Marty Gunther’s Red, Hot ’n Blues Music Reviews - June 2025
- chicagoblueseditor
- May 31
- 9 min read
By Marty Gunther
Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for June 2025
John Primer – Grown in Mississippi
Blues House Productions
Blues Hall of Famer John Primer called out the big guns to celebrate his youth as a sharecropper in the cottonfields of Mississippi. From the field holler that opens the set to the homage to the bayou’s lowly crawfish, he serves up a deep-blue treat that’ll have you craving more.
Bobby Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, Deak Harp and Steve Bell share harmonica duties in the lineup, which also includes appearances from Watermelon Slim, Lightnin’ Malcolm, BMA winning keyboard player Eden Brent, vocals from John’s daughter Aliya and several other Delta treasures, too.
Don’t miss “John’s Blue Holler,” “Born in Mississippi,” “Down in the Bottom,” “Nothin’ but a Chicken Wing,” “A Better Day,” “When I Met the Blues,” “Let Me Be Your Electrician,” “Shame, Shame, Shame,” “Lay My Burdens Down,” “Ain’t Kickin’ Up No Dust” and “John’s Crawdad Song.”
Popa Chubby – I Love Freddie King
Gulf Coast Records
The hardest working bluesman on the circuit, guitarist Popa Chubby was sidelined for months while recovering from serious back surgery. But he returns to centerstage at his fiery best with this CD, reimagining tunes made famous by one of his biggest influences, Freddie King -- The Texas Cannonball, taking them to an entirely new level despite being covered by others for decades.
It’s a fiery project he’s that he’s thought about frequently for 30 years, and a litany of other top talents help him make the dream come true, including Joe Bonamassa, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Gales, Albert Castiglia and Arthur Nielson. along with Eliza Neals on vocals, too.
Choice cuts abound among “I’m Going Down,” “Love Her with a Feeling,” “Big Legged Woman,” “She’s a Burglar,” “Hideaway,” “The Stumble,” “San Ho Zay,” “Pack It Up,” “Heads Up” and “Same Old Blues.”
Tad Robinson – Soul in Blue
Delmark Records 887
Possessing one of the most golden and smoothest voices in blues, it’s been six long years since Tad Robinson released an album, the BMA-nominated Real Street. But the Indiana-based treasure returns in style with this silky gem, which should catapult him back into the heavens once again.
The Delmark All-Stars – Roosevelt Purifoy Jr., Mike Wheeler, Carlos Showers, Pooky Styx and Larry Williams – join forces with Tad’s core band – Paul Holdman (guitar), Kevin Anker (keys), David Murray (bass) and Brian Yarde (drums) – along with drop-ins from Dave Specter, Alex Shultz, Toni Leino and an international cast of talent too deep to include here.
Get your soul on with “Keep It in the Vault,” “Out of Sight,” “Somewhere There’s a Train,” “Last Heartbreak,” “Private Tonight,” “Keep Your Heart,” “Up in the Air,” “Forgive and Forget” and “This Time.”
Various Artists – Jus' Blues 25 Anniversary Legends Collection
Jus’ Blues Music Foundation
And while you’re at it, tune into this one. Based in Atlanta with a mission to safeguard blues history while honoring its creators and inspiring young artists, the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation has good reason to celebrate everyone on this sensational set, which is available as a digital download and includes four previously unreleased tunes, too.
The lineup’s as deep as can be: Diunna Greenleaf, Jimmy Burns, Benny Turner, Trudy Lynn, Zakiya Hooker along with dad John Lee, Bobby Rush, Theodis Ealey, Teeny Tucker, Latimore, Mr. Sipp and Lucky Peterson.
As blue as blue can get, you’ll enjoy “Sunny Day Friends,” “Stranded in Clarksdale,” “Who Sang It First,” “Turning the Same Ole Corners,” “Garbage Man,” “Blues Is Calling My Name,” “Ain’t That the Blues,” “Let’s Straighten It Out,” “Hold It in the Road” and “See My Way God.”
Cisco Herzhaft – Roots & B4
Self-produced CD
French Blues Hall of Famer Cisco Herzhaft may not be a familiar name to American audiences, but the 2012 IBC competitor is one of the most stylish fingerpickers and slide guitarists in the world. And he serves up a treat with this effort, seamlessly interspersing a few classic tunes with a heaping helping of contemporary numbers of his own.
Now in his late 70s, Cisco is a world treasure who casts a hypnotic spell. He’s aided by harp player Genevieve Darteville, whose fluid harp lines provide perfect accompaniment throughout, along with a revolving group of rhythm players and even a rapper, too.
Give a listen to “Just One More Day,” “Handworking Blues No. 2,” “A Good Imitation of the Blues,” “Freedom’s Child,” “Stranger,” “Rap the Boogie,” “All Your Love,” “The Last Quarter of My Life,” “Everybody’s Masked in Town” and “The Drifting Boogie.”
Carolyn Wonderland – Truth Is
Alligator Records 5026
Possessing a powerful voice and guitar skills to match, Austin-based Carolyn Wonderland strikes like lightning on her latest disc, delivering 10 originals and a pair of covers that are chockful of common sense and hope-instilling lyrics for folks living in a troubled, tormented world.
Produced by Dave Alvin (The Blasters), who co-wrote and plays on three tunes, Carolyn’s power trio – bassist Naj Conklin and drummer Giovanni “Nooch” Carnuccio – are augmented by superstar appearances from Ruthie Foster, Marcia Ball, Shelley King, Cindy Cashdollar and other talents.
Need an emotional boost? Give a listen to “Sooner or Later,” “I Ain’t Goin’ Back,” “Let’s Play a Game,” “It Should Take,” “Wishful Thinking,” “Orange Juice Blues,” “Tattoos as His Talisman,” “Deepest Ocean Blue” and “Blues for Gene.”
Ron Sowell – Dance Till the Music Stops
Self-produced CD
As the music director of the long-running radio show Mountain Stage, West Virginia-based guitarist/harp player Ron Sowell is constantly exposed to a wide variety of musical styles. And he ties them all together with a deeply azure thread here. It’s an impossible-to-define treat for blues lovers that incorporates a taste of hokum, jazz, R&B, samba, conjunto and more.
Sowell’s nine-piece backing unit features everything you’d expect and more – from six-string and keys to violin, accordion and horns. Country music great Kathy Mattea is just one of eight artists providing backing vocals, too.
Take a chance on “Everything That Goes Round Comes Round,” “It’s All Up to You,” “Dance Till the Music Stops,” “At Home in the World,” “Who But a Fool,” “In Search of Some Creole Soul,” “I Never Knew (Nunca Sabia)” and “Out There in the Hall/Old Songs.”
Brandon Santini – Which Way Do We Go?
MoMojo Records MMJ 378
Like Popa Chubby, seven time BMA-nominated harp player Brandon Santini was off the road for a while, recovering from back surgery, too. But he celebrates his return to center stage with this in-your-face serving of tunes that will have you thinking as well as rocking along to the heavy beat.
A North Carolina native now based in Illinois, Brandon reunites with longtime Beale Street playing partner/guitarist/producer Jeff Jensen, and he’s joined by Albert Castiglia’s bassist, Cliff Moore, and drummer Ron James. Another longtime friend, Timo Arthur, sits in on six-string, too.
Blues for the brain and more, you’ll dig “Which Way Do We Go?,” “The War Ain’t Over,” “Ain’t Turning Back,” “Do What Comes Naturally,” “Mile After Mile,” “Working on a Mystery,” “Trouble Stay Away,” “Blues So Bad” and “She Got the Way.”
Christopher Wyze & the Tellers - Live In Clarksdale
Big Radio Records BIGR 1002
A former journalist and ad man from Indiana, harp player/tunesmith Christopher Wyze penned eight tunes that charted last year on his debut CD, Stuck in the Mud. And he hits it out of the park again with this live set, which is accompanied by a full-concert DVD and ten-minute Delta travelog.
Captured at the Shack Up Inn’s Juke Joint Chapel in Clarksdale, Miss., Wyze’s well-worn voice powers his six-piece ensemble through a straight-ahead blues set that mixes clever originals and a few covers. It was produced Ralph Carter (Eddie Money/Franck Goldwasser), who co-wrote some of the cuts and sits in on percussion, too.
Delta blues with a contemporary feel, give a listen to “Three Hours from Memphis,” “Back to Clarksdale,” “Money Spent Blues,” “Hard Work Don’t Pay,” “Cotton Ain’t King,” “Looking for My Baby” and “Good Friend Gone.”
Dov Hammer – Exile: The Chicago Blues Sessions
Self-produced digital download
Chicago native Dov Hammer has been playing harp and delivering the best of Windy City blues to folks in Israel for decades. But he returned home for this rock-solid, old-school set, which was produced by Dave Specter and features an all-star cast of the top players in the city today.
Producing a sound that would have been welcome in any club in the ’60s, Dov’s joined by bassist Rodrigo Mantovani, keyboard players Johnny Iguana and Brother John Kattke and drummers Marty Binder and Joel Baer. Vocalist Deitra Farr and guitarist Guy King sit in, too.
Get down to “Genuine,” “Just Your Fool,” “I’m Your Man,” “Exile,” “Fair Weather Friends,” “Back to the Wall,” “Last Night,” “I’m Getting Tired,” “Take a Message” and “Keep on Searching.”
Jeffery Broussard & the Nighttime Syndicate – Bayou Midnight
Fairground Records
A fusion of Acadiana accordion with New Orleans brass band, Jeffery Broussard & the Nighttime Syndicate are a supercharged outfit that hit the sweet spot in all of the musical traditions the Gulf Coast holds dear. They’ll keep you up and on the dance floor with this silky smooth, funkified debut release.
Jeffrey burst onto the scene in the ’80s as frontman in Zydeco Force, one of the most important units in the nouveau zydeco movement. His new nine-piece ensemble includes three former members of the TBC Brass Band and other Big Easy stars in a set that puts an amazingly fresh spin on tunes from across the blues and roots tradition.
Don’t miss “Whatever,” “It’s Alright,” “Richest Man,” “Aww Baby,” “Oh Ye Yelle,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” “Madeline,” “Roaches,” “Hello Baby,” “Swing” and “Falling in Love with Jesus.”
Brody Buster – Redemption
Self-produced CD
Former child prodigy harp player/guitarist Brody Buster hasn’t been in a recording studio for the better part of a decade but returns in style and with plenty to say here as he honors his late brother and celebrates victory over overcoming drug addiction and other bad decisions. It’s an exuberant, powerful set of blues with a hard, but traditional edge.
After working for years as a one-man band, the Kansas City-based Brody’s in a full-band alignment here, anchored by keyboard player Jackie Myers, a rhythm section composed of bassist Terry Dry and drummer Ian Pond with Howard Mahan on second guitar with Danielle Nicole on backing vocals.
You can feel both joy and regret in each note of “Can You Hear Me,” “Born to Be Bad,” “Working for the Devil,” “Protection from Your Affection,” “Wish These Blues Would Stop,” “The Color Blue” and “This Time I Got the Blues.”
Seth Walker – Why the Worry
Royal Potato Family
Always an interesting guitarist/songwriter, North Carolina native Seth Walker has perfect timing, too. He was putting the finishing touches on this emotion-packed disc in Nashville when Hurricane Helene carved a wide path of destruction in the Tarheel State, making all of the songs about love and loss here even more poignant than they would have been on their own.
A full-band effort that draws you in with its intimate appeal, Seth’s joined by Rhees Williams on bass and keys, Jano Rix on percussion and keys, Matt Glassmeyer on sax and Mark Raudabaugh Jr. on drums with appearances from guitarist JP Ruggieri and bassists Steve Mackey and Brook Sutton.
Quiet but powerful, take a roller coaster ride with a listen to “The Same Love That Made Me Laugh,” “Why the Worry,” “Up on the Mountain,” “I’m Getting Ready,” “Supernatural Thing,” “Hey Baby,” “Somewhere Out There,” “Magnolia” and “I Must Be in a Good Place Now.”
Jumping Matt & His Combo – Forward
Self-released CD
Based out of Hungary, harp player Jumping Matt – aka Matyas Pribojszki – is a major star across Europe, literally jumping in the air to the swinging jump blues that he plays. With 16 albums to his credit and a career that’s included work with Bill Wyman & the Rhythm Kings, he’s currently cracking the American market. Take a listen to this set and you’ll agree he’ll do it in a big way.
Matt penned all of the material here, which contains touches of jazz and subjects ranging with the ups and downs he’s faced in recent years. He’s joined by keyboard player Viktor Hamvas, bassist Laszlo Csizmadia and drummer Daniel Molnar along with horns.
Give a listen and jump along, too, to “Forward,” “Name Reload,” “Jump, Jump, Jump,” “Can You Hear Me Mama?,” “Beyond The Golden Gate,” “Technological Breakdown,” “Come On Pretty Baby,” “Family Burden,” “Moonshine Mood” and “Poppy Seed Liquor.”
Bob Stroger & the Headcutters – Bob Is Back!
Delmark Records 892
He’s 94 years old, but Chicago Bob Stroger is having quite a year. Not only was he inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in May and won BMA bassist-of-the year honors 24 hours after the induction ceremony, he threw out the first pitch at a Cubs game, too. And he’s destined to hit a homerun with this disc.
It’s a stellar reunion and follow-up to his 2022 album, That’s My Name, his partnership with The Headcutters, the top traditional blues ensemble from Brazil. They’re anchored by Ben Levin on keys and Joe Marhofer on harp with BMA nominee Candice Ivory and Renee Gros on backing vocals.
You’ll adore “Look Over Yonder Wall,” “Champagne and Reefer,” “Jazz Man Blues,” “My First Love,” “Loan Me Train Fare,” “Thinking and Drinking,” “Bob Is Back in Town,” “Love You Baby,” “Gold Tailed Bird” and “Let the Good Times Roll.”
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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.
