Blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa has released a new live performance video of “Bullfrog Blues,” taken from his upcoming live album The Spirit of Rory: Live From Cork, due out June 19.

The performance captures Bonamassa leaning into his slide guitar work, delivering a gritty and expressive take on the Rory Gallagher staple. Filmed in Cork, Ireland, the video highlights both the raw energy of the performance and Bonamassa’s deep connection to the material.

The project pays tribute to late Irish blues legend Rory Gallagher, whose influence on Bonamassa dates back to his earliest years as a guitarist. For Bonamassa, recording the album in Gallagher’s hometown carried particular significance.

“I never had the honor to meet him, but his music and musicianship loom large in my life,” Bonamassa writes in a personal foreword accompanying the release. “From my first time hearing Irish Tour ’74 I was captivated by the sheer intensity of the man and the ferocity of his approach to the electric blues.”

The Spirit of Rory: Live From Cork was recorded with the blessing of Gallagher’s family and in front of audiences deeply connected to his legacy, adding further weight to the performances.

Bonamassa will support the release with an extensive run of tour dates across the U.S. and Europe throughout 2026.

The “Bullfrog Blues” performance video is available now.

U.S. Spring Tour 2026
April 10-12, 2026 – Miramar Beach, FL – Sound Wave Beach Weekend (Sold Out)

EU/UK Spring Tour 2026
April 22 – Hamburg, DE – Barclays Arena
April 24 – Rotterdam, NL – Rotterdam RTM Stage
April 25 – Paris, FR – La Seine Musicale
April 27 – Esch-sur-Alzette, LU – Luxembourg Rockhal
April 29 – Mannheim, DE – SAP Arena
May 1 – Chemnitz, DE – Stadthalle Chemnitz
May 2 – Nürnberg, DE – PSD Bank Nürnberg Arena
May 3 – Zürich, CH – Hallenstadion
May 6 – London, UK – Royal Albert Hall
May 7 – London, UK – Royal Albert Hall

U.S. Summer Tour 2026
June 26 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts w/ JJ Grey & Mofro & D.K. Harrell
June 27 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Casino Resort
June 28 – Newark, NJ – New Jersey Performing Arts Center
July 29 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap w/ Gov’t Mule
July 31 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater w/ Gov’t Mule
August 1 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion w/ Gov’t Mule
August 3 – Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Melody Tent
August 5 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater w/ JJ Grey & Mofro
August 7 – Selbyville, DE – Freeman Arts Pavilion
August 8 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion w/ Gov’t Mule
August 9 – Youngstown, OH – The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre w/ Gov’t Mule
August 12 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival
August 14 – Interlochen, MI – Kresge Auditorium
August 15 – Welch, MN – Treasure Island Resort & Casino w/ Gov’t Mule
August 16 – Lincoln, NE – Pinewood Bowl Theater w/ Gov’t Mule
August 19 – Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Civic Center
August 21 – Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater
August 23 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

EU Fall Tour 2026
October 21 – Helsinki, FI – Veikkaus Arena
October 23 – Stockholm, SE – Avicii Arena
October 24 – Oslo, NO – Oslo Spektrum
October 25 – Gothenburg, SE – Partille Arena
October 27 – Copenhagen, DK – K.B. Hallen
October 29 – Rostock, DE – Stadthalle Rostock
October 30 – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena
October 31 – Dortmund, DE – Westfalenhalle
November 3 – Basel, CH – Baloise Session
November 4 – Milan, IT – Unipol Forum

The post Joe Bonamassa tips hat to Rory Gallagher with “Bullfrog Blues” appeared first on Blues Rock Review.

Legendary blues and roots artist Taj Mahal has announced the release of his new single “Wild About My Lovin’,” the latest preview from his upcoming album Time, due out May 1 via Resonatin’ Records/Thirty Tigers.

The new album features a mix of blues, soul, folk, reggae, and roots influences, continuing Taj Mahal’s long-standing approach of blending styles rooted in American music traditions. The project was originally recorded in 2010 with his longtime backing group, the Phantom Blues Band, marking a continuation of a collaboration that spans more than three decades.

One of the album’s notable tracks is the title song “Time,” a previously unreleased composition by Bill Withers. The song was originally recorded as a demo and remained unheard until it was revisited for this release. Producer Steve Berkowitz brought the track to Taj Mahal with the approval of Withers and his family.

