Author: David Scott

‘A Complete Unknown’ is a masterful dive into the early days of Bob Dylan’s career, tracing his path from Minnesota folk hopeful to musical legend. Directed by James Mangold, the film highlights Dylan’s collaborations with blues greats like John Lee Hooker and Brownie McGhee, showcasing his profound influence on American music.

With over 30 songs and stunning performances, including Timothée Chalamet’s spot-on portrayal of Dylan, the biopic immerses audiences in a rich tapestry of blues, folk, and rock history.

The New Year starts here with a spectacular flourish, an acoustic version of the Americana-tinged “Leave The Light On” from the multi-award winning chanteuse. The original track is on the best-selling album ‘Beneath The Neon Glow,’ which achieved mainstream chart success in the UK last year.

As the year winds down, dive into these standout blues releases from Giles Robson & John Primer, Elles Bailey, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Sean Taylor, Ten Years After, and Terry Marshall & Friends!

Discover the Best Five UK Blues Singles of 2024: From Joanne Shaw Taylor’s deeply personal heartbreak to Mick Clarke’s funky Latin blues grooves, this list celebrates the year’s most captivating blues tracks, featuring soulful vocals, powerful storytelling, and exceptional musicianship.

John Primer teams up with harp master Giles Robson on ‘Ten Chicago Blues Classics,’ out December 6, delivering a high-energy tribute to the timeless spirit of ’50s Chicago blues. With soulful renditions of Muddy Waters, Little Walter, and Sonny Boy Williamson tracks, the duo’s seamless interplay and technical prowess breathe new life into these iconic songs.

To his family, friends, and the local blues communities he was a titan. Robert was the founder and artistic director of The Ealing Blues Festival, the longest running event of its type in London. He was also a self-deprecating “bluesmaster, funkateer, global groover and raconteur.”

‘Double Measures’ is an intriguing and very special album with a raw authenticity courtesy of Jen Clark’s expert production, tracking the band live in her attic studio. Liz has a voice and a band of musicians steeped in the blues.

When a sprightly octogenarian saxophonist and co-founder of England’s Marshall Amplifiers releases a debut album, it is not surprising that the music world holds its breath. Over 60 years ago Terry Marshall and his dad Jim began building the guitar amplifiers which bore their name. This signature brand became synonymous with the exponential popularity of rock music and electric blues.

‘Living The Blues,’ released through his very own Marshall Records, is out now!

This latest opus certainly keeps Taylor on an upward trajectory. Meteorologically there may be no end to a rainbow but that won’t deter Sean from searching for and pursuing his lifelong quest for music perfection, love and peace.

In some respects the early video and audio recordings of Woodstock were disappointing as they did not always reflect the fans’ experiences of how bands like Ten Years After performed. All that changed on August 17th, 2024 with the release of Ten Years After Woodstock 1969 by Chrysalis Records.