Rick Estrin & The Nightcats THE HITS KEEP COMING

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
The Hits Keep Coming
Alligator Records

Potent R&B That Needs To Be Heard After a Long And Demanding Day.

I’m pretty sure I’ve not reviewed any of Rick Estrin’s previous five albums nor seen them ever play live; but I wish I had judging by the contents of this one.
Rick and the Nightcats are probably very nice gentleman; but the album cover makes them look like shady characters … and that’s what I expect from a band that play this kinda R&B and yes, you can judge this album by its cover.
The opening track Somewhere Else starts with some honking harmonica before Estrin swans in like a lothario in a velvet suit, regaling us with a tale of lust and a warning to his lover that the grass may not be greener elsewhere … all played out to a tight and claustrophobic back beat.
That song instantly won me over and like me, you can comfortably kick back and let the good times roll therein.
The moody and metaphoric The Hits Keep Coming follows, and I think you can guess that this isn’t Estrin ‘blowing smoke’ about his career; but an a-political song about living on planet earth these days, where there’s no respite as the The Hits Keep Keeping for most of us on a daily basis.
Once that’s out of the way the mood moves up a point or two; although with ever more social commentary aligned to some majestic bluesy melodies – with The Circus Is Still In Town (The Monkey Song) and Learn To Lose with its swirling organ and searing guitar interplay being primo examples of a songwriter that knows what he’s writing about and how to arrange the music around the words.
I didn’t recognise either in the arrangements Estrin has created but there are two exceptional cover versions here; Leonard Cohen’s Everybody Knows with its wonderful harmonies and haunting harmonica and a rare Muddy Waters song (that I have on a VA album) called Diamonds At Your Feet which swings like a pendulum do!
While a couple of songs and the arrangements will make you smile at times; generally there’s an intensity across this album that makes it stand out in a very crowded field, with Estrin occasionally challenging the listener to stick with him on I Finally Hit Rock Bottom and probably 911 too, and trust that the end result is worth their time and money … trust me, it is!
This is very much the type of R&B that needs to be heard after a long demanding day and you need some ‘me time’ and music that reflects your mood, and for me the funky ass instrumental Sack o’ Kools hits that spot every time.
My only gripe is that the closing song Whatever Happened To Dobie Strange, which sounds like it could have come from an episode of the Adam West Batman TV show could or should have been the opening track; although perhaps the psychedelic phrasing might frighten away any casual listeners.
So, it’s Favourite Song time, and as usual that’s not been as easy as it could be; with quite a few contenders already mentioned, but the smokin’ harmonica laden and acutely observed I Ain’t Worried About Nothin’ could be a soundtrack to my life these days; but the slow and swoonsome Learn To Loose which has organist Lorenzo Farrell channeling his inner Jimmy Smith and Georgie Fame and ‘Kid’ Anderson’s guitar solos will send a shiver down your back, so it takes the tale of the tape by nose.
If I ever get to see Rick Estrin and the Night Cats play live, even a sweaty club like The Cluny, their music demands that you dress up to appreciate it … no jeans and sneakers … this music deserves your best going out clothes, even on a Tuesday night.

Released 10th May 2024
https://rickestrin.com/

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https://www.alligator.com/albums/The-Hits-Keep-Coming-CD/

Struggle Buggy KEEP IT CLEAN

Struggle Buggy
Keep It Clean
Self-Release

Swaggering Cool, Old Timey Ragtime and Jug Band Blues …and more!

