Author Archives: Michael Dregni

Every blues fan – and especially every Stevie Ray Vaughan fan – knows of this famous studio summit, which has long been available in various audio formats. Now, with a DVD, the package takes on new life – and becomes an absolute essential. The story of this meeting is legend among SRV enthusiasts. Blues great [...]

Monsieur Grappelli had a knack for being in the right place at the right time in terms of finding the perfect guitarist foils. This two-CD collection showcases the best of those duets. It began with Django Reinhardt, of course, as their Quintette du Hot Club de France set the mold for Gypsy jazz and string [...]

When they hand out the Grammys for CD packaging, the Hot Club of Hulaville should have their acceptance speech ready. The deluxe edition comes in an air-mail-styled folder with separate replica Django Reinhardt passport, fan-letter reproduction, and an “issue” of the Waikiki Beach Gazette heralding the band. Great stuff. Oh, and there’s also the CD [...]

Richard Weize and his Bear Family Records are based in Germany, but few have done more to preserve American roots and other world music. Weize is dedicated to seeking out and reissuing the great, the lost, and the unknown. He has dug through record-label archives, discovered unknown alternate takes, unearthed the rumored closet skeletons, and [...]

Mike Eldred is an L.A. guitarslinger with a strong taste for Americana. His power trio includes Blasters’ backline men John Bazz (bass) and Jerry Angel (drums), and together they serve up a tasty helping of blues, R&B, country, and good ol’ rock and roll. 61/49 refers to the Mississippi crossroads where Robert Johnson may have [...]

From punk to rockabilly – it feels like a perfectly natural progression for Mike Herrera. Part of the 1990s punk trio MxPx, Herrera has stepped back in, with his group Tumbledown. Tumbledown marked its debut with the band’s 2009 disc. Led by Herrera on vocals, guitar, and songwriting duties, the group includes lead guitarist Jack [...]

The brilliance of Joseph Reinhardt’s compositions and guitarwork was eclipsed by the star power of his brother, Django. It was only after Django’s death in 1953 that Joseph stepped into the spotlight. With his brother’s passing, Joseph put away his guitar in mourning until a group of French jazz fans arranged the recording session re-released [...]

It’s tough to pin a tag on the lapel of Big Head Todd and the Monsters. The band ably jumps from flat-out rock and roll to deep blues, even jazz, funk, and soulful R&B. Rocksteady is the band’s eighth studio release. With tracks honed on the road, the groove is already cut deep on this [...]