Marty Gunther’s Red, Hot ’n Blues Music Reviews - August 2025
- chicagoblueseditor
- Aug 1
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 1
By Marty Gunther
Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for August 2025
Maria Muldaur – One Hour Mama: The Blues of Victoria Spivey
Nola Blue Records NBR 044
A superstar vocalist in the 1920s and the monarch of the blues in New York City until the ’70s, Queen Victoria Spivey mentored a slew of future stars, including Maria Muldaur, Bob Dylan, Sugar Blue and several giants from Chicago. And Maria keeps her memory alive with this loving tribute, which breathes fresh life into tunes the Queen made famous.
They’re sugar-sweet numbers that come with a definite old-time feel thanks to Muldaur’s delivery and accompaniment from two different bands: James Dapogny’s nine-piece Chicago Jazz Band and New Orleans treasures, Tuba Skinny. Elvin Bishop and Taj Mahal both sit in on duets.
Turn back the clock with “My Handy Man,” “What Makes You Like That?,” “Don’t Love No Married Man,” “Organ Grinder Blues,” “No, Papa, No,” “One Hour Mama,” “Gotta Have What It Takes,” “Any-Kind-Man” and “T-B Blues.”
Monster Mike Welch – Keep Living Til I Die
Self-produced CD
There’s not a guitarist in the world with more feel than perennial BMA nominee Monster Mike Welch, and he pours out his soul like never before with this winner. Every note and every phrase is imbued with honesty and raw emotion, taking you to the depths of despair one moment and soaring the next.
A 14-song masterpiece that mixes originals and tunes Mike makes his own, he’s joined by Brooks Milgate on keys, Brad Hallen on bass, Fabrice Bessouat on percussion and guest appearances from Lisa Leuschner Andersen, John Blues Boyd, Marcel Smith and Dennis Dove.
Don’t miss “Keep Living Til I Die,” “Love Me Baby,” “Your Problem to Solve,” “Good to Me as I Am to You,” “I Finally Hit the Bottom,” “Do What You Want with My Grave,” “She Makes Time,” “I Just Don’t Understand,” “The Whole Idea of You” and “Burial Season.”
Koko Taylor – Crown Jewels
Alligator Records 3910
Koko Taylor carried Queen Victoria Spivey’s crown into the 20th century, and she roars like a lioness on this LP-only release. If you believe you’ve heard her at her best, you’re going to be shocked. She’ll take your ears to places they haven’t gone before with 12 chart-toppers have been remastered to deliver the feel of a live performance while allowing space for her star-studded sidemen to shine, too.
Space is too short to include all of them, but Sammy Lawhorn, Johnny B. Moore, gospel great Criss Johnson and Buddy Guy on guitars, Pinetop Perkins, Professor Eddie Lusk, Brother John Kattke and Johnnie Johnson on keys, Ray “Killer” Allison and Willie “The Touch” Hayes on the skins, Billy Branch, Harmonica Hinds and Cary Bell on harp, and Abb Locke and Gene Barge are on sax.
The Queen at her best, you’ll dig “Wang Dang Doodle,” “Mother Nature,” “You Can Have My Husband,” “I’m a Woman,” “Voodoo Woman,” “I’d Rather Go Blind,” “Hey Bartender,” “Come to Mama” and “Let the Good Times Roll.”
Terry Hanck – Grease to Gravy
Little Village Foundation LVF 1071
Every time BMA-winning sax player Terry Hanck sets foot in the kitchen, you know that he’ll be cooking up a soul-drenched treat loaded with soulful, swinging melodies delivered from the intersection of New Orleans second line and rock ’n’ roll. And he’ll keep you up and dancing with this effort.
Recorded at Greaseland Studios in California and multiple locations in South Florida, Terry’s joined by guitarists Kid Andersen, Johnny Cat Soubrand and J.P. Soars in a lineup that includes members of his East and West Coast bands and other talents, too.
Groove along to “Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You,” “If a Politician Was a Doctor,” “Best Years of My Life,” “Going Way Back Home Tonight,” “Overall Junction,” “Run Run Baby,” “When I Get My Shit Together,” “Pins and Needles” and “Midnight on the Reef.”
Early Times & the High Rollers – Fallen Angels
Dealers Choice Records
Early Times is far more than a presence as a host of B.B. King’s Bluesville on SiriusXM. He’s an excellent instrumentalist, too, having been an award-winning guitarist in California before achieving national fame. And it’s always interesting when he steps into the studio because he shifts gears on every album he releases.
He received backing from top studio musicians on his most recent albums, but he handles almost everything himself on this set, penning all the tunes and handling guitar, organ percussion and vocals. Conrad Korsch provides bass on this gritty, hard-driving pleaser,
Give a listen to “Walk Out on Me,” “Pistol Under My Pillow,” “Papa Died & Left Me,” “Abandoned Child,” “Manhattan,” “Candy Girl,” “Bad Things,” “Sooner or Later” and “Until the World Burns Down.”