I hope it’s not just me, but I’m pretty sure that we take a lot of excellent musicians for-granted, simply because they are ‘local’ and play somewhere close by most weeks; and sadly ‘for free.’
I’m pretty sure that’s the case with the legendary Geordie purveyors of Good-Time Blues, 30’s and 40’s urban blues alongside a hefty dose of Hokum, Ragtime, and Jug Band Blues with a little Jazz, Western Swing and even Calypso thrown in for good luck!
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Struggle Buggy!!
If you’re not already aux fait with the delights of Struggle Buggy, you are in for a rare treat starting with the lairy 4th Street Messaround, a song which I’m damned if I can describe; apart from saying it’s ‘a hoot and full of style and swagger!’
On track two Black Rat Swing we are treat to some stunning steel guitar and harmonica alongside some grizzly impassioned vocals as Lee Bates inhabits (as usual) the character in the song.
I think I’ve stumbled on why Struggle Buggy are so good; they actually ‘believe in the music’ they are playing, whereas their contempories simply ‘sing songs.’
That’s the key to the likes of Flyin’ Airplane Blues, Keep Your Hair Parted and the brooding Come On Back which sound as if we’ve been transported back to a sleazy Honky-Tonk somewhere in the rough part of Chicago or Arkansas pre WWII.
With over 50 years to choose from, the only band that I can compare Struggle Buggy too would be the Lovin’ Spoonful; but only if John B Sebastian etc. had been born 20 years before they were!
Don’t be fooled by the easy going and laid back sound here; it takes years of experience and a love of the music to make Custard Pie, Wonderful Time and Going Back To Arkansas sound so ‘simple’ when the construction and arrangements are nearly as complicated as anything Pink Floyd ever recorded IMHO.
While the whole album is an absolute blast from start to finish, not least the charming Walking Cane; but there are two songs that I keep being drawn too, which means it’s a tie between the desperately emotional Panic Is On, first written and recorded by Hezekiah Jenkins in 1931 but is sadly a tale of our times here in 2024 too …
“What this country is coming to,
I sure would like to know,
If they don’t do something by and by,
The rich will live and the poor will die,
Doggone, I mean the panic is on.Unemployment getting worser every day,
Nothing to eat and no place to sleep,
All night long, folks is walkin’ the street,
Doggone, I mean the panic is on.‘

T’other is the classic Crazy ‘Bout a Woman is obviously a lot more uptempo and as well as some fast and furious geetar pickin’ features some red hot harmonica wheezing and this is a first for RMHQ, Blues drenched Kazoo too!
I’m sure that the cognoscenti (I’m thinking of you Gary Grainger) can tell you who first recorded every song here and who was walking past the studio, but for me and everyone who has ever witnessed a full blooded Struggle Buggy gig … these songs were all left to the band and are now theirs and theirs alone.
*If Struggle Buggy lived in that there London you’d never stop hearing about them in the music press, and I’m pretty sure they’ have been invited to play the other stage or at least a marquee at Glastonbury, but they don’t; and are actually the worst kept secret in North East England, and it’s likely to stay that way too.

RELEASED March 15th 2024
https://www.facebook.com/StruggleBuggyBlues/?locale=en_GB

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https://strugglebuggy1.bandcamp.com/album/keep-it-clean

Rick Vito CADILLAC MAN

Rick Vito
Cadillac Man
Blue Heart Records/Blind Raccoon  

Effortlessly Cool Masterclass In Rocking Rhythm & Blues That’s Steeped in Good Time Imagery

Masterclass slide guitar and lead electric guitar act, Rick Vito has enjoyed an amazing career, both as member of Fleetwood Mac (1987-1991) and solo too.
It was said, ‘Vito brought back the roots and blues to the band previously enjoyed during the original Peter Green era’.

His stellar playing has coloured the recordings of a multitude of top acts,  ranging from Bob Seger to Bonnie Raitt; by way of legends like John Fogarty, Dolly Parton, Boz Scaggs, Roy Orbison, Roger McGuinn, Roy Orbison, Maria Muldaur, Leon Russell, Little Richard, Delbert McClinton and John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, and Vito never fails to breathe life to a song.
Cadillac Man is his eleventh solo record, and for fans of educated electric lead and slide guitar it’s an absolute delight.
“He’s my favourite Blues guitarist and vocalist.. the real deal’ – Steve Miller.
“He’s…a master of the instrument, at last getting the attention he deserves” – John Mayall

Classic Cadillacs have been a huge passion of Vito’s, and the front cover of the album is his own vintage (Mr. Lucky) 1969 Sedan De Ville !
Love Crazy Baby kicks off the album, loaded in grooves it is a brilliant R & B piece, hen It’s 2 AM (as covered by Shemekia Copeland) follows as he produces a killer, rocking beat, giving him an opportunity to display his unique work on electric guitar. Doused in harmony vocals, that rocking beat and energy enough to blow the lid off and Vito engages the listener throughout.

