Live Review: Tedeschi Trucks Band with Buddy Guy - Beacon Theater NYC 5/22/25

Tedeschi Trucks Band with Buddy Guy

Beacon Theater NYC 5/22/25

On an unseasonably cool and rainy May evening, Tedsechi Trucks Band continued their six-night residency at the Beacon Theater on the upper west side of Manhattan. Making this fourth night of the run extra special was that it was the last to have the legendary Buddy Guy and his band opening the show.  

Full Show Friday: Mia Borders - Live at the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival 2022

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Mia Borders!

Every April (and first week in May) we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on Mia Borders who will be playing the Festival on Saturday May 3rd. 

Check out Mia Borders set from Live at the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival 2022. Pro shot, pro sound, enjoy!

New Single from Carolyn Wonderland "Sooner or Later"

The Houston, Texas based bluesy guitar playing, soul singing, Carolyn Wonderland has a new single out, "Sooner or Later" via Alligator Records.

Check out the steamin' track below:

 

Album Review: The Robert Cray Band - You Know I Feel Alright (Live in Chicago 1985)

The Robert Cray Band

You Know I Feel Alright (Live in Chicago 1985)

** out of *****

Robert Cray's was one of the best bluesmen to come of age in the 1980's and You Know I Feel Alright (Live in Chicago 1985) captures the artist during a very exciting period, just before his huge breakthrough album, Strong Persuader, which arrived the following year and brought Cray to legendary heights.  

Album Review: ZZ Ward - Liberation

Hey all, got a review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here:

It is of ZZ Ward's newest release, Liberation.

Support the artist, buy the album, read the review and peep some video below:

 

Album Review: JD Simo & Luther Dickinson - Do The Rump!

JD Simo & Luther Dickinson

Do The Rump!

***and1/2 out of *****

Two guitar maestros got together to deliver an homage to the blues as JD Simo & Luther Dickinson join forces for the first time on Do The Rump! While the title and packaging may suggest a 50's sock-hop soundtrack with gimmicky dance steps, the debut album from this duo is nothing but deep hill country blues. 

Dylan Cover #647 Big Al and the Brothers of the Blues "Million Miles" Live

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by Big Al and the Brothers of the Blues playing "Million Miles"

Thoughts on Original:

From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:

From the barren blues of Time Out Of Mind comes "Million Miles". While not a standout on that album, the song was prophetic, hinting at the fantastic twelve bar blues variations that would dominate Dylan's next two releases. When first heard though it doesn't jump out, just feels like yet ANOTHER solid track from the bard and is ripe for covering. 

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is the first time we are checking out Big Al and the Brothers of the Blues who are a Michigan based blues trio.

Thoughts on Cover:

Yet another reason why we continue this series, this cover kicks ass! The trio strip "Million Miles" down to raw blues essence. Singing with gorgeous passion, playing mean guitar, and keeping a engaged low end; this is a dynamite live version all around. 

Album Review: Little Feat - Sam's Place

Little Feat

Sam's Place

***and1/2 out of *****

The first studio album in over twelve years from the current incarnation of Little Feat is a bit of a shift for the band. The group has always crisscrossed the American musical landscape playing everything from rock, funk, folk, jazz, country and New Orleans swamp boogie, back to back with ease. Now they focus on one genre throughout a full record, the blues, as Sam's Place features Sam Clayton on lead vocals as the group tackles a bunch of tunes made famous by Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters.  

Album Review: Cedric Burnside - Hill Country Love

Cedric Burnside

Hill Country Love

***and1/2 out of *****

Cedric Burnside was born into the blues. The grandson of hill country blues legend RL Burnside, Cedric has been playing the family music his whole life. His previous album, I Be Trying felt like a professional breakthrough as his voice and guitar work took center stage while the blues flowed out naturally. It won Burnside a GRAMMY (along with being one of RtBE's favorite albums of 2021) and the follow up, Hill Country Love, is more of the same down-home goodness.    

Full Show Friday: Sonny Landreth - Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival (2019)

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Sonny Landreth!

