1996 Record Round-up

Last issue we looked at the best of 1995. It's time to focus on the present, with a little glance at what's in store for the blues in 1996.

The live blues scene is stronger than ever in greater Hartford. Black-Eyed Sally's, the Maple Tree and the Hungry Tiger regularly present national and regional blues acts that would not have been able to play in Connecticut just a few short years ago. By the time you read this, the 2nd Annual Blues Blizzard at the Muni will have already happened, showcasing some of the great local bands that are out there pumping out the blues in small clubs around the state every weekend.

The flood of blues recordings continues. Although the sheer number of new releases guarantees that some will be less than classic, 1996 has already seen some great new albums....

Newcomer Murali Coryell was spotted playing second guitar with Duke Robillard, leading to his debut release Eyes Wide Open on Big Mo Records. The son of jazz-rock guitar star Larry Coryell, Murali Coryell showcases his singing and song writing.

Both the songs and the vocal style call to mind classic soul music of the late 60's and early 70's. While Coryell sounds like himself, you can't help but hear echoes of Sam Cooke and Al Green in his soaring vocals. He throws in a couple of blues guitar workouts, and the whole will have you marveling at the musical maturity of this twenty-five year old.