Bman's Blues Report

Todd Albright  stands out as a premier country blues artist who brings a fresh perspective to the vintage acoustic twelve-string guitar tradition . Operating out of Detroit, Michigan , he is celebrated for keeping the spirit of pre-war fingerstyle blues alive with incredible precision and a deeply soulful presence. His signature sound pulls inspiration from early pioneers like Blind Willie McTell and Mississippi John Hurt , matching complex guitar picking with a raw, timeless vocal delivery. His authentic approach caught the attention of Jack White's Third Man Records , a major milestone that helped introduce his historic sound to a global audience of roots music enthusiasts. His remarkable talent and deep commitment to the genre take center stage on his latest project. Recorded with a stripped-down, traditional setup, the music serves as a powerful nod to his artistic journey and the lasting spirit of the blues. He travels widely, playing everywhere from small local clubs to lar...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live at the Chicago Blues Festival , from Stefan Hillesheim Band and I really like it. Opening with, Always Get to Hear from You , Stefan Hillesheim on lead vocal and slide guitar leads the way with super drumming from Dionte McMusick on drums, Darryl on bass and Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi on keys. With it's cha cha rhythm , its a super opener. Slower, do wop style blues, The Love I Had For You , driven by Ariyo on piano, gives Hillesheim a great stage to showcase his vocals and his slide solo is lush and sensitive. Melvin London 's classic, It Hurts Me Too , has s super cover here with strong vocals and slide work by Hillesheim and potent backing piano by Ariyo. Very cool! The radio on this release is clearly, You're My Family with a strong melody, snappy rhythm and restrained rhythm guitar work by Hillesheim. Slinky, When I'm Gone has a funky back beat and outstanding slide work by Hillesheim. The deepest...