Marty Gunther’s Red, Hot ’n Blues Music Reviews - May 2025
- chicagoblueseditor
- Apr 30
- 9 min read
Updated: May 6
By Marty Gunther
Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for May 2025
Southern Avenue – Family
Alligator Records AL 5024
Featuring sisters Tierinii, Tikyra and Ava Jackson, Southern Avenue definitely is a family band that’s taken the blues world by storm in recent years. And they celebrate their unity and growth as well as their move to the Alligator label, too, with this tapestry of harmonies and rhythms, all of which are deeply rooted in the soil of Memphis where they were born and grown.
Produced by Grammy winner John Burk (Ray Charles, George Benson) at the legendary Royal Studios, it’s a steamy affair anchored by the heavenly harmonies of the soulful sisters, who grew up singing in church. Ori Naftaly handles guitar with Tierinii on lead vocals, Tikyra on drums and Ava on violin. Jeremy Powell is on keys, while Blake Rhea and Luther Dickinson alternate on bass.
You’ll be shaking your booty to “Long Is the Road,” “Upside,” “Found a Friend in You,” “Family,” “Rum Boogie,” “Gotta Keep the Love,” “Sisters,” “Back to What Feels Right,” “Flying,” “Believe” and “We Are.”
Tim Gartland – Right Amount of Funky
Taste Good Music
Tired of all the harp players who are Little Walter/Sonny Boy clones? Nashville-based Tim Gartland serves up something different with this all-original set. The veteran reed-blower provides a healthy mix of blues, soul and a little of reggae, too, in a laid-back mix that will still have you rocking throughout.
Tim’s harp lines glide effortlessly with lyrics to match. He’s backed by an all-star rhythm section -- drummer Jack Bruno (Joe Cocker) and bassist Mike Joyce (Delbert McClinton) – with Robert Frahm laying down silky-smooth guitar lines, too.
An understated treasure, groove along to “Waste a Worry,” “Right Amount of Funky,” “A Better Life,” “Walk Away,” “If This Ain’t Heaven,” “Alone Times,” “About to Cry” and “Stop Working.”
Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch – Blues Cut Like Glass Theme
Blue Lotus Recordings
The former lead guitar player for legendary St. Louis bluesman Big George Brock, Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch finally makes debut as a frontman with this CD. And like his nickname suggests, it definitely packs a bite, delivering an all-original, contemporary set full of sounds inspired by artists of the past.
The heavyweight lineup includes Michael Burks’ former rhythm section -- drummer Chuck “Popcorn” Louden and bassist John Davies – and Hammond B3 organist Wayne Sharp along with guest appearances from bassist Gus Thornton (Albert King), keyboard player Taylor Streiff (Nick Moss) and multi-instrumentalist Sean “Mack” McDonald, too.
Take a deep dive into “Feel So Good,” “He’s a Bluesman,” “I’m So Tired,” “She’s My Everything,” “Sittin’ at the Station,” “Blues Cut Like Glass,” “Keep Your Promise,” “Let Me Cook for Ya,” “Still Got My Blues” and “Jammin’ at Paul’s.”
Allison August – August Moon
MoMojo Records MMJ 377
Love your blues with a heaping helping of soul? You’ll adore this album from West Coast vocalist Allision August. Born into a family of professional musicians that stretches back four generations, her honeyed voice shines throughout a set that touches on marriage, motherhood, joy and determination.
Recorded pre- and post-pandemic, Paul Barrere of Little Feat is just one of the ensemble, which includes the late Mike Finnigan on keys and Lenny Castro and producer Tony Braunagel on percussion with Maxayn Lewis and Teresa James on backing vocals.
Silky smooth and danceable, you’ll enjoy “Afraid of Love,” “Dashboard Madonna,” “I Won’t Say No,” “What Would Mama Say,” “Honey Jar,” “Dog in You,” “Blues Is My Religion,” “The Cure” and “Born Yesterday.”
Will Wilde – The Blues Is Still Alive
VizzTone Label Group VT-BA02
Like Jason Ricci on this side of the Atlantic, harp player Will Wilde consistently blows away the competition in Europe with an attack in a style that emulates the sound and intensity of blues-rock guitar. He plays full throttle from the jump with this effort -- his first foray into the American market.
Walter Trout makes a guest appearance on the opener, And Will’s backed by Jeff Beck drummer Steve Rushton with Russell Carr on bass and Greg Coulson on keys. His sister, Dani Wilde – a world-class singer in her own right, is just one of several ladies providing background vocals.
Buckle up for this one, and enjoy “Blues Is Still Alive,” “Wild Man,” “Don’t Play with Fire,” “Trouble of That Girl,” “Stole My Love,” “Girl’s Got Soul,” “Broken Dream Blues” and “Don’t Trust Me.”