Every April (and first week in May) we have a special showcase for bands who are playing this years Jazzfest in NOLA. Today we will focus on Sonny Landreth who will be playing tomorrow Saturday May 4th. 

Some killer slide guitar today as we focus on the great Sonny Landreth and some rockin' blues. Live, full set from the 2019 Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival.

Pro shot, Pro Sound, Enjoy!

Album Review: Checkerboard Lounge - Roller Coaster

Checkerboard Lounge

Roller Coaster

**and1/2 out of *****

The newest release from the Melbourne, Australia based blues/jazz/rock outfit Checkerboard Lounge is a strong showcase of this talented group of players. Roller Coaster is a brisk display of retro rocking, soulful tunes, and jazz leanings that delivers the goods. 

2024 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Artists Announced

We already knew The Rolling Stones were going to be there, now we know the rest of the lineup for the best festival in the country, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. 

RtBE predicted who would be playing yesterday, and we got a few right. Check out this great video to get you pumped:

Some highlights for RtBE:

Album Review: Clifton Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band - Live at Tipitina's

Clifton Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band

Live at Tipitina's

**** out of *****

The most recent release from the fantastic Tipitina's Record Club is this unique capturing of the legendary Clifton Chenier who played zydeco, R&B, and Cajun music in a distinct fashion; keeping dance floors throughout the south good and sweaty. This vinyl release is from a warm night in 1980 as his Red Hot Louisiana Band display their dynamic range. 

One of the interesting things about this capturing is the band Chenier plays with. His core partners of his son CJ on alto sax and Cleveland his older brother on Frottoir, had been playing with Clifton for years. They are here with longtime collaborators Robert St Julien on drums and Jumpin' Joe Morris on bass but this show also has featured the killer Sonny Landreth on guitar along with Jerry Conrad on B3.  

This impressive collection of musicians dive right in with the upbeat Cajun blues of the strolling "Calinda". Clifton sings in French as he commands the stage, vamping and moving with ease while the sax work and organ pair beautifully; a reoccurring theme throughout this show. The accordion great gets his full on zydeco pumping for  "Louisiana Two Step" before the blues pour out on the cooking "Everybody Calls Me Crazy" which finds emotive singing from Clifton. 

The bands first true cover pops up next with their take on Ray Charles' classic "What I'd Say" and they do not disappoint. The revved up take uses energetic singing, a smoking tempo, and hip shaking goodness all around as the full band hit their stride. 

Side two starts with Clifton's take on the Coasters "I'm A Hog For You Baby" as the Cajun blues gets some zydeco touches before "Party Down (At The Blue Angel Club)" once again goes full bore with zydeco letting Clifton, CJ, and Cleveland dominate the stage. While Landreth had impressive moments, he steals the spotlight on the hardcore "Three O'Clock Blues" as his lead slide runs and dynamite guitar playing shines bright, while Conrad's B3 work is also majestic. 

The album wraps up with Clifton's version of "Feelin' Happy" which pays tribute lyrically to Blind Lemon Jefferson and Big Joe Turner, pulling the blues into the swamps as the group gets down in 50's R&B style to close the night.  

Almost as impressive as the music is the detailed linear notes from Todd Mouton, author of the book Way Down in Louisiana: Clifton Chenier, Cajun, Zydeco, And Swamp Pop Music. The notes give historic context to the performance, as well as dive into this musical world with vigor. 

Another excellent release from Tipitina's Record Club, Clifton Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band's Live at Tipitina's is recommended to those who are longtime fans of the artist and those who are brand new to his zydeco sounds as well. 

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Join the record club and peep some video below from "Louisiana Two Step" live from 1982:

2024 New Orleans Jazzfest Artist Predictions

The lineup for the 2024 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...

Album Review: Mississippi Fred McDowell - Jesus On The Mainline

Mississippi Fred McDowell

Jesus On The Mainline

***and1/2 out of *****

A collection of two shows from the last year of Mississippi Fred McDowell's life prove that the artist was still on top of his game, even as cancer was going to claim his life in the following year. Jesus On The Mainline showcases two 1971 concerts: April 14th, 1971 in Tacoma, Washington, and November 5th, 1971 at the Gaslight In New York, the final show he would ever play. 

