As the temperature rises in the UK, so does the heat from the following four phenomenal blues and roots releases in the past few weeks. 

Supporting his eleventh solo release and first on German label Ruf Records, American blues rock singer, songwriter and guitarist Alastair Greene stomped out the doldrums and kickstarted the week for those fans in attendance at the intimate live music venue in Evanston, Illinois known as SPACE.   

With everything from ‘The Bear’ and Italian beef to deep-dish pizza and other delights, the city of Chicago has long been recognized as the go-to spot for foodies. So, it was fitting that the 40TH Annual Chicago Blues Festival offered a veritable smorgasbord of music reflecting a variety of blues-based tastes and influences.

The Warren Haynes Band is one of the opening acts supporting Slash on his S.E.R.P.E.N.T. tour.

The iconic, GRAMMY®-winning guitarist and songwriter is on a North American tour in celebration of the blues! His sixth solo album, ‘Orgy of the Damned,’ is out now!

And based on the smiles coming from Daltrey himself all night at Ravinia, it seems as if the fans continue to warm his heart, too.

Interview with Rory: Having her interpret these songs as a woman who knew Dylan when she was still a tweenager is a unique and fascinating journey into arguably the best songwriter of the last 60 years executed by a woman who is arguably the best acoustic guitarist of either gender. The result, ‘Positively 4th Street,’ is a one plus one equaling two to the nth power, a truly mature expression suitable for the 21st century.

The free concert, a double bill with Ronnie Baker Brooks and Shemekia Copeland, provided a full slate of priceless memories and magical moments.

Childers is a captivating live performer, capable of pulling his fans closer to him with each song rather than getting lost in the expanse of the larger arena.   

The symmetry between the two was on full display at Ravinia, an outdoor music venue north of Chicago. Plant and Krauss proved that while many male-female duos have come before them, few if any have done it better.

Along with Phillip-Michael Scales, Keb’ Mo’ treated the Father’s Day crowd to a pleasing mix of jazz, blues, folk, pop, and a little rock ‘n’ roll thrown in as well.

On ‘Seven Blues Classics,’ Giles pays homage to American blues music’s true greats from the Delta to Chicago.