Title: Prodigal Son Artist: Reverend Robert Wilkins Label: Bear Family Records Formats: CD, MP3 Release date: March 23, 2014 The prodigal son left home by himself… An unseen light source illuminates the yellowing walls and rusting porcelain. A … Continue reading
Following are additional albums released during June 2014—some will be reviewed in future issues of Black Grooves. Blues Andy T – Nick Nixon Band: Livin’ It Up (Delta Grooves) Joe Louis Walker: The Best of the Stony Plain Years (Stony … Continue reading
Title: Plug It In! Turn It Up! Electric Blues, 1939-2005: The Definitive Collection Artists: Various Label: Bear Family Format: CD box set (4 volumes, issued separately) Release date: 2011 (2012 U.S.) There are many, many blues compilations, but what … Continue reading
Welcome to the September 2012 issue of Black Grooves, sponsored by the Archives of African American Music and Culture (follow the AAAMC on Facebook for up-to-date information on new releases and give-away contests). This month we’re continuing our “Women of … Continue reading
Title: Miracles & Demons Artist: Eddie Turner Label: NorthernBlues Music Catalog No.: NBM0057 Formats: CD, MP3 Release Date: July 13, 2010 – If Jimi Hendrix were alive today, what sort of music would he be making? While it’s a stretch … Continue reading
This month we’re cleaning house and taking a look at some worthy albums from 2009 that we didn’t have a chance to feature in earlier issues. In addition to three full length reviews—Rev. Timothy Wright’s The Godfather of Gospel, Wu-Tang … Continue reading
Title: Complete Chess Masters (1950-1957) Artist: Little Walter Label: Hip-O Select Format: CD Box Set Release date: March 10, 2009 – The king of Chicago blues harpists is celebrated in this five CD box set, featuring all of Little Walter’s … Continue reading
Title: Brand New Blues Artist: Cyril Neville Label: M.C. Records Format: CD, MP3 Release date: April 2009 – – Chicago is not the only home to funkified, soulful blues, as is proven by New Orleans native Cyril Neville. The youngest … Continue reading
Title: Take Me to the River: A Southern Soul Story, 1961-1977 Artists: Various Label: Ace/Kent Catalog No.: Kentbox 10 Date: 2008 Take Me to the River is the best soul music box set of 2008, with a selection of 75 … Continue reading
Title: Great Debaters: Music From & Recorded for the Motion Picture Artists: Various Label: Atlantic Records Catalog No.: 396860 Date: 2007 Alvin Youngblood Hart, one of the key players on Otis Taylor’s recently released CD Recapturing the Banjo (reviewed in … Continue reading
Title: Recapturing the Banjo Artist: Otis Taylor Label: Telarc Catalog No.: 83667 Date: 2008 Colorado isn’t the first state you probably think of as a center for the blues. Perhaps that outsider status is what allows Otis Taylor to construct … Continue reading
Title: Black Banjo Songsters of North Carolina and Virginia Artists: Various Label: Smithsonian Folkways Catalog No.: 40079 Date: 1998 Editor’s note: Smithsonian Folkways has received many requests from radio stations for re-servicing Black Banjo Songsters so they can pair it … Continue reading
Title: Honeydripper (feature film) Writer, Director: John Sayles Producer: Maggie Renzi December traditionally brings a wave of new releases at the box office, and this year is no exception. One that I am particularly anxious to see is Honeydripper, a … Continue reading