Presented in chronological order, McDowell mentions early on during the Tacoma concert that "he doesn't play no rock and roll", he plays "special songs and the blues". The bottle neck slide on his electric guitar rings out slow and true on the opening "Letter From Hot Springs" as McDowell is vocally in fine form. The gospel of the title track moves like a slow freight train as does the slow and hypnotic "Mercy" which sounds like it was written on and about trains as the tune chugs along. 

The hill country blues slide out with ease with the warbling solos and chugging rhythms of the classic "Shake 'Em On Down" and a tune McDowell doesn't seem fond of anymore "You Got To Move". The Tacoma show (and this release as a whole) reaches it's heights in the middle of the set as a run of the twangy and upbeat take on "Good Mornin' Little Schoolgirl" is played with energy before McDowell delivers one of his special songs on "When The Saints Go Marching In", a tune he clearly loves. 

Things stay strong with the confident guitar work and pleading vocals of "Louise" which morphs effortlessly into the revving and relaxing tempos shifts of "Baby Please Don't Go". These four tunes in a row showcase the fluidity, grace and strength that McDowell displays through the blues and his 'special songs'. 

Things move into the slower relaxed blues to end the Tacoma set with the drawn out "Levee Camp Blues" and a solid closer of "Get Right Church" as the show ends on a bright note. For the second show, November 5th, 1971 at the Gaslight In New York, things are different, starting with the sound quality. While Tacoma was bright and sounds professionally recorded, the Gaslight light show is on par with an audience bootleg, sound wise. 

While it is nice to have as a historic document of his last show, the sound makes it hard to truly dig into, especially following the great show presented before it. The tape hiss and sonic distance will be a hinderance, but McDowell's playing has not fallen off much at all. The slow stomping of "Oh That's Alright" slowly stomps out and strums for an extended work out of the down home blues, while "Lord I Wonder What I Have Done Wrong" shows McDowell's passionate gospel influenced vocals over his blues playing.  

The NYC village crowd supports the legend with cheers and clapping rhythm as he wraps up his set with the strong "Fred McDowell's Blues" and "Bye Bye Little Girl" which ease out and come alive with the soul of hill country blues as McDowell moans and yearns with decades of hardship in his voice. 

A solid combo of a top notch live show paired with a nice historical document, the two parts of  Jesus On The Mainline capture McDowell towards the end of his life in fine form.    

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Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:

Year In Review 2023 - Favorite Albums of 2023

Here are our all of our favorite albums of 2023. This is the year end review, all in one place.

Below are our picks for RtBE's favorite albums of the year. It starts with our honorable mentions then moves into our top ten albums of the year. There is a short blurb about the album and a song from it, click on the title to read our full review of the selected records. The focus here is on full albums, not singles, but long playing releases you can slap on and listen to all the way through.

We worked with the Glide Staff on their list as well, so there may be a few overlaps if you read that already. 

We also took some time to discuss our favorite album artwork, our favorite archive/live album releases and favorite live shows from the year if you are interested.   

Thanks for reading. Until next year....

Year In Review 2023 - Favorite Albums Part 3 (Top 5)

Another year is finishing up and @RockBodElec wouldn't be a proper music site if we didn't end the year with a "Best Of" list, so RtBE presents 2023's Favorite Albums Part 3: Top Five.

In the instance that RtBE has reviewed the album, either on this site or elsewhere, we will link to that review and just give a quick summation; click on the name/title and you can read our full opinion. RtBE worked with the Glide Team to give input on their Top 20 so you can expect some overlap if you already have seen that list.

Again the focus here is on full albums, not singles, but long playing releases you can slap on and listen all the way through. We know these are a dying breed, but it still is the way we consume music, no shuffle, Spotify, or singles for us.

The number ten just works for this, so here is the second part of our top ten, numbers five through one. You can see the back end of our top ten and the honorable mentions albums that just missed our top ten as well. 

Like all of our lists or 'best of', these are meant to start conversations, not end them...

