New music: ZZ Ward, Firefall, Chris Church, Peter Holsapple, Candice Night, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans

The first half of 2025 has seen the release of a slew of fantastic new studio albums and reissues. In this column I feature a number of the best titles featuring American artists that have been issued over the past few months.

Artist: ZZ Ward
Title: Liberation (Sun Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Grace Potter, Beth Hart, blues music
Tell me more: Blues songstress ZZ Ward displays her signature vocals and powers as a songwriter on her latest album, Liberation, a disc that offers up a mix of strong originals and inspired covers. Early standouts on the 14-track disc include the soulful opener "Mother" (a new track about her new role as a working mother), a fiery take on the rockabilly-fueled Elvis Presley nugget "My Baby Left Me," a rip-roaring reading of the Jesters' "Cadillac Man" and the self-penned power blues ballad "Love Alive." The strength of the album continues courtesy of the likes of the intoxicating title track, soaring retro sortie "Lioness," Delta-soaked remake of Son House's "Grinnin' In Your Face," a high-octane blues harp-adorned cover of Robert Johnson's "Dust My Broom" and an artful New Orleans-flavored version of Alvin Robinson's "Something You Got." Information: sunrecords.com.

Artist: Firefall
Title: Friends & Family 2 (Sunset Boulevard Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Fleetwood Mac, Dan Fogelberg, Stephen Stills, The Beach Boys
Tell me more: Boulder, Colorado-spawned soft rock heroes Firefall are back with Friends & Family 2, a followup to their acclaimed 2023 album Friends & Family. This time around the talented troupe revisits a new collection of classic rock hits originally forged between the late 1960s and early '80s. The quintet is also joined several celebrated guests who elevate the proceedings. Among the great remakes on the 12-track album is a harmonies-filled take on Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With" (featuring additional vocals from Wynonna Judd), a bewitching cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way," a fiery take of the Buffalo Springfield favorite "Mr. Soul" (Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Richie Furay sings the same vocal part he sang on the Neil Young-penned classic in 1968), a tender rendering of America's "I Need You," a shimmering "So You Want To Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star" featuring John Jorgensen on 12-string guitar, and a delightfully countrified take of the Flying Burrito Brothers' "Christine's Tune." Information: sunsetblvdrecords.com.

Artist: Chris Church
Title: Obsolete Path (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young, Todd Rundgren, Matthew Sweet
Tell me more: North Carolina-based singer-songwriter Chris Church is not afraid to mix up a wide range of rock styles in the service of his top-tier songcraft, and that approach works wonders across his latest album Obsolete Path. The indie rocker "Sit Down" with its exhilarating guitar play, wistful New Wave mining "I Don't Wanna Be There," sumptuous power pop gem "She Looks Good in Black," rollicking "Life On A Trampoline," melodic noise rock strike "Running Right Back To You," electric guitar-whipped melodic rocker "The Great Divide," genre-defying "Vice Versa" (the latter featuring Bill Lloyd on mandolin) and Americana rocker "Like A Sucker" are among my favorite tracks on Obsolete Path. Church — who plays guitars, bass, keyboards and sings lead and backing vocals across the outstanding 12-track release — is one of today's most exciting and creative artists and proves it at every wonderful turn across the inventive masterwork. Information: bigstirrecords.com.

Artist: Peter Holsapple
Title: The Face Of 68 (Label 51 Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Jason Falkner, Continental Drifters, R.E.M., Big Star
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Peter Holsapple has earned countless accolades for his previous work, including his role in The dB's and Continental Drifters — two influential bands he co-helmed over the course of acclaimed albums like 1981's Stands for deciBels and 1998's Vermilion as well as his studio and touring contributions with R.E.M. and Hootie & the Blowfish. Now Holsapple is back with a terrific solo album, The Face of 68, whose heady mix of muscular rock, melodic power pop and experimental flourishes draws comparisons with the likes of Cheap Trick, dada and the Smithereens. The riveting opener "Anytime Soon" bridges power pop and modern rock with an undeniable energy, Holsapple's vocals a perfect fit amidst the melodic garage rock soundscape and his raging guitar play. That promising start proves to be just the beginning; subsequent great cuts include the rollicking "The Face of 68," the crunchy rockers "Larger Than Life" and "My Idea #49," the bewitching blues cut "One for the Book," power pop sortie "Fireflies" and tuneful "She and Me." Information: label51recordings.com.

