All in all, ‘Sometimes the Blues Got Me’ is a substantial album. No one can ever say Bob Koester doesn’t know his stuff when it comes to blues and jazz. Picking Breezy Rodio for the Delmark label was another genius move.

“Music-wise, I guess more of the influence came from my dad. He didn’t want me not to be a musician, but he definitely wanted me to stay in school.”

‘The Big Bad Blues’ is a mix of Gibbons’ original tunes along with covers of classics. It will hit the street on September 21st on Concord Records.

Andersen notes that for artists who don’t get a lot of radio play, “live music is vital.” More than that, he says, “I think it’s a basic connection, to be part of that energy going on. I just wish everyone could come to a live show. It’s the best way to hear music for sure.”

Boz Scaggs conjures up drama when he sings and his delivery begs us to join him on his journey. And let us not forget that he can play intensely emotive and nimble guitar lines seemingly effortlessly.

Originally bonding over a love for blues music, Greta Van Fleet has a sound that uncannily conjures Led Zeppelin. That’s by accident in some ways, and in some ways not.

Buddy has dedicated his recent years to giving back to the blues and keeping the genre alive, something he promised the late Muddy Waters he would do.

“We named it after the Rory Gallagher song, which I also cover on the album,” Sky says. “Rory is one of my favorite players. He has a special place in my heart.”

“I was inspired by the challenge to take Rolling Stones songs and turn them into Chicago blues grooves, while at the same time maintaining both the Chicago blues tradition and sound and doing the same for the Rolling Stones songs…”

For those like us who love original, intense, unvarnished blues, Little Freddie King’s ‘Fried Rice & Chicken’ should be on your shelf. Better yet, in your player.