The Blues by William Shatner

Yesterday I received an item in the mail that I thought was rather strange and that is the album called The Blues by Captain Kirk of Star Trek himself William Shatner scheduled for release on October 2, 2020, from the Cleopatra Records label.  This fourteen track album of blues covers features such artists as country superstar Brad Paisley, Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, guitarist Pat Travers, Doobie Brothers guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Blues Brothers guitarist Steve Cropper and so much more on such tracks as the Blues Brothers classic Sweet Home Chicago, Cream’s hit Sunshine Of Your Love, BB King’s classic The Thrill Is Gone, Robert Johnson’s Crossroads, Route 66 and so much more.  This is a different take on these classics with song parts spoken and some parts sung but was an interesting performance with a superb recording.  For you, blues fans out there, please check this album out which will be available on CD and digital download from Amazon, Cleopatra Records, Discogs, and many other music retailers.

The Stories We Are Told by Heathcote Hill

This morning I am proud to present the album The Stories We Are Told by Mamaroneck, New York-based band Heathcote Hill released July 24, 2020, on the 311 Music label.  This eleven-track album features Megan Porcaro Herspring on vocals, Tom Nelson on guitar, Tory Ridder on drums,  Akil Kadin James on bass, Mike Bishop on keyboards, and Vanessa Senn Ridder on supporting vocals.  This release features a mixture of mainstream rock inspired by folk and country on such tracks as All I Remember is You, You And Sunday Afternoon, Elegy For Mary Ellen, Don’t Let Go, the title track The Stories We Are Told, and much more.  I was quite moved by the performance on this album with amazing vocals, as well as great songwriting talent and superb recording and production.  This is an album you will want to take a listen to and get your copy on CD or digital download from Amazon, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and many other music retailers.

Mistaken Identity by Johnny Nicholas

Mistaken Identity is the eighth album by former Asleep At The Wheel frontman, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Johnny Nicholas released on Valcour Records, which was available digitally August 28,2020, with physical formats following on October 2, 2020.  This album features nine new tracks, plus the much-missed Stephen Bruton’s River Runs Deep have been recorded live is produced and mixed by Cajun fiddle-supremo Joel Savoy and features a great lineup of artists such as ‘Scrappy’ Jud Newcomb on guitar, Chris Maresh on bass, John Chipman on drums plus a host of top-flight backing players. Among the great tracks on this superb album are She Stole My Mojo, The Mule And The Devil, Spark To A Flame, Tight Pants, and so much more showcases a mix of blues, western swing, cajun, folk and even a little Jazz.  I was quite impressed with the performance on this album as well as the songwriting talent and great recording.  This is definitely an album you want to add to your music library which is presently available on digital download now from Amazon and other music retailers and on CD and vinyl (which I hope to own a copy) in October from http://www.valcourrecords.com/

Hypnoboogie by The Barrett Anderson Band

For my 1732^nd review, I am proud to present the upcoming release by Boston based The Barrett Anderson Band called HypnoBoogie which is scheduled for release September 25, 2020 on the Whitaker Blues Records label.  This live album which was captured during a live show at The Fallout Shelter in Norwood , Massachusetts on February 1, 2020 features Barrett Anderson on vocals and guitar, Charlie Mallet on guitar and vocals, Doug MacLeod on drums and Jamie “Black Cat Bone” Hatch on bass and vocals.  This eleven track album features original songs as well as four covers in their blues/roots style such as Bo Diddley’s classic Mona, Not Your Baby, Blind Faith, Broken Down, a cover of The J Geils Band song (Ain’t Nothin’ But A) House Party and so much more. This release features an amazing performance as well as great songwriting talent and a superb recording.  This album is a perfect addition to your blues music library. To learn more about this band and their music, go to their official website https://barrettandersonband.com/

Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum by Seether

Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (latin for If You Want Peace, Prepare For War) is the eight studio album and first new album in three years by South African rock band Seether released on August 28, 2020 on the Fantasy Records label.  This album which is the followup to their 2017 critically acclaimed record Poison The Parish features Shawn Morgan on guitar and lead vocals, Dale Stewart on bass and backing vocals, John Humphrey on drums and new member Corey Lowery on lead guitar and backing vocals and was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee in December 2019 through January 2020.  Prior to release of this amazing album they released three singles Dangerous, Brusied and Bloodied, and Beg.  Other notable songs on this thirteen track album are Dead and Done, Buried In The Sand, Failure, and much more.  This album features a heavier sound that their previous album and some songs is not suitable for children with the explicit language.  This album showcases an amazing performance as well as excellent songwriting my Shawn Morgan and a superb recording which I enjoyed from start to finish.  I pre-ordered this album several months ago and got the signed copy of the album as well as a turntable mat and a cloth patch.  I highly recommend this album to any Seether or heavy rock fan.  You can get your copy on Vinyl, CD or digital download from Amazon and many other music retailers.  Please go to their official website https://www.seether.com/ to learn more about this band and their music