Title-track, Cadillac Man with an accompanying vintage rocking rhythm is steeped in good time imagery, and sees Vito and the band up and running in ultra quick fashion. Vito’s music makes the listener feel they are there, front of stage as he bends strings with venom and class, as the band hit a winning groove. Vito speaks of having a big motor running, as the band with some solid as they come sax driving the motor (alongside his faultless, energy propelled electric lead).  

Little Sheba is one of those numbers likely to shake every bone in one’s body as he pleads for his ’ Little Sheba to return’. |
“She’ll have you banging your guitar
 till you don’t know what to do”…;
complete with stinging slide guitar that moans and groans.
His playing burns the soul.
As the lyrics speak of exciting, sometimes mystical twilight hours.

Bo In Paradise enjoys a choppy rhythm as percussion and a rock-solid rhythm escorting him on the instrumental diversion. Muscular and at the same time, hooky as strains of sunnier climes rear.

Gone Like A Cool Breeze swings like crazy as Vito stokes the fire with a funky, addictive and chunky beat. Complete with pronounced sax, a pounding rhythm and more (some neat, crisply displayed lead guitar riffs included) his lead vocals fitting like a pair of old shoes as he absolutely nails it.
Onwards, slowing things to a gentle, brooding sway Crying At Midnight enjoys a personal edge, as Vito once again spans the twilight hours. Vivid imagery wafts through as he ponders on a lost love, and how he struggles to forgive himself for his foolish ways. Again, there’s plenty of striking guitar, creating some of his best work.

Barbeque’ n Baby has a wonderful swinging Memphis beat; the kind that’s sure to get your feet itching to dance. Vito makes everything sound so simple as a player, singer, and writer of noteworthy material.
Roll back the years and you could imagine him going down a storm at Sun Records. Sam Cooke’s Just Another Day has him showing off his instrumental prowess as he jettisons the lyrics, leaving his sublime, purring slide warmed in sax and a chugging rhythm section to tell the story.

River’s Calling sees Vito transfer his attention away from urban confines to something more foreboding and even dangerous waters. Like the story, the music festers as he speaks of waiting in the river; how it chilled him to the bone. I imagine there’s an interesting story behind the composition.  

With a thumping rhythm, You Can’t Stop A Guitar (from playing the Blues) cooks up a storm as Vito thrusts out fiery runs on his trusty electric guitar. The tracks’ pounding rhythm; of the kind that feels like a strike to your chest.
The album closer, Sliding Into Blue has some beautiful shades as he gives a nod to Fleetwood Mac’s all-time classic, Albatross (1968) written by the late Peter Green.
What a way to close a record!
 Monster playing and ever so cool, with its understated, mellow grooves, that I can’t get enough of.
One thing is for sure, Rick Vito’s can still cut it.

Review by Our Man From Havana  Maurice Hope 
Released  March 22 2024
https://www.rickvito.com/

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https://rickvito.bandcamp.com/album/cadillac-man

Danielle Nicole THE LOVE YOU BLEED

Danielle Nicole
The Love You Bleed
40 Below Records

Powerhouse Ballad Laden Blues Rock Emotional Rollercoaster 

This is another review which has come courtesy of the ‘random button’ on my iPhone.
I was heading out for a day walking in the Durham Hills and didn’t have an album review ready for Friday; and couldn’t decide which of the six for release that day to write about; so put them into a playlist and pressed ‘random’ …. hoping something would appeal to my current dark mood.

