Texas Piano Blues

This 52-disc (no, that is not a typo) comp, ABC of the Blues: The Ultimate Collection from the Delta to the Big Cities, may just indeed live up to its name. There are 98 artists represented , performing 1,040 tracks. The music begins at the beginning (though the set is not sequenced chronologically) with Charlie Patton, Son House, and Robert Johnson, and moves all the way through the vintage Chicago years of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, with stops along the way in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, New York, and all points in between. Certainly, some of these artists are considered more rhythm & blues than purely blues artists: the inclusion of music by Johnny Otis, Wynonie Harris, Bo Diddley, and others makes that clear.

Christian Dozzler & Robin Banks - Livin' Life (2009)
MP3 320Kbps | 00 h 54 min 10 sec | 119.93 Mb
Label: BluesWave Records | Genre: Blues / Piano Blues

Their friendship began in 2002, when Austrian blues pianist Christian Dozzler arrived in Dallas and made the fortuitous acquaintance of Canadian blues vocalist Robin Bank$ (Texas transplant, vintage ’99). A friendship born out of mutual respect for their talent and love of the blues, the lively, jam-session prone local blues scene was their oyster! Dallas loved ‘em! Long live the blues! Friends always! Later that year Bank$ released her second CD, (the critically acclaimed, Robin Banks – Live After Dark) and there, unsurprisingly, playing piano in her back-up band was Dozzler. A successful CD for Banks, followed by Dozzler’s CD release in early 2003, and things got busy. Gigs here, gigs there.

Tampa Red - Dynamite! The Unsung King Of The Blues (2015) {2CD Set, Ace Records CDTOP2-1440 rec 1945-1953}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 388 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 335 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 57 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1945-53, 2015 Ace Records / Sony Music | CDTOP2 1440
Blues / Slide Guitar Blues / Acoustic Chicago Blues / Early American Blues

Tampa Red's influential later recordings for RCA Victor (1945-53) have never been officially reissued on CD and rarely on LP, yet are a crucial element in the post-war blues canon. Many of his songs were covered by B. B. King, Muddy Waters and other top bluesmen. They feature the majestic piano of latter-day Elmore James sideman, Johnny Jones and include the harmonica of Big Walter 'Shakey' Horton and Sonny Boy Williamson II. There are four previously unissued tracks but none are available on authorised CD, not even on OOC releases.

For over 35 years, Texas bluesman Lightnin' Hopkins was known as the leading performer of traditional Texas blues, his distinctive guitar style and sly mix of humor and tradition mixing to make him one of the most popular performers of his day. Moving from the guitar to the piano, Elmar, AR, native Roosevelt Sykes' influential style led to a successful recording career that endured for over half a century. In this release, both musicians sit down to discuss their rich legacies before offering evidence as to just how they made their mark in music history with a pair of unforgettable performances.

One of America's best known, most beloved roots artists, releases a career-defining album produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. Marcia is simply on fire throughout 'Shine Bright', with a rollicking array of piano-fueled roadhouse romps seasoned by her incomparably soulful balladry. Tracks include nine new Marcia originals, plus brilliant takes on the music of Ray Charles, Ernie K-Doe and Jesse Winchester. Producer/saxophonist Berlin guests on five tracks. "Rollicking, playful, good-time blues and intimate, reflective balladry…her songs ring with emotional depth."