songs as well as those innovative tunes that have inspired and influenced blues players ever since.

Slide guitarist Lil' Ed Williams & the Blues Imperials bring the energy of live performance to their seventh Alligator release, Full Tilt. The highlights on this disc tend to reflect that of the album's title, especially the spirited cover versions of the Contours' "First I Look at the Purse" and Hound Dog Taylor's "Take Five," along with the originals "Hold That Train," "Candy Sweet," and "My Baby Moves Me." Lil' Ed's raucous guitar chops are at center stage on those tracks and the additional backing from horn players Eddie McKinley and David Basinger and pianist/organist Johnny Iguana add some extra kick. There are a few lukewarm tracks that are a bit too rote and, unfortunately, bring down the overall good-time party appeal of this disc. Still, fans of Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials, or electric modern blues in general, will want to add this to their collections.

Lucinda and band gallivant through the selected discography of Tom Petty, celebrating a shared Southern heritage and love for rock and roll along the way.