Farmhand – Long Hollow Blues
Self-produced digital download
No website
Don’t be fooled the pastoral image of this cover. Farmhand is a collection of top Nashville musicians who’ve produced a must-listen set of blues, blues-rock and more and who chose their name after coming together and launching the project on a farm in the outskirts of the city.
The cast includes BMA-nominee songwriter/harp player/rhythm guitarist Richard Fleming, drummer Jimi Foglesong and bassist Geoff Newhall, all of whom provide vocals. They’re augmented by guitarists Jamie Potterbaum, Dan Pearson and Michael Saint-Leon, who engineered and produced.
Grab this one off of your favorite download service and boogie along to “I’m Not Complaining,” “Worthy,” “I Still Have Dreams,” “Fresh Out,” “Tractor Woman,” “Didn’t Mean to Do It,” “Tried to Tell You,” “That Hit a Nerve” and “Can’t Live with Her.”
Johnny Rawls – Make Them Dance
Catfood Records CFR034
A true soul-blues survivor, Johnny Rawls is like fine wine. Now in his early 70s, he’s been hitting the top of the charts since the ’80s, when he and L.C. Lockett formed a partnership after the death of their bandleader, O.V. Wright. And he delivers another soulful, rock-steady masterpiece here.
Grab your better half and head to the dance floor for this one. The sensational roster includes guitarist Wil McFarlane and bassist/label owner Bob Trenchard with guest appearances from keyboard player Claton Ivey (Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Womack) and a full horn section. BMA president Kimberly Horton and gospel star Trinecia Butler provide vocal accents.
Don’t miss “So Cold,” “Dreams of You,” “Make Them Dance,” “Move in My Direction,” “Costs Too Much,” “Give It to Me,” “Rip Off the Bandage,” “Say That You Love Me,” “Swimming with the Sharks” and “The Long Road.”
Tony Holiday – Keep Your Head Up
Forty Below Records FBR 044
A Utah native who’s been at the center of a soul-blues revival in Memphis since 2017, road-dog harp player Tony Holiday delivers a sweet treat here. It’s a compilation of recordings captured during recent tours, and it was produced by two-time Grammy-nominee producer/label owner Eric Corne.
A 2024 BMA nominee for best emerging artist, Tony is joined by a superstar 18-person roster that includes Eddie 9V, Albert Castiglia, Laura Chavez and Kevin Burt. Guitarist Jad Tariq and keyboardist Sasha Smith provide backing throughout.
Get down to “She’s a Burglar,” “Twist My Fate,” “Woman Named Trouble,” “Good Times,” “Shoulda Known Better,” “Walk on Water,” “Drive It Home” and “I Can Not Feel the Rain.”
Guy Verlinde & Tom Eylenbosch – Promised Land Blues
Bandr Music BANDRCD01
With a style that harkens back to the first generation of Chicago blues, when piano-guitar duos became the rage, Guy Verlinde and Tom Eylenbosch captured top honors in the 2024 Belgian Blues Awards. And they hold nothing back on this golden CD. It’s a mostly contemporary, original set interspersed with a couple of traditional covers.
Verlinde has worked across Europe for decades while Eylenbosch – nicknamed “Brittle Bones” – is a former child prodigy who found an escape from health issues when he discovered Otis Spann and others in his youth. They’re joined by harp players Olivier Vander Bauwede and Steven Troch and a gospel choir.
Dark themes run deep throughout. Give a listen to “Heaven Inside My Head,” “Tears Over Gaza,” “I’ve Got You,” “You Gotta Move,” “Reckonin’ Blues,” “Gotta Let You Go,” “Hard to Admit,” “Do That Boogie,” “Pursuit of Happiness” and “World Goin’ Wrong.”
Eric Johanson – Live in Mississippi
Ruf Records RUF 1326
Louisiana-born guitarist Eric Johanson’s most recent outing, The Dirty and the Deep, hit the top of the Billboard blues charts. And he follows it up in style here with this set, which was captured at the Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi, Miss.
Captured live after a year of touring, the performance is skintight and polished throughout thanks to the driving rhythms of bassist Will Repholz and drummer Terry Scott Jr. It’s blues-rock with a definite Gulf Coast sting. And it’s guaranteed to make you feel like you’re sitting in the front row.
Settle in, play it loud and enjoy “Nowhere to Go,” “Undertow,” “ “Yellow Moon,” “Galaxy Girl,” “I Walk on Guilded Splinters,” “Live in Mississippi,” “Familiar Sound,” “Changes the Universe” and “Don’t Hold Back.”
Fran Drew & the Lucky Strikes – Trial By Fire
Shakey Buddha Records AL 5024
Fran Drew describes herself as “Peg Bundy meets Lou Ann Barton,” and for good reason. She’s a full-throated, unrelenting alto who fronts a steady-driving, commanding Texas blues combo. They cut a deep groove on this disc, which captured the top prize in the Connecticut Blues Society’s competition for best self-produced album of the year of 2024.
Steve Isherwood and Gene Donaldson trade guitar duties anchored by drummer Dennis Cotton and bassist Max “C'est la Vie” Samson. Sax Gordon is just one of a half-dozen quality musicians who lend a helping hand.
Take a trip to the roadhouse and swing along to “Neighbor Neighbor,” “Breaking Up Somebody’s Home,” “Flamin’ Maimie,” “Something You Got,” “Fujiyama Mama,” “I Look Good in Bad,” “The Hunter,” “You Can Have My Husband” and “Chauffeur Blues.”
Jad Tariq – Jad Tariq Sings
MoMojo Records
Jad Tariq possesses a retro look, and for good reason. A silky-smooth guitarist whose fretwork would have been welcomed in any upscale café in the ’50s or ’60s, he delivers a sound that would have fit comfortably into the era. His debut release, it’ll also offer up a breath of fresh air for folks in the 21st century, too.
Born in New Jersey and based in Memphis, Jad possesses a rich baritone that fits perfectly with the music he plays. It was recorded by roommate/guitarist Jon Hay at Lola’s Place Studio and mixed and mastered by Dave Gross. Give it one listen and you’ll be wanting more!
Give a spin to “Flapjack,” “You Think You’re too Good for Me,” “Had You Told It Like It Was,” “Fortune’s Fool,” “Bloodshot Eyes,” “No Sleepin’est Woman” and “So Much Water.”
The Seldom Scene – Remains to Be Scene
Smithsonian Folkways Records
If you’re tastes run to bluegrass and Western swing in addition to blues, you’ll adore the latest release from the Seldom Scene. Four-time Grammy nominees, they’ve been together for 53 years, and they definitely hit a sweet spot here no matter what style of music you prefer.
The quintet’s based out of greater Washington, D.C., and it’s the final album for guitarist Dudley Connell, who’s spent three decades with the group, which includes mandolin player Lou Reid, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, banjoist and fiddler Ron Stewart and dobro player Fred Travers.
Kick back a while and enjoy “Last of the Steam-Powered Trains,” “Man at the Crossroads,” “A Good Time Man Like Me Ain’t Got No Business (Singin’ the Blues),” “Hard Travelin’,” “Walking Down the Line,” “Lonesome Day,” “White Line,” “Show Me the Way to Go Home” and “The Story of My Life.”
StratCat Willie & the Strays – Don’t Slow Down!
Self-produced CD
Another longtime group, guitarist/vocalist StratCat Willie Hayes has been fronting his band, the Strays, out of the southern tier of New York for more than 40 years. And he’s at the top of his game with this disc – an old-school, Chicago blues pleaser composed of originals based on difficult decisions and the unpredictability of modern life.
Guaranteed to get your hips shakin’ and toes tappin’, this three-piece unit serves up a BIG sound with Ted Goldwin on bass and Dave Salce on drums, Rich Graiko and Josh Cohen provide horns with backup vocals from SingTrece and Mabel Welch. Blu Lou Cicconi sits in on the mic on one cut.
Tune in to “I Ain’t Got Nothin’,” “Demons Within,” “Slow Down,” “Go on Home,” “No Pleasin’ You,” “Consuela,” “Ain’t Gonna Change,” “I’m Down,” “Rollin’ and Tumblin’,” “Don’t Let Him In” and “StratCat Boogie.”
Bob Corritore & Friends – Doin’ the Shout
VizzTone Label Group/SWMAF Records SWMAF-28
It’s hard to believe that Bob Corritore can outdo himself after his stellar recent releases, Crawlin’ Kingsnake and Phoenix Blues Rumble, but the harp player/producer does just that here. It’s composed of 12 tasty, star-studded takes culled from recording sessions conducted during the past two years.
The 30th album in his illustrious career, Corritore shines backing up special guests Thornetta Davis, Bobby Rush, Nora Jean Wallace, Bob Stroger, John Primer, Oscar Wilson, Johnny Burgin, Kid Ramos, Anthony Geraci, Ben Levin and a bevy of talent that extends from Arizona to the East and West Coasts.
Don’t miss “Say Baby Say,” “Woman Wanted,” “Doin’ the Shout,” “I Guess I’m a Fool,” “Just a Dream,” “I’ve Got Three Problems,” “That Don’t Appease Me,” “Twenty Room House,” “Same Old Thing” and “My First Love.”
##
About the Author: The blues came calling for Marty Gunther in the 1960s, when he witnessed Muddy Waters, Mississippi John Hurt, B.B. King and Howlin' Wolf perform at the Newport festivals in his native Rhode Island. A longtime Chicagoan who's now based out of Ohio, he's a professional journalist and harp player who studied under Sugar Blue before co-founding the Nucklebusters, a band that's filled clubs in south Florida since the '80s.
