A guide to harmonica blues in five essential albums By Alice Clark published 11 July 24 Blues just wouldn’t be the same without the wailing of the harp. Here we celebrate the people who blew the hardest
Shuggie Otis's third album was hailed as classic, but his record company dropped him: It took 40 years to make a fourth By Alice Clark published 10 June 24 The son of an R&B legend, guitar virtuoso Shuggie Otis did it his way, turning down the Rolling Stones and David Bowie in the process
The man who inspired BB King, Chuck Berry and Jimi Hendrix: The T-Bone Walker albums you should hear By Alice Clark last updated 25 April 24 T-Bone Walker had an eye-popping live show, soulful vocals and a supple guitar style that provided a blueprint for what we know as modern blues today. These are his best albums…
Six New Orleans blues albums you should definitely own By Alice Clark published 3 January 24 Blues from The Big Easy has a different flavour to that made anywhere else, with its roots in jazz and the music of the Caribbean
The Otis Redding albums you should definitely own By Alice Clark published 14 December 23 One of the brightest stars at Stax Records, Otis Redding’s life was cut tragically short but the work he left behind lives on
"All the things that made me feel alive, still make me feel alive”: Ash retain their infectious, joyous lust for life on Race The Night By Alice Clark published 11 September 23 Once proud teenage hellraisers, Ash slide into their fourth decade as a band with their wide-eyed excitement for rock'n'roll thrills still firmly intact
A beginner's guide to Sinead O'Connor in five essential albums By Alice Clark published 11 September 23 Pop star, protest singer and fearless, defiant rebel, Sinead O'Connor was an artist like no other. Here are the albums you need to hear to understand her relentless quest for truth and justice
"Black Rainbows is a truly astonishing record, a revelation": Corinne Bailey Rae comes of age on one of 2023's most remarkable, must-hear albums By Alice Clark published 4 September 23 "Her anger, rage and horror is palpable": Corinne Bailey Rae, as you've never heard her before
Your essential guide to every Hole album By Alice Clark published 31 May 23 Courtney Love's finest work re-assessed
M(h)aol's exhilarating debut album Attachment Styles has the power to break down walls and kick over statues By Alice Clark published 2 February 23 Irish post-punks M(h)aol deliver a manifesto for a better tomorrow with galvanising debut album
The Ike & Tina Turner albums you should definitely own By Alice Clark published 5 December 22 From Ike and Tina Turner's explosive, raw beginnings to their final R&B hurrah, they crossed many musical genres - and these are their best albums
The Bo Diddley albums you should definitely own By Alice Clark published 1 June 22 The best albums from Bo Diddley, the gunslingin’, cigar-box guitar-totin’ cool cat who wrote the book on rockin' R&B and gave a rhythm his name
How to buy the very best of Eric Clapton By Alice Clark published 26 February 19 From The Yardbirds to The Bluesbreakers, from Cream to The Dominoes, Eric Clapton carved out a legacy like few others
Mavis Staples: The Life And Soul Of A Legend By Alice Clark published 15 August 16 The Chicago soul and gospel icon explains how Martin Luther King led her to make some of the defining songs of the civil rights era
The First Time I Met The Blues: No Sinner By Alice Clark published 30 June 16 No Sinner frontwoman Colleen Rennison had a youthful brush with Hollywood stardom, but the allure of the blues proved too tempting…
Linda Gail Lewis: Hard Rockin' Woman By Alice Clark published 30 June 16 Jerry Lee Lewis's little sister on hanging out with Elvis Presley and John Lennon, and being a rock’n’roll stalwart with an R&B soul.
Call & Response: Ben Poole By Alice Clark published 27 June 16 Fresh from a tour with Stevie Nimmo, the British blues guitarist discusses keeping it live and hanging with his heroes.
Payin' Dues: Martha High By Alice Clark published 27 June 16 The original JB funky diva talks new album, James Brown and the Rumble In The Jungle.
The Kentucky Headhunters start their debut UK tour By Alice Clark published 27 June 16 The Kentucky Headhunters overcome their phobias and pack their bags to head to Ramblin’ Man Fair.
Charles Bradley: From James Brown Impersonator To Late-Blooming Soul Star. By Alice Clark published 9 May 16 A turbulent childhood and life on the streets were tough, but inspired by James Brown, Charles Bradley made it to the Harlem Apollo and beyond. This is his inspirational story…
Robin McKelle: “I fell in love with Gregory Porter’s voice.” By Alice Clark published 9 May 16 New Yorker Robin McKelle comes full circle on an album that sees her up close and personal.
Toronzo Cannon: “Life and living a little bit is a big influence.” By Alice Clark published 9 May 16 A bus driver by day and a soulful bluesman by night, all hail the new Chicago king Toronzo Cannon.
First Time I Met The Blues: Steve Hooker By Alice Clark published 31 March 16 The Heat’s former rockabilly blues guitar man on Pretty Things, Motown and punk-rock memories.
Payin' Dues: Vieux Farka Touré By Alice Clark published 25 March 16 Malian desert bluesman inspired by John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix and his dad Ali Farka Touré.
James Hunter: The Road To Glory By Alice Clark published 25 March 16 Essex singer-songwriter James Hunter was working on the railways when he found a path to blues glory under the stewardship of Van Morrison, Georgie Fame and Allen Toussaint. Now he’s one of Da
