Miracles & Demons -
NorthernBlues Music
Eddie Turner
This is an astonishing CD! Since we first heard and interviewed Eddie back in 2007, we were impressed with his originality and eclectic style. But good grief! The man just seems to have gotten impossibly better! The all original tunes are just that - highly original and musical. And his guitar playing is beyond earthly - as we once said, "otherworldly."
If we had to make a loose comparison, we would say he plays a lot like Jimi Hendrix once did, only with a more musical and controlled style. Superb!

Check out our 2007 interview with Eddie here:
http://www.barrelhouseblues.com/eddie_turner.htm

Ringers - NorthernBlues Music
Watermelon Slim
Well, this is Slim's second "country" CD. Recorded in Nashville, with some of the best musicians the music city has to offer, the CD is a joy to the ears. We've come to really appreciate Slim and his music, and even though our ears lean toward the Blues, Slim's genuinely honest music transcends labels and descriptions. His music and lyrics seem to take aim directly at something deep inside us. And with unerring accuracy, he scores a bullseye.
This is a CD worth repeated listening. You will find yourself relating to most if not all of the songs - Slim has done it again - a near perfect collection of tunes about and for everyman.

I Was Wrong - Shortstack Records
Greg Izor & The Box Kickers
A while back I had the pleasure of interviewing Greg Izor (his real name). Greg hails from Vermont, no less; the home of many great musicians, including yours truly. I first met Greg a while back at a little venue in Richmond called “On the Rise Bakery." His playing and singing knocked me out. I recall asking if he had a CD out that I could buy and he declared that he did not. He said, “I’m workin’ on it."
That was then. This is now. Greg Izor has just released “I Was Wrong” with his band, The Box Kickers. In my capacity as interviewer for Barrelhouse Blues I get to hear a lot of new music and frankly most of the new stuff I’m hearing doesn’t do all that much for me.
“I Was Wrong” is the first real, serious Blues album that I’ve heard in a long time that goes way beyond my expectations. There are a million harp players out there who want to emulate Little Walter. Izor could easily be described as the New Little Walter. He has taken chops from the players of the past and made them his own. There is no comparing Greg Izor to any other harmonica player. He’s got his own shit going on. It’s that simple.
Now, I could be somewhat impartial to the good work of this young man, so here’s my disclaimer: I work with many of his friends up here in Vermont. Great musicians like Dennis Willmott, Tom Buckley, Jason Corbiere (who appears on Greg’s album), and Bill Darrow are responsible for some of the best music you’ll ever hear. I’m grateful to Greg for sharing.
Joining Greg on this album are Willie Pipkin on guitar; Mike Keller on guitar; Johnny Bradley on bass and the aforementioned Jason Corbiere on drums. The album was produced by Mike Keller and Billy Horton down in Austin, Texas where Izor now resides.
Make no mistake about it; eleven original songs are written and sung by Izor and the next one is remarkably even better than the last one you just heard. His chromatic playing rivals the best in the world. Rod Piazza could look over his shoulder and he’d see Greg Izor smiling.
Soft spoken, well mannered, easy going are words I’d use to describe Greg Izor. He’s gracious and makes friends easily. His personality allowed him to befriend the great Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone whose influence does not go unnoticed.
Greg Izor has the sound. He has the chops. He has the hair. He has it all and believe me when I say that you need to buy this album and give it a listen. If you don’t agree with my recommendation on this album then I’ll give you your money back. But I ain’t gettin’ my checkbook out, folks, but I have no doubt that you will enjoy Greg Izor’s work. If you don’t, you ain’t no Blues fan.
My hat is off to Greg for getting this album out (I know what a struggle that can be) and for stepping up his game. Remember the name, folks, because before the sun sets Greg Izor will be the man to beat. You can get the album by going to CD Baby or just Google Greg Izor. With a name like that he’s easily found.
Downtown Bob Stannard

You My People - Big Time Records
Raoul and The Big Time
This disc is a delight. Firmly rooted in yesteryear's swing, R&B and blues, the disc still mangaes to exude freshness and originality.
The band sizzles on both the few cover tunes (All To Myself and Gypsy Woman), as well as the original tunes.
"Live Wtihout Me," "Menthol Mama" and "Movin' Out" pay tribute both musically and lyrically to a simpler time and still they bring a bit of newness to some tried and true musical recipes. Frosting on the cake.