Marty Gunther’s Red, Hot ’n Blues Music Reviews - July 2025
- chicagoblueseditor
- Jun 30
- 9 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
By Marty Gunther
Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for July 2025
D.K. Harrell – Talkin’ Heavy
Alligator Records ALCD 5027
Now just age 27, Louisiana-born D.K. Harrell exploded onto the blues scene in 2023 with his The Right Man CD, delivering single-note guitar runs that announced to the world the arrival of a star ascendant. He follows it up with his debut release on Alligator, which proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that he belongs at the highest level of the blues world.
Already a Blues Music Award winner, D.K.’s a mesmerizing performer whose original lyrics are delivered from the heart and pack a punch equal to the sting of his six-string. He’s backed here by Kid Andersen on rhythm, Jim Pugh on keys and a star-studded lineup that includes both June Core and Derrick “D-Mar” Martin on drums. Talkin’ Heavy was recorded at Andersen’s famed Greaseland studios in California.
Don’t miss “A Little Taste,” “Grown Now,” “Talkin’ Heavy,” “PTLD,” “Good Man,” “Into the Room,” “No Thanks to You,” “Liquor Stores and Legs,” “What Real Men Do” and “Praise These Blues.”
The Alexis P. Suter Band – Just Stay High
Nola Blue Records NB43
Possessing one of the most distinctive female voices in the music industry, Alexis P. Suter delivers lyrics with the force of a hurricane. And the three-time BMA nominee will knock your socks off with this disc. It’s an all-business, 14-song set of gospel-infused blues that will still provide a lift despite tunes comprised of all the struggles the world presents.
The Brooklyn, N.Y.-based contralto is backed by several top talents from the region: guitarist Jimmy Bennett, bassist Peter Bennett, drummer Ray Grappone and keyboard player Daniel Weiss aided by bassist Byron Isaacs, percussionist Lee Falco and Will Bryant on keys.
Give a listen to “God Gave Me the Blues,” “Some People,” “Breathe,” “My Only Need,” “It Ain’t Easy,” “4 Wheels Beats 2 Heels,” “Big Girl Panties,” “Just Stay High,” “Isolation,” “Song for You,” “Love Always Wins” and “Piece of Clay.”
Wendy & DB – Celebration Day
Self-produced CD
2023 Grammy nominees for their star-studded Into the Little Blue House CD, Wendy Morgan and Darryl Boggs are dedicated to delivering azure, upbeat music that’s directed at children but inspiring for adults, too. And they continue their trajectory with their stellar, all-original follow-up.
Wendy handles ukulele and Darryl guitar in a set that contains positive-themed elements of rap, soul, reggae and more.Hard to define, it’s guaranteed to keep you smiling throughout. They’re joined by a baker’s dozen of top-flight instrumentalists who provide a surprise at every turn.
Bop along to “Celebration Day,” “Sunny Side Up,” “I’m in a Mood,” “Ouchie Ya Ya,” “Never Give Up,” “Rainbow in My Heart,” “Let’s Make a Mess,” “Recycling Bin,” “Not Just a Girl,” “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “Seymour the Sloth” and “Science of Pancakes.”
Dave Specter – Live at Space
Delmark Records 889
A fixture in the Delmark family for more than 30 years, Dave Specter has played a part in dozens of straight-ahead Windy City blues albums, but he ascends to a different level with this rich and warm live set. Recorded at his long-running club in suburban Evanston, it’s a silky-smooth, jazz-infused effort that reinvents Chicago blues for 21st-century audiences.
Dave and Brother John Kattke, his longtime keyboard-playing partner, share vocals in a skintight quartet that also includes 2025 BMA nominee Rodrigo Mantovani on bass and Marty Binder, a superstar drummer who kept the beat for years with Junior Wells, Albert Collins and Buddy Guy.
Chockful of winners, tune in to “Rumba & Tonic,” “Alley Walk,” “Blues from the Inside Out,” “On Your Way Down,” “March Through the Darkness,” “Chicago Style,” “Same Old Blues,” “The Stinger,” “Bluebird Blues,” “Ponchatoula Way” and “Ridin’ High.”
All Things Swamp – Dressed
Little Village Foundation LVF 1070
Second-line funk isn’t a musical style confined to New Orleans. It thrives in the San Francisco Bay Area, too, thanks to the diaspora of Cajuns and Creoles who settled there decades ago. Have any doubt? All Things Swamp are a nine-piece ensemble chockful of talent, and they’ll have you dancing steadily from the jump of this set.
The roster includes Steely Dan sax and guitar player Dean Parks, America’s Got Talent finalist/sax player Tim Hockenberry, pianist/vocalist/musical director Dan Gordon – who penned the theme to TV’s The Office, Little Village founder/organist Jim Pugh and a deep roster of top session players.