Artist: Candice Night
Title: Sea Glass (earMUSIC)
You might like if you enjoy: Candice Night, Blackmore's Night, Idina Menzel
Tell me more: Blackmore's Night lead singer/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night has released her solo album Sea Glass, an 11-track album showcasing her expressive soprano and emotional originals delivered via a myriad of different musical genres. The album's highlights include the Renaissance-flavored title track, uptempo Americana nugget "Unsung Hero (She'll Never Tell)," blues-rock version of "Angel and Jezebel," lovely Baroque song "Promise Me," cinematic instrumental "Dark Carnival," piano-anchored ballad "The Last Goodbye" and the shimmering "Another Day." Sea Glass is available on limited edition colored vinyl, as well as on CD Digipak and via Digital. Information: candice-night.com.

Artist: Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
Title: Songs Of The Old West (RockBeat Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Sons of the Pioneers
Tell me more: Nostalgic and timeless, the parade of 22 classic selections on Great Songs of the Old West celebrates the signature Americana sound of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Rogers was one of the most popular stars of his era — appearing in almost 90 films between 1935 and 1975 — and starring alongside his real life wife Evans on the popular television show "The Roy Rogers Show" between 1951 and 1957. Songs of the Old West also serves as a reminder to just how wonderful Rogers and Evans were as top-tier singers. In addition to the couple's enduring Evans-penned theme song "Happy Trails" the expansive set includes the enchanting "A Cowboy Needs A Horse" (bolstered by Rogers' impressive yodeling), accordion-anchored "Whoopie Ty-Yi-Yo (Get Along Little Dogies)," galloping "Hoofbeat Serenade," lovely "Goodbye Old Paint (I'm Leaving Cheyenne)," and beautiful "Red River Valley" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" (the latter two selections featuring Evans). Rogers' incredible tenor voice brings palpable emotional weight to the classic cowboy songs "Streets Of Laredo" and "Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie" while Evans equals that power on the harmonies-adorned "Home On The Range." Among the bonus tracks is a showcase for Pat Brady — who was Rogers' sidekick on his television show — singing the fun-filled "Roy Rogers Had A Ranch." Information: RockBeatRecords.com.

Robert Kinsler

Whoopie Ty-Yi-Yo (Get Along Little Dogies)

John Lee Hooker’s best-selling comeback album 'The Healer' set for reissue Oct. 28

Great to see a bona fide classic from John Lee Hooker set for reissue on both vinyl and audio CD next month...Robert Kinsler

JOHN LEE HOOKER’S BEST-SELLING COMEBACK ALBUM THE HEALER

SET FOR REISSUE ON 180-GRAM VINYL AND CD

OCTOBER 28^th

 

Out of print for more than a decade, the acclaimed 1989 album features guest appearances by Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, George Thorogood, and many others

 

Includes the GRAMMY®-winning hit “I’m in the Mood”

Los Angeles, CA (September 7, 2022)—Craft Recordings is pleased to reissue John Lee Hooker’s widely acclaimed album, The Healer, on vinyl and CD, after more than a decade of being out of print. The 1989 LP earned the then 73-year-old blues icon his first GRAMMY® Award (for the song “I’m in the Mood” with Bonnie Raitt) and features contributions from a star-studded collection of guest artists, which in addition to Raitt, includes Carlos Santana, George Thorogood, Los Lobos, Canned Heat, Charlie Musselwhite, and Robert Cray. Set for release on October 28 and available for pre-order beginning today, The Healer was pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Records Pressing (QRP), with lacquers cut by the award-winning engineer Bernie Grundman. 

 

Few artists have made such an explosive comeback as Hooker did when he released The Healer in 1989. The prolific singer-songwriter—also known as the “King of the Boogie”—rose to fame in 1948 with the chart-topping R&B hit, “Boogie Chillen’.” Over the next four decades, he worked tirelessly—recording dozens of albums, touring the world, and reinventing modern music along the way. As one of history’s greatest bluesmen, Hooker’s influence spread far and wide, inspiring a generation of musicians across multiple genres, including folk, rock, and blues. A handful of these artists are represented as guests on The Healer.

 

Recorded at San Francisco’s Russian Hill Recording Studios, the album was produced by guitarist Roy Rogers, who served as a member of Hooker’s Coast to Coast Band and would go on to helm three more records by the artist, including the GRAMMY®-nominated Mr. Lucky (1991) and the bestselling Chill Out (1995). Together, they invited some of the industry’s greatest talents to perform a selection of new and classic material in both stripped-down and full-band settings.

 

Among the high-profile guests was Bonnie Raitt—a blues star in her own right—who joined her musical hero for the languid “I’m in the Mood.” The single, which Hooker first made a hit in 1951, was reimagined as a sultry and sassy duet. The duo’s interplay was so effective, in fact, that it won them a GRAMMY® for Best Traditional Blues Performance at the following year’s award ceremony. Another disciple of Hooker’s, Carlos Santana, appeared on the airy opening title track. “The Healer,” which became a global hit, paired Santana’s electrifying guitar licks and Latin rhythms with Hooker’s deep, emotive vocals. This creative partnership would continue throughout the ’90s, with Santana appearing on—and producing—several of the elder musician’s biggest albums. 

 

Robert Cray, who represented a new generation of blues stars, would soon become a regular collaborator as well, following his appearance on the funky “Baby Lee.” Cray, who was a decade into his career at the time—having already played alongside the likes of Chuck Berry, Tina Turner, and Eric Clapton—joined Hooker on several subsequent albums, including Boom Boom (1992) and Mr. Lucky. The high-energy “Cuttin’ Out,” meanwhile, reunited Hooker with blues-rockers Canned Heat, with whom he recorded the acclaimed 1971 album, Hooker ’N Heat. 

 

Chart-busting artist George Thorogood, who rose to prominence in the late ’70s blues-rock scene, guested on “Sally Mae” (originally released in 1948 as the B-side to “Boogie Chillen’”), where he delivered an impassioned performance on the guitar. Also stopping by the studio was legendary harmonica player, Charlie Musselwhite, who accompanied his longtime friend on the track, “That’s Alright.” Rounding out the guest list were East Los Angeles rockers Los Lobos, who had recently scored a No.1 hit with “La Bamba” (a cover of the Richie Valens song, recorded for the blockbuster biopic of the same name). The versatile group backed Hooker on the zydeco-flavored “Think Twice Before You Go.”

 

Hooker also recorded three solo tracks for The Healer, including the stripped-down “Rockin’ Chair,” the wistful ballad, “My Dream,” and the album closer, “No Substitute.” For the latter track, the bluesman delivered startlingly intimate vocals, paired with a lush acoustic guitar and his signature foot tapping, as he declared, “there ain’t no substitute for love.”

 

While Hooker released several albums in the ’80s, The Healer marked a turning point in his career, marrying the classic style of his heyday with a strikingly modern sound. Critics paid attention as well, showering the artist and his guests with praise. Rolling Stonecalled the record “Brilliant, 100-proof blues,” adding “the spirit that animates this album is the ageless voice of John Lee Hooker and his boogie-man blues. He has conjured up a renewed world blues with the canniness of the hoodoo healers and root doctors who first gave birth to the Delta blues.” In addition to earning Hooker his first GRAMMY® win, the album was also a commercial triumph, peaking at No.62 on the Billboard 200 and selling more than a million copies worldwide.

 

The success of The Healer opened up a breadth of new opportunities for John Lee Hooker, including a host of eager collaborators and a string of popular releases. The busy bluesman was also able to bask in his status as a living icon. Just two years after the release of The Healer, Hooker was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, while in 1997, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was celebrated with a GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. The Blues Hall of Famer was also a recipient of the highly prestigious National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts—the highest honor that can be bestowed upon those in the folk and traditional arts by the U.S. government. Today, 21 years after his passing, Hooker’s legacy continues to live on through his extensive catalog of recordings, as well as through the many artists whose music he inspired. His work can be heard frequently in films and TV shows, while many of his songs have found a second life through sampling by hip-hop and electronic music’s biggest acts.

 

Click here to pre-order The Healer and visit JohnLeeHooker.com for exclusive merchandise and more. 

 

 

Tracklist (vinyl):

 

Side A

1.   The Healer (with Carlos Santana & The Santana Band)

2.   I’m In The Mood (with Bonnie Raitt)

3.   Baby Lee (with Robert Cray)

4.   Cuttin’ Out (with Canned Heat)

5.   Think Twice Before You Go (with Los Lobos)

 

Side B

1.   Sally Mae (with George Thorogood)

2.   That’s Alright (with Charlie Musselwhite)

3.   Rockin’ Chair

4.   My Dream

5.   No Substitute

 

Tracklist (CD):

 

1.   The Healer (with Carlos Santana & The Santana Band)

2.   I’m In The Mood (with Bonnie Raitt)

3.   Baby Lee (with Robert Cray)

4.   Cuttin’ Out (with Canned Heat)

5.   Think Twice Before You Go (with Los Lobos)

6.   Sally Mae (with George Thorogood)

7.   That’s Alright (with Charlie Musselwhite)

8.   Rockin’ Chair

9.   My Dream

10. No Substitute

 

 

About Craft Recordings 

Craft Recordings is home to one of the largest and most essential collections of master recordings and compositions in the world. Its storied repertoire includes landmark releases from icons such as Joan Baez, John Coltrane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Celia Cruz, Miles Davis, Isaac Hayes, John Lee Hooker, Little Richard, R.E.M., Joan Sebastian, and Traveling Wilburys. Plus, the catalog recordings of celebrated contemporary acts including A Day to Remember, Evanescence, Alison Krauss, Nine Inch Nails, Taking Back Sunday and Violent Femmes, to name just a few. Renowned imprints with catalogs issued under the Craft banner include Fania, Fantasy, Fearless, Musart, Nitro, Panart, Prestige, Riverside, Rounder, Specialty, Stax, Vanguard, Varèse Sarabande, Vee-Jay and Victory, among many others. Craft creates thoughtfully curated packages, with a meticulous devotion to quality and a commitment to preservation—ensuring that these recordings endure for new generations to discover. Craft is also home to the Billie Holiday and Tammy Wynette estates which preserve and protect their respective names, likeness and music through day-to-day legacy management of these cultural trailblazers. Craft Recordings is the catalog label team for Concord Recorded Music. For more info, visit CraftRecordings.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify. 

Sights and Sounds Abound Via New Releases

In this column, I feature several new titles available on Blu-ray, preview a new music series coming to AXS TV and highlight a handful of new audio titles out now...

Title: Just a Gigolo (Shout! Factory)

You might like if you enjoy: David Bowie, Kim Novak, Marlene Dietrich

Tell me more: Just a Gigolo, a drama starring singer-actor David Bowie has been newly remastered and is available for the first time via Blu-ray (it is also available on DVD, on digital and on demand). Bowie stars as Paul von Przgodski, a young Prussian gentleman navigating events in the final days of and immediately after the end of World War I. Although not considered among his best films, Bowie is strong on screen and the cult classic is definitely worth viewing; what's more Just a Gigolo features a truly impressive cast including stars Kim Novak, David Hemmings, Maria Schell and Marlene Dietrich (the latter in her final role). Bonus features on the Blu-ray include a 32-page booklet, "The Making of Gigolo" with Producer/Writer Joshua Sinclair and Assistant to the Director Rory MacLean, and audio commentary with MacLean. Information: ShoutFactory.com.

Title: Mackintosh and T.J. (Verdugo Entertainment / MVD Visual)

You might like if you enjoy: Roy Rogers, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, westerns

Tell me more: The 1975 modern day western Mackintosh and T.J. – which marked the final feature film appearance featuring singer-actor legend Roy Rogers – has been released for the first time on Blu-ray via a newly restored high definition 4K version. The entertaining film features the Singing Cowboy in a role written specifically for him. The film features music from Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson; the Blu-ray is loaded with a myriad of bonus features including interviews with several of the surviving cast members (Rogers passed away in 1998), original on-set footage and theatrical trailers. This is a truly heartwarming film that found Rogers in a pitch-perfect role where he mentors a young and troubled teen amidst a backdrop of the hard work required on a ranch. The visual and audio elements on the Blu-ray are wonderful, with this important film restored to its full force for the enjoyment of modern-day audiences. Information: MVDb2b.com.

Vintage Trouble performing on the first episode of 
"If These Walls Could Rock" which airs on AXS TV on
July 7. Photo courtesy of AXS TV.

Title: If These Walls Could Rock: episode #101 "Old Brick Church" (AXS TV)

You might like if you enjoy: Vintage Trouble

Tell me more: A new original music documentary series is coming to AXS TV this week. "If These Walls Could Rock" debuts on Wednesday, July 7 at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific Time). The series takes a fascinating look at six iconic music venues around the U.S., with a different acclaimed artist performing on each episode. On the first episode set at the "Old Brick Church" in South Carolina, Vintage Trouble (singer Ty Taylor, guitarist Nalle Colt, dummer Richard Danielson, bassist Rick Barrio Dill and backing vocalist Tawny Dolley) perform "Repeating History," an original previously-unheard song. Leading up to that performance is a fascinating look at the history and palpable history of the Old Brick Church and nearby Charleston, South Carolina. 

The Old Brick Church as seen on "If These Walls
Could Rock set to air on July 7, 2021. 

Originally built outside of Charleston, South Carolina in 1708, the Parish of St. Thomas was destroyed by a fire in 1815. Rebuilt in 1819 on the foundation of the original structure, the historic building has stood for more than 200 years and survived the Civil War and other events outlined in the stirring episode.  Directed by Jeff Siebert, the episode celebrates the power of Vintage Trouble while also exploring  history of the region. Other upcoming episodes are set to feature singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, acclaimed blues-rock troupe Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Ivan Neville and more. Information: AXS.TV.

Artist: The Rubinoos

Title: The CBS Tapes (Yep Roc)

You might like if you enjoy: The Rubinoos, the Knack, early '60s rock

Tell me more: Recorded 45 years ago while all four members were still in their teens, the Rubinoos' The CBS Tapes was captured in CBS Studios in San Francisco on Nov. 3, 1976. Listening to the newly-released 11-track set is to be fully impressed by the young band's power pop swagger and youthful exuberance that defies time. Playing a mix of originals and covers, singer-guitarist Jon Rubin, guitarist-singer Tommy Dunbar, drummer-singer Donn Spindt and bassist-singer Royse Ader are obviously having a blast as they tear through a set in the studio (engineered and mixed by Glen Kolotkin). The range of the material is vast to be sure, with magical covers of the Beatles' "She Loves You" and "I Want To Hold Your Hand," a brash reading of the Archies' "Sugar, Sugar," a flashy take on the surf rock instrumental classic "Walk Don't Run" and adult version of the DeFranco Family's "Heartbeat, It's a Lovebeat" among my favorite covers on the set; a trio of originals (the propulsive "All Excited," punk rocker "I Want Her So Bad" and inspired "Nooshna Kavolta") fit in nicely. Fifty years after they set out on their musical odyssey, the Rubinoos are still going strong; "The CBS Tapes" revisits the troupe's captivating infancy. Information: YepRoc.com.

Artist: Wanderlust

Title: All A View (Wanderlust)

You might like if you enjoy: Del Amitri, Jellyfish, Dada, Blur, Crowded House

Tell me more: Winning songcraft, stunning vocal harmonies, detailed arrangements and strong musicianship never go out of style. Listen no further than the incredible Wanderlust album All A View. This is an album that should have arrived 25 years ago, but is thankfully here in the summer of 2021. Wanderlust formed in Philadelphia in 1993, signed a record deal with RCA Records in 1994, and released their critically-acclaimed debut Prize in 1995 (The Sunday London Times declared Wanderlust's album Prize upon its release as one of the "best rock albums ever made"). Front man and principle songwriter Scot Sax, guitarist Rob Bonfiglio, bassist Mark Getten and drummer Jim Cavanaugh reconvened during the COVID-19 pandemic after Sax came across a DAT tape featuring songs written after the release of "Prize" and set out to complete the work they had started back in the 1990s. The wealth of songs on All A View includes the psychedelic-swept title cut, chamber pop gem "Something Happens," sumptuous "2 Million Pieces," masterful power pop sortie "Corduroy Moon," Crowded House-flavored "Trick of the Light" and wistful melodic charmer "Inspiration." A wonderful and essential return. Information: WanderlustFans.com.

Artist: Circus Mind

Title: Joy Machine (Outhouse Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Traffic, Little Feat, Sly Stone, Tower of Power

Tell me more: The classic sounds of '70s blues, jazz rock, funk and classic rock are celebrated on Joy Machine, the third album from New York-based collective Circus Mind. Headed by band leader Mark Rechler (vocals, keyboards), the group also includes bassist Chris Crosby, guitarist Dave Berg, drummer Dan Roth and percussionist Steve Finkelstein along with a full horn section (trombonist Pablo Rodriguez, trumpet player Damien Pacheco and sax players Michael Amendola and Richard Bomzer). Blues, rock, jazz and funk are fused perfectly across the captivating 10-track disc; the infectious "Mean Mutha Fucka" (with guest Max Newman), Steely Dan-flavored title track, aptly-titled "Jazzfest Time" and poignant "Errand Boy" are definite showcases for how capably Circus Mind fuses its influences into something that is the group's own. Several of the album's great tracks are bolstered by the incredible fret work of guest guitarist Brandon "Taz" Niederauer; indeed the funkadelic "Are You Ready" and reflective psychedelia-tinged dreamscape "Air Waves" soar. Information: CircusMindBand.com.

Artist: Tamara L. Wilson

Title: Let It Go (Tamara L. Wilson)

You might like if you enjoy: Donna Summer, Cheryl Lynn, Ruthie Foster

Tell me more: Tamara L. Wilson's new EP Let It Go is a welcome introduction to the songstress, whose work recalls a number of classic and contemporary genres. The heartfelt opener "It's Your Life (Believe)" has a decidedly positive vibe, and that spirit continues across the rest of the four-track disc. The soul-infused dance track "Little More Love Remix" is catchy; "Let It Go" has an arc extending from its laid back intro to a cool groove for most of its run. "Have It All" closes out the release, Wilson's affecting soprano vocals building with the song's ascent. Information: tamaralwilson.com.

Robert Kinsler

'Mackintosh and TJ,' Roy Rogers final film appearance - film coming to Blu-ray & DVD on May 18

I wanted to make sure fans of westerns, the late silver screen star Roy Rogers and the music of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson saw this news...Robert Kinsler

Newly Restored 4K Edition Of Mackintosh and T.J. Starring The Legendary Roy Rogers In His Final Film Appearance Coming May 18, 2021

Featuring music by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, the American Western  is set for debut on Blu-ray and DVD via Verdugo Entertainment and MVD

On Tuesday, May 18, 2021, Verdugo Entertainment will launch the newly restored 4K version of the 1975 classic Mackintosh and T.J. on Blu-ray and DVD. The modern day American western stars the legendary “King of the Cowboys” Roy Rogers, in his final feature film appearance. 

 

Distributed by Verdugo Entertainment and MVD Entertainment Group, the film is also streaming now on Amazon Prime, Vudu, You Tube and Google Play. 

 

Mackintosh and T.J. is described as “a moving photo album of ranch life in Texas in the mid-1970s.” Screenwriter Paul Savage, most known for his TV work in Wagon Train, Big Valley, and Gunsmoke, penned the film specifically with Roy Rogers in mind. The film is one of the few in which Roy Rogers did not play himself, portraying instead the title character of Mackintosh, a veteran ranch hand. 

 

In the film, wandering through rural Texas ranch country, Mackintosh becomes a father figure for the young and homeless T.J. (Clay O’Brien) and helps him to stay on track. They land jobs on the ranch of Jim Webster, where Mackintosh proves his skills as a horse tamer. When a murder takes place, Mackintosh is framed which leads to dramatic events. 

 

Watch trailer here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvrJwwNdkZo

 

The film was restored to 4K from the original 35MM camera negative, including audio cleanup and went through a color correction process to match the original film. Colorist Sean Lawrence comments, “Our color correction approach was to try and be as true to the original intention and not impose modern color correction aesthetics. Were the filmmakers alive to see it, we would want them to feel that this matched their original vision.”

 

Mackintosh and TJ’s original score is by Waylon Jennings and the soundtrack features songs by Jennings and country music icon Willie Nelson.

 

The film was recently spotlighted in the What is a Western? Interview Series: Ranching, Rodeo and Roy Rogers produced by The Autry Museum and featuring a lively discussion with rodeo world champion Larry Mahan (who also has a role in the movie), and film historians C. Courtney Joyner and Stuart Rosebrook. The panelists discuss the realistic portrayal of 20th century rodeo and ranching life in movies, particularly in Roy Rogers’ final film, and explore the significance of the Western genre and the ways in which the movies shape our understanding of the American West. 

Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg7MaCOzEe4

 

“It isn’t a Roy Rogers movie, it’s a wonderful movie that Roy Rogers is in that reflects quite a bit of 1970’s sensibility,” says Joyner.

 

“Roy Rogers’ character Mackintosh seems to be an amalgamation of some of those characters we saw in Junior Bonner, J W Coop, The Honkers - men out of time, men who have values, who still follow the ‘Code of The West.’ So that message came across very strong,” comments Rosebrook.

 

“Producer Tim Penland wanted to do older style Westerns,” explains Mahan. “He had quite an extensive Christian background, and he wanted to get away from what he saw in Westerns, as there was too much violence, and he wanted to do something that was more in line with his values.”

Bonus Materials

• Audio Commentary with Clay O’Brien, Andrew Robinson and moderator C. Courtney Joyner
• Lone Pine Cast Reunion with Clay O’Brien, Andrew Robinson and Larry Mahan
• Interview with Billy Green Bush
• Original On-Set Footage
• Theatrical Trailer

About Verdugo Entertainment

Verdugo Entertainment is a leading independent entertainment distribution company dedicated to rediscovering, restoring and distributing cult classic and retro films. Located in Burbank, California, the company provides complete film-distribution services and the highest level of technical quality in restoration so that each film is presented in its intended brilliance – bringing today’s fans closer than ever to the original experience.  Verdugo films are made widely available through streaming services, VOD, OTT, Broadcast, on VHS collectors sets, on DVD and Blu-ray, and can be seen at outdoor screenings, cinemas and festivals across the U.S. and Canada.   

Concert review: Doheny Blues Festival 2016 Roundup

Singer-guitarist Roy Rogers, left, with fiddler Carlos
Reyes at Doheny Blues Festival. Photo: Robert Kinsler

Editor's Note: This is an expanded version combining my two reviews that ran earlier this week in The Orange County Register.  A special thank you to photographer Bob Steshetz for letting me use a number of his wonderful photos with my review.


Doheny Blues Festival
When: May 21-22, 2016
Where: Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, CA

Review by Robert Kinsler

Day 1, Saturday, May 21, 2016

Day 1 of Doheny Blues Festival 2016 featured a number of wide-ranging artists appearing on three stages and elsewhere. Noteworthy performances stretched from a breakfast set staged outside the Dana Point venue courtesy of Steve Copeland & Raging Sun to headliners Lynyrd Skynyrd. 

Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

In recent years Lynyrd Skynyrd has performed at a number of high profile spots including Stagecoach in May 2014, at Pacific Amphitheatre in August 2014 and at the NAMM Show in Anaheim last year. And while guitarist Gary Rossington remains the only original member of the groundbreaking Southern rock outfit (a majority of the members were killed in an October 1977 plane crash), the band's well-chronicled tale of survival and an enduring collection of FM radio favorites is celebrated at each show. 

The band (fronted by singer Johnny Van Zant, younger brother of original lead singer Ronnie Van Zant) finally made its first-ever appearance at the Doheny Blues Festival on Saturday, delivering a rousing and memorable 90-minute show that blended classics ("Free Bird," "Sweet Home Alabama," "Simple Man"), a sweet tribute to the late Merle Haggard (a spirited version of the Hag's "Honky Tonk Night Time Man") and more obscure material ("Cry For the Bad Man," "Whiskey Rock-A-Roller"). 

James Hunter at Doheny Blues Fest.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

The single best set of day 1 may well have belonged to the James Hunter Six, who blasted through more than an hour of exciting, dynamic and fun songs that blended rock 'n' soul, R&B and blues. From the opening notes of their first song, the uptempo "She's Got a Way" to the two dozen or so songs that followed, Hunter and his five talented band mates personified how much fun a great concert can be in the hands of masters. Highlights came fast and furious, from the title track of Hunter's latest album ("Hold On!") to the spirited "The Gypsy" (where Hunter unleashed some amazing guitar work to finish out the track) and beautiful ballad "Something's Calling," this set was a complete triumph for the soulful Hunter.

No artist traveled further to get to Dana Point that Finland-based songstress Ina Forsman with the Helge Tallqvist Band. Forsman, who noted this was her first time in California, made the most of the trek to showcase a mix of her emotive originals and beloved material from both Etta James and Amy Winehouse. Highlights included her own reggae-meets-blues nugget "Farewell" and the potent ballad "Don't Hurt Me Now," the latter showcasing Forsman's incredible soprano. Harmonica master Helge Tallqvist impressed throughout their set.

Making a well-deserved return to the concert stage were the Rockin' Rebels, a loose and fun-styled rockabilly quartet that delighted discerning listeners on the Backporch stage. The area quartet is set to release a new CD on Rip Cat Records this summer.

The first artist to appear on the Backporch via an early Saturday turn, singer-songwriter John Long performs authentic original songs that sound as if they were being written and performed in the early 20th century. His first song, the Delta blues-styled "Pressure Cooker ('Bout to Blow)" and the infectious slide guitar-anchored "Baby Please Set a Date," the latter the wonderful lead-off track off Long's 2016 return Stand Your Ground (his first studio album since 2006's Lost & Found). Guest Al Blake blew some great blues harmonica during "Baby Please Set a Date." During much of the set, Long was joined by Fred Kaplan (piano), Bill Stuve (upright bass) and Washington Rucker (drums).

Kicking off the day was an appearance of Steve Copeland & Raging Sun. The talented Copeland (guitar, vocals), was joined by lead guitarist-vocalist Terry "The Count" Medeiros and harmonica virtuoso River Blue for an acoustic set that displayed the power of one of the ensemble's full-band outings. While a medley featuring Rolling Stones, Steve Miller and Creedence Clearwater Revival classics was fun, an artistically-reworked version of Kris Kristofferson's "Me & Bobby McGee" was amazing. …Robert Kinsler

The Walter Trout Band remains a force of nature.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Day 2, Sunday, May 22, 2016

Two things marked the 2016 entry of Doheny Blues Festival: amazing weather and great guitar playing. That was especially true on Sunday, with Roy Rogers, Walter Trout, Tommy Castro, Tommy Harkenrider (guesting with England's Si Cranston and his Soul Revue) and Brian Setzer displaying some flat-out amazing guitar work. 

Concertgoers certainly didn't have to wait long to take in amazing music making on Sunday. Widely considered one of the greatest slide guitarists ever, Roy Rogers' performance on the Backporch stage offered the chance to see the legendary artist in an intimate performance that offered a chance to see the artist as he put his virtuoso guitar talents in the service of a wide range of material with his trusted Delta Rhythm Kings and guest fiddler/Paraguayan harp player Carlos Reyes.

Songs from Rogers' latest album, 2015's Into the Wild Blue, provided fuel for part of the 70-minute set, including the blues rocker "She's a Real Jaguar" and the Keb' Mo'-styled "Don't Let Them Win." Among the selections perfectly suited for Rogers and Reyes to shine while playing in tandem was an uptempo take on Willie Dixon's "Built for Comfort."

Walter Trout's appearance at the blues fest was his first since undergoing a liver transplant in May 2014, and the Huntington Beach singer-songwriter-guitarist made the most of his set by featuring songs from his latest album Battle Scars, which documents his brush with death and miraculous recovery. "Almost Gone," "Haunted By the Night" and acoustic-flavored "Please Take Me Home" were powerfully rendered and captured the depth of the songs during the performance. Trout also brought up his sons Jon (on guitar) and Dylan (on drums) to play a few tracks too. Trout's winning vocals and flat-out impressive guitar chops are as strong as ever, and the crowd cheered his return to Dana Point.

The Record Company rocking the Backporch.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

The Record Company is clearly one of the better young bands that have tapped into hard rocking blues elements of the 1970s and found a way to work those influences into something new that connects and excites modern-day audiences. At the trio's incredible performance on Sunday afternoon, the Record Company attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd with its sure-fire and infectious sound. "We are the Record Company," said singer-guitarist/harmonica blaster Chris Vos when he took the Backporch stage with band mates Alex Stiff (bass) and Marc Cazoria (drums). "We play rock 'n' roll."

Indeed, the Los Angeles-based threesome tore through a set of original rock, many of the songs from the group's 2016 debut Give It Back To You. The amped-up opening shot "On the Move," nuanced country-flavored "Hard Day Coming Down" and blues-drenched "Rita Mae Young" were among the many great songs performed by the exciting outfit.

Closing out the action on the Sailor Jerry Stage were long-time favorites Tommy Castro & the Painkillers. Like Trout, Castro is as talented as a singer-songwriter as a guitarist, so his 75-minute set worked on a number of levels. Early, he honored his hero B.B. King with an inspired Chicago blues take on "Bad Luck," the arrangement showcasing Castro's skilled lead guitar work. Castro also brought soul into his blues mix via the infectious "I'm Qualified" and tore up the place with his anthem-styled blues rocker "Can't Keep A Good Man Down."

Brian Setzer at Doheny Blues Fest.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

The festival's final act was a great one. Brian Setzer's Rockabilly Riot offered up a dream set of Stray Cats gems (a scorching "Rumble in Brighton," extended "Runaway Boys" with some great guitar work, the crowd-pleasing "Stray Cat Strut"), as well as great material off his 2014 Rockabilly Riot! album; the song "Vinyl Records" featured some of Setzer's greatest vocals of the set. Everywhere his lead guitar work impressed, including on some great covers (Carl Perkins' "Put Your Clothes On," Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire," Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" and more). 

Make sure to read writer George A. Paul's comprehensive report of the Doheny Blues Fest. We both covered the two-day festival for The Orange County Register, and he was able to cover several of the acts I missed. You can access his day 1 report here. His day 2 report is here.

A special collective "thank you" to the talented staff at 100.3 FM (better known as "The Sound") who spent some time with the Register's writing crew and shared musical stories. I got to meet Mimi Chen, Cynthia Fox and Uncle Joe Benson after listening to all of them for many years on the Southern California "airwaves." It was very cool and they are truly passionate about music - and great people too.

From left, writer George A. Paul, 100.3 FM radio host Mimi
Chen and Robert Kinsler. Photo: Bob Steshetz

Review by Robert Kinsler