Howlin' Mercy
Artist: John Campbell

Slide guitarist and songwriter John Campbell was a man driven. Before his untimely death, he had pulled out all the stops to play a music that was full of mystery, pathos, dark energy, and plenty of rock & roll strut 'n' growl; it could be frightening in its intensity. Howlin' Mercy was the last of two recordings for Elektra, and is by far the... Read More

It's Chubby Time
Artist: Popa Chubby
Community Score: 6.00
I'm a Gambler
Artist: Little Milton

Malaco releases usually mix straight blues with a slicker variety of R&B aimed at "urban contemporary" radio airplay, but I'm a Gambler has a very high blues content. Milton sings with vigor, like he was feeling at the top of his game when he recorded this CD -- and no wonder, since the material is quite strong. Highlights include the humorous... Read More

Texas Sugar/Strat Magik
Artist: Chris Duarte
Community Score: 5.00

Guitarist Chris Duarte's Texas Sugar Strat Magik is an impressive debut album, showcasing his fiery, Stevie Ray Vaughan-derived blues-rock. As a songwriter, Duarte is still developing -- he fails to come up with any memorable songs, although he does contribute several competent, unexceptional genre pieces -- but as an instrumentalist, he's... Read More

Yamanashi Blues
Artist: California Guitar Trio

For lovers of superb instrumental music, the debut by the California Guitar Trio, Yamanashi Blues, is one of the best of the '90s. Recorded strictly on amplified acoustic guitars (supplied by Bert Lams, Hideyo Moriya, and Paul Richards), the band touches upon a wide variety of musical genres, as they cover easily identifiable classical, surf,... Read More

Nothing But the Truth
Artist: Son Seals

The grotesque cover illustration is an abomination, but the contents are right in the growling grizzly bear style that we've come to expect. Only four Seals-penned originals, but the R&B-laced "Life Is Hard" and "I'm Gonna Take It All Back" are quality efforts. So is his heartfelt tribute to Hound Dog Taylor, "Sadie." ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Read More

Blonde and Blue
Artist: Angela Strehli

The danger for modern blues performers is turning into a parody of what you're allegedly celebrating or honoring. Vocalist Angela Strehli avoids that trap by simply being herself; her honesty and individuality makes her cover of Major Lance's "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um" a legitimate treatment. Strehli's tough-talking personna was tailor-made for such... Read More

The Ultimate Collection
Artist: Albert King
Community Score: 10.00

Rhino's 1993 double-disc set The Ultimate Collection remains the greatest-of-all Albert King collection, gathering the best of his recordings. True, the collection is tilted toward his Stax recordings, somewhat shortchanging his '50s and early-'60s recordings, but it is also true that the late-'60s/early-'70s recordings are the cornerstone of... Read More

Stuff You Got to Watch
Artist: John Primer

Chicago guitarist Primer's domestic debut album was doubtless an eye-opener for anyone not familiar with his searing slide work and sturdy vocal abilities. Apart from a very ill-advised cover of Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy" (yuck!), the album resonates with mean, lowdown guitar work and fine ensemble backing. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Read More