Blues For a Reason

The Apocalypse Blues Revue - The new band from Godsmack’s Shannon Larkin and Tony Rombola announce new self titled album released on Provogue/Mascot Label Group. As the legend goes, Robert Johnson infamously started his career by meeting the Devil at the crossroads. By the same token, you could say Apocalypse Blues Revue began playing at the end of the world. Co-founded by Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin and guitarist Tony Rombola and featuring vocalist Ray “Rafer John” Cerbone and bassist Brian Carpenter, the quartet honors blues traditions, while etching their stamp on the genre in blood.

Twenty-selection of the best romantic songs from the record label "Arcade", (more than 300 songs that have long become a classic music). It is probably easier to list those artists and those styles, those countries and continents that are not in this collection. It is just necessary to listen.

There wasn't any musical generation gap between young Chicago guitarist Specter and his much older front man Barkin' Bill Smith. Specter's love for the electrified 1950s styles of Magic Sam, T-Bone Walker, and B.B. King blended well with Smith's deep, almost crooning baritone pipes on what was the debut album for both men. Lots of breezy swing informs the retro-styled set.

Join #1 Billboard Blues Artist, Joanne Shaw Taylor, for a historic concert at the Franklin Theatre. This amazing performance features songs from her highly acclaimed release, The Blues Album, in addition to fan favorites and never-before-heard tracks. Guest appearances include GRAMMY-nominated recording artist Joe Bonamassa (who produced The Blues Album), Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Mike Farris, giving attendees a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience.

Since the early '90s Belfast guitar whiz Gary Moore has returned again and again to the blues, leaving his metal phase far behind. Old New Ballads Blues is exactly what the title says it is, a mix of old blues (covers of songs by Elmore James, Willie Dixon, and Otis Rush), new blues (five Moore originals), ballads (half the album) and, well, blues (by one definition or another, everything here passes for blues). The real surprise is that the strongest songs are the original Moore-penned ballads, as Moore gives powerful and atmospheric performances (both vocally and as a guitarist) on "Gonna Rain Today," "No Reason to Cry," and a solid horn-augmented remake of one of his best songs, "Midnight Blues," from what is easily his best album, 1990s million-selling Still Got the Blues.

An album from Luther Allison's long-standing bandleader of the last several years. Released a few months after Allison's death, the album can be taken as a tribute album by Solberg of sorts to his old boss. Utilizing a strong, distorted tone throughout, Solberg keeps Luther's high-energy approach alive on a batch of shuffles ("Bubba's Boogie," "Must Be a Reason"), slow blues ("L.A. Blues," "Ballad of a Thin Man"), and uptempo rockers ("Wally World U.S.A.," "Rhumba Juice"). Midtempo shuffles abound in tracks like "A Closer Walk with Thee," "Robb's Souffle" and the closing "Happy Snails." The music on this record is heartfelt and inspired, a moving tribute. Fans of Allison's final work will say his memory is well served here.

Having gained attention in the Chicago area, the Anthony Gomes Band released their debut album in 1998. Blues in Technicolor has some of the hottest blues guitar work you'll ever hear. One of the strongest tracks, "Misery for Company," has a B.B. King feel to it, with powerful emotional vocals and vibrant guitar work. "Bad Luck Child" conjures up memories of some of the great Texas blues bands with its forceful power chords and strong, driving lead guitar. Variety is not a key word in describing this album, and should not be the reason for choosing it. If you want really hardcore blues music, this fits the bill. An amazing guitarist who truly has a feel for blues arrangements is what you'll find in Gomes.