Year In Review 2023 - Favorite Live Shows

The live show is a slippery thing. There are lots of variables at play, most having little to do with the performance itself. Does the venue have enough bathrooms? Is it going to rain? What day of the week is it on? Did I have a shitty day at work before hand? Did tickets cost waaay too much? All of this can alter one's opinion of a live show before the band even tunes up and with reason. However, when the stars align, there is no place RtBE would rather be than in the moment of magic occurring spontaneously from the stage.

Live Music Has No Equal!

Taken By The Fantastic Megan Donohue

While obviously we can't see every show that is out there, we try to get out often to catch live music. Sure there are a few left in the calendar year, but for now, here is a listing of the best concerts we were fortunate enough to have caught in 2023.

There are links to show reviews in the titles, also because who doesn't love arbitrary rankings, one show at the bottom took the top prize as RtBE's 2023 Favorite Live Show. 

Year In Review 2023 - Favorite Archival Releases

Each year the music industry dips into the past to deliver box sets, live albums, re-masters and outtake collections to sell to the music loving masses (present company included). This look back will round up some of RtBE's favorite archival releases from the past year. 

Usually these releases can fall into the money grab category, not really adding much outside of revenue for the label and (hopefully) the artist. Every now and then though some spectacular collections are unearthed and are worth any price. 

RtBE includes live albums in this category, since they were recorded in the recent or distant past and thus fall into archival release status. 

With the increase in vinyl, and enhanced Record Store Days to help smaller sellers, there are more and more archival releases each year. RtBE are sure to miss a lot of them, but the quality and abundance is exciting. Post your favorites, or any we may have missed, in the comments. 

These were our favorite archival releases of 2023, click the link in the title for full length reviews. 

Album Review: Christone "Kingfish" Ingram - Live In London

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram

Live In London

***and1/2 out of *****

RtBE had the privilege of recently catching Christone "Kingfish" Ingram and his band live, but if you live somewhere he is not playing, you should instantly purchase Live In London.  Even for someone who has seen him recently, this capturing of a live show at The Garage in London is a staggering reminder of this artists talent, as Kingfish deploys all of the skills that make him one of the most exciting young bluesmen in the business.

The live album kicks off in killer fashion with the clean electric blues in a Robert Cray influenced style as Ingram's understated singing and mind blowing playing starts the show via "She Calls Me Kingfish". "Fresh Out" let's Kingfish's touring band get in on the act as Paul Rogers plays bass, Chris Black is on drums, and DeShawn Alexander plays keys, and it is the keyboard break on this tune that is the star, along with Kingfish's fierce guitar work. 

An early album highlight is "Empty Promises" which sports a massive solo from Ingram to start and never looks back; a dynamite showcase of his talents. When the instrumental workout "Mississippi Night" rolls around things are going on fifty plus minutes and the one clear detriment starts to show up, there is just too much presented on the album. Live in London is a long running double album that loads up on songs when perhaps more editing would have been prudent.    

Less songs presented would put a better focus on his talents, yet it is hard to argue when the solo acoustic duo of "Been Here Before" and "Something In The Dirt" arrive and add a new dimension to the blues man's style. However, songs like "You're Already Gone" and "Listen" don't add a ton to the album. It is also odd that "Not Gonna Lie" gets faded out as the band seems to still be jamming, if that was the case, why include it at all? 

Outside of song selection or length, it is hard to argue with much else from Live in London. "Rock and Roll" uses a clean piano intro and soft singing to build to a mega solo, and "Outside Of This Town" has an "Higher Ground" influenced bass and drum foundation to extendedly jam off of. Two mega tunes later on the album are "Midnight Heat" which is loaded with heavy funk and a healthy dose of the blues while set closer "662" boogie-woogies with abandon, injecting some '50's rock and roll swagger into the bands performance, wrapping up a huge live album on a high note.      

Overall, Live In London shows off all of the aspects of what makes Christone "Kingfish" Ingram such a blues must see live. While a more streamlined, single live album would pack a more effective punch, the sheer talent of Kingfish shines through elevating this slightly overloaded live album. 

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Support the artist, but buy the album, and peep some video below: