Aiming for Higher Ground

A stirring new live album from young blues sensation CHRISTONE 'KINGFISH' INGRAM and a fine new solo outing from his producer, TOM HAMBRIDGE.
by David McGee
 

 
 

In Heavy Rotation: Blues & Soul From Near and Far

The latest soul from DAVE PORTER's vault; blues from CRYSTAL SHAWANDA and TERESA JAMES (via the BEATLES), and blistering blues-rock from STEVE HILL.
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘It’s Time to Shine’: An Interview With Ivy Ford

IVY FORD, riding a wave of acclaim for her 2020 album Club 27 (a Deep Roots Album of the Year), sits down for an interview conducted by LINDA CAIN, founder/managing editor of the essential CHICAGO BLUES GUIDE.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Dark Saint Rises

A genuine Statement record, IVY FORD's CLUB 27 finds the gifted Chicago-based blues artist-singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist--coming into her own in a powerful way. One of the year's best here.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Elite Half Hundred of 2015, Part 1

TONY BENNETT & BILL CHARLAP lead this year's Deep Roots Elite Half Hundred selections of 2015's top albums (excluding our Album of the Year selections). Part 1 covers the Top 25.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Master In His Element, On Key, On Time & Wed To the Truth

Buddy Guy has been playing hot guitar for decades now, but the irony of his BORN TO PLAY GUITAR album is that it may well be his finest-ever set of end-to-end vocal performances.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Stop at Theresa’s

It was Junior Wells’s return to the Delmark fold; it was the titan Otis Spann’s last recording session. Buddy Guy was on guitar, Fred Below on drums. The spirit was that of Theresa's Lounge. Stop by.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Ain’t That Good News? Man, Ain’t That News!?

Fresh off being named Best Guitarist at the 35th annual Blues Music Awards in Memphis in early May, Ronnie Earl delivers a most personal and moving album in Good News,
by David McGee
 

 

 

Do You Believe in Magic?

A recently unveiled 45-year-old tape recorded in a tiny Milwaukee club in 1968 gives us a powerhouse live performance by MAGIC SAM in prime-time mode, both in voice and with his guitar, on LIVE AT THE AVANT GARDE.
by David McGee