ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ARCHIVE - 11-1-2025

-Asbury Hall @ Babeville-Buffalo, NY-June 25, 2025-

Blues guitarist and vocalist Samantha Fish brought her Paper Doll World Tour to Asbury Hall @ Babeville in Downtown Buffalo on June 25, 2025 before a sold out house of music aficionados. Fish is a rising star on the national blues circuit with a take no prisoners approach in her live performances and outstanding album releases. If you are not familiar with her music now is the time to educate yourself on this astounding talent.

This was Fish’s second appearance at Asbury Hall (she played there in of April 2024) and the ninety plus minute set was a virtuoso clinic in the blues. She kicked off the show with blistering run through the MC5’s classic “Kick Out the Jams” before launching in to the title cut from her latest album “Paper Doll”. From this moment you knew the girl came to play and was on her “A” game tonight. Lots of incendiary guitar work throughout the show as she changed guitars, showed her awesome slide guitar mastery and even donned a cigar box guitar as she prowled the stage to the crowd’s delight. Other highlights from the show include a cover of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ “I Put A Spell on You” (also famously covered by Credence Clearwater Revival), “Can You Handle The Heat”, “Bulletproof”, “Don’t Say It”, “Rusty Razor”, “Dream Girl” and a set closing smoking run through “Black Wind Howlin’”. She returned for an encore and brought out the openers Texas Headhunters for a rousing run through the R.L. Burnside classic “Goin’ Down South”.

Speaking of Texas Headhunters, this new Austin super group is comprised of the triple guitar attack of Jesse Dayton, Ian Moore and Johnny Moeller. Their forty five minute set featured selections from their upcoming debut album including “Maggie Went Back to Mineola”, “Pocket”, “Kathleen”, “Seein’ Around Corners” and a set closing “Fool Don’t Play With Fire”.

Two amazing performances from two extraordinary artists who are both keeping the blues alive.
For more upcoming shows from Soul of Buffalo visit them at www.facebook.com/SoulofBuffalo
For more upcoming shows at Babeville visit them at www.babevillebuffalo.com

The latest album from singer songwriter Willie Nile titled The Great Yellow Light features ten songs from the pen of one of America’s finest songwriters. For this album Nile convened to Hobo Sound in Weehawken, NJ with his ace band consisting of Johnny Pisano on bass, Jon Weber on drums and Jimi K. Bones on guitar along with an amazing guest list of musicians including Steve Earle, James Maddock, legendary Irish singer Paul Brady, Chris Byrne and Larry Kirwan from the band Black 47, David Mansfield, Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian from the band The Hooters and master guitarist Waddy Wachtel among others. Lots of highlights off The Great Yellow Light including the raucous rocker and opening track “Wild Wild World”, the anthem for the ages “We Are, We Are”, the high energy greasy groove of “Electrify Me”, the heartfelt Celtic tinged “An Irish Goodbye” featuring Paul Brady on vocals, the dynamic and building title cut “The Great Yellow Light” which is a reference to the letters Vincent Van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo while living in France about the light that inspired his paintings, the jangly Roots rocker about the musician’s life “Tryin’ To Make A Livin’ In The U.S.A.”, the bluesy rocker “Fall On Me”, the piano ballad “What Color Is Love”, the powerful anthem for our times duet with Steve Earle “Wake Up America” and the LP closer with members of The Hooters “Washington’s Day”. Willie Nile’s latest album The Great Yellow Light is one of the strongest albums from this distinguished artist. For more information about Willie Nile and his new album The Great Yellow Light visit his website https://www.willienile.com or go to https://www.facebook.com/willie.nile

One other note, the album jacket features a fine collection of photographs from acclaimed photographer Cristina Arrigoni. You can view some of her other work here https://cristinaarrigoniphotography.com

Four time Grammy winning drummer, producer, songwriter and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee Tom Hambridge has released a new album titled Down the Hatch a twelve song batch of original Hambridge tunes. For this album Hambridge brought along some of his friends including Rob McNelley (Bob Seger), Tom Bukovac (Joe Walsh), Bob Britt (Bob Dylan), and long time pal Buddy Guy on guitar; Glenn Worf (Mark Knopfler), Tommy MacDonald (Johnny Winter) and Anton Nesbitt (BeBe & CeCe Winans) on bass; Mike Rojas (The Black Keys), ace session man Kevin McKendree (Brian Setzer) and Noah Forbes on keyboards, Tim Lauer (The Smashing Pumpkins) on accordion and Tom on drums, vocals and percussion. Hambridge is a master songwriter having written over one thousand published songs and he has produced and played on over one hundred albums. Lots of good stuff for your listening pleasure on Down the Hatch including the ode to the great Willie Dixon on “Willie Dixon’s Gone” co-written with George Thorogood, “Every Time I Sing the Blues” originally recorded by Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy, Hambridge finally releases his own version here, the jaunty blues romp “I Want You So Bad”, the tough blues rocker “How Blues Is That”, the top down rocker “What Does That Tell You”, the haunting “Believe These Blues”, the rip snorting rocker ”Making Lemonade”, the rollicking instrumental ode to Chuck Berry (Hambridge used to play drums for Chuck)with “You Gotta Go Through St. Louis” featuring Buddy Guy and the country blues number in praise of day drinking “Start Drinking Early Day”. For more information about Tom Hambridge and his latest album Down the Hatch visit his website at http://hambridgetunes.com or you can go to https://www.facebook.com/hambridgetunes

As the title of his latest album proclaims, eighty eight year old Buddy Guy ain’t done with the blues. Guy’s latest album titled Ain’t Done with the Blues finds the octogenarian in fine voice and his guitar chops are righteous as always. Guy, who is arguably the last link to the original blues masters could be phoning these and his live performances in now and no one would complain but the man is still at the top of his game and is indeed an American icon. On this album Guy calls in some heavy hitters to help him out including longtime collaborator and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee Tom Hambridge, Joe Walsh, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Peter Frampton, Chuck Leavell, Joe Bonamassa and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram among others. Highlights among the eighteen generous tracks on Ain’t Done with the Blues include the Hambridge penned scorcher “Been There Done That” on which Guy tears it up with Leavell adding Hammond B3 swirls to the mix, the honky tonk blues rocker “Blues Chase Away the Blues” , the funky tribute to New Orleans “Where U At?” featuring “Kingfish”, the twelve bar blues moaner “Blues on Top”, the churchy ballad with Bonamassa “Dry Stick” and the swampy Gospel number with The Blind Boys of Alabama “Jesus Loves the Sinner”. Further digging finds Guy trading licks and vocals with Walsh on the barnstorming blues rocker “How Blues is That”, getting down with Frampton on the raucous shuffle “It Keeps Me Young” and telling the powerful story of growing up in Jim Crow era America on “I Don’t Forget”. Also of note are the tracks “Swamp Poker” featuring Tal Wilkenfeld on bass, a soaring cover of Little Richard’s “Send Me Some Loving” and a LP closing cover of J.B. Lenoir’s “Talk to Your Daughter”. For more information about Buddy Guy and his latest album Ain’t Done with the Blues head over to https://www.buddyguy.net or you can go to https://www.facebook.com/therealbuddyguy

While the name Johnnie Johnson may not ring a bell you have heard his unmistakable piano playing many times. He was Chuck Berry’s longtime keyboard player and that is Johnson you hear on Berry’s hits “Maybelline”, “Roll Over Beethoven”, “School Days” “Back in the USA” and so many others. It is reputed that Berry wrote “Johnny B. Goode” in honor of Johnnie Johnson. Johnson has even been honored with induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Johnson passed away in 2005 but somehow twenty years later an album of new material has been released titled I’m Just Johnnie featuring twelve tracks of Johnson’s signature piano playing along with guests Bruce Hornsby, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Rivers, John Sebastian and many others. The two disc package also features a second disc with some of the last interviews Johnnie did before his passing. The interviews also feature music from Johnson and Raitt shows up to offer her thoughts on Johnson. Highlights off I’m Just Johnnie include the title track “I’m Just Johnnie” with Kenny Rice handling vocals, the slow moaner “I Get Weary” with excellent fret work from Max Baker, a rollicking run through the classic “Every Day I Have the Blues” with Johnson and Hornsby trading piano solos and vocals and Raitt adding her distinct slide guitar sound, a couple of tunes featuring former Oakland Raiders All-Pro Henry Lawrence on vocals the lively piano tinkler “Lo Down” and the classic “Stagger Lee”, a hurricane force run through another blues classic “Let The Good Times Roll” with Raitt on guitar, “Broke the Bank” featuring Sebastian, the fine instrumental “Blues in G”, the mean ole blues number “Johnnie Johnson Blues”, the percolating and funky “Heebie Jeebies” and the instrumental LP closer “Long Gone”. For more information about the monumental talent of Johnnie Johnson visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnnie_Johnson_(musician) For information about the new album I’m Just Johnny visit https://www.johnniejohnson.net or go to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579019038818

