Joe Bonamassa releases 'Time Clocks' from new album prior to May 2023 UK tour

March 27, 2023 by David Vousden in Blues, DVD / Blu-ray, News, Tour Dates, Video

No artist has done more to popularise blues rock in the last twenty years than Joe Bonamassa. The singer, songwriter and guitarist has a string of chart-topping albums to his name and multiple Grammy award nominations. His latest release, ‘Tales Of Time’, is set to drop on April 14th via J&R Adventures. This epic live show, recorded at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, will be available on CD/DVD, CD/BR, vinyl, and digital formats. As a taster, check out the video for ‘Time Clocks’, which, although rooted in the blues, has more than a hint of Pink Floyd in its construction. Joe will visit the UK in May for a run of shows as part of a European tour.

Canada House brings the very best Canadian music to UK Americana Music Week 2023

January 10, 2023 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Festivals, News, Roots, singer-songwriter, Blues, Folk

Canada’s official Music Export platform, ‘Canada House’, returns to the UK for two days of music by 12 carefully curated Canadian artists at the UK Americana Music Week 2023, 23-26th January, in London. CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association) in partnership with Music PEI will be putting down roots at Moth Club in Hackney on the 24/25th of January to showcase the very best in Canadian music. The impressive list of artists includes Tara McLean, William Prince, Andrew Waite and Julian Taylor, to name but four. More about the UK Americana Music Week 2023 and the Canadian contingent follows:

The RGM Inbox - April 2022

April 15, 2022 by David Vousden in Alt-Country, Americana, Blues, Soul, Jazz

Welcome to the latest edition of the RGM Inbox for another of our occasional dives into the darkest reaches of the office laptop. There’s gold in them, there files. From a legendary band with millions of road miles in the rearview, and many more to come, to a jazz/blues guitarist with four decades of playing under his belt via a pair of acts rejuvenated by circumstances beyond their control. So please join us as we delve into jazz/blues and Americana.

The RGM Inbox: January 2022 Part 2 (Singer-Songwriter Edition)

January 26, 2022 by David Vousden in singer-songwriter, Blues, Alternative Rock, New Single, News, Video, Tour Dates

Welcome back to RGM and our occasional feature where we highlight new music from the RGM Inbox. This time around we’ll focus on the art of the singer-songwriter via four artists with albums set for release in the near future that are well worth noting in your record buying diary. So please join us as we feature Summit Of The Big Low, Gareth Dunlop, Jack Broadbent and Coyle Girelli.

Free Downloadable Blues and Roots music samplers from CRS

January 06, 2022 by David Vousden in Americana, Blues, Roots

When it comes to the promotion of Americana, Blues and Roots music artists in Europe few can hold a candle to Continental Record Services in the Netherlands. They’ve had a banner year in 2021 and we’re pleased to be able to share the links to two free downloadable samplers featuring the very best in Blues and Roots music. Artists include Dean Owens, Martha Fields, Anna Elizabeth Laube, Big Daddy Wilson, Starlite Campbell Band, Robert Jon and The Wreck, Jim Keller and many more.

Keb' Mo' announces new album 'Good To Be' for January 21st 2022 via Rounder Records

October 14, 2021 by David Vousden in Americana, Blues, Country, New Single, singer-songwriter, Soul

Guaranteed to brighten your day is ‘Good Strong Woman’ from Keb’ Mo’. The single featuring Darius Rucker is from his upcoming album ‘Good To Be’ and is one of three tracks from the album co-produced by Vince Gill. The album was written between Nashville and Compton merging country, blues, soul and geographical influences. Other guests on the album include Old Crow Medicine Show and Kristin Chenoweth. The video for ‘Good Strong Woman’ was released today (October 14th) and it’s full of positivity and good vibes. More about Keb’ Mo’ and the upcoming album follows:

The Vinyl Inbox

March 30, 2021 by David Vousden in Vinyl, AOR, Classic Rock, Melodic Rock, Prog, Americana, Blues, Pop

With the resurgence in vinyl sales in recent years, the humble record is back and seemingly here to stay. With this in mind, RGM takes a look at some recent and upcoming releases for those who love the sound or possibly just need the images to be bigger as we’re getting older and a CD sized booklet presents a problem. Please read on for releases by Downes Braide Association, Ali Maas & Micky Moody and League Of Lights.