Emanuel Casablanca – Hollywood Forever
Emanuel Casablanca Foundation
Singer/songwriter Emanuel Casablanca identifies himself as the Bad Boy of Blues, but the New Yorker is definitely a breath of fresh air in the world of blues-rock, too. He demonstrates why with this masterful, totally shred-free 75-minute workout.
A rich tenor, he packs a bite with every word of the 15 originals. It’s a hypnotic effort that features repetitive chord structures and dark themes, which relate directly to the objectives of the non-profit Emanuel founded to promote social justice and human rights around the globe. Several unnamed Grammy nominees contributed to the project.
Dial in “Mud,” “Dirty Duck,” “Hollywood Forever,” “Werewolf,” “Roulette,” “Me and the Devil,” “Black Man’s Burden,” “A Good Day to Die Young,” “Love Strong,” “Lust and Lies,” “Flying” and “Last Fair Deal.”
The Love Dogs – Get Off My Lawn
Self-produced CD
A seven-piece ensemble based out of Boston, The Love Dogs have been thrilling audiences with a mix of boogie woogie, swing, New Orleans styles and red-hot jump blues for decades. And they demonstrate with this pleaser why they’ve been designated frequently as the best band in New England.
Led by vocalist/tunesmith Eddie “Duato” Sheer, who spent years with R&B legend Johnny Adams, the group features a powerhouse horn section that includes Gordon “Sax” Beadle, Alizon Lissance -- a two-fisted treasure -- on the keys, and a skintight rhythm section.
Get your groove on with “Fly Away,” “Hard to Be Mad at You,” “Took the Wrong Road,” “Keep on Lyin’,” “How Can You Be So Mean,” “Circular Reasoning,” “Burn, Baby, Burn,” “Here Come the Blues,” “Gravy Train” and “Get Off My Lawn.”
Lisa Mann’s Northwestern All-Stars – The Great Women in Blues
Jay Ray Records
The Pacific Northwest is ripe with talent, and BMA-winning bassist Lisa Mann and percussionist Jimi Bott assembled a supergroup for this set. Recorded live at the Groove Now concert series in Basel, Switzerland, it’s a powerful mix of blues and gospel standards that features the soaring alto of Terri Odabi throughout.
Lisa takes the mike a couple of time in the set, and she and Jimi provide the bottom with backing from three-time BMA nominee Ben Rice and Jason “J.T.” Thomas on guitars and Louis Pain (Mel Brown, Paul deLay) on organ.
Get your groove on – and get a little religion, too – with “Wade in the Water,” “I Sing the Blues,” “I Don’t Hurt Anymore,” “That’s All,” “Let the Juke Joint Jump,” “5-10-15 Hours,” “Ball and Chain,” “So Good to My Baby,” “I’d Rather Go Blind” and “Wang Dang Doodle.”
David M’ore – Holy Sinners & Sinful Saints
Self-produced CD
Based out of the San Francisco Bay Area, raspy-voiced David M’ore grew up in Argentina, where he studied in a conservatory and studied to play classical or flamenco guitar. But his love for the blues of Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Muddy Waters and more led him to migrate to the U.S. three decades ago, and he’s been delivering his own brand of music here ever since.
His first release in a decade, this blues-rock album drives from the jump with a feel that would have fit comfortably in the late ’80s or early ’90s. It’s delivered in power-trio format with Wade Olson on drums and Marshall St. Clair on bass.
Buckle up and tune in to “Me and My Baby,” “Holy Sinners & Sinful Saints,” “Let Me Take You Home,” “Bleeding Heart,” “Love Is,” “Let’s Get Together,” “Armenia,” “Still in Love with You,” “Insanity” and “Money and Trouble.”
Eli Paperboy Reed – Sings Walkin' & Talkin' - & Other Smash Hits
Double E Records
A Boston native who’s served as minister of music/organist for gospel/R&B legend Pastor Mitty Collier in Chicago, Eli Paperboy Reed possesses a voice that commands attention. And he’ll stun you with this wall-rattling, soul-filled set. It’s a stellar, two-LP release that celebrates its debut 20 years ago.
Eli’s performed in everything from Mississippi juke joints to the Grand Ole Opry and top New York nightspots, where he now lives. A raw, no-holds-barred talent, he handles guitar and harp on this two-CD set, which contains the original release, bonus tracks, and tunes culled from performances broadcast over Harvard University’s radio station.
You’ll dig “I Just Got to Know,” “Walkin’ and Talkin’ (for My Baby),” “Something You Got,” “The Poor Side of Town,” “Fat Mama Ramble,” “You’re Gonna Make Me Cry,” “A Dying Veteran’s Plea” and 20 more pleasers.