Grammy nominated blues and soul singer Candice Ivory has released a new album titled New Southern Vintage a fourteen song mix of contemporary and traditional blues and soul styling. The album is a homage to the worldwide music that the blues have become with Ivory bringing guests musicians like her longtime collaborator Robert Allen Parker, blues legend Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, folk blues artists David Evans and Andrew Cohan, Public Enemy’s Khari Wynn, Ben Levine, Damien “Yella P” Pearson and Chris Stephenson to global blues artists Jan Hartmann, Antonio Vergara, Takuto Asano and Yubu Kazungu. The fourteen tracks are split into two recording sessions with the first eight tracks featuring her backing band The Blue Bloods, Robert Allen Parker, Adam Hill, Khari Wynn and Donnon R. Johnson while the second session is acoustic sans drums and bass. Highlights from the Blue Bloods session include the boogie blues belter “Ain’t So Blind”, the greasy chicken pickin’ “Blue Blood”, the in the pocket “I’m in Trouble”, the harrowing tale of a bad relationship “Foolish Pleasure”, the piano driven traveling blues number “Lookin’ for My Baby”, the funky “Strong Black Mattie” and the shimmering and soulful “Let Your Love Shine On”. Among the acoustic tracks check out the rolling and tumbling “Catfish Blues” with Holmes on guitar and vocals, the churchy “Crown Royal Bag Blues’ and two covers from one of Ivory’s biggest influences Memphis Minnie with “World of Trouble” and “Shout the Boogie’. To find out more about Candice Ivory and her latest album New Southern Vintage check out her website at https://candiceivory.com or go to https://www.facebook.com/queenofavantsoul

- Look to the Moon-
Patty & Craig are a husband and wife music duo hailing from Milwaukee, WI. They met at a folk festival in the mid ‘80’s and married soon after. They continued to maintain their respective solo careers before convincing from friends to perform together. That one off performance turned into a new musical adventure for the couple. They continue to tour the major folk festivals throughout the US and have released their third album titled Look to the Moon. Inspired by an on line photo of the Blood Moon they turned that moment into eleven songs also inspired by the moon and dealing with themes of hope, love, dreams, magic and the moon. The duo, Patty on vocals, piano and acoustic guitar and Craig on vocals, and acoustic guitars is backed on Look to the Moon by Peter Roller on Dobro and electric tremolo and slide guitars, Marc Edelstein on double bass, Reggie Bordeaux on drums and percussion and Frogwater featuring John Nicholson on banjo and Susan Nicholson on fiddle and mandolin. One other note, the album has a clean crisp sound thanks to David Vartanian who handled the recording, mixing, mastering and co producing duties. Highlights from Look to the Moon include the sweet love song “Love, Surround Me”, the pleasant strains of “There’s a Shadow on the Snow Tonight”, the gorgeous piano ballad “Once in a Blue Moon”, the strikingly bold title cut “Look to the Moon”, the mesmerizing and chilling “Night Full of Promises”, the sweetly picked gem “Blood Moon”, the laid back shuffle groove on “Bobby Can’t Bop” that can only be a reference to the one and only Robert Zimmerman, the message to be kind “You Are Not Alone” (please remember there is always someone to talk to) and the mid tempo country number “Agave Moon”. For more information about Patty & Craig and their fine new album Look to the Moon visit them at www.pattycraig.com or go to www.facebook.com/PattyCraigFolkMusic

Acclaimed husband and wife musical collaborators Jim Patton and Shelly Brokus have released their eighth album titled Two True Loves a unique look at “art versus love or having to choose between something you love and someone you love” as so succinctly put by Patton. Recorded at Jumping Dog Studios in Austin, TX, Patton (guitar/vocals) and Sherry (harmony vocals) are joined by Ron Flynt (bass/acoustic guitar/keyboards/harmony vocals), John Chipman (drums), BettySoo (harmony vocals) and the always outstanding Scrappy Jud Newcomb (guitars). Tracks of note off Two True Loves include the nice country number about the simple things in life “I Want it All”, the rollicking title cut “Two True Loves”, the breezy love song “Annabelle Lee”, the sage advice of the country toe tapper “Leave Me Alone”, the real nice twangy groove of “Why Did You Leave Me For Him?”, the tale of lost love and regrets “That Cup of Coffee We Never Had”, the melodic “She Doesn’t Want to See You Anymore”, the dreamy and witty ode to the local yokels who don’t realize they’re the local yokels on “Local Yokels”, the country waltz number about lies and deception “What If You’re Fooling Me Now” and the piano ballad about the consummate musician “One More Song”. For more information about Jim Patton & Sherry Brokus and their new album Two True Hearts visit https://pattonbrokus.com or go to https://www.facebook.com/jimpattonsherrybrokus