Shake your booty to “Sidewalk Strut,” “Bah-Duey-Duey,” “Dancing Machine,” “Mercy Mercy Mercy,” “Rocking Chair,” “Blues for Ben,” “How Much Fun” and “Take It to the Street.”
Charlie Musselwhite – Lookout Highway
Forty Below Records FBR 046
It’s always a treat when Charlie Musselwhite steps into the studio. And it’s even better this time because he teams up for the first time ever with his regular road band at Greaseland Studios in California, where he re-teams with former bandmate Kid Andersen for a cohesive set that finds him with one foot in loneliness and the other on the road.
Kid contributes guitar and keys in addition to his usual work at the controls as Charlie dazzles on harp. They’re joined by Matthew Stubbs (GA-20) on six-string, June Core on drums and Randy Bermudes (Fabulous Thunderbirds) on bass with Al Kapone and Edna Luckett sitting in on vocals.
With Charlie at his absolute best, you’ll adore “Lonesome Highway,” “Sad Eyes,” “Storm Warning,” “Baby Won’t You Please Help Me,” “Highway 61,” “Ready for Times to Get Better,” “Ramblin’ Is My Game,” “Ghosts in Memphis” and “Open Road.”
Ged Wilson – Regular Man
Bad Monkey Records
A British multi-instrumentalist who fuses acoustic blues with roots and jazz, Ged Wilson has flown under the radar for years in the U.S. But one listen to this CD will have you hunting out his four previous releases. It may be mostly quiet and unhurried, but it will quickly strike a positive chord thanks to Wilson’s interesting, original lyrics, which flow like a river throughout.
Ged – pronounced “Jed” – grew up in Manchester, where he was strongly influenced by John Mayall as a child. He handles guitar, keys and harp – all of which combined to deliver a full-band feel despite his only accompaniment, percussionist Dicky (no last name), who produced.
Looking for a change of pace? You’ll enjoy “Regular Man,” “Tib Street Blues,” “Movers and Shakers,” “Street Dog,” “Promised Land,” “Murder on Bolton Road,” “Ghost Train” and “Sands of Time.”
Hughes Taylor – Roasted
The Bent Note Records
A native of Macon, Ga., who’s been a fixture across the South since debuting with Hear My Melody in 2016, guitarist Hughes Taylor simply blazes from the jump with his sixth album. It’s an all-original mix of blues-rock that’s loaded with explosive, steady-driving fretwork, a heavy beat and a voice to match.
Hughes’ tight four-piece band features the rhythm section of Ben Alford and Nich Gannon with Zach Wilson on keys. They’re augmented by Emily Lynn and Evie Somogyi on backing vocals.
Powerful throughout but never over-the-top, give a listen to “Moondance Baby,” “Ballad of Big Bill McGuire,” “Until It Hits,” “Midnight Angel,” “(In the Morning) When It’s Over,” “Beautiful Stranger,” “When Love Comes Home,” “Before You Fall” and “Rochester.”
Davis Coen – Live at Proud Larry’s
Soundview Records SVX 1009
Based out of Memphis and a blues/roots performer who frequently appears in documentaries and film soundtracks, guitarist Davis Coen chose the legendary Proud Larry’s music hall in Oxford, Miss., to record this live set. It’s an intimate, emotion-packed set captured in two different alignments across multiple nights.
A mix of originals interspersed with blues classics, the opening four tracks feature keyboard player John Gage and the Just Groovin’ Experience before turning over duties to Davis’ longtime drummer Kinney Kimbrough (son of the legendary Junior Kimbrough), and bassist Justin Showah.
Deep in the beat throughout, you’ll enjoy “You Gonna Miss Me,” “Basement with the Blue Light,” “Stay All Night,” “Anna Ann,” “Don’t Let the Deal Go Down,” “Mile After Mile,” “Long Black Veil” and “Jack of Diamonds.”
Kim Field & the Perfect Gentlemen – Don’t Need But One
Blues Dream Records
Based out of Portland, Ore., and fronted by harp player/author Kim Field, the Perfect Gentlemen are one classy act. They swing from the hip on this debut CD, delivering a mix of straight-ahead blues, soul and more, all of which feature sugar-coated vocals and sophisticated solos in their rich charts.
The world-class lineup includes Vyasa Dotson (Curtis Salgado) and Whit Draper on guitars with Denny Bixby (Buddy Miller, Chet Atkins) on bass and Jimi Bott (Fabulous Thunderbirds, Mannish Boys) on percussion. West Coast treasure Louis Pain sits in on keys, and the Soul Survivor Horns do, too.
Swing and sway to “Don’t Need But One,” “Please Don’t Ask Me,” “Black Diamonds,” “Dress the Monkey,” “All These Little Things,” “I Give In,” “Emergency,” “So Dark in Here,” “Flower Shop” and “The Man That Got Away.”
Ian Siegal & Johnny Mastro – Easy Tiger
Continental Blue Heaven Records CBHCD2056
A collaboration between one of the top vocalists in Britain and a harp player who’s been a longtime major player in the New Orleans blues scene, guitarist Ian Siegal and Johnny Mastro will grab you from the opening notes of this CD, which has already hit the top spot on Australian blues charts.
Produced and recorded by Big Jon Atkinson in the Big Easy -- using analog and straight to tape -- and delivered in a full-band setting, it’s a deep-in-the-beat blues-rock pleaser. Easy Tiger has throwback appeal that’s properly self-described as a jarring, 5 a.m. wakeup call in a sleazy motel.
Crank up the sound and give a listen to “Four on the Floor,” “Balling the Jack,” “No Mercy,” “Dog Won’t Hurt,” “Tall & Tight,” “Miss Your Cadillac,” “Emperor’s New Clothes,” “Wineheaded” and “Who’s in Church.”
Mike Dangeroux – Empty Chair
RD Records
A veteran vocalist/guitarist who’s worked with Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Inetta Visor, J.W. Williams and a host of others in the Windy City, Mike Dangeroux is one of the most under-recorded artists on the Chicago blues scene. But he returns to the studio in style with this driving, deep-blue EP.
It’s an all-original effort that takes listeners through love, loss and redemption, all of which is propelled his emotional, stinging fretwork and powerful vocal delivery. Co-producer Vincent Varco provides keys with Daron Casper Walker on drums.
Open your ears to “End Like This,” “Money Back,” “Play My Cards Right,” “No Good for Me,” “Empty Chair” and “What’s Taking So Long.”
James Cook – Captain’s Audio Project
Taste Good Music
Based out of Portland, Ore., James Cook is best known as a member of the unique ensemble Trashcan Joe, which performs with instruments constructed out of trash cans. But he makes his debut as a soloist with this set, shifting between multiple guitars and upright bass to deliver a soothing set of acoustic blues.
James possesses a warm tenor voice and a jazz-influenced attack. He’s accompanied by keyboard player Mike Danner, who recorded and produced, and a horn section composed of Paul Brainard, Scott Van Schoick and Willie Mathis.
An album with old-time appeal, tune in to “Really Hard to Find,” “Out on the Minam,” “The River,” “Freak,” “Satan Wrote This Song,” “Waiting for the Moon,” “There’s a Hole,” “I’ll Follow” and “Sometimes.”
Jimmy Adler – It’s Hot!
Self-produced CD
A stylish guitarist, Jimmy Adler has been thrilling audiences out of Pittsburgh for decades, and he swings relentlessly from the hip while providing a little sunshine to a troubled world this deep blue and jazzy mix. It’s an addictive set that contains elements of Latin elements, gospel and the Big Easy that will keep you smiling throughout.
Jimmy’s surrounded by the best backing unit the Steel City has to offer. It includes Bob Insko and Jim Richley on bass and drums, Steve Binsberger on keys, a quartet of horn players and several backup singers, too.
Choice cuts abound among “Best of Times,” “Slow Drag,” “Recipe for Love,” “Higher Ground,” “Benny the Booker,” “Fish Fry,” “Lighthouse,” Connie Jones,” “Savor the Flavor” and “It’s Hot.”
Aki Kumar – God Bless the USA
Little Village Foundation 1072
Mumbai, India’s gift to the U.S., harp player Aki Kumar delivers a love letter to his adopted homeland with this self-recorded set. He cuts a steady groove throughout, marrying traditional sounds with the rhythms of South Asia – music he’s branded as Bollywood blues. If you haven’t heard it yet, it’s a real eye- and ear-opener because the combo really works.
Aki’s now based in the Bay Area, and his cast of characters here includes keyboard player/guitarist Bob Welch along with Rome Yamilov and Pete Fazzini on six-string, Randy Bermudes and Kedar Roy on bass, June Core on drums with Tony Stead on organ. Adding to the mix are Jim Santi Owen on tabla and khanjira, sitar player Will March and sax player Jack Sanford.
Take a chance on “Should I Stay (Immigrant Song),” “A Plea to Be Free,” “Jarvos Woman,” “Desi Strut,” “Time Will Tell,” “Thoughts and Prayers,” “God Bless the USA,” “It Is What It Is,” “Hard to Get” and “Harp Tuah.”
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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.
