Blues

(Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, BB King)

Leslie Hunt: Your Hair is on Fire

Season 6 Top 24 American Idol finds music off Idol stage. For Leslie Hunt, American Idol was certainly quite an experience. Reaching the top 24 was definitely was a dream come true for this new mother. Despite being voted off, Leslie continues on after stepping off the Idol stage. Your Hair is on Fire is Leslie's first album and from the way it sounds, it seems that she's definitely grown as an artist and musician. The album is filled with jazzy, alternative pop tracks that boasts of Leslie's powerful and slightly raspy vocals.

The Dada Weatherman – Mind Of Blue

Acoustic rock and folk blues that brings you the flavor of the South. The Dada Weatherman is a blues inspired acoustic folk rock music outfit headed by Jonathan "Zedadawaizeurman" (according to their Facebook account.) With a knack for catchy, blues inspired beats along with simple and poetic lyrics, The Dada Weatherman are simply fun to listen to. If you are looking for an eclectic mix of tracks done in great taste, then you might find it here. Mind of Blue is the band's latest album. Their previous releases includes the simple yet enthralling The Green Waltz and heavily acoustic and piano filled Earthquakes and Failed Mutations.

Paris-Chicago by NO [Olivier Nataf] – a Frenchman with a Heart for American Blues

American blues jazz with a French aftertaste. An almost fool-proof formula for creating pop funk music for this French singer includes a "few notes of Blues, a zest of Funk, a tear of Soul." Bizarrely calling himself, NO, French musician Olivier Nataf creates his own brand of blues jazz inspired tracks that are laced with French lyrics. Paris - Chicago compiles 10 tracks that serve as a bridge connecting the American landscapes to that of the French. If you wonder what the blues sounds like with an international flair, NO, would be one act worth checking out.
Stanley Ross

MN-EP by Stanley Ross – Free Rock Album from Rock Proper

Get carried away as Nicholas Meiers aka Stanley Ross (vox/guitars) takes you on one journey after another in his transition themed release for netlabel Rock Proper titled MN-EP. MN-EP has something for the old rocker soul (Have It All, Bicycle) and the younger ones (Dream On). “Have It All” will remind you of the sound of yesteryears' rock, which is not necessarily a bad thing if you're into it. “Bicycle” is for those who love the blues, and know what it's like to wait for someone to “come home.” It will pull up all your misery and make you sing out all the pain for a much needed catharsis. I played Bicycle two more times after hearing it for the first time.

Another Quiet Winter by NCThompson – Music for Quiet Moments

NCThompson, an American musician, officially steps into the online scene for the first time with an EP called “Another Quiet Winter.” From the title, one could easily expect an easy listening experience, perfect for a winter that is, well, quiet. Asked about his insights on his new EP, NCThompson says, “These songs just seem connected by the loneliness of looking up and seeing nothing but a cold gray sky; when all that’s left is a longing feeling for times once passed. And as depressing as that may sound, I think there’s something to be said for the kind of emotions that such longing can inspire.”

CNSM SESSIONS #1 by FOOL DADAZ FIRE – sharing the love for jazzy, blueesy, acoustic rock

Paris band sharing their love for jazzy, blueesy, acoustic rock. Even though their name is a bit hard to pronounce, Fool Dadaz Fire can certainly create great jazzy and soulful tracks. The band creates music that's easy to listen to and not very hard to love. CNSM Sessions#1 is a short album, clocking in just a little over 30 minutes. Each of the 7 tracks were recorded in just one night, capturing the rawness and the great interplay between the instruments and vocals. It's an easy listen for all you jazz, blues rock lovers out there.

Allison Crowe: Lisa’s Song + 6 Songs

Simon Cowell would be very enthusiastic if Allison Crowe had joined the Idol. Even if she wouldn't have won the Idol by some offbeat chance, she really doesn't need it since she is already a star in her very own right. Lisa's Song + 6 Songs was released back in 2007, certainly an oldie but a goodie right here. It's filled with acoustic, piano, jazz, rock and pop fusion tracks that defines Crowe as a musician completely. But perhaps, the best reason to listen to her songs would be simply to catch a glimpse of her powerful and ethereal vocals. She fills you with a longing to sit back and enjoy her music, much better than you would watching any TV show.

Nobody’s Bizness: Ao Vivo Na Capela da Misericórdia

If you are in the mood for some good old blues, Nobody's Bizness can help you in that department. Their music is characteristic of delta music that reminds plenty of blues lovers out there just how this music originally came about. Nobody's Bizness' Ao Vivo Na Capela da Misericórdia is a compilation of acoustic blues that exudes with a touch of the rural country. It's a poignant attempt of the band to keep the Mississippi delta music alive and kicking.

Dazie Mae “Velvet Dress & Stockings” – jazz & blues the cabaret style

Dazie Mae plays a form of ragtime jazz and blues mixed up in a French cabaret environment. Their full length album titled Velvet Dress and Stockings has a sexy and smoky feel spearheaded by the sultry lead vocalist Jeanne Jattiot. She reminds me of a jazzy version of Marianne Faithfull. The instrumental backing is almost perfect with snappy keyboards by Mathias Daval, guitars by Tom Lameche and bass by Serge Dejazz.