The Boneshakers have released their eleventh studio album this one titled Live to Be This a fifteen song selection of high energy blues, rock and soul. The band is comprised of powerhouse vocalist Jenny Langer and ace guitarist Randy Jacobs from the band Was (Not Was). The band features an impressive lineup of guest musicians including drummer Greg Bissonette, iconic harp player Charlie Musselwhite, bassist and Grammy winning producer Don Was, legendary smooth blues vocalist Bobby Rush, guitarist Coco Montoya, Grammy winning Saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter, keyboard player and New Orleans legend John “Papa” Gros, percussionist Lenny Castro and Saxophonist Ron Holloway to name a few. Highlights from Live To Be This include the funky, soulful and full of attitude opening track “I’ll Kick A Brick (For My Man)”, the funkylicious and in your face declaration “They Say I’m Different”, the percolating “How Do You Spell Love”, the mean and nasty harp howler “I Need Somebody”, the rocking plea to a lover “Evil No More” featuring Musslewhite, the bold and dapper “I Am The Cool” with Don Was on the upright bass, the thumping statement from a scorned woman ”Ain’t Good Enough For Me”, the mid tempo ballad “Cake and the Candle” that showcases Langer’s awesome set of pipes and a couple of tunes that raise the temperature in the room with the big and brassy “Don’t Deny Me” with Montoya and Carpenter trading licks on guitar and Sax respectively and the hot duet with Bobby Rush “Salty”. To find out more about The Boneshakers and their new album Live To Be This visit their website https://www.officialboneshakers.com or you can go to https://www.facebook.com/officialboneshakers

Canadian blues artist Jon Hines has released a new album titled Memphis Sun a seven song collection of well crafted roots and blues songs. Hines (guitar/vocals/harmonica) wrote all the selections on the album and is backed by Victoria Hines (backing vocals), Kevin Fletcher (harmonica), Cameron Palmer (drums) and George Wolf (bass/backing vocals). The album kicks off with the swampy reverb heavy title cut “Memphis Sun” and sets the stage for the rest of the album including the churchy with lots of slide guitar number “Me & The Devil”, the smoky late night jazz blues number “Until the Wheels”, the thumping, shuffling harp howling “Holy Ground”, the steady driving “Riverside Rambler” and the heavy harp drenched album closer “Working Man”. Jon Hines has a great voice, is a skilled guitar player and is a great songwriter and showcases them all on his fine new album Memphis Sun. For more information about Jon Hines and his latest release Memphis Sun head over to his website https://www.jonhinesmusic.com or go to https://www.facebook.com/JonHinesMusic

Roots and blues musician Kyle Culkin has released his fourth album with the title Shades of Trouble a twelve song mix of originals and cover tunes. Culkin is definitely an under rated talent in both his voice and guitar playing chops. His comfortable familiar sound and relatable lyrics makes his music authentic and tasty. For Shades of Trouble Culkin (guitar/vocals) is backed by fellow musicians Buford T. Shagnasty (bass), Jamieson Trotter (piano/ Hammond B3/Wurlitzer), Karl Hunter (Saxophone), Jade MacRae and Bek Jensen (backing vocals), Adam Gust (drums), Shawn Nourse (drums), Carl Verheyen (guitar) and Will Phillips (percussion). Highlights off Shades of Trouble include the high energy horn soaked title cut “Shades of Trouble”, the soulful blues rocker “You’ve Been in Love Too Long”, the outstanding “Stockton Romance”, the funky New Orleans style “She’s Evil”, the laid back country roots gem “Don’t Get Burned”, the slinky and greasy rocker “Wishing Well”, the awe inspiring guitar work on the instrumental track “Alora Rose” and the roots ballad “One More Good Time”. Also of note are two cover songs with nice runs through The Band’s “Ophelia” and John Hiatt’s jewel “Have a Little Faith in Me”. Great voice, great guitar chops and great album pretty much sums up the latest album Shades of Trouble from Kyle Culkin. To find out more about Kyle Culkin and his new album Shades of Trouble visit https://www.kyleculkin.com or go to https://www.facebook.com/kyle.culkin