Tim “Too Slim” Langford with his Taildraggers roared out of Spokane, Washington in 1986 like a man with his hair on fire. The virtuoso guitarist, passionate singer and poetic songwriter remains possessed to play the blues his way with blockbusting power and the talent to create timeless music like his life depended on it. 28 years, countless emotionally draining shows and 18 albums later find him with an ongoing recorded legacy. Showcased on his monumental 2-disc release are 34 select songs, including three new tracks produced by noted Grammy winner Tom Hambridge.

The sumptuous extravaganza opens with the hypnotic swamp-rocker “Wishing Well” co-written by Langford and Hambridge. A cautionary fable about false prophets has Langford and ace Nashville picker Bob Britt trade scorching solos. “Little Gun Motel” by Hambridge and Texas bluesman Jim Suhler rocks a riotous, heavy boogie shuffle as Tim “Too Slim” Langford proves he is a reigning slide wizard by frying his strings. The third new cut, “Big Ole House”, by Langford and Hambridge, is a haunting ballad of lost love with Langford exposing palpable regret with his blues-worn vocal as the sensitive fills of pianist Jon Coleman and the entire rhythm section intertwine in a stunning innovation to the Taildragger sound.

Every archival track is as vital as the day it was recorded. “Stoned Again” has Langford sliding and slithering at his nastiest on a “smoking” shuffle groove verging on combustion. “Wash My Hands” rides a memorable hard rocking riff about finding salvation via “I wash my hands in the muddy Mississippi.” Langford “raps” his rawboned bio on “Cowboy Boot”, a clanging, big bore rocker with the wry hook “I got no more money in my cowboy boot.”

The Norteno-flavored funky “Mexico” is a jovial tribute to the virtues of visiting our southern neighbor for relaxation. Chunky funk-rock on “Been Through Hell” finds Langford preaching the sage advice “To get a little heaven you gotta make it through hell.” The cathartic slow blues “Good to See You Smile Again” boasts a soaring solo from Langford to complement Jimmy Hall’s heartfelt vocals. “Everybody’s Got Something” with guest soul singer Curtis Salgado is an uplifting rock “spiritual” featuring a worthwhile message couched in an infectious groove. Reminiscent of Blind Willie Johnson’s classic “Dark is the Night, Cold is the Ground”, “La Llorona” is an unaccompanied slide instrumental carrying immense, unforgettable emotional weight.

Tim Langford has that rare ability to make believable every note he sings and plays, along with the veracity of each tale, tall or otherwise. Now a resident of Nashville, he is currently being honored along with six other artists in the Country Music Hall of Fame and in a prominent exhibit at the airport. His exposure in “Opryland” can only further the cause of spreading his musical “gospel” to a wider audience.  – Dave Rubin, KBA recipient in Journalismurnalis.

For more info visit www.tooslim.org

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Pork Chop Willie

“Devil In My Soul’” from the album Love Is The Devil

The sounds of Mississippi’s hill country — from the streets of Manhattan. Pork Chop Willie’s debut album, Love is the Devil, lights a new fire under America’s musical melting pot, bringing fresh heat to the Mississippi hill country blues tradition while blending in elements of Americana, rock, alt-country and even classical music. The 13 songs on the disc, most written by Bill Hammer, serve as a bridge between those genres, the past and the present, and the band’s Magnolia State inspirations and Manhattan home. Led by singer-guitarist Hammer and violinist Melissa Tong, Pork Chop Willie is fueled by grooves, grit, honesty and passion as well as a unique blend of down-home and uptown musicianship. For more info visit www.PorkChopWillie.com

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Missy Andersen

“Whole Lotta Nuthin” from the album In the Moment

In her sophomore release, Missy Andersen shows that she is no one-note bluebird. The soon-to-be released album explores several different yet related styles from straight ahead blues to gospel-tinged revivals. Whole Lotta Nuthin’ penned by Missy and her guitarist/husband, Heine Andersen, is reminiscent of New Orleans and will have you reaching for your parasol or handkerchief for a little second lining. This bubbly ditty gets a boost from the addition of Bill Stuve on upright bass, Marty Dodson on drums, Ben Moore on B3 Hammond, along with backing vocals from Karen Trapane and Sonja Mack.

This album has something for everyone. Whether it’s a soul ballad or jump blues, Missy Andersen approaches each tune with equal prowess and sensitivity. Stay tuned for the official release on August 12, 2014.  !

For more info visit www.missyandersen.com

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David Micharl Miller

“Memphis Belle” from the album Poisons Sipped

Poisons Sipped, is the independent debut album for Buffalo, NY’s own David Michael Miller, recorded with help from members of the legendary Campbell Brothers. The album explores blues, soul, gospel and r&b, blending them into “Twelve treatments to soothe the soul.” Miller allows his influences to channel through his writing, his soulful voice and guitar playing, while the band’s performances and album production elevate the songs to stir the listener. Bill Wilson of “Reflections in Blue” writes, “This is an album that is destined to become a classic, passing down through the ages as one of those things that we all come to know and love.” Blue Barry of the Smoky Mountain Blues Society blogs, “This CD will stand up against anything out there! Now that’s a big statement, but give it a listen and you’ll see.” This album includes moving performances from Jay Moynihan (Buddy Guy) on sax, Darick Campbell on lap steel (The Campbell Brothers) along with their rhythm section of Carlton Campbell and Daric Bennett. Track 3, Memphis Belle, was born from Miller’s first trip to Memphis to the International Blues Challenge with his side project, Dive House Union. It features Jim Ehinger (Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Billy Vera and The Beaters) on keys and the moving pedal steel guitar of Chuck Campbell. It speaks of Memphis as a slightly sullied, but still beautiful long lost love who’s seen her share of heartache and yet who’s heart is still “so good.”

For more info visit  www.davemillermusic.com

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