Back catalogue: Blues

Review: American singer Eva Cassidy released Nighbird posthumously in November 2015. It came 19 years after her death and was recorded at the Washington club Plus Alley in 1996. Some of the tunes had already been released as part of a live album the same year but for this album the recordings have been remixed and remastered from the original tape. It has some big jazz standards such as 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' and 'Fever' as well as eight tunes that were previously unheard at the time. An exceptional record from one of the best female jazz singers of all-time.

Review: As part of Atlantic Records' 75th Anniversary celebration, the label has launched an extensive year-long vinyl series featuring 90 releases spanning the entire history of the company, from its earliest days until the present. Of these emerges this latest reissue of Crosby, Stills & Nash's self-titled debut album, first released on the label all the way back in 1969. The album features some of CSN's most well known and iconic songs; 'Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,' 'Marrakesh Express,' 'Guinnevere,' 'Wooden Ships,' 'Helplessly Hoping' and 'Long Time Gone.' This album saw a shift in sound to what was popular at the time - blues based rock - opting for a more folk rock, and sometimes jazz-based sound. It would lay the foundations for the California Sound that would be popularised out of Laurel Canyon in the '70s. Artists such as The Eagles, Jackson Browne and Fleetwood Mac would take inspiration from the sound of this record.

Review: The chemistry between Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes, caught here live in AL in 1999, produces a dynamic performance that brings fresh life to classic rock anthems. Tracks like 'Celebration Day' and 'What Is & What Should Never Be' are delivered with incredible precision, each riff from Page cutting through the mix, while the Crowes' rhythm section provides a perfect backdrop. Chris Robinson's vocals are raw and commanding, particularly on 'Heartbreaker,' where he channels the energy of the original while adding his own emotive twist. The blues covers, like 'Sloppy Drunk' and 'Mellow Down Easy,' show off the band's versatility, giving a loose, electric vibe that contrasts beautifully with the more structured Zeppelin classics. A live performance that captures both the spirit of the originals and the fire of the setting.