Arts/entertainment

Jay Moonah (Brokefuse) and Mike McKenna (McKenna Mendelson Mainline and the Guess Who) have combined their talents as the McKenna Moonah Duo and have released a four song EP titled Breaking News. Moonah who handles vocals, harmonica, bass, rhythm guitar, percussion and keyboards and McKenna on rhythm, lead and acoustic slide guitar make a formidable pair as they tackle traditional and contemporary blues styles. All good stuff on the EP including the stinging title track “Breaking News”, the foot stomping chugging blues boogie “Thursday Night Boogie”, the tight spot on rocker “Adria” and the acoustic slide blues workout “Scarborough Blues”. For more information about the McKenna Moonah Blues Duo visit www.brokefuse.com/bluesduo.html or go to www.facebook.com/brokefuse

Singer songwriter Gary Van Miert returns as The Sensational Country Blues Wonders! with his third album of trippy off beat songs about various states of altered consciousness titled If I Stop Moving, I’ll Fall from the Sky. The Jersey City, NJ native blends classic country, blues, rock, pop and Gospel along enlightening whimsical lyrics. Tracks and titles either fall under the psychedelic label “Why Did I Eat This Whole Bag of Mushrooms?”, “Golden Teacher” about a favorite strain of mushrooms and “One More Cup of Mushroom Tea” or the cosmic/celestial with the tracks “”We Are Made from Stardust”, the title cut “If I Stop Moving, I’ll Fall From the Shy”, “Head in the Clouds”, the light hearted “Gravity”, and the album closer “Sky Songs”. For more information about Gary Van Miert, The Sensational Country Blues Wonders! and the new album If I Stop Moving, I’ll Fall From the Sky check out https://garyvanmiert.com or go to www.facebook.com/p/The-Sensational-Country-Blues-Wonders-100063463512936

Mark Muleman Massey’s life reads like the screenplay about a blues man except he has really lived the life. A grandson of sharecropper farmers he grew up in the cradle of the blues Clarksdale, Mississippi. At nineteen he was incarcerated at Parchman Prison which was modeled after a slave plantation and run as such. Although he had never picked up a guitar, during his time at Parchman he learned to play under the mentorship of David Kimbrough, son of legendary guitarist Junior Kimbrough, soon he was playing with the Parchman Prison Band where he opened for B.B. King. After prison Massey vowed to turn his life around and help others. He still returns to Parchman but this time to mentor and assist inmates with their musical aspirations and dealing with prison life. For his latest album titled Been A Long, Long Time Massey headed to Wishbone Recording Studios in the legendary city of Muscle Shoals, Alabama where he was assisted by the renowned Clayton Ivey on Wurlitzer and B3 along with Jim Whitehead also on Wurlitzer and B3, Billy Lawson, Travis Wammack and Kelvin Holly on guitars, Bob N. Weaver on bass, Roger Starr on drums, Robert Fossen on harmonica, The Avalon Sisters on backing vocals and The Webster Street Horns. Massey is a soulful blues belter and the mix of originals and cover tunes shows both his vocal ability and his adept guitar fretwork. Highlights from Been a Long, Long Time include the feel good title cut, the funky blues gem “Can’t Tell Me Nothing About The Blues”, the shimmering soulful ballad “Give Me Your Love”, the celebratory “Going Back To Memphis” and the percolating LP closer “Your Good Stuff”. Massey also does a sweet run through Tom T. Hall’s “That’s How I Got to Memphis”, nails Bobby Womack’s “I’m Sorry About That” and reworks Hank Williams “Hey Good Looking” into a funky strutting number. But the center piece on the record is what should be an instant blues classic the outstanding “Baby’s Gone”. This song packs such an emotional wallop that it actually brought tears to this reviewer’s eyes upon listening. The song is a true masterpiece and an unforgettable vocal performance by the Muleman. For more information about Mark Muleman Massey and his latest album Been a Long, Long Time head over to https://markmulemanmassey.com or visit www.facebook.com/MarkMulemanMassey

Singer songwriter Kelly Brock aka Sunny Bleau along with her band The Moons have released a new album titled Passion & Regrets a ten song set of powerful blues, rock and soul. For this album Bleau along with guitarist and songwriter Nic Cocco brought in longtime blues man Mick Kolassa to produce the sessions. Rounding out the band are Bill Ruffino on bass, James Cunningham on drums, Rick Steff on keyboards, Dr. Peter Stephenson on the Hammond and special guests Kiersi Joli on harmonica and Jeff Jenson on guitar. Tracks of note on Passion & Regrets include the sultry mid tempo blues number “Two Glasses of Whiskey On Ice”, the down and dirty blues “You Better Put The Coffee On”, the it will happen to us all lament “Low-Down-Middle–Aged-Blues”, “Peacock Street” about a preening young womanizer, the powerhouse feminine anthem “S-H-E-E-E-W-O-M-A-N”, the jazz blues standard “Why Don’t You Do Right?”, the true tale of heart break from Bleau’s own past “Waitin’ On A Man”, the pain and hurt of a one sided relationship on “You Put Me Out”, the rocking story of a woman who broke her man’s heart and regrets it “Deep Regretful Blues” and the tribute to all who dedicate their lives to the blues with “Memphis Bound (It is Well with My Soul)”. For more information about Sunny Bleau & The Moons ‘new album Passion & Regrets visit https://sunnybleau.com or go to https://www.facebook.com/sunnybleauandthemoons

