Bman's Blues Report

Selwyn Birchwood is officially taking the wheel on his sixth Alligator Records release, Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues , and the results are absolutely electric. For the first time, the Florida-based guitarist and lap steel master steps into the producer's chair to fully unleash his signature blend of gritty, old-school blues and modern, psychedelic soul grooves. The 10-track record hits like a three-dimensional musical sermon, kicking off with the wild energy of the lead single and rolling through everything from sharp cultural commentary to raw, honest storytelling. Driven by his unmistakable rocks-and-gravel vocals and foot-stomping energy, Birchwood's latest effort is less of a standard album and more of an open invitation to a full-blown blues congregation.   🎵 LISTEN & SUPPORT THE ALBUM   Add this Record to Your Collection Available in CD and Digital Formats. 🛒 Buy Album on Amazon Store As an Amazon Associate, Bman earns f...

  Alligator Records has set a June 10, 2016 release date for the Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection . The 2CDs-for-the-price-of-one set -- boasting over 148 minutes of music -- features career-defining performances from blues royalty past, present and future. The blues and roots music Alligator Records has been releasing since 1971 -- created by iconic giants of the genre like Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Albert Collins, Luther Allison, James Cotton, Elvin Bishop and Mavis Staples, and label-nurtured legends including Son Seals, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Saffire—The Uppity Blues Women and Michael “Iron Man” Burks -- has more than stood the test of time. With the Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection , label founder and president Bruce Iglauer, along with his 15-person staff (many of whom have been on board for well over 20 years) celebrate Alligator’s extraordinary past, history-in-the-making present, and a fut...

SIX ALLIGATOR ARTISTS WIN LIVING BLUES AWARDS Living Blues magazine has announced the recipients of the 2015 Living Blues Awards. Six Alligator Records artists received a total of six awards. In the Critics' Poll, James Cotton won Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica), Joe Louis Walker won Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar) and Selwyn Birchwood won for Best Blues Album of 2014 (New Recording/Best Debut) for Don't Call No Ambulance . In the Readers' Poll, Shemekia Copeland (whose new CD Outskirts Of Love will be released on September 11) received the award for Blues Artist Of The Year (Female). Marcia Ball won for Most Outstanding Musician (Keyboard) and Elvin Bishop won Best Blues Album Of 2014 (New Release) for his Grammy-nominated Can't Even Do Wrong Right . CRITICS' POLL WINNERS: SELWYN BIRCHWOOD: Best Blues Album Of 2014 (New Recording/Best Debut): Don't Call No Ambulance JAMES COTTON: Most Out...

Elvin Bishop Leads All Artists -- Wins Album, Song And Band Of The Year Newcomer Selwyn Birchwood Wins Best New Artist Album Of The Year Marcia Ball Wins Piano Player Of The Year -- The 10th BMA Of Her Career On Thursday, May 7, 2015, The Blues Foundation announced the winners of the 2015 Blues Music Awards, the blues world's highest honors. Blues legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Elvin Bishop led all artists with three awards. His Grammy-nominated 2014 release Can't Even Do Wrong Right won Album Of The Year and the title track won Song Of The Year. The Elvin Bishop Band took the award for Band Of The Year. Bishop had been nominated eight previous times but hadn't won until now. On Monday, May 11, Bishop will appear on TBS' CONAN , sitting in with Jimmy Vivino and the Basic Cable Band. Newcomer Selwyn Birchwood -- winner of the 2013 International Blues Challenge -- received the award for Best New Artist Album Of The Year for his breakout All...

  SELWYN BIRCHWOOD'S DON'T CALL NO AMBULANCE RECEIVES RAVE ROLLING STONE REVIEW! Don't Call No Ambulance , the Alligator Records debut from young guitarist/vocalist Selwyn Birchwood , received a rave review from writer Dave DiMartino at RollingStone.com : Selwyn Birchwood : Don’t Call No Ambulance (Alligator)   "Recently issued by the distinguished blues label Alligator and garnering repeated plays in this household is the remarkable debut album by young guitarist/singer Birchwood--a powerhouse player and emotive performer whose work respects blues tradition but could not be more contemporary. From Orlando, Florida, Birchwood made an early ally of Texas bluesman Sonny Rhodes and at 29 has already made his name onstage opening for artists like Buddy Guy and Robert Cray. His band, his material, and both his skilled guitaring and soulful vocals are the essence of fully-formed; Birchwood is a major player, the sort of artist that assures hi...