Dick Boak is the Soul of Martin Guitars

Dick Boak was offered a job as a guitar craftsman at C.F. Martin and Company after sifting through the spare wood in the company's dumpster in 1976. Forty years later, Boak reflects on his continued work with Martin and the experiences he's had building guitars for musicians like Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash and John Mayer.

Published by Noisey on December 23, 2016.
Read the full feature here: https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/dick-boak-is-the-soul-of-martin-guitars

The Rolling Stones: Blue and Lonesome Review

"The second track, "Commit a Crime," is one of the album's strongest standouts. Most famously recorded by Howlin' Wolf, the Stones' version has a rolling tempo like Wolf's - the spin here is with the guitar solo two minutes in, which Jagger replaces with his own harmonica solo."

Review of the Rolling Stones' latest album Blue and Lonesome, released December 2, 2016.
Published by Blues Rock Review on December 15, 2016.
Read the full review here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/12/the-rolling-stones-blue-and-lonesome-review.html

Joanne Shaw Taylor: Wild Review

"Wild is not wild; it's careful and sometimes cautious, though there are moments of abandon that sneak in. Wild wears in well, rewarding patient listeners more than those expecting an immediate hit."

Review of Joanne Shaw Taylor's fifth studio album Wild.
Published by Blues Rock Review on December 6, 2016.
Read the full review here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/12/joanne-shaw-taylor-wild-review.html

Get into the Groove

The San Francisco-based quintet Should We Run's vocalist Krishan Abeyatunge explains his band's evolving identity and sound, as evidenced on their new album Existential. Three weeks prior to the album's debut, Abeyatunge discusses plans for the album release show on November 19 at the Independent in San Francisco.

Published by the San Francisco Weekly on November 16, 2016.
Read the full feature here: http://www.sfweekly.com/music/allshookdown/get-into-the-groove/

The Almighty Dreadnought Turns 100

"From Major Kealakai's initial request to Gene Autry's popularization of the guitar in the 1930s and the following insurgence of Dreadnought players, the [Museum of Making Music] exhibit catalogs the instrument's transformative moments."

Published by Elmore Magazine on October 24, 2016.
Read the full feature here: http://www.elmoremagazine.com/2016/10/features/the-almighty-dreadnought-turns-100

Joe Bonamassa: Live at the Greek Theatre Review

"When the album concludes with "Riding with the Kings" as an encore, Bonamassa leaves his audience with the feeling that, while many artists can and should play the music of these legendary bluesmen, no one can do it quite like him."

Review of Joe Bonamassa's latest release, Live at the Greek Theatre.
Published by Blues Rock Review on October 24, 2016.
Read the full review here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/10/joe-bonamassa-live-at-the-greek-theatre-review.html

Eric Johnson Interview

Guitarist Eric Johnson spoke with Blues Rock Review about EJ, his latest album and first all-acoustic work released on October 7, 2016.

Published by Blues Rock Review on October 14, 2016.
Read the full interview here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/10/eric-johnson-interview.html

Bad Suns Return with Disappear Here

"Bad Suns have now returned with Disappear Here, a 13-track album that has even more bounce and pop-rock than their debut."

Review of Bad Suns' sophomore album Disappear Here, released on September 16, 2016.
Published by the San Diego Reader on September 23, 2016.
Read the full review here: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2016/sep/23/cd-bad-suns-return-disappear-here/

2016 San Diego Blues Festival

The sixth annual San Diego Blues Festival (held each September in support of the San Diego Food Bank) featured nine acts on two stages in downtown San Diego. This year's fest included performances by Big Jon Atkinson, the Holla Pointe, Billy Watson and Junior Watson, Chris Cain, the Bey Paule Band featuring Wee Willie Walker, Watermelon Slim, Bobby Rush, Nikki Hill and headliners Los Lobos.

Published by Elmore Magazine on September 20, 2016.
Read the full review here: http://www.elmoremagazine.com/2016/09/reviews/shows/san-diego-blues-festival

Walter Trout: ALIVE in Amsterdam Review

"On ALIVE, his solos are scorching and his vocals are powerful - Trout is in his element, playing better than ever. Between these flashes of talent come the praises of a humble parent, proudly gesturing to his son's guest appearance on guitar as though he has no idea where John Trout learned his skill."

Review of Walter Trout's 2016 live album, recorded on November 28, 2015 in Amsterdam.
Published by Blues Rock Review on July 22, 2016.
Read the full review here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/07/walter-trout-alive-in-amsterdam-review.html

The Temperance Movement Interview: Damon Wilson

Drummer Damon Wilson of the Temperance Movement spoke with Blues Rock Review about the band's second album White Bear, set for release in the U.S. on July 15, 2016.

Published by Blues Rock Review on July 11, 2016.
Read the full interview here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/07/the-temperance-movement-interview-damon-wilson.html

The Rides Interview: Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Barry Goldberg

Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Barry Goldberg discuss the making of Pierced Arrow, their second album as part of the supertrio the Rides.

Published by Blues Rock Review on July 5, 2016.

Read the full interview here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/07/the-rides-interview-kenny-wayne-shepherd-and-barry-goldberg.html

Rival Sons: Hollow Bones Review

"When the nine-track Hollow Bones starts with "Hollow Bones, Pt. 1," it sounds like we as listeners are stepping into a Rival Sons concert in progress. The energy is alive and breathable, driving home the band's continued appreciation for authenticity during the recording process."

Review of Rival Sons' fifth album Hollow Bones, released June 10, 2016 on Earache Records.
Published by Blues Rock Review on June 20, 2016.
Read the full review here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/06/rival-sons-hollow-bones-review.html

Pasadena at 710 Beach Club and Grill

Ska fans were excited to be at 710 Beach Club & Grill the evening of Friday, June 17 when the Maryland-based Pasadena took the stage after opening sets by locals No Kings and Sandollar. No Kings vocalist Matt Cook pumped in early energy by jumping around the stage and playing audio samples from the 1993 film Dazed and Confused between songs. Sandollar followed with a bouncy beach rock set before introducing Pasadena, who cited 710 as one of the first San Diego venues they visited when they began touring along the West Coast years ago.

The four-piece performed material that spans their entire catalog, from 2008’s Sick and Tired to last year’s Hurricane. They played “Peace to My Enemies” early on, a new track with a freshly minted music video, and brushed off fan favorites “I Don’t Know,” “Trouble” and “All in Good Time.” The crowd danced in earnest when acoustic guitarist and singer Joe Harkum broke into the chorus on “Sweet Surrender,” and Harkum and bassist Aaron Hooper had the crowd singing happily along to their lyrical exchange during the (ironically) waltzy “Shut the F**k Up.”

With their fun blend of ska and rock, Pasadena consistently draws enthusiastic crowds while in San Diego, and their gig at 710 was no exception.

The Rides: Pierced Arrow Review

"Supertrio the Rides - Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Barry Goldberg - return May 6 with Pierced Arrow, their first release since their debut album Can't Get Enough tapped into Blues Rock Review's Top 20 Albums of 2013."

Review of the Rides' second album Pierced Arrow, due out May 6.
Published by Blues Rock Review on April 20, 2016.
Read the full review here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/04/the-rides-pierced-arrow-review.html

Robin Trower: Where You Are Going To Review

"Where You Are Going To is thoughtful and judicious, capable of grabbing its audience with short guitar bursts amid the mellow tempos of most tracks."

Review of Robin Trower's forthcoming solo album, due out May 6, 2016.
Published by Blues Rock Review on April 6, 2016.
Read the full review here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/04/robin-trower-where-you-are-going-to-review.html

Tedeschi Trucks Band: Let Me Get By Review

"Thoughtful, in control, mature. These sentiments are eminent both lyrically and musically on the Tedeschi Trucks Band's third studio album Let Me Get By."

Review of the Tedeschi Trucks Band's latest album, released in January 2016.
Published by Blues Rock Review on February 11, 2016.
Read the full review here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/02/tedeschi-trucks-band-let-me-get-by-review.html

Rival Sons: Jay Buchanan Interview

Rival Sons frontman Jay Buchanan talks with Blues Rock Review about his band's opening slot on Black Sabbath's final world tour.

Published by Blues Rock Review on February 9, 2016.
Read the full interview here: http://bluesrockreview.com/2016/02/rival-sons-jay-buchanan-interview.html

The Guitar's Next Generation

"Created by legendary rock photographer Robert Knight, the Brotherhood of the Guitar fosters young musicians that aspire to guitar-fueled stardom."

Published by Elmore Magazine on January 25, 2016.
Read the full feature here: http://www.elmoremagazine.com/2016/01/features/the-guitars-next-generation