The RGM Inbox August 2020

August 03, 2020 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Blues, Folk, Funk

The Red Guitar Music inbox feature returns after a brief hiatus with more excellent and varied sounds. In this edition, we’ve music from both sides of the Atlantic. Ace singer/guitarist JD Simo has a new album in the can while another RGM regular Ferris & Sylvester returns with a new EP ready to go and touring plans for 2021. The newcomers this time out are Dan Friese, a singer/songwriter from the USA, and from nearer home (Brighton to be exact) Melanie Howard aka Such Small Hands with an album of melancholy dark pop a decade in the making.

The powerful new single by Shannon LaBrie 'Firewalker'

May 01, 2020 by David Vousden in Americana, Blues, Country, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Soul

Shannon LaBrie was born in Lincoln, Nebraska but has been based in Nashville since 2008. Newly signed to the Moraine Music Group Shannon delivers a powerful bluesy/soulful take on Americana with the release of her new single ‘Firewalker’ on May 1st, 2020. The track was penned by Shannon with Tia Sillers and exceptional Australian guitarist Joe Robinson. If ‘Firewalker’ is a taster for an upcoming album then I’m going to be in the queue to check that out. Please read on for more about Shannon, including an isolation version of ‘Firewalker’ and a live stream via Rockwood Music Hall in the early hours of 2nd May UK time:

Music Venue Trust #saveourvenues campaign launched

April 27, 2020 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Blues, Classic Rock, Country, Folk, Indie, Jazz, News, Roots, Rock, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

Music Venue Trust has announced #saveourvenues, a new national campaign to save hundreds of grassroots music venues at imminent risk of being closed down – permanently. Registered charity the Music Venue Trust currently has 556 venues up and down the UK at risk of closure. Venues that play an essential role in promoting talent and often as a community hub for many other endeavours. Please read on to find out more about #saveourvenues and how you can get involved:

Dustbowl Revival curate Sway-At-Home virtual music festival April 17-19th 2020

April 16, 2020 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Country, Festivals, Folk, News, Roots, singer-songwriter

Dustbowl Revival have been keeping busy curating their very own Sway-At-Home music festival. Eighteen acts over three days including Steve Poltz, Shook Twins, Luther Dickinson and Birds Of Chicago. The music commences at 10pm (UK Time) this Friday, April 17th. More about Dustbowl Revival, Sway-At-Home and the acts involved follows:

Jack Broadbent releases new single + UK dates

March 10, 2020 by David Vousden in Blues, singer-songwriter, Video, Tour Dates

Jack Broadbent has a new video and single ‘If’ available. The track is from his excellent ‘Moonshine Blue’ album that received great reviews late last year. Since the album release, Jack has been keeping busy on the road with a run of dates that included shows opening for Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood. Jack will be hitting the road again in May opening for Peter Frampton and also has a show booked at the Black Deer Festival (a festival that comes very highly recommended). More about Jack and those tour dates follow:

The roots of The Allman Brothers Band make CD debut March 27th, 2020

February 13, 2020 by David Vousden in Blues, Classic Rock, News, Southern Rock

The roots of The Allman Brothers Band date back to 1965 when Duane and Gregg Allman formed The Escorts out of high school. In the four years that followed The Escorts would become the Allman Joys and then Hour Glass, who released two albums on the Liberty label that failed to sell. Duane would find work as a session guitarist at the FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama while Gregg discussed a solo career with Liberty. The brothers would get back together to produce a demo for the 31st of February a band that featured future Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks. The seeds of The Allman Brothers Band had been sown. Four albums that cover this period will make their CD debuts on March 27th along with vinyl releases for these long out-of-print titles.