The recording sessions for Time featured members of the Phantom Blues Band, including Tony Braunagel on drums, Larry Fulcher on bass, and Johnny Lee Schell on guitar, who also co-produced the album with Berkowitz. Additional musicians include pianist Jon Cleary and organist Mick Weaver. The album was recorded at Ultratone Studio in Studio City, California, and incorporates elements of New Orleans rhythms, reggae grooves, country blues, and Latin influences.

Taj Mahal remains one of the most influential figures in blues and roots music, with a career spanning more than six decades. He has released over 40 albums and has received multiple GRAMMY Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025. His work has helped shape the direction of modern blues while drawing connections to global musical traditions.

In support of the new release, Taj Mahal will continue touring throughout 2026, including a special event on May 1 in New York City featuring a discussion and performance with the Phantom Blues Band.

TIME Tracklist

Life of Love
Wild About My Lovin’
Crazy About A Jukebox
Time
You Put The Whammy On Me
Talkin’ Blues
Sweet Lorene
Ask Me About Nothing (But The Blues)
It’s Your Voodoo Working
Rowdy Blues

Tour Dates

Apr. 9 Thu – Fort Lauderdale, FL – The Parker
Apr. 10 – St. Petersburg, FL – Tampa Bay Blues Festival
Apr. 12 Sun – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theater
Apr. 13 Mon – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
Apr. 14 Tue – Wilmington, NC – The Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College
Apr. 16 Thu – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
Apr. 17 Fri – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theater
Apr. 18 Sat – Newberry, SC – Newberry Opera House
Apr. 20 Mon – Decatur, AL – The Princess Center for Performing Arts
Apr. 21 Tue – Cleveland, MS – Bologna Performing Arts Center
Apr. 23 – Miramar Beach, FL – Sun Sand and Soul Festival
May 1, 2026 – New York, NY – The Green Space (Discussion with Taj Mahal & performance with The Phantom Blues Band)
July 4 – Orilla, ON, Canada – Mariposa Folk Festival
July 7 – Buffalo, NY – Asbury Hall at Babeville
July 8 – Cleveland, OH – Music Box Supper Club – Concert Hall
July 10 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
July 11 – Munhall, PA – Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
July 12 – Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere
July 14 – Troy, NY – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
July 15 – Northampton, MA – Academy of Music
July 17 – Wilmington, DE – The Grand Opera House
July 18 – Trumansburg, NY – GrassRoots Festival

The post Taj Mahal unveils “Wild About My Lovin” appeared first on Blues Rock Review.

Blues rock reached its creative peak in the 1970s, when bands regularly blended raw electric energy with gritty guitar work and soulful storytelling. Artists may produce a plethora of songs, yet only one or two receive airplay, and the rest are often overlooked. The true spirit of the genre was often captured by tracks that were overlooked due to the presence of more familiar songs that dominated the charts. When digging deeper into this wealth of material, listeners are rewarded with heartfelt laments and extended jams that were often among the era’s most authentic blues rock, hiding just beneath the surface. These 10 blues rock deep cuts from the 1970s are seldom heard but definitely deserve a listen.

All Saved Freak Band – “Great Victory”

The All Saved Freak Band’s claim to fame lies in the fact that an outstanding blues rock guitarist was in the band. Glenn Schwartz was the founding lead guitarist of the James Gang and was replaced by Joe Walsh after leaving to join the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. He stayed with PG&E for three albums before joining a Christian commune that was later exposed as an abusive religious cult. The pastor was the lead singer of a band that played a variety of musical styles, including blues rock, with lyrics that incorporated both political activism and religious themes. “Great Victory” is an upbeat, rocking blues gospel song that features Glenn Schwartz providing guitar wizardry that reaches into the heavens.

Captain Beefheart – “I’m Gonna Booglarize You, Baby”

Captain Beefheart’s real name was Don Van Vliet, and “I’m Gonna Booglarize You, Baby” is the lead track from his sixth studio album, The Spotlight Kid, released in 1972. It slinks out of the shadows like a late-night, back-alley proposition set to a slow, menacing blues rock groove. The tune’s lurching rhythm section and syncopated, funky guitar lines provide the Captain with a backdrop for delivering his gravelly, howling vocals with predatory swagger. The lyrics offer surrealistic wordplay on classic blues themes like lust and dark nocturnal mischief while remaining rooted in a swampy, boogie-driven direction.

