Keeping the Blues Alive CD

1) Justice Blues - Kenny Acosta & Kenny Neal - 5:35
(Kenny Acosta - Kenny Acosta Pub)
www.kennyacosta.com
"Justice Blues" is storytelling at its best. As a young boy playing in a field in Jackson, LA, Kenny Acosta ran into an escapee from the Feliciana Institution for the Criminally Insane. The encounter, as frightful as it was, was the inspiration for this acoustic track. The two Kenny's are great together on this one.

2) Heavy Breathing - Mark Telesca - 4:34
(Mark Telesca - Mark Telesca Pub)
www.marktelesca.com
"Heavy Breathing" is a compelling track that's sometimes eerie and bizarre yet it's always interesting and intense. This is the kind of song you might expect to hear in the background as a mysterious situation unfolds in a dramatic movie. Outstanding rhythm and vocals from bassist/front man Mark Telesca.

3) Hello Trouble - Midnite Johnny - 3:27
(John Morana - Blue Midnite Pub)
www.midnite-johnny.com
"Hello Trouble" is straight up, smokin' blues the way it should be done - consuming vocals, with absolutely relentless and scorching guitar leads backed by profoundly rich rhythm. Midnite Johnny shines on this one.

4) Homeless Blues - Memphis Gold - 5:03
(Chester L. Chandler, aka Memphis Gold - Balria Pub, BMI)
www.memphisgoldblues.com
"Homeless Blues" is a song that unfortunately can be sung by way too many people. To say it's a topical track would be an understatement. The heartfelt, somber vocals perfectly reflect the seriousness of the subject. Special thanks to Memphis, this is the seventh consecutive CD of this series he's appeared on.

5) I'll Take The Blues - Bridget Kelly Band - 4:04
(Tim Fik & Bridget Kelly Fik - Alpha Sun Pub)
www.bridgetkellyband.com
Mr. and Mrs. Fik -Tim and Bridget - are more than just a good match as mates; they're also a perfect musical match. They write and perform songs that precisely fit Bridget's powerful and provocative vocals and Tim's powerful and precision guitar playing style, and "I'll Take The Blues" does just that.

6) Come To Me - Tommy Lee Cook - 4:15
(Tommy Lee Cook & Danny Shepard - Two Mules Music/Tommy Lee Cook Ventures, Inc.)
www.tommyleecook.com
If I were asked to describe who he may have been influenced by or who he sounds like vocally and musically, I'd be absolutely stumped for an answer. By far, Tommy Lee Cook is one of the most original sounding and incomparable musicians these ears have ever heard. "Come To Me" will validate that.

7) Another One - Bill Johnson - 4:39
(Bill Johnson - SOCAN/WL Johnson Pub)
www.billjohnsonblues.com
Bill Johnson is the only artist to win a "Blewzzy Award" for best song and CD in the same year (2010). "Another One", from that CD, features Lisa Mann (on backup vocals) doing something pretty tough - making Bill sound better than he already does. Well sung track with good guitar and piano playing.

8) All The Guys Want to be Your Man - Herbie D And The Dangermen - 3:54
(Larry Desseyn & Christopher Gifford - CD Baby Pub)
www.herbiedandthedangermen.com
Herbie D And the Dangermen are an acoustic driven band specializing in genre crossing music that leaves little doubt as to their influence - a mixture of blues traditions. "All The Guys Want To Be Your Man" is a cool, laid back track featuring deep stand-up bass led rhythm, lazy sax leads and soft vocals.

9) Why I Do What I Do - Roger "Hurricane" Wilson - 2:39
(Roger B. Wilson - Brux Music, BMI)
www.hurricanewilson.com
On "Why I Do What I Do", Roger offers many reasons as to why he writes, sings and plays music - and there are many. However, it's my opinion that he left off the most important reason - he's very good at it all and I hope he keeps doing it exactly like he's doing it. A smoker with great vocals and guitar work.

10) When You Coming Home? - J. Blake - 5:28
(J. Blake Fichera)
www.jblakeblues.com
"When You Coming Home?" is a song about a man missing his woman and we all know how bluesy a story like that can getâ€¦..and this one does. J's gut wrenching vocals and scorching guitar licks make his pain quite evident.