Crossroads

June 22/24

Crossroads continues the June Caribbean American Heritage Month feature with more music from the Crescent City, including ‘the Soul Queen of New Orleans’ Irma Thomas, bluesman Walter ‘Wolfman’ Washington, the Soul Rebels, the Neville Brothers, and in hour two, a special feature Cyril Neville.

Crossroads also continues its month-long tributes to Chicago bluesman Eddy ‘the Chief’ Clearwater, and gospel singer and cofounder of the Blind Boys of Alabama, Clarence Fountain, who both passed away at the beginning of the month.

And there’s new music from Bettye LaVette, Sue Foley, Mike Zito, and Lurrie Bell & the Bell Dynasty.

June 15/17

Crossroads continues the June feature celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month with music from New Orleans, and remembering Chicago blues legend Eddy Clearwater and gospel great Clarence Fountain of the Blind Boys of Alabama.

There’s also music from soul singer and session player Eddie Hinton for his birthday, blues concert previews, and new music from the Delmark 65th anniversary Tribute album, Canadian blueswoman Suzie Vinnick, the Lucky Losers, and the Jambalaya Brass Band – and a special about Crescent City brass bands, including the Rebirth Brass Band, in hour two in conjunction with the June feature.

June 8/10

Lots happening this time at the Crossroads:

We remember Chicago blues veteran and Blues Hall of Fame inductee Eddy ‘The Chief’ Clearwater who passed away on June 1st.

The June feature for Caribbean American Heritage Month highlights music from the place that has been called the ‘northern-most city in the Caribbean,’ New Orleans – including a special in hour two with the late, great Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers.

Crossroads also marks birthdays of Boz Scaggs, Howlin’ Wolf, and Derek Trucks – showcases new blues releases – and previews some upcoming local and regional blues concerts for the coming week.

1. Marcia Ball – Shine Bright (Alligator)
2. Curtis Salgado/Alan Hagar – Rough Cut (Alligator)
3. Mike Zito – First Class Life (Ruf)
4. The Lucky Losers – Blind Spot (Dirty Cat)
5. Nick Moss Band – The High Cost of Low Living (Alligator)
6. Bettye LaVette – Things Have Changed (Verve)
7. Sue Foley – The Ice Queen (Stony Plain)
8. Rae Gordon Band – Better Than I Was (Rae Gordon Music)
9. Bernard Allison – Let It Go (Ruf)
10. Joyann Parker – Hard to Love (BNC)
    

June 1/3

It’s “New Month/New Music” time as Crossroads teams up with Global Village and Strange Currency at the beginning of every month to feature the best in new blues releases.

Among the highlights this time:

The Keeshea Pratt Band – First Place winners in the 2018 International Blues Challenge

Steve Krase – Harmonica player, member of the Trudy Lynn Band & Semi-Finalist in the 2017 International Blues Challenge

Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar – 2017 International Blues Challenge Semi-Finalist and multiple Maple Blues Awards nominee

New reissues of James Brown & the Famous Flames’ Federal and King Singles, and Odetta Albums Collection.

May 25/27

Crossroads wraps up the May Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month feature with music from Harry Manx, Slide to Freedom. Michael Messer’s Mitra and Taj Mahal’s Hula Blues Band.

Plus - some classic tracks for the birthdays of Albert King (5.25) and Junior Parker (5.27); previews of regional blues shows in the coming week; a few more Blues Music Award winners left out of last week’s show; and new music from Marcia Ball, Nick Moss, the Lucky Losers, and previously unreleased music from Jimi Hendrix.

May 18/20

Crossroads highlights music from this year’s Blues Music Awards winners, just announced last week, including Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo', Rick Estrin, Ruthie Foster, Robert Cray and more.

Friday is also the birthday of legendary Kansas City blues shouter Big Joe Turner and classic and rare tracks from him are on tap.

Plus more music for the May Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month feature, and new music from the Rae Gordon Band, Victor Wainwright, Van Morrison with Joey DeFrancesco, Mike Zito, and Beth Hart with Joe Bonamassa.

May 11/13

Crossroads kicks off the May Asian-American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month feature with music from some artists who bring together Indian music and blues – Slide to Freedom and Harry Manx.

We also remember Charles Neville and Deborah Coleman, who passed away in April.

And Sunday (May 13) is Stevie Wonder’s birthday – in hour one of the show a cover of one of his songs from the Deep Blue Organ Trio and a hit song Wonder wrote for Rufus with Chaka Khan. Then in hour two a Stevie Wonder special featuring many of his classic tracks.

1. Nick Moss Band – The High Cost of Low Living (Alligator)

2. Danielle Nicole – Cry No More (Concord)

3. Orphan Jon & the Abandoned – Abandoned No More (Rip Cat)

4. Mud Morganfield – They Call Me Mud (Severn)

5. Bettye LaVette – Things Have Changed (Verve)

6. Sue Foley – The Ice Queen (Stony Plain)

7. Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa – Black Coffee (J&R Adventures)

8. Rockwell Avenue Blues Band – Back to Chicago (Delmark)

9. Tinsley Ellis – Winning Hard (Alligator)

10. Barrence Whitfield & the Savages – Soul Flowers of Titan (Bloodshot)

May 4/6

It’s “New Month/New Music” time as Crossroads teams up with Global Village and Strange Currency at the beginning of every month to feature the best in new blues releases.

Among the highlights this time:

Marcia Ball and Ry Cooder, back with new albums

The latest from Kansas City’s Grand Marquis

A live set from veteran blues rockers Savoy Brown

Reissues of two classic albums from Geoff & Maria Muldaur

And the one and only Blind Lemon Pledge