Marty Gunther’s Red, Hot ’n Blues Music Reviews - April 2026
- 13 hours ago
- 9 min read
By Marty Gunther
Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for April 2026
Eric Bibb – One Mississippi
Repute Records RRCD001
Three-time Grammy nominee Eric Bibb casts a magic spell every time he steps in front of a mic, and the acoustic master is at his best with this 13-song release. It transports listeners into the not-too-distant past and the turbulent present, too, as it calls out for peace, justice and unity in a world shattered by mistrust, misunderstanding and war.
Eric’s former high school classmate, Janis Ian, penned the opener of the otherwise all-original set. And he gets all-star backing from Robbie McIntosh (Paul McCartney), Paul Jones (The Blues Band) and a deep roster of other musicians and vocalists who combine to weave tension in every note.
Palpable tunes for troubled times, give a listen to “One Mississippi,” “Muddy Waters,” “This One Don’t,” “Didn’t I Keep Running,” “It’s a Good Life,” “No Clothes On,” “New Window,” “If You’re Free,” “Change,” “Waiting on the Sun,” “Show Your Love” and “We Got to Find a Way.”
Laura Chavez – My Voice
Ruf Records RUF 1331
One of the most beloved voices in the blues, guitarist Laura Chavez doesn’t sing, but she has plenty to say when she hits her strings. A longtime bandmate of Deborah Coleman, Candye Kane, The Mannish Boys, Vanessa Collier and other top artists, she finally takes center stage herself with this sensational, all-instrumental debut solo release.
The native Southern Californian recorded this one on both sides of the Atlantic aided by Léa Worms on keys with Tomek Germann on bass and Marty Dotson and Dennis Palatin on drums. True blue and honoring Laura’s Mexican heritage, too, this one will be under major consideration when next season’s awards come around.
Don’t miss “Born on the Bayou,” “Mind Your Step,” “Shot-Zee,” “Wanderer,” “El Cascabel,” “So Long Baby, Goodbye,” “Mamba Negra,” “Napa Street” and “La Llorona.”
Duwayne Burnside – Red Rooster
Lucky 13 Records
The son of Hill Country legend R.L. Burnside, Duwayne Burnside doesn’t get in the studio often for himself – his most recent release was in the mid-2000s. But when he does, Duwayne does his daddy proud. That’s especially true with this effort, a rhythm-infused disc that conveys the sound of a juke joint and updates it for modern ears.
A partnership between Duwayne, brothers Cody and Luther Dickinson and Squirrel Nut Zippers founder Jimbo Mathus, the mix includes blues, rock and plenty of storytelling, all of which is delivered atop a hypnotic swamp beat. And R.L.’s grandson, Cody Burnside, contributes rap, which fits perfectly, too.
Hypnotic from the jump, you’ll enjoy “Nightmare,” “Circle in the Sky,” “Somebody Done Stole My Girl,” “Things Ain’t Going My Way,” “Talk Sweet to Me,” “Tribute,” “King,” “Down and Out” and “Mississippi Here I Come.”
Misty Blues – Other Side of Blue
Guitar One Records
A dynamic organization that fuses blues, funk and jazz, Misty Blues has been scorching stages around the world for more than 20 years. And the quintet, which is based out of the Berkshire Mountains in northwest Massachusetts, don’t disappoint on their latest CD. It’s a smoking hot, homogeneous effort.
Misty’s fronted by Gina Coleman, a powerful alto who doubles on guitar with Seth Fleischmann. They’re joined by Aaron Dean on sax and Ron Tatten and Diego Mongue on bass and drums.
Modern, big-city blues at its best, you won’t go wrong listening to “I’ve Got Vices,” “Maybe I Could,” “Trust Ain’t Given,” “Easy Peasy,” “Three Mississippi’s,” “You’ll Never Feel My Blues,” “Carry On This Way,” “Saving Grace” and “I Ain’t Buying.”
Crystal Shawanda – Sing Pretty Blues
New Sun Records
A member of the Wikwemikong First Nation and a force of nature, too, Canada’s Crystal Shawanda possesses the voice of a lioness that cuts the air like honey-dripped glass. She’ll take you on a roller-coaster ride of emotion with this set, which deals with love, loss, grief, hope, resilience and healing.
A music award winner in blues as well as country and Aboriginal music, too, she’s backed here by guitarist/producer Dewayne Strobel, harp players Stephan Hanner and Steve Marriner and other top North of the Border talents.
Take a bite out of “Preachin’ Blues,” “Stop Funkin’ Me Around,” “Sing Pretty Blues,” “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely,” “If That’s What It Takes,” “Waitin’ for My Lover to Call,” “Honey Bee,” “Too Far to Turn Around” and “Dirty.”