Five songs in; and two of those had been skipped after 30 seconds; then the slow and intense Fools Gold kicked and kicked me up the ass at the same time. What a voice this woman has; and the arrangement sounds like mash up between Johnny Winter and Eric Bibb with a backbeat which sounds like something Stax Records would have been proud to have released in their pomp.
So, it was straight back to the beginning and the powerhouse Love On My Brain, which is a much heavier performance, now featuring Danielle alternating between growling into the mic and reaching for notes that should be way beyond her, but hits them like a sledgehammer smacking an egg!
By the end the volume was cranked up to 9 as I drove through the empty backroads of County Durham with a beaming smile on my face.
When I first fell in love with Blues Rock the only woman playing an electric guitar was Bonnie Raitt and while obviously gifted; plenty in the Press still sniffed at the thought of a woman daring to play such an instrument.
Leap forward to the new millennium and I can now sit down and write a Top 10 Female Blues Rock guitar playing frontwomen; and still fret that I’ve missed a couple out; such is the change that has come about in the intervening years and here … Danielle isn’t even a lead guitarist … she’s a funky-ass Bass player and boy can she play!
I love the musical ups and downs Danielle challenges us with; starting with the punchy and occasionally threatening opening track Love On My Brain which really does make her version of the Blues ROCK!
One downside of Blues Rock these days is that too many singers and bands get carried away with noodling on the guitars which regularly over shadow the vocalist; which certainly isn’t the case here. Even the belters like Fireproof, Walk On By and Head Down Low are mixed in such a complex manner that the guitar, bass and drums all shine …. Ms Nicole still leads from the front and the songs themselves are still allowed to breathe as they come out of the speakers.
While most of her contempories slide in an odd ballad here and there on there albums; Danielle certainly isn’t afraid to dig deep on the emotional Make Love, Say You’ll Stay and the heartbreaking How Did We Get To Goodbye with grace and expressive passion that so few others can achieve in this manner.
“I know we’re scared and unprepared to see
How precious that this thing called love can be
How did we get to goodbye
Was it all the tears we cried, or was it the lies
How do you just get past
Losing what you thought would always last
How did we get to goodbye?”
With so few outlets for singles of this ilk these days; nothing here seems destined for radio play; which isn’t to say that none of these songs deserve radio play – far from it!
Which brings me to the time when I select a Favourite Song; the sadder than sad  Right By Your Side where Danielle channels her inner Aretha is an obvious choice; and later Who He Thinks You Are is a genuine tearjerker that will have women of all ages and creeds clutching at the tissues as Danielle sings like a woman who has lived every word and note.
Which only leaves the final song; Young Love On The Hill a striking acoustic ballad that will squeeze the heartstrings of absolutely everybody who hears it … be that men or women and wins the accolade of RMHQ Favourite Song by a cigarette paper.
Even though Danielle Nicole has been multi Award winning, including a Grammy nomination(!) and releasing two previous albums that topped a variety of charts (and I’m not mentioning the millions of Spottyfi streaming malarky!) but she’s a brand new name to me … but judging by this album will be a household name across this side of the Atlantic very soon.

Released January 19th 2024
https://daniellenicolemusic.com/

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https://daniellenicolemusic.com/souvenirs
https://daniellenicole.bandcamp.com/album/cry-no-more

RMHQ Radio Show Ep:87 at Nova Radio NE

RMHQ Radio Show
Ep:87
Nova Radio NE
Newcastle

Sunday 14th January

Well; I’m still enjoying playing records on the radio; but I’m not sure how long I can carry on with such poor listening figures.
This weeks’ programme was a bit harem-scarem as I turned up at the studio without my playlist and list of new songs …. so I had to dig deep into what’s stored on the supper computer while desperately trying to remember which songs were released on Friday gone and coming.

Jack Bruce	Born Under a Bad Sign (1977 In Concert)
Diego Mongue Band (Misty Blues)	Rollin and Tumblin
Heavenly Cream	Politician
Misty Blues Band	Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
Jimi Hendrix	Red House
Alice DiMicele	Give Yourself to Love
Will Payne Harrison (& Van Plating)	Goodbye Sweetheart
Frontier Ruckus	Clarkston Pasture
Diane Hubka	Dancing With my Shadow
Corb Lund	The Card Player
Eliza Neals	Bucket of Tears
Warren Zevon	Knocking on Heaven’s Door
Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash	Girl From the North Country
Geraint Watkins	Only a Rose
Mary Gauthier	The Rocket
Pawn Shop Saints	Alabama Truck stop 1969
Fred Hostetler	He’s Gone Rogue
Emmylou Harris	Red Dirt Girl
Rodney Crowell & Mary Chapin Carpenter	Talking to a Stranger
Brown Horse	Shootback
Ella Langley	Hell of a Man
Sam Baker	Isn’t Love Great
Grey DeLisle	Cowboy Joe
Hard Stairs	Cutie Blues
Howlin’ Wolf	Built For Comfort
Elles Bailey	The Game
Durham County Poets	Love’s Got a Hold On Me
Gordon Lightfoot	Second Cup of Coffee
Jeffrey Martin	Red Station Wagon

Hitman Blues Band “HEY CAN YOU GUYS PLAY?”