Emma Wilson – A Spoonful of Willie Dixon
Select-O-Hits
One of the most powerful voices in the U.K., Emma Wilson has been charting steadily since debuting with the Wish Her Well CD in 2022, and she’ll bowl you over with this loving tribute to Willie Dixon. Sure, the tunes here are familiar. But Emma possesses a rare talent, and she reworks Willie’s well-worn chestnuts in a manner that makes them her own.
After recording her previous two album in Memphis, she captured this one live at Crystalship Studios in Sheffield, England, under the direction of Tom Henthorn and with backing from guitarist Nik Svarc and keyboard player Bennett Holland (King King, Aynsley Lister).
Six tunes, but a full album long, you’ll dig “Spoonful,” “Good to the Last Drop,” “I Can’t Quit You Baby,” “Wang Dang Doodle,” “I Want to Be Loved” and “It Don’t Make Sense (If You Can’t Make Peace).”
Willie Buck & Bob Corritore – Oh Yeah!
VizzTone Records SWMAF 29
Former bandmates and friends since the ’70s blues shouter Willie Buck and harp player Bob Corritore have always delivered the best of Chicago blues. And they don’t miss a step with this in-studio set, which was recorded in Phoenix, Ariz., between 2010 and 2023.
Bob shares production credit with Kid Andersen and Clark Rigsby. And the lineup includes Bob Margolin, Billy Flynn Jimi “Primetime” Smith and others on guitar, Bob Stroger on bass and Wes Starr on drums (on all but one track) and Anthony Geraci and Ben Levin on the 88s.
Sure to put a smile on the face of anyone who loves the Windy City sound, tune in to “Oh Yeah,” “She’s Alright,” “Brand New Cell Phone,” “Money Can’t Buy Everything,” “She Turned Me Down,” “Baby Please Don’t Go,” “Me and My Baby” and “Let Me Find Out Your Name.”
Teskey – White Wolf
Self-produced CD
Inspired by early blues-rock, Arizona-based Teskey debuts with this disc, putting their own spin on a sound that includes traditional blues, jazz fusion, psychedelic rock and more. They make their presence known with a set of originals themed on everything from love and heartbreak to recovery from cancer and more.
Recorded in studio, the disc combines all of the raw emotion of the ’60s while delivering the sound of a live 21st century performance. The group’s led and by guitarist/smoky-voiced singer Brandon Teskey with co-founder/drummer Brandon Gaddy with Peter Murphy on keys and Matt Baldwin on bass.
Full of emotional ups and downs, give a spin to “Under the Sun,” “Cast Aside Child,” “Upside Down World,” “Don’t Take My Angel,” “Lemon Tree,” “White Wolf,” “Digital Window,” “Redemption Blues” and “Make the World Sing.”
The BluesMasters Featuring Cassie Taylor – Same
Exulans DMD
The daughter of blues great Otis Taylor, Cassie Taylor was a star ascendant when she walked away from the stage more than a decade ago, but she returns in the best possible way here, delivering a soul-drenched mix of blues, gospel and more that should return her to the position she deserves.
A honeyed mezzo soprano who plays banjo and bass, her 10-piece backing unit includes guitarist/bassist Tim Tucker, keyboard player Eric Moon, lap steel artist Sally Van Meter, harp player Doug Lynn, drummer Christian Teele and bassist Kassidy Kent along with a five-member chorus.
Cassie will take you to church and more with “Downward Road,” “Nobody’s Fault but Mine,” “Sit Down Servant,” “Wade in the Water,” “You’re Gonna Make Me Cry,” “If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again,” “If You’re Ready,” “Respect Yourself” and “Chain of Fools.”
J. Isaiah Evans & the Boss Tweed – Americana Radio
Self-produced CD
Don’t be deceived by the title of this one. Texas-based J. Isaiah Evans & the Boss Tweed are a three-piece blues-rock ensemble made up of a guitarist/vocalist, keyboard player and drummer, and they blaze from the jump and keep the pedal to the metal of this debut disc.
The group’s fronted by Evans, formerly vocalist in the long-running The 40 Acre Mule band. He’s joined by Matthew Vasquez on organ and Spud Crowley on percussion. As a team, they successfully emulate the roadhouse feel of ’50s and ’60s while reworking it for modern ears. True to their roots, they recorded this one analog and live off the studio floor.
Blues-rock the way it should be, you’ll dig “Let’s Rock,” “Up to No Good,” “Americana Radio,” “Pullman Porter Blues,” “A Thing for You,” “Hat in Hand,” “The Devil Makes Three (Coche del Diablo),” “Ruby Anne” and “Trouble Bound.”
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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.