“Milly told Willy, ‘Come on over to my house

And I’ll slow your machine right down’”

Chicken Shack – “The Thrill is Gone”

Chicken Shack’s rendition of “The Thrill Is Gone,” written by Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell and popularized by B.B. King’s 1969 recording, is uniquely original in its sound. The band is fronted by Stan Webb, who delivers amazing, slow-burning, raw, stinging guitar runs that strip the song down to its emotional core. The track exemplifies the intensity of gritty British blues rock and serves as a perfect showcase for Webb’s underrated six-string prowess. The song appeared on Chicken Shack’s 1974 release Goodbye Chicken Shack (Live).

The Doors – “Crawling King Snake”

John Lee Hooker is credited with writing and recording “Crawling King Snake” in 1948. The Doors included it on their sixth and final studio album, recorded before Jim Morrison’s tragic death in 1971, L.A. Woman. It is a faithful and electrified take on the classic, rooted in Delta blues traditions. The track features a swampy, menacing groove that blends swaggering machismo with dark, reptilian imagery in a way that feels both reverent and dangerously alive.

Free – “Heartbreaker”

“Heartbreaker” is the title track of Free’s sixth and final album, released in 1973 just before the group broke up. The song embodies the band’s late-period intensity amid lineup instability and personal struggles. It is a slow-burning powerhouse that showcases Paul Rodgers’ soulful, gritty howl as he sings about self-inflicted pain and desperate renewal. Paul Kossoff, who was struggling with drug addiction, anchors the track with his driving, expressive guitar, creating a heavy, hypnotic groove. The rest of the band was composed of Simon Kirke on drums, Tetsu Yamauchi on bass, and John “Rabbit” Bundrick on keys. The song captures the band’s signature sound, blending the emotion of raw, melancholic blues with the power of rock.

Rory Gallagher – “Walk on Hot Coals” 

Rory Gallagher released Blueprint in 1973 as his third solo studio album. “Walk on Hot Coals” is a no-frills, high-octane blues rock firestorm that perfectly captures his intensity during one of his most fertile periods. The studio recording runs over seven minutes, while live renditions, such as those on Irish Tour ’74, stretch past 11 minutes. Gallagher’s stinging, fluid guitar runs, coupled with his gritty, passionate vocals, produce pure, unadulterated blues rock energy dripping with sweat, heart, and fretboard mastery. Recently, the song was covered by Joe Bonamassa.

Humble Pie – “Sweet Peace and Time”

“Sweet Peace and Time” comes from Humble Pie’s fifth studio album, Smokin’, released in 1972, and was the first album after Peter Frampton left the group. Steve Marriott already sang lead and played guitar, so the band replaced Frampton with Clem Clempson as a second guitarist. “Sweet Peace and Time” reflects the era, with lyrics that capture public sentiment as the seemingly endless war in Vietnam was winding down. The track uses simple, hypnotic blues riffs blended with a hard rock strut to create a nearly six-minute performance. The band’s tight interplay is powered by Marriott’s signature, raspy, blues-soaked vocals, punctuated by driving drums and stellar guitar peals.

“Don’t want lies, don’t give me Ho Chi Minh

Don’t want time, don’t want no schemin’”

Savoy Brown – “Street Corner Talking”

“Street Corner Talking” is the title track from Savoy Brown’s seventh studio album of the same name, released in 1971, Street Corner Talking. It is an underrated gem from the golden age of 1970s blues rock. The song features a new frontman and lead singer, Dave Walker, who later replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath and was also a member of Fleetwood Mac for a period. The band delivers a hypnotic mid-tempo groove laced with Kim Simmonds’ emotive guitar work. The group demonstrated its gritty resilience during a period of lineup changes with the addition of Chicken Shack’s rhythm section.

ZZ Top – “Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell”   

“Sure Got Cold After the Rain” was written by Billy Gibbons and appears on ZZ Top’s second studio album, Rio Grande Mud, released in 1972. It is a slow-burning, mournful lament that depicts rain falling on the morning his baby walked off with another man. The song delivers raw heartache as a Southern blues lament anchored by Gibbons’ expressive guitar work. Bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard provide a tight rhythm section. Gibbons delivers a haunting, extended guitar solo that captures the band at its most emotionally vulnerable.

Frank Zappa – “Stink-Foot”

“Stink-Foot” is a laid-back, funky blues groove built around Frank Zappa’s stinging guitar work and the band’s tight interplay. The song’s absurd subject matter is comically juvenile, yet it is delivered with blues rock muscle, full of slow-burning riffs, expressive soloing, and a raw roadhouse feel. It features irreverent storytelling that illustrates a philosophical conversation about an absurd subject. “Stink-Foot” was the last cut on side two of Zappa’s 1974 album Apostrophe (‘).

“It should be easy to see

The crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe”

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