The RGM inbox January 2020

January 13, 2020 by David Vousden in Blues, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Video, Country Rock, Country, Southern Rock, Folk

The new decade has only just dawned but the RGM inbox is already full to bursting with great new music from a range of genres. We listen to all sorts of stuff here at RGM and believe that you can’t beat the thrill of discovering new music, so please join us as we delve into the RGM inbox. You never know your new favorite artist might be just a click away.

Black Deer Festival 21st - 23rd June 2019

April 09, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Country, Country Rock, Festivals, Folk, News, Roots, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

The Black Deer Festival will return to the leafy confines of Eridge Park in Kent on June 21st - 23rd 2019. The festival recently won Best New UK Festival at the AIF Independent Festival Awards 2018 and is looking to build on that momentum in 2019. The lineup looks strong with Band of Horses, John Butler Trio, The Staves, The Mavericks and legendary singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson already announced. Recent additions to the bill include Billy Bragg, Ethan Johns (solo), Yola, Treetop Flyers and Sam Morrow while a few of RGM’s personal favourites are also set to appear including The Sheepdogs, Ferris & Sylvester and Worry Dolls. Much more about the festival including ticket details follows:

New JJ Cale album of previously unreleased songs due April 26th 2019

February 01, 2019 by David Vousden in News, singer-songwriter, Blues, Country

On the 26th April Because Music will release ‘Stay Around’ an album of previously unreleased songs by the late JJ Cale. The album has been compiled by his widow Christine Lakeland Cale and longtime friend and manager Mike Kappas. The first single from the album ‘Chasing You’ is released today and the video for the track and more about the compilation of the album by an artist universally respected by his peers follows:

The Marcus King Band 'Carolina Confessions' due October 5th + UK Dates

August 22, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Blues, Classic Rock, News, Tour Dates

The Marcus King Band will release their latest album 'Carolina Confessions' on October 5th via Snakefarm Records. The album was produced by Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson) at RCA Studio A in Nashville. To coincide the band will visit the UK for a short run of dates with shows in Bristol, London, Manchester and Glasgow. Two tracks from the album 'Homesick' and 'Welcome 'Round Here' are available to stream today. Both tracks and more about The Marcus King Band follows:

Counting Crows and Alison Krauss confirmed for BluesFest 2018

June 18, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alternative Rock, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Classic Rock, Country, News, Tour Dates

BluesFest 2018 at London's O2 was already looking like a pretty special few days and now looks even better. Counting Crows are to headline the Sunday night of the festival and they will be joined by Alison Krauss who will also play a full set with The White Buffalo in support. I think you'd have to agree that this is a very impressive line-up for the closing night of BluesFest 2018. Previous coverage of BluesFest can be found here. More about the artists and the festival follows including ticket details:

Terry Reid announces London date @ Nell's Jazz & Blues April 26th

April 13, 2018 by David Vousden in Blues, News, Tour Dates

Acclaimed vocalist Terry Reid has announced a show in London on April 26th at Nell's Jazz & Blues. Reid first came to prominence in the late 60's and is still going strong as evidenced by his recent contributions to Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry's 'Sweetzerland Manifesto' release. Reid has enlisted guitarist Neil Hubbard (Joe Cocker, Kokomo, Roxy Music), bassist Jennifer Maidman (Penguin Cafe Orchestra) and drummer Ash Soan (Del Amitri / The Producers) to form a very impressive band to join him for the show. Opening the show will be a special guest singer-songwriter Jon Allen in advance of his upcoming 'Blue Flame' album release on May 18th. More about Terry Reid, ticket links etc follows: UPDATE: In very late news Jon Allen will no longer be able to perform on the night so Kaleb McKane will be filling the special guest spot.

The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer release new 'Hard On Things' single.

February 20, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Blues, New Single, News, Video

In an unexpected piece of very welcome news, one of Canada's finest exports The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer return with a brand new single 'Hard On Things'. The track was recorded in late 2017 as the duo took a break from touring to promote their excellent 'Apocalipstick' album (review). The single was released digitally on February 16th and is available from wherever you get your digital music fix. More about The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer and the video for 'Hard On Things' follows: