Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for September 2025
By Marty Gunther
As strong as last month’s column was, I think this one outdoes it. It simmers and smokes from beginning to end. It includes from work from Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’, Kirk Fletcher, Piper & the Hard Times and several other deserving folks, too. And next month’s column is already shaping up to be a great one, too. Enjoy!
Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ – Room on the Back Porch
Concord Records
www.tajblues.com www.kebmo.com
Two of the most beloved artists in the blues world, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ struck gold with TajMo, which won a Grammy in 2018. And they’re certain to hit the jackpot again with this long-awaited follow-up. It’s chockful of tunes with positive spins, a laid-back treasure guaranteed to warm your heart.
Taj and Keb’ deliver a masterclass throughout this ten-song set, sharing vocals and trading sweet-as-honey leads throughout. They co-wrote several of the numbers, all of which are packed with timeless appeal. And get helping hands from vocalists Ruby Amanfu and Wendy Moten along with a star-studded cast of session players.
One of the best discs you’ll hear this year, dial in “Room on the Porch,” “My Darling Dear,” “She Keeps Me Movin’,” “Make Up Your Mind,” “Thicker Than Mud,” “Junkyard Dog,” “Blues’ll Give You Back Your Soul,” “Better Than Ever” and “Rough Time Blues.”
Mother Blues with Gerald McClendon – Sleeping While the River Runs
Sleeping Dog Records
The world’s finally taking notice of Gerald “The Soulkeeper” McClendon, who’s the newly crowned Jus’ Blues Music Foundation vocalist of the year. Possessing a raw-but-honeyed delivery, he’s been a crowd favorite for decades, including with the group Mother Blues. And serve up a beefy treat with the reissue of this disc, which deserved far more attention than it received in 2005.
If you dig the sounds of Tyrone Davis, Otis Clay and other South Side giants, you’ll adore the 14 vocals and three instrumentals, almost all of which were penned by guitarist/bassist/keyboard player Steve Bramer. A ten-piece show band, the group shares the mic with Halsted Street National Uptown Choir on one cut.
Dive deep into “Pass You By,” “Smokescreen,” “Keep Your Love from Harm,” “Going Down for the Last Time,” “Common Ground,” “Bed Down,” “Come to Me,” “Thin Line,” “Glory Train,” “Habit of the Heart,” “Chalk Line” and “Where’s the Fire.”
Chris Vincent & the Raw Deals – Good Crook
Self-produced CD
www.chrisvincentneworleans.com
A gifted, propulsive fingerpicking guitarist, New Orleans-based Chris Vincent composes tunes that are full of grit and delivers them in a hard-to-define style that adds a primal edge on Delta blues, hard-bop jazz and more. He shines like a diamond in this all-original set, which was captured at The RhythmShack in the Big Easy.
Vincent’s a deep, road-weary baritone, and bares his soul throughout, touching on topics that will strike home from the jump. Delivered in trio format, Chris’ material is supported by first-call Big Easy bassist Dean Zucchero and drummer Johnny Vidacovich.
Kick back and give a listen to “Good Crook,” “Come Clean,” “Bloody Mary Monday Morning,” “Skinned Knees,” “Screwdriver Keys,” “Half Black Cadillac,” “Snakes,” “Cows” and “Catherine the Great.”
Piper & the Hard Times – Good Company
Hard Times Records
Fronted by the dynamic Al “Piper” Green and featuring a hard-driving rhythm section, Piper & the Hard Times rolled over the competition at the 2024 International Blues Challenge. And they’ll power over you, too, with this disc, which captured best emerging artist album honors at this year’s BMAs.
A seasoned baritone who roars like a lion, Green has been performing and writing with guitarist Steve “The Conductor” Eagon and drummer Dave “Sexy Boy” Colella for 20 years. They’re augmented by Amy “The Professor” Frederick on keys and Parker “Porkchop Funkstick” Hawkins on bass.
Music that will raise the dead, you’ll dance along to “Good Company,” “Now I’m Lovin’ You,” “Tear It Down,” “Cowboy Gucci,” “Turn the Tables,” “Runaround Man,” “Cheatin’s Gotta End,” “Not Your Fault,” “My Place” and “These Days.”
Kirk Fletcher – Keep on Pushing
VizzTone Label Group VT-KF01
A guitarist/vocalist who holds his own and more with the best fret masters in the world, Kirk Fletcher is back at the top of his game after enduring a stroke not so long ago. He’ll wow you with this understated disc, which delivers deep-blue message of perseverance, positivity and love, too. It’s a breath of fresh air for anyone losing hope in a troubled world.
Recorded in Nashville, Kirk joined forces with co-producer JD Simo, who also provides second guitar. They’re joined by a dream-team rhythm section composed of Jason Smay (Los Straitjackets, JD McPherson) on drums and Ron Eoff (Cate Brothers) on bass.
Traditional blues at its best, tune in to “It’s Love Baby,” “Just a Dream,” “I’m Gonna Dig Myself a Hole,” “Every Dog Has Its Day,” “Croke,” “Keep on Pushing,” “Think Twice Before You Speak” and “Blues for Robert Nighthawk.”
The Kerry Kearney Band – same
Paradiddle Records PD24KK01
Based out of Long Island and a New York Blues Hall of Famer, guitarist Kerry Kearney hits the ground running on this searing mix of originals interspersed with a few well-reinvented covers. Even though he possesses world-class talent on the six-strings, this is truly a team effort that allows space for everyone in the band to shine.
Kerry shares vocals with Camryn Quinlan with a roster that includes keyboard player Jack Licitra, bassist Gerry Sorrentino and percussions Mario Staiano and Nydia “Liberty” Mata with guest appearances from harp player Bill Lifford and other talents.
Give a spin to “All Your Love,” “Harder to Breathe,” “Walk Right out the Door,” “Voodoo Ways,” “Bobbique Romp,” “Meet Me in the Morning,” “West of the Ashley” and “Off to the Jubilee.”
Chambers DesLauriers – Our Time to Ride
Forty Below Records
Sparks flew when two-time BMA soul-blues vocalist of the year and five-time nominee Annika Chambers first set eyes on Paul DesLauriers, one of the most-decorated guitarists in Canada. Now married, they celebrate their union in the best way possible with this gritty, soulful mix that’ll to lift them to heights as a duo.
Blending blues, R&B and rock, the set was produced by Eric Corne, an award-winning tunesmith who’s been behind the board for Grammy-nominated CDs for Sugaray Rayford and John Mayall, too. Primarily off-the-floor in Montreal, the disc features backing from several North-of-the-Border talents.
Get down to “Love You Just the Same,” “People Gonna Talk,” “Written in the Stars,” “Believe in Love,” “Temperature of One-o-Nine,” “In the Heart of the Night,” “Our Time to Ride” and “One in a Million.”
Forrest McDonald – Songs from My Soul
World Talent Records
After 50-plus years fronting blues and blues-rock bands and establishing himself as an internationally acclaimed entertainer/songwriter, Virginia-based Forrest McDonald cuts new ground with this pleasant, sultry disc. For the first time ever, he serves up a mostly solo, acoustic effort full of heart-to-heart stories of love and hope while facing life in the modern world.
All 15 of the tunes feature Forrest’s polished fingerpicking skills and pleasant, slightly worn baritone, which drives his message home. Two of the numbers spice things up with backing by a six-piece band.
Chill out and give a listen to “On Your Life’s Road,” “I Can’t Stop the Love,” “Take My Hand,” “Spirit in the Night,” “The Next Time,” “Make Love Not War,” “Blue Morning Sun,” “I Had a Dream,” “Misery and Blues” and “Wish I May.”
The Boneshakers – Live to Be This
Gulf Coast Records
The Boneshakers – vocalist Jenny Langer and guitarist Randy Jacobs of Was (Not Was) fame – have been delivering fiery soul-blues for 27 years, and they’ve gone all out to follow-up on One Foot in the Groove, and album which hit the No. 1 spot on charts on both sides of the Atlantic. They’re augmented by nothing but big guns on this high-energy mix that also includes Detroit rock and more.
Bobby Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, Coco Montoya, Don Was, Jimmy Carpenter, John “Papa” Gros and Ron Holloway all drop in to join the action while Greg Bissonette handles percussion throughout. Sixteen other top talents are on the roster, too.
Don’t miss “I’ll Kick a Brick (For My Man),” “They Say I’m Different,” “How Do You Spell Love,” “I Need Somebody,” “Dobro Jones,” “Evil No More,” “I Am the Cool,” “Salty,” “Don’t Deny Me,” “Tears of the World” and “Ain’t Good Enough for Me.”
Jay Willie – Still Raisin’ Cane
Zoho Roots Records
www.jaywilliebluesbandhome.net
A bluesman who cut his teeth as a teen on the sounds of Johnny Winter, Roy Buchanan and B.B. King, guitarist Jay Willie has been pleasing audiences in the Northeast for decades. And he delivers a winner with this disc, a Texas-flavored tip-of-the-Stetson to Johnny with drummers Bobby T Torello, who backed Winter for years, in tow.
Jay didn’t dip into Johnny’s catalog for this one, but he infuses the original opener and eight now-obscured-by-time covers with plenty of Winter’s appeal. He’s aided by sax player Doug Bernstein and multi-instrumentalist Paul Opalach. Karen Johnstone sits in on vocals on one cut.
You’ll enjoy “Still Raisin’ Cane,” “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights,” “Boogie for Drums and Guitar,” “Sugar in My Tea (Cream in My Coffee),” “Positively 4th Street,” “I’m Lost Without You” and “Jesus Gonna Be Here.”
Eva Carboni – The Blues Archives
Mad Ears Productions
A pleasingly powerful alto with passionate delivery, Eva Carboni has released a series of well-received CDs since arriving in the U.S. from her native Sardinia in the 2010s. But she outdoes herself with this release, an album composed of previously recorded, unreleased numbers that definitely deserve your attention.
As she’s done on all of her other works, Eva teams with British producer/tunesmith Andy Littlewood for a mesmerizing mix that crosses genres but remains true-blue throughout. She’s joined by guitarist Mick Simpson and several other skilled session players.
Groove along to “Someone Else’s Life,” “Love Me Tonight,” “Turning My Back on the Blues,” “Something’s Gotta Give,” “The Magic,” “Unfinished Business,” “A Woman Scorned” and “Wrong Turn.”
Kyle Culkin – Shades of Trouble
Tonebucker Records
A member of the Jeff Jensen Band for decades, guitarist Kyle Culkin has proven himself to be a top-notch recording artist, too, releasing three previous solo albums in the past five years. And he hits the sweet spot between blues, Southern rock and more with his latest tasty offering.
Kyle’s a warm, rich tenor who’s backed by keyboard player Jamieson Trotter, bassist Buford T. Shagnasty and drummer Adam Gust. They’re joined by sax player Karl Hunter with guest appearances from guitarist Carl Verheyen and percussionists Shawn Nourse and Will Phillips.
Delivering a taste of Memphis and Nashville, too, tune in to “Shades of Trouble,” “Stockton Romance,” “Don’t Get Burned,” “Yes, I Do,” “Alera Rose,” “Love You My Way” and “One More Good Time.”
Big Al Dorn & the Blues Howlers – She’s the One for Me
Self-produced CD
One of the brightest talents north of the Cheddar Curtain, Milwaukee-based harp player/guitarist Big Al Dorn may still be in his 20s, but he delivers some of the most intense and authentic Chicago-style blues you’ll hear today. The 2025 Wisconsin Area Music Industry award winner, he keeps the heat on high with this all-original CD, his third since emerging as a frontman in 2017.
Big Al dedicated this hourlong workout to his mom, whose photo from the ’80s decorates the cover. The Blues Howlers — guitarist Paul Stilin, drummer Bobby Sellers and bassist Rick Smith – provide excellent support with Alex Wilson sitting in on six-string and Benny Rickun adding harp, too.
You’ll fall in love with “She’s the One for Me,” “Greenback Blues,” “Confessions,” “She Used to Have Another Man,” “I Wish She Would’ve Said Goodbye,” “Faded Memory,” “Nobody’s Fool” and “No One Invited Me.”
Alan Arena – Deceived
Self-produced CD
An artist who’s placed two previous albums on Top Ten lists in New England, Alan Arena relocated to another state to care for his best friend – a veteran suffering from a crippling muscle disease, and truly believed his career was over. But he’s back home now, back on stage and back in style, too. If you have any doubt, give this a spin to this one.
Recorded at The Music Room club and studio on Cape Cod, it was produced by the late Paul Nelson — the Grammy-nominated/BMA-winning guitarist — with a lineup that includes bassist Brad Hallen (Susan Tedeschi), drummer Marty Richards (J Geils) and keyboardist Brooks Milgate (Chris O’Leary). Making it even more special is the appearance of Jerry Portnoy on harp.
Choice cuts include “Raised on Radio,” “Believe in Yourself,” “Deceived,” “Big Black Cat,” “Devil in the Bottle,” “Speed of Life” and Hypnotized.”
Rusty Ends – Roadhouses, Juke Joints and Honky-Tonks
Earwig Music
Delivering a pleasant mix of tunes that hint of his youth in Kentucky but contain plenty of Big Easy cool, too, guitarist Rusty Ends glides on the strings throughout this 15-song set, which intersperses 11 tasty originals with a handful of cleverly reworked covers that were culled from country, soul and more.
Co-produced by Michael Frank and recorded by Julia Miller at Delmark Studio in Chicago, Rusty’s trio – bassist Dave Zirnheld and drummer Gene Wickliffe – are rock-steady but never over-the-top. They’re augmented by Roosevelt “Hatter” Purifoy on keys and Wayne Young on second six-string.
You’ll dig “Bad Like Billy the Kid,” “The Same Thing,” “Lost in the Blues,” “Rockabilly Train,” “Angels Sing the Blues,” “The Worm’s Turned,” “Midnight Screams,” “Lie to Me,” “When a Geezer Plays the Blues” and “Bourbon Moon.”
About the Author
About the Author
The blues came calling for Marty Gunther at age 12 in 1960, when he witnessed Muddy Waters at the Newport Folk Festival — and later B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf and a host of first-generation stars in later years in his native Rhode Island. A professional journalist, he studied harmonica under Sugar Blue during a longtime residency in Chicago before founding the Nucklebusters, one of the top bar bands in South Florida, in the ’80s.
