The 2011 Blues Music Awards have been announced. The big winner was Buddy Guy, he took home “Album of the Year” and “Song of the Year” for Living Proof and also was named “Entertainer of the Year.” Derek Trucks did well himself. He won for “Instrumentalist-Guitar” while his band was named “Band of the Year.”     Acoustic Album of the Year Last Train to Bluesville The Nighthawks Acoustic Artist of the Year John Hammond Album of the Year Living Proof Buddy Guy B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Buddy Guy Band of the Year The Derek Trucks Band Best New Artist Debut On the Floor Matt Hill Contemporary Blues Album of the Year Living Proof Buddy Guy Contemporary...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#318 in the Series) is B.B. King, Live in  Cook Country Jail. B.B. King, Live in Cool County Jail was most likely my introduction to the blues. It was a long time ago. I don’t remember any other blues albums that I had before this one.  I don’t think I had it the year it was released, 1971, but it wasn’t long after that. This isn’t a long album. It clocks in just over 38 minutes. It does however; contain many of the B. B. King songs that you’d want.  I’ve seen him in concert a few times. I can tell you that his shows were never all that long either.  I never...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#258 in the Series) is Gregg Allman, Low Country Blues. This album is being released in just a few hours. I wanted to make sure everyone knew about it.  It’s the solo album many have been waiting for. A good old fashioned blues album. Gregg covers the likes of Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, B.B. King, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters and Junior Wells.  There is also one original song written by Warren Haynes. Low Country Blues was produced by the ‘red hot’ T-Bone Burnett. Has he ever been on a role for a few years now. If your headed out to purchase this album today, please don’t forget your ‘Ma + Pa’ record stores!! I...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#255 in the Series, and #15 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is David Bromberg, How Late’ll Ya Play ‘Til? It’s about time we got some good ol’ blues on here!  There is a few different versions of this album. This is, of course, the ‘live’ version. David Bromberg is a multi-instrumentalist.  Not just playing, but creating instruments as well.  He’s proficient as a fiddler, acoustic, steel, electric guitar and also dobro. He’s only released a handful of albums since 1980 as he’s concentrated more on his violin workshops. His first was in the Chicago area and has since moved it to Wilmington, Delaware. David has completed tracks with the following guest artists...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day is Tom Waits, “Blue Valentine.” What a piece of music this one is.  I just love Tom Waits.  This is yet another example of the album I love is the tour I saw. I can’t remember the name of the place. But there was a little roadhouse between Merrillville + Valparaiso, Indiana where I saw this tour.  It had to be in 1978 or ‘79.  The opening act was Leon Redbone who had laryngitis that night and did everything instrumental.  He then held up a ‘thank you’ sign after every song. TW does an amazing version of ‘Somewhere” from West Side Story as an opening number on this album. It’s truly a remarkable...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#90 in the Series) Is Roy Buchanan’s self titled debut, Roy Buchanan. Have you heard this guy play guitar? I can never say who’s the best guitar player to walk the planet. But I can tell you who I think would be in the team picture. Roy Buchanan would be in the team picture! Roy Buchanan was released in August of 1972. It’s a great blues album. It features what I think was Roy’s best song, ‘The Messiah Will Come Again.” It’s hard to believe that it’s been 22 years since Roy left us. Personnel Roy Buchanan   Guitar, Vocals Ned Davis            Drums Dick Heintze       Organ, Piano Teddy Irwin        Guitar (Rhythm) Chuck Tilley        Vocals...