Brooks Milgate – Roll with the Punches
MoMojo Records
A Worcester, Mass., native now based out of New York, keyboard player/composer Brooks Milgate fell in love with the blues through his parents’ love for the Allman Brothers and Southern rock. And he infuses multiple azure elements into this thoroughly contemporary set.
It’s a must-listen collection of nine originals and two covers, all of which are backed by an uber-talented lineup that includes Monster Mike Welch and Chris Vitarello on guitar, Mark Earley on sax and Chris Anzalone on drums.
Sweet blues for modern times, tune in to “Cheap Airline,” “Best That We Can Do,” “I Should’ve Known,” “Interstate Shuffle,” “Worry,” “Roll with the Punches,” “Why’d I Wait So Long,” “So Long” and “Blueish Gray.”
Joe Bonamassa & Friends – B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100
Keeping the Blues Alive Records KTBA 10125
B.B. King remains the king of the blues world, and Joe Bonamassa celebrates his 100th birthday in the best way possible with this unbelievably star-studded tribute. Co-produced with his band leader Josh Smith, it’s a labor of love that came about when Joe realized there wasn’t any official event to mark the Beale Street Blues Boy’s centennial.
Joe spent nine months on the project, during which he assembled the biggest names in the industry to deliver 32 of B.B.’s most familiar hits, and the love for the King is palpable in every note. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Susan Tedeschi, Buddy Guy, Shemekia Copeland, Bobby Rush, Keb’ Mo’, Eric Gales, George Benson and Gary Clark Jr. are just a few of the artists on board.
And don’t miss Warren Haynes, Chris Cain, Ivan Neville, Paul Rodgers, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Dion, Kim Wilson, D.K. Harrell, John Nemeth, Kirk Fletcher and others, too. It’s a masterpiece!
Mitch Ryder – Songs from the Road
Ruf Records RUF 1333
A giant in the rock world since the ’60s, fronting the Detroit Wheels, Mitch Ryder has always had a deep love for the blues, too. Have any doubts? Give this CD/DVD package a spin and listen/see for yourself. Captured live in Berlin in March 2025, it’s a 78-minute, never-over-the-top azure romp that will leave you smiling because it drives steadily true-blue throughout.
His voice is well-worn, but Mitch sings his heart out and delivers some noteworthy advice, too, accompanied by labelmate Laura Chavez and a top-notch German ensemble. Including Léa Worms on keys, it’s led by guitarist Sean Athens with Denis Palatin and Tomek Germann on percussion.
Ride along with “Lilli May,” “All the Fools It Sees,” “Do You Feel Alright,” “Oh What a Night,” “War,” “The Thrill of It All,” “Fly,” “It Wasn’t Me,” “Wrong Hands,” “Soul Kitchen” and “The Artist.”
Mark Cameron – Blues Factory
Overton Music OMX 1005
Based out of Minnesota, where he’s been delivering catchy, original music since the ’70s, guitarist/songwriter Mark Cameron always cooks up inventive material. And he outdoes himself on this spirited collection of ten originals that hit the mark with downhome appeal.
Always funky and never over-the-top, Mark’s backed by wife Sheri, a triple threat on sax, flute and percussion, Bill Keyes on harp and Dan Schroeder on drums. They’re joined by keyboard player Tommy Barbarella, horn players Shane Cox and Zach Miller and several other talents from the Upper Midwest.
You’ll dig “The Wrong Thing,” “Too Hot to Boogie,” “Blues Factory,” “Drink on the Job,” “Can’t Stand Still,” “Change Your Ways,” “Friends Like These,” “Ain’t No Way” and “Below the Bottom.”
Selwyn Birchwood – Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues
Alligator Records 5029
Based out of Tampa, Fla., and a protégé of legendary guitarist Sonny Rhodes, Selwyn Birchwood simply smoked on his two previous albums, Exorcist and Old School. But he’ll take you to church and lift your spirits, too, with this all-original, self-produced set. Never preachy but always soulful, it’s a love letter to the world that delivers a warm embrace from start to finish here.
Recorded by Bob Frank at Baysound Studios in Sarasota, Selwyn’s backed by longtime partner Regi Oliver on saxes, Donald “Huff” Wright on bass, Henley Connor III on drums with John Hetherington on keys. Eli Bishop adds violin, cello and viola with Briana Lutzi and Taylor Opie on backing vocals.
