If you’re someone who enjoys really good blues harmonica in the tradition of Little Walter, Andrew Alli is your guy. A relative newcomer from Richmond, Virginia, when Alli blows the harp he can capture the blues vibe of the Mississippi Delta, Memphis, Chicago and points in between. In his early thirties, Alli is part of […]
“Frenchie” Sciou on Billy Gibbon’s Guitar and Becoming a US Citizen
Kevin “Frenchie” Sciou of Frenchie’s Blues Destroyers talks about touring in a Toyota Yaris and shares a favorite Seasick Steve quote.
Frenchie’s Blues Destroyers – a Twangville Premiere
Don’t let the name deceive you: Frenchie’s Blues Destroyers are more than a blues band. Sure, Kevin “Frenchie” Sciou is well-studied in the genre and can unleash a heavy – and heavenly – blues riff with his guitar. That being said, Praise, the sophomore release from the duo of Frenchie and drummer Brother Pete Coatney, […]
Pi Jacobs – Two Truths And A Lie
“Divorce…whiskey…legal problems…cheaters…lies. I’m a pro at what not to do.” Whatever story comes next, it’s going to be a good one. That line comes from Broken Cup, the opening cut on Pi Jacobs’ latest release, and what comes next is indeed good. Two Truths And A Lie is collage of stories about female characters that […]
Sonny Landreth – Blacktop Run
Louisiana slide guitarist Sonny Landreth is a great musician who doesn’t get nearly enough attention. Blacktop Run is a great addition to Landreth’s prolific output. Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, Landreth got his first gig in the 1970s as a sideman to zydeco king Clifton Chenier. It was that job that prepared him for a lifetime […]
Marcus King – El Dorado
If you have ever listened to The Marcus King Band, you know that the group’s namesake has some serious Electric Blues chops on the guitar. He also exhibited solid vocal skills and songwriting on the band’s recent release “Carolina Confessions”. However, his power as a vocalist has never been put on display as it is […]
G. Love on Fresh Guitar Strings and Tending His Garden
G. Love talks about rehearsing in a 200 year old garden shed and finding the balance between business and music.
Bill’s Belated Blues-Based Best of 2019
Well, it’s that time of the year again, and after awakening from my yearly food coma, I realized I hadn’t compiled my annual inexpert list of favorite blues-based albums. Well, here we go: Jimmy “Duck” Holmes – Cyprus Grove. A collection of earthy originals and covers from the last of a breed of Mississippi Delta […]
Remembering Sleepy LaBeef
One of my fondest musical memories was the time that Sleepy LaBeef got under-aged me and my younger brother into a club to see his show. I had been recently introduced to Sleepy’s music by a cousin, who himself was introduced to Sleepy’s music by music historian Peter Guralnick. I thought it would be fun […]
Jimmy “Duck” Holmes – Cypress Grove
Jimmy “Duck” Holmes’ Cypress Grove is a great album that I almost missed. I may have been slow to check this release out, but I’m happy I finally got to it. It encompasses everything the blues is supposed to be. The son of sharecroppers and the owner of a juke joint himself (you can see […]