Blues 'n' Boogie--current great ones

[jazzboCR]

Start out with a previous Thread on Mitch Woods: http://www.music-discussion.com/showthre...ocket-88-s

Moving right along to Rick Estrin and the Nightcats: Mr Estrin's been doing this for a long time ("this" being jump blues, early R&B, swing...and delighting audiences therewith). The band was formerly "Little Charlie and..." but when Charlie Baty vamoosed (nothing dire or sordid--he took a "soft" retirement), Mr. Estrin took over (he'd long been the frontman anyway--no big switch). Discog for the former then the latter: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/little-ch...iscography and http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rick-estr...iscography << Class and flamboyant style all the way. The Site: http://rickestrin.com/ Good editorial comment and citizen reviewers: http://www.amazon.com/You-Asked-Live-Ric...ick+estrin

Some tunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJw7-wVBtEA << A little set-up; music at 3:20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqS_nL2jvHE << This'n's a hoot. Thoroughly entertaining--all of one song and most of another.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sccRtO1mJfw << playing to other solid pros...and killing it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSkMHiDzxh8 << As Mr. Estrin notes, that knife cuts both ways... Mr. Anderson has a 3-minute solo that's so "in the zone"--wondrous to hear. He could make a ton of money elsewhere but likes who he is and where he is. Good on him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkwuymHv8KQ << Tasteful drum solo

BONUS: Near-hour concert from '13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d8ObF1QC_o << If you can't enjoy yourself at his gigs, you got issues to grapple with...

[jazzboCR]

Next, a guy who's not the showman the others are but still puts on a righteous Blues time, complete with B-3. Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. Honed his chops replacing Duke Robillard in Roomful of Blues (q.v.). Mostly has led a band but selectively hires out. His Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Earl His Site: http://www.ronnieearl.com/
A appreciation and discog: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ronnie-ea.../biography and http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ronnie-ea...iscography << Outstanding discs for 10+ years on Stony Plain Records--that '07 Hope Radio piece also has a DVD available--due to the close-ups of his hands, it's near-essential for the new/learning player.

Some tunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQFGpB7YlUc << nice workout for all involved
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uasRQpyk3Mk << He doesn't often work with a singer but this is glorious << Tough to cut Sistah Etta's take but this is a front-runner...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyjYYiab7C0 << Classic bluesy jazz piece, done right here. Lustrous and illuminating.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzKJVx0X0x8 << From his newest CD, again with Diane Blue--a winning and winsome team. Slow Blues are the toughest--nowhere to hide mistakes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNcqPoAIOtg << The kind of take on a song SRV learned from....which he freely acknowledged.

BONUS: 2010 full album--Spread the Love : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0R5lGbgQ3Q << His B-3 guy is a joy to listen to.