“Smokey is difficult if not impossible to categorize. Possessor of a powerful voice, he can bellow like Wolf or cry sweetly like B.B. King. Smokey's guitar playing is equally diverse as he romps through the stylings of Elmore James and Jimmy Reed (which Smokey calls "countryfied blues") one song and then polished urban blues the next. He also digs into the soulful side a la Z.Z. Hill and Tyrone Davis, which was extremely popular with the patrons of the Pioneer Club. Smokey's singing and playing bear the influences of these greats, not by impersonation, but by the fact that Smokey is the genuine article.”

With Bluesfest beginning this week with easter upon us. I’m reeling back the years to revisit this 1983 classic by Smokey Wilson 8th Street Blues.

Plus new releases by Jon Cleary, Bob Corritore, Kid Ramos, TajMo, Bernard Allison, Early James, Southern Avenue, Polythythmics, Tommy Castro, GA20, Eric Johanson and Frank Bey.

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“Clarke's timing and music are right on the money, with the great Alex Schultz on lead guitar. There is no doubt that Clarke is one of the few modern bluesmen who are exploring and extending the amplified blues harp tradition without violating any of its principles. No one plays chromatic blues harp with this kind of passion and sheer conviction.” All Music

A classic album from the early 90s, William Clarkes debut for Alligator records stands as a modern blues classic and I’m thrilled to to feature it for you this week, in the new extended 2hr version of Blues With A Feeling.

Plus new releases from Southern Avenue, TajMo, Kenny Neal, Jon Cleary, Tommy Castro, Kid Ramos, Bernard Allison, Bob Corritore, GA 20, Early James, Canyon Lights and Polyrhythmics.

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“The band were at the peak of their powers as a live unit at this point, so it made sense that their next release should reflect that; the self-explanatory Live was recorded at a rapturously received gig held at Cincinnati Gardens on 23 May 1986. Including firm favourites such as ‘Who Do You Love?’, ‘I Drink Alone’ and ‘Madison Blues’, the LP was a terrific snapshot of The Destroyers in viciously good nick and – after climbing to No.33 on the US Billboard 200 – the LP eventually earned itself a platinum certification.” Udiscovermusic

With George Thorogood & The Destroyers arrival in Australia now just weeks away, I’ve reached back to 1985 to feature this gem, the bands chart topping, platinum selling album “Live”. It was huge here in Australia and across the world, spending an amazing 42 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart.

Plus another crackin couple of sets of new releases from TajMo, Southern Avenue, Kid Ramos, Jon Cleary, Carolyn Wonderland, Bernard Allison, GA20 and Canyon Lights.

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