August is a strong month for blues CDs, not so much in quantity but in quality, as the dog days of summer usher in new releases from blues musicians like B.B. King, Bobby Rush, Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials, and Joe Bonamassa as well as a couple of reissues and a handful of blues music newcomers. Line up, blues fans, and find out what you'll be spending your hard-earned coin on during August 2008!
Andy "Sugarcane" Collins – Way Down The River (Australian Sun Records)
Photo courtesy Australian Sun Records
One of Australia's most revered blues musicians, Collins has toured the U.S. with talents like Louisiana Red, Dave Hole, and Roy Bookbinder. Collins' Way Down The River album won the 2008 Australian Blues Album of the Year award, and will now be available for the first time to stateside listeners. (Release date: 08/12/08)
B.B. King – One Kind Favor (Geffen Records)
Photo courtesy Geffen Records
Working with noted producer T-Bone Burnett, blues music legend B.B. King has attempted to go back and revisit the "B.B. King that was" with his latest album. The two have reproduced the studio conditions of the 1950s and taken King back to his roots for a collection that promises to be another high point in a career of many peaks. (Release date: 08/26/08)
Bobby Rush – Look At What You Get (Deep Rush Records)
The latest release from the multiple Blues Award winning blues artist Bobby Rush – no word yet on whether this will be a back-to-the-Delta country blues album like last year's Raw, or an old-school, booty-shaking folk-funk collection – either way, you can't go wrong with Bobby Rush, one of the most underrated of contemporary bluesmen. (Release date: 08/19/08)Duke Danger – If It Ain't One Thing, It's Another (Blues Boulevard)
With over 30 years playing under his belt, blues musician Duke Danger cites the "three kings" – B.B., Albert and Freddy, as his primary influences. Featuring house-rockin', guitar-driven, Chicago-style blues, this disc will serve as a showcase for Danger's blistering fretwork and innate knowledge of blues music. (Release date: 08/12/08)E.G. Kight – It's Hot In Here (M.C. Records)
E.G. Kight, "The Georgia Songbird," was a former country artist that found a better use for her considerable talents in playing blues music. Over the past decade and five albums, Kight has received six Blues Music Award nominations, had her songs covered by blues great Koko Taylor, and shared the stage with folks like Taylor, Robert Cray, Taj Mahal, Hubert Sumlin, and others. Signed to the independent blues music label M.C. Records, Kight's fifth studio album promises more of her beautiful vocals and underrated guitar playing. (Release date: 08/19/08)Jimmy Witherspoon – Live At The Monterey Jazz Fest 1972 (Monterey Jazz Fest)
Photo courtesy Concord Music Group
Dynamite live album from the distinctive blues music vocalist; Witherspoon was capable of crooning sweet nothings and belting out a juke-joint wail, sometimes within the same song. This 1972 performance features young hot-shot guitarist Robben Ford along with Witherspoon's tight-knit outfit. A bonus track from 1959 has Witherspoon backed up by a band that includes clarinetist Woody Herman and pianist Earl "Fatha" Hines. (Release date: 08/05/08)
J.J. Grey & Mofro – Orange Blossoms (Alligator Records)
Photo courtesy Alligator Records
Orange Blossoms, the fourth album from Florida barn-burners J.J. Grey & Mofro promises more of what fans got from 2007's Alligator Records debut, Country Ghetto. That is, more of the band's kudzu-draped, cypress-scented country blues and Southern roots rock with smart lyrics and lively instrumentation. (Release date: 08/26/08)
Joe Bonamassa – Live From Nowhere In Particular (Premier Artists)
Photo courtesy Joe Bonamassa
Two-disc live set featuring the incendiary blues guitarist features material from Bonamassa's 2007 album Sloe Gin and earlier songs. (Release date: 08/19/08)
Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials – Full Tilt (Alligator Records)
Photo courtesy Alligator Records
Celebrating 20 years together as one of the most explosive and electric live bands on the blues scene today, the newest album from Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials delivers more of the foot-stomping boogies, emotionally-charged slow blues, and rocked-out celebrations that have become the band's trademark. (Release date: 08/26/08)
Little Milton – Friend Of Mine (Henry Stone Music)
Photo courtesy Henry Stone Music
A great singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Little Milton is one of the best-kept secrets of the blues. A distinguished bandleader in the vein of Bobby "Blue" Bland, Milton's blend of blues music, R&B, and soul comes to the fore of Friend Of Mine, one of Little Milton's least-known albums. Released by the legendary Stax Records label just prior to its bankruptcy during the 1970s, which means that the album never received the promotional push it deserved. Digitally re-mastered and reissued by noted producer Henry Stone. (Release date: 08/12/08)
Mike Henderson – Trouble Ain't No Stranger (Pathways Records)
The latest album from the blues-rock guitarist promises more of the slashing fretwork and houserockin' music that fans enjoyed from Henderson's First Bloodand Thicker Than Water albums. (Release date: 08/19/08)Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band – The Whole Damn Family (Side One Dummy)
Photo courtesy Side One Dummy Records
Sophomore album from roots-rock-and-country-blues-band features the Rev. Josh Peyton on vocals and National resonator guitar, his wife bashing the washboard, and his brother Jayme on kick and snare drums. Influenced by the likes of country blues great Bukka White and Charley Patton, Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band is one of a number of recent newcomers to the blues music scene. (Release date: 08/05/08)