Hitman Blues Band
Hey Can You Guys Play?
Self Release

Re-Arranged, Gussied Up, Contemporised and Occasionally Stripped Back Blues Classics

We’ve been fans of the Hitman Blues Band ever since Russell “Hitman” Alexander got in touch after finding RMHQ a few years ago and sent us a copy of NOT MY CIRCUS to review.
In the interim we’ve kept in touch and a few months ago hinted at his idea for a Covers Album, but didn’t mention any particular songs.
So, it was a bit of a surprise when a PR sent an email on NYE with this album attached.
Historically Blues bands of all persuasions have been noted for adding ‘cover songs’ as encores; usually paying homage to their influences; and over the years I’ve heard everything from the Stones, Hendrix, Wolf and just about every legend you can think of closing shows.
Some are exactly the same as the originals but many are rearranged so only the songwriters’ Mother would know them; as bands put their own definitive stamp on whatever it is they are singing.
These tend to be the ones I like best; as they are the most interesting and that’s pretty much what the Hitman Blues Bad do here.
Easing us in gently the band give us a kick-ass 7 minute + contemporary re-make of Hoochie Coochie Man and fill it with an uptempo rhythm section, grizzly guitar, sweeping and swooshing keyboards, a saxophone worthy of the Blue Note Club and of course Russell Alexander’s distinctive vocals that sound like the notes are starting in his toes.
The selection of songs here is a lot more interesting than I’d expected, as the second track is little Bobby Dylan’s The Times They Are a Changin’ which is virtually unrecognisable in this form; and reminds me of my brother’s LIVE ADVENTURES OF MIKE BLOOMFIELD AND AL KOOPER album that I would sneak plays of in my teens.
While not exactly ‘surprises’ I suppose; but turning John The Revelator into an 11 minute funky and danceable Gospel song has to be ‘up there’ doesn’t it? Then the way they go ‘all Hendrix meets Johnny Winter’ with Death Letter nearly blew my mind the first time I heard it; especially those laser like guitar solos and inspired keyboards in the background.
Apparently all but one of these songs have been issued on early albums by the Hitman Blues Band, but as I’m late to the party they sound new and fresh to my untrained ears. The only ‘new song’ on the album is something of a Standard these days; and Kevin Bents’ amazing keyboards takes Sunday Morning Coming Down into a whole new stratosphere compared to the original and of course Johnny Cash’s definitive version.
Speaking of surprises I think I’ve heard Harry ‘Hipster’ Green’s Who Put The Benzedrine In Mrs. Murphy’s
Ovaltine? but I’m damned if I can remember when; so this swinging 20’s drenched swinging Blues sounds as fresh as a daisy here and will be great fun mid-gig.
Even way back when I was growing up watching local bar bands I don’t think I’ve ever heard a totally bad version of Hooker’s Boom Boom and I own four different versions by the Master himself; and The Hitman Blues Band’s live inclusion continues that succesful thread with knobs on.
While it would be all too easy picking any of the standards here as a Favourite Song; but being contrary I’m going for something relatively new to me and will toss a coin to choose between an oldie written by LT Innis in the early part of the last century; Good Morning Judge and this version pays homage in the finest manner via some really hot acoustic guitar and a vocal performance that showcases the singers’ love for the song.
The other, Nobody’s Fault But Mine is another rare song that I’m not sure if I recognise it at all; probably not; but it could easily have been slipped in halfway through The Blues Brothers soundtrack, and been a huge hit; so I’m making that my Favourite Song on a fabulous album.
I’ll tell you how good this collection is ….. last Sunday morning I was playing it in the living room while Mrs Magpie was titivating herself upstairs and she made her appearance mid way through Death Letter and say skimming a newspaper during Boom Boom, visibly tapping her toes as she did so …. then as it ended I asked, “Should I put something else on?” to whit she responded “no … just leave this on, it sounds catchy.”
There you have it; recommendations come no higher!

Released 1st January 2024
https://hitmanbluesband.com/

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https://hitmanbluesband.bandcamp.com/album/hey-can-you-guys-play
https://hitmanbluesband.com/music-lyrics/

Chris O’Leary THE HARD LINE

Chris O’Leary
The Hard Line
Alligator Records

Fabulous Chicago Fuelled Rhythm and Blues With a Bucket Full of Memphis Swing and Northern Industrial Hybrid.

Pre-Christmas I received three e-mails from various dignitaries at Alligator Records; including founder Bruce Iglauer, extolling the virtues of this album from label debutant (and sixth in total), Chris O’Leary.
If you don’t already know him he’s an ex-Gulf War US Marine; but more importantly learnt his trade playing alongside legends James Cotton and Levon Helm; where he was the lead vocalist in The Barn Burners.
The day that I received the e-mail from Bruce Iglauer it was only one of about a dozen album for release in January and could easily have got lost in rush if I hadn’t stopped for a coffee as it was uploading and first song No Rest kicked in …. like a sex starved government mule!
Yowza, yowza …. YOWZA!
A powerhouse vocal; sizzling guitar, a rhythm section from the Gods and a melody that instantly sounded like I’d known it all of my life – what’s not to like?
Speaking of ‘powerhouse’ I can’t think of a better way to describe songs Lost My Mind, Things Ain’t What They Always Seem and the Beale Street Blues of Need For Speed with its Professor Longhair inspired piano and harmonica interplay while O’Leary sounding like a raw Chuck Berry!
I love the first few times that I play an album like this; as songs like the sultry heartbreakers You Break It, You Bought it and Ain’t That a Crime send shivers down my back and my heart beat as fast as is safe for a man my age.
After five previous albums, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Chris O’Leary knows how to write a song that will appeal and a melody/arrangement to suit; but for a guy who I’ve never previously heard of ….. the kick-ass Love’s For Sale and the shufflicious Funky Little Club on Decatur among others already mentioned sure are impressive to these ears.
My Fault is a basic 4/4 Blues song that in lesser hands would be forgettable; but the bands’ passionate shuffle, O’Leary’s sweltering harmonica and superbly memorable vocals takes this into a while new stratosphere.
As this album is ‘all killer – no filler’ selecting a single song as my Favourite has been a challenge; but I’ve narrowed it down to two songs.
The first is a subject I’ve never heard in 50+ years of loving music; Who Robs a Musician is simply breathtaking the way O’Leary takes the pretty mundane subject of having his car and instruments stolen and turns it into a Blues Heartbreaker of the Deluxe standard, not least because of the haunting harmonica and ghostly bass and drums behind his vocals which sound on the verge of tears throughout.
Then we have the most Blueswailing Guitar playing that opens I Cry at Night which is always going to capture my attention, and when the band goes into Blue Note mode with a sax so low it will scare the neighbours and O’Leary giving us a tear jerking Otis Redding performance how can I not make this song my Favourite?
We all know that the Blues comes in a variety of shades; and what O’Leary presents us with covers most of the electric variety with aplomb …. creating a fabulous Chicago fuelled Swinging Rhythm and Blues with bucket fulls of Memphis Swing and the Northern Industrial hybrid I grew up listening to in the 1970’s but with 21st Century edge and indeed, swagger!

Released 12th January 2024
https://thechrisolearyband.net/

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https://thechrisolearyband.net/music/

RMHQ Radio Show Ep: 83 Jumpin’ Hot Club 38th Anniversary Show at Nova Radio NE

RMHQ Radio Show
Ep: 83 Jumpin’ Hot Club 38th Anniversary Show.
Nova Radio NE
Sunday 17th December 2023

38 years ago, in 1985 two lads in Newcastle had a dream. Adam Collerton and Graham Anderson were Northern Soul and Blues fans who decided to put on bands that no one else in the area would or could.
In that time they have helped change the music landscape in not just their home town; but to some degree the UK, as they were the first promoters to book and bring a whole series of acts to the UK, many of whom are now Award winning and household names.
This show is a small snapshot of 30 from many hundreds of acts that have played the Jumpin’ Hot Club either in one of the many venues they have appropriated or festivals they have curated.
If you’re quick they have a book detailing their story and some of their most memorable gigs.

http://www.jumpinhot.com/
http://www.jumpinhot.com/book/

Howlin Wilf and the Veejays	Boom Boom
Bigtown Playboys	Gotta Do More For My Baby
Davina and the Vagabonds	Sugar Drops
Justin Townes Earle	There Go a Fool
Neko Case & The Sadies	Rated X
Slim Gailard	Yo Yo Yo
Gem Andrews	Letter
Martin Stephenson & The Daintees	Wholly Humble Heart
Hurray For The Riff Raff	Lake of Fire
Danny and The Champions of the World	Never Stop Building (That Old Space Rocket)
David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards	Sweet Home Chicago
Laura Cantrell	All The Girls Are Complicated
Pete Molinari	Today, Tomorrow, Forever
Chuck Prophet	That’s How Much I Need Your Love
Mary Gauthier	Truckers and Troubadours
Slaid Cleaves	Horseshoe Lounge
Tift Merritt	Good Hearted Man
Sleepy LaBeef	200 lbs of Heartache
Sam Outlaw	Jesus Take The Wheel
Alejandro Escovedo	Rosalie
Mary Coughlan	I Dare You To Love Me
David Olney	Speed of The Sound of Loneliness
Paul Lamb	Trench Green Rag
Brendan Croker	5 O’Clock Shuffle
Chastity Brown	Hope
Otis Gibbs	Ghosts of Our Fathers
Malcolm Holcombe	Hard Luck City
Birds of Chicago	Sugar Dumplin’
Sam Baker	Angel Hair
Scotty Moore and Elvis Presley	Heartbreak Hotel

RMHQ Radio Show READERS FAVOURITE 25 Albums of 2023

RMHQ Radio Show
READERS TOP 25 Albums of 2023
Nova Radio NE
Newcastle
Sunday 10th December 2023

Where did 2023 go to?
One minute we were exchanging Christmas Presents in 2022 and now I’ve spent the morning wrapping presents for 2023!
What a fabulous year it’s been for ‘our’ music; obviously plenty of well known acts released some exciting new music; but I’ve lost count of the amount of new acts we’ve discovered and raved about in print this year.
At the last count between us we had posted 268 reviews on RMHQ between January first and December 7th 2023, the vast majority have been albums; but the Live Reviews were very popular as were our EXCLUSIVE Interviews, which still get ‘hits’ months after going out on the site.
We’ve had a number of new writers join this year too and I’d be totally overwhelmed without the contributions from Nick, Roy, Anita, Emily, Kris, Eric and Billy too.

This programme is a track from each of the Top 25 albums on the site; sorted in reverse order from 25 to the #No1 album of RMHQ’s year depending on how popular they’ve been with readers across the world.
I have to say that there’s not a poor album here, and the stats reflect that; and a few artists have been in touch to say that here was a spike in ‘sales/downloads’ when our review went out … which is always nice.

*Nanci Griffith – for some reason I missed this track out in the studio …. SORRY.

Season’s Greetings
BUY DON’T SPOTIFY!