Don’t miss “Labor of Love,” “Damaged Goods,” “The Struggle Is Real,” “The Church of Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues,” “All Hail the Algorithm,” “Talking Heads,” “Should’ve Never Gotten Out of Bed,” “The Eagle Has Landed” and “Soulmate.”
Pontchartrain Shakers – Love, Peace & Chicken Grease
Southland Records SCD-53
The progeny of guitarist Amadee “The Creole Man” Frederick and cornet player Jamie Wight, two key figures in the creation of New Orleans soul, ex-classmates Amadee “A5” Frederick and Jojjo Wight began performing as kids. And they carry their parents’ musical legacy forward as the Pontchartrain Shakers, consistently laying down a steady beat on Gulf Coast stages.
A follow-up to last year’s eponymous debut release, this live-off-the-floor set features A5 and Jojjo on guitars and mics anchored by bassist Red DeVecca and drummer Earl Smith Jr. Both parents make guest appearances along with Heidi Wight and Michael Loupe on horns.
Music that’s sugar-sweet and a tribute to the past, too, sway along to “Sunshine,” “Don’t Ask Me How I’m Doing,” “Lucy May,” “You Amaze Me,” “Going to Kentucky,” “Christmas in New Orleans,” Freight Train,” “You Don’t Miss Your Water” and “Jumper on the Line.”
Cheryl Lescom & the Tucson Choir Boys – Last Call
Busted Flat Records
A Maple Blues Award nominee and window-rattling vocalist, Cheryl Lescom began her career touring across Canada with Ronnie Hawkins and Long John Baldry in ’70s before launching her solo career. And her pipes are as powerful as ever throughout this set.
The seventh disc in her catalog, she’s backed by her longtime band/songwriting partners, the Tucson Choir Boys -- Ray Walsh and Dave the Cat on guitars, Les Graham on bass and Mike Menheere on drums. Kristine Walsh adds washboard.
Give a listen to “Better Days,” “Best Friend,” “Evermore,” “Nothing But You,” “Mamas,” “Old Soul,” “Silver and Gold,” “We Ride at Dawn,” “Olivia” and “You Gotta Go.”
Jack’s Waterfall – Blue Light Club
Self-produced CD
A singer/songwriter/keyboard player who’s been captivating audiences in metropolitan New York for decades when not serving as an educator, too, Jack Licitra delivers hard-to-define music at the intersection of jazz and blues. And the themes and characters he describes on his latest CD will warm your heart and have you grooving, too.
Jack’s a rich tenor who pours his heart out with every phrase he sings. If you love the old-school, small-combo format that filled café society showrooms in the ’50s and ’60s complete with horns and more, you’ll adore this one.
Get hip to “Calling All Angels,” “Trading Fours,” “The Best Is Yet to Come,” “Yeah You Right,” “Peace in a Restless World,” “Love Be True,” “I Need Your Voice,” “I Got to Go,” “Blue Light Theme” and “Hard Times.”
Trudy Lynn – Turning the Same Ole Corners
Jus’ Blues Records
The undisputed First Lady of Houston Soul, Trudy Lynn’s celebrating her upcoming 75th birthday in style with this disc. It’s the well-deserved digital release of a set that first saw the light under a different name and in a different format decades, and it will definitely keep you up and dancing the night away.
Co-produced by Trudy and Charles Mitchell, the executive director of the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation, this silky smooth set includes five of her originals and seven covers. Captured in Atlanta, she’s backed by an ensemble that includes Lucky Peterson, who doubles on lead guitar and Hammond B-3 organ.
Grab your honey and twirl awhile to “Can’t Even Get the Blues No More,” “Turning the Same Ole Corners,” “Snatching It Back,” “If My Pillow Could Talk,” “No Deposit No Return,” “Helping Hands,” “Precious Moments,” “Reneged on Me,” “Memories of You” and “I Know Why.”
Clifton Chenier – King of Louisiana Blues & Zydeco
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
There’s been no one more important in the music of the Gulf Coast than Clifton Chenier, who transformed a style of music common to dancehalls in South Louisiana called LaLa into the percussive, syncopated styling we know today as zydeco. And Smithsonian Folkways celebrates his 100th birthday with this tribute -- a four-CD/six-LP masterwork.
A compendium that traces his legacy from his early history with the Ecko, Specialty and Chess labels through his rise to superstardom with Arhoolie, this must-have boxed set is packaged with a 160-page book that includes posters, photos and other artifacts from Arhoolie founder Chris Strachwitz’s collection along with deep-dive liner notes from superstar son C.J. Chenier and four other authorities.
Take a trip to the bayou and dive into this richly annotated, 67-song set. Shake a tail feather when you do!
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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.