Finger picking guitarist Steve Howell has learned the art of time travel. Well kinda. You see Howell and his band The Mighty Men like to travel back to bygone eras and unearth long forgotten song gems, buff them up and give them a fresh interpretation. Much of this music would be lost forever if artists such as Howell didn’t take the time to rediscover this music. Howell’s latest album titled Yeah Man is a twelve song cycle of blues, soul, spirituals, jazz and even some Doo-Wop for good measure. Howell who handles vocals and acoustic and electric guitars is backed by his regular group The Mighty Men featuring Chris Michaels on electric guitars and vocals, Dave Hoffpauir on drums and vocals and Jason Weinheimer on bass, keyboards and vocals. Among the many highlights from Yeah Man is a steady as she goes take of Blind Lemon Jefferson’s “Long Lonesome Blues”, a soulful laid back run through the title cut “Yeah Man”, the fat juicy guitar riffs on Eddie Hinton’s “20 % Alcohol”, the country pop flavored “Little Ol’ Wine Drinker Me” which became an unlikely hit for actor Robert Mitchum in 1967, the gorgeous “I’m Glad For Your Sake” covered famously by the Sir Douglas Quintet, a percolating cover of Bo Diddley’s “Dearest Darling”, an uplifting and moving version of the spiritual “Wade in the Water” and an instrumental version of the Bob Dylan classic “Chimes of Freedom” that closes the album. The latest album from Steve Howell & The Mighty Men Yeah Man breathes new life into these lost gems. You can find out more about Steve Howell & The Mighty Men and their latest album Yeah Man by going to https://www.stevehowell.ws/steve-howell--the-mighty-men.html or go to https://www.facebook.com/stevehowellandthemightymen

Finally therapy that doesn’t require a couch. Everyone knows of the healing power of music and singer songwriter Jeremy Dion truly takes that to heart. A licensed therapist by day he helps his patient’s navigate life’s difficulties and at night offers the same message of healing, love, hope and survival through his music to his audience. A proud member of LGBTQ+ community his simple but engaging message to all is to provide music therapy to everyone. His latest album titled Bend in the Middle collects eleven songs featuring smart harmonies and a folk rock style. Helping Dion on the record are Kyle Donovan (guitars), John McVey (guitars), Taylor Sims (guitars), Greg Schochet (guitars), Eric Moon (keyboards), Daniel Herman (piano), Christian Teele (percussion), Bradley Morse (bass), Peter Sharpe (mandolin), Enion Pelta-Tiller (fiddle), Beth Wilberger (fiddle) and Courtlyn Carpenter (cello). Highlights off Bend In The Middle include the soothing duet with Katie Farmer “All I See Is You”, the positive message title cut “Bend in the Middle”, the reassuring tones of “Constant”, the rocking “Better You Know”, “It Happened So Fast” with its swirling organ and soaring backing vocals, the beautiful sounding “You & I”, the dark and mysterious “The Haunting” and a couple of slices of Americana “Sweet June” and Avery”. Award winning singer songwriter Jeremy Dion is like a superhero with a cape except his superpower is to sooth and help to heal your soul. For more information about Jeremy Dion and his new album Bend in the Middle visit https://www.jeremydion.com or head over to https://www.facebook.com/jeremydionmusic

Multi talented songstress Jennifer Porter has released a new album titled Sun Come and Shine Redux a remixed and remastered reprise of her 2021 release Sun Come and Shine. The ten songs are all Porter originals sans one in the Roots music tradition. Porter who handles keyboards and vocals is assisted by a host of musicians including legendary R&B, soul, funk drummer Bernard Perdie who added his unique style to the recording and also acted as musical director for the session, Zydeco accordion master C.J. Chenier, pedal steel player Cindy Cashdollar and bassist Christian McBride. Highlights from Sun Come and Shine Redux include the soulful and seductive “Show Me Your Love”, the beautiful title cut “Sun Come and Shine”, the breezy and comfortable “When It’s All Been Said and Done”, the slow and funky “Stop Your Talkin’” the Zydeco love song featuring Chenier “You’re So Easy To Be With”, “Something On Your Mind” the only non original featuring McBride and the lover’s promise and churchy ballad “I’ll Be Here” featuring Cashdollar on pedal steel. The latest from Jennifer Porter Sun Come and Shine Redux is a nice refresh on an already stellar LP. You can find out more about Jennifer Porter and her latest album Sun Come and Shine Redux by heading over to https://jenniferportermusic.com or by visiting https://www.facebook.com/JenniferNicholePorter