All at the Rocking Magpie xx

25	Withered Hand (How To Love)	Crippled Love
24	Lincoln Durham (Resurrection Thorn)	In Spite of it All
23	Andy Fairweather Low (Flang Dang)	The End of All Roads
22	*Nanci Griffith (4xCD Working in Corners)	Last of the True Believers
21	Leo Lyons & Hundred Seventy Split (Movin On)	Meet Me At The Bottom
20	Bennett Wilson Poole (I Saw a Star Behind Your Eyes)	Cry at The Movies
19	Karen Jonas (The Restless)	Throw me To the Wolves
18	Ian McNabb (Nabby Road)	Film Star Noir
17	Misty Blues Band (Outside the Lines)	The Hate
16	Jeb Loy Nichols & Clovis Phillips (Three Fools)	Let Me Love You In My own Special Way
15	Whitney Rose (Rosie)	Barb Wire Blossom
14	Grainne Duffy (Dirt Woman Blues)	Sweet Liberation
13	Robin Adams (Sun Behind the Storm)	The Devil’s ar and Deep Blue Sea
12	St Paul & The Broken Bones (Angels in Science)	Lonely Love Song
11	Ivan Neville (Touch My Soul)	Touch My Soul
10	Robbie Fulks (Bluegrass Vacation)	Lonely Ain’t Hardly Alive
9	Martin Stephenson (5005)	Squad Car (5005)
8	Ian McNabb (New Brighton Rock)	The Sun Came Out At Night
7	Long Ryders (September November Sometime)	Hand of Fate
6	Daniel Meade (Essentially Non Essential)	Shooting Stars and Tiny Tears
5	Samantha Fish & Jesse Dayton (Stardust Sessions EP)	Brand New Cadillac
4	Barbara Blue (From the Shoals)	Slide Man
3	Hard Stairs (Bigger Blues)	Cutie Blues
2	Rory Gallagher (All Around Man – LONDON)	Messin with the kid
1	Joe Louis Walker (WEIGHT OF THE WORLD)	The Weight of the World

Misty Blues Band LIVE AT THE CAVERN CLUB 2023

Misty Blues Band
Live at The Cavern Club
Liverpool
Guitar One Records

Scintillating R&B From a Hot and Sweaty Night in a Legendary Club

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve never really been a lover albums; bar a few exceptions they don’t really bare repeated listening; be that the in-between chat and interminable solos becomes boring and tedious.
The exceptions in my collection tend to be from the Blues and Jazz world; where invariably improvisation is the order of the day and three or four minute album tracks can find new life breathed into them in this format.
This album falls very much into that latter camp.
Recorded in July on a hot and sweaty evening in the famous Cavern Club, Liverpool Misty Blues Band seem right at home straight away with opening track Hear My Call with Gina Coleman moaning and groaning like a Baptist Preacher on a Sunday morning, while the band swing and sway like a coiled spring; constantly threatening to overshadow the singer but always reining it in at the last minute and continuing to do so over the next 80+ minutes and not leaving a single second wasted.
While first and foremost the Misty Blues Band are a Rhythm and Blues band; but if you close your eyes they also have a whole lot of Jazz in their arrangements and that makes for not just a fascinating listen but one full of head nodding and toe tapping astonishment; starting with track #2 Blues On My Heel and not stopping until the last notes of One Of These Days drift out into the ether.
In between we are treat to some amazing music; not least the slow and sultry How The Blues Feels; the funky Freight Car and not least all 16 minutes of Wang Dang Doodle which just go by in the blink of an eye because you’ll be so engrossed.
This has been one of the few times I’ve listened to a Live Album and genuinely wished I’d been there. I’m sure the band would have sounded just as good in a theatre or concert hall; but during the scintillating ballad, I Need a Little Sugar In My Bowl and the fiery Take a Long Ride and especially the finale One Of These Days you can not just sense but feel the excitement in this small room coming through the mix and smothering your senses.
Choosing a single Favourite Song ain’t easy as every song has its merits and will mean something different to absolutely everyone who hears them.
For me I’m going for the amazing Voodoo and Laughter as it sort of acts as a doorway to another level of music; the type most people don’t ‘get’ but connoisseurs and music snobs appreciate and discuss the minutiae of in darkened rooms late at night.
It’s a given that Gina Coleman not only has a great singing voice; but knows how to use it sparingly, leaving you wanting more; but appreciating less as Seth Fleischman’s guitar comes in and out like a nightingale on a Summers’ evening while Aaron Dean’s sax playing is crystal clear and inventive in a way I’ve not heard in years; and certainly not in the world of the Blues.
Behind them the bass, drums and keyboards sound like they’ve been invited in from Muscle Shoals or Stax Studios for one special night …. and what a special night this was.

Released 24th November 2023
https://www.